Given the high future costs of restoring a neglected vintage automobile, it generally makes more sense to hold out for the most solid example you can afford, no matter what the make or model of your dream car happens to be. However, the waters can get a bit muddied if that vehicle has already undergone a restoration with custom touches that may not appeal to the masses. This 1955 Chrysler Newport here on Craigslist is one such auto that would fall into that category, and the owner seems to be aware of this, as it’s already scheduled to have the flames painted over in the near future. If you’re digging the current appearance, you might want to act fast, so head on over to Northwest Georgia to check this one out. Bring along $29,500 in cash, as this is said to be the firm price.
Jack M., thanks for finding this fun ride and sending us the tip! Fire along the lower extremities is one of those mods that usually either works fairly well or not at all, but fifties-style bodies generally seem to be receptive to this touch, with the orange and red flames seen here accenting the black paint rather well. The bad news is that the seller mentions the exterior was done 15 years ago, and the front section has some chips in the finish, so the appearance isn’t flawless in its current state. On a positive note, the imperfections outside seem quite minimal, and just enjoying this one without doing anything is undoubtedly an option worth considering.
A peek inside reveals a few custom touches as well, and much of the work done would likely be considered tasteful upgrades by many mid-fifties car enthusiasts. This one features upgrades such as a tilt column, a custom steering wheel, cruise control, and a power-assisted driver’s seat. The red accents throughout the interior nicely complement the roof color, and the condition in here appears to be very good overall. Popping the trunk shows that this area has also been dressed up, and those Kenwood amps look like they’d provide plenty of power for a rockin’ sound system.
Although topped with aftermarket Mopar components, the seller reports this is a 350 Chevrolet engine under the hood, with no additional information beyond stating that this car runs and drives like a dream. I’m a bit torn about the future of this 1955 Chrysler Newport, as the owner says plans are in place to have the flames painted over soon, which will result in a higher price once that work is completed. However, taking some quick action can preserve this one as-is, which isn’t a bad idea either. Which do you feel is the better choice here?
Major SIN GM engine in a Mopar!! Plenty of room to put any Mopar engine in there!!! 🤦♂️🤦♂️
A Chevy engine was used because it was the easiest choice when the front clip was switched. I hope the seller has a record of what donor vehicles were used for the various modifications..
Steve R
Yeah, almost thirty large for a nice classic Chrysler with a Chevy engine, and stupid flames for a car of that caliber …
absolutely !
BOOOOO to the chevy engine ,
especially in such a rare, exceptional and stunning mopar; it deserves better.
Beautiful car. I’ve had all . Vw,Ford ,Chevy, mopar. Love them all.
IMHO the ’55 & ’56 Chryslers were their most handsome cars until the all new ’65s were introduced. Sadly this one may have received too much attention. I often wonder why someone modifies a car and then dumps it on the public.
never really cared for them,,thought they looked too fat, but I am starting to appreciate them and would own one,,but with out the flames
Mopar performance valve covers on a 350 Chevy?
Yes, I’m sure painting over the flames will result in a higher price, maybe a much higher price.
They can’t just “paint-over” the flames. If they do, their form will still show through. This would require a fine sanding job and full repaint job on the lower body. Feathering into the existing black paint would take an absolute expert to accomplish, so anything less would require a full re-paint of the car’s black exterior — and THAT will be expensive – so yes – the asking price will go up once that is done. == The question being: WHY would anyone put flames on a Newport – Chrysler’s high end model of the day – in the first place?????? That’s like putting flames on a Lincoln Continental – just really weird!!!
hot rod Lincoln
I really like everything about it except the Chevy engine. Nothing wrong with a SB Chevy, but why not an old hemi or a SB mopar. I could probably do without the flames but it’s not a deal breaker. In any case, it’s a nice looking car just too much money for a Frankenstein.
Not a fan of the flames. Even as a kid back in the 50’s – when all the hot-rod shade-tree mechanics were putting flames on their rods, I thought they looked stupid. I asked one teenager across the street if that’s to make it look like he has a bad gas leak and it’s about to explode. He did not appreciate it.
Not a fan of the fire engine red roof over a black body either. Looks like it started out as a red car and they ran out of paint to finish the black re-paint job. IMO, the two colors clash in this way – great for seeing it from far away if it was a taxi – but not as street car. However, red pinstriping on a black car is very different – usually looks really good if done properly.
The interior upgrades are very nice and quite worthwhile going to the expense and effort to do it all. But WHY put a Chevy engine in a Chrysler when Mopar has such an excellent selection of engines to make this Newport sing a happy tune down the track or freeway? – That I do NOT understand!
The ’55 Chrysler was very well-styled for the day. Those huge vertical taillights really stood out back in the day when other makers thought taillights were a worthless afterthought with their teeny-tiny taillights you could barely see from ten car lengths away.
It appears to be well worth $30K as it sets. I’d love to have it – if only the exterior paint job/s didn’t mess its looks all up.
I have that same car, but mine is not on fire. She is a beauty but with so many choices in engines from Mopar why a chevy. Mine is powered by a 56 Imperial 354 Hemi. Mine is not as pretty as that one but it was saved from the junk yard and has been going strong for us for 33 years. Two doors with the windows down and they look gorgeous.
Yes – a very good looking car all the way around – especially for back in that day — and still is!
I would eliminate the flames, whatever that took. But as for the engine, so what? If it has some oomph, doesn’t sound like a garbage disposal and doesn’t blow blue smoke, I would be fine with it. Especially since, if you added two more doors it would almost identical to my father’s, right down to the color.
I live in NW Georgia, so wanted to know where this car is located. According to the map in the ad, it is located in Arizona, near Phoenix, and the phone number is also from AZ.
So, not sure why it is claimed to come from here.
Might be spammed to all CL locations, which is so annoying.
29K for a Bastardized MOPAR ! Hard Pass ! The only reason that car is chevy powered is the person wanted to be cheap .
29K for a Bastardized MOPAR ! Hard Pass ! The only reason that car is chevy powered is the person wanted to be cheap .
Great car, looks to be well executed, but will not appeal to everyone. Ditch the flames, dump in a GEN III HEMI, go back to the original bench & remove the console. Just my thoughts.
I like the look, it’d be better if you can hit the button and have flames come out of the tailpipes!