Before Chrysler touted the “Forward Look,” they introduced their new 1955 models as having “The 100 Million Dollar Look.” Of course, most collectors call any Chrysler from the Virgil Exner era a “Forward Look” Chrysler, but whatever you prefer to call them, they’re usually stylish, sometimes outlandish, and often pretty uncommon these days. One of the rarest is this 1955 New Yorker Deluxe Town and Country, which is being offered as an auction here on eBay in Saint Louis, Missouri (thanks to T.J., as always, for the tip). It’s being presented as a 44,874-mile unrestored wagon that was used by a previous owner to make the trip from Ohio to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the big swap meet. It’s got flaws befitting a 71-year-old Chrysler with an aging paint job, but with dozens of close-up pictures, you can determine if it’s something you can use to haul parts around. The starting price may be a showstopper, however, as nobody has made the $34,320 opening bid.
Only 1,036 Town and Country station wagons were built in 1955, and they were all powered by an engine that looks like a work of art on its own: the 331-cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi. The 331 produced 250 horsepower and 340 lb.-ft. of torque in its last go-round before being replaced by the 354 in 1956. The TorqueFlite was also not quite ready in 1955, so this wagon has the two-speed PowerFlite automatic combined with a 3.36:1 rear axle ratio.
While factory power steering and power brakes were becoming more common in 1955, especially on near-luxury cars like the New Yorker, someone at some point upgraded the braking system with a more modern booster and a dual-circuit master cylinder for a little extra peace of mind when hauling parts back from Hershey.
The selling dealer (museum) has done quite a bit of work to get the wagon up to snuff, including the following:
- New 3″ whitewall tires
- Spark plugs/wires
- Rebuilt carburetor and electric choke conversion
- Motor and transmission mounts
- Valve cover gaskets
- Belts and hoses (including heater hoses)
- New water pump and antifreeze
- Boiled radiator
- Wheel bearings, seals, and tie rods
- Front brake hoses and wheel cylinders (and brake flush)
- Oil/filter change
Nothing on the wagon is what I would consider “show quality,” but it’s a nice ten-footer. As I mentioned, the selling dealer doesn’t seem to be trying to hide anything about the condition of the wagon, and there are plenty of up-close pictures of the little flaws that come with a well-used (but also well-cared-for) old car. The interior itself is Code “24” gold/white cloth and leather, and it’s in pretty good condition.
The load floor has seem some use over the years, but you have to admit, it’s one of the most attractive luggage compartments you’ll find in a wagon.
If you were wondering about the stance, yes, the wagon has definitely been lowered (here is a picture of the lowering blocks added to the rear leaf springs). The rear wire wheels are an upgrade as well, as is the paint: Originally, the car was painted all black (which would have in itself looked amazing), but a prior owner added the “Sunburst Yellow” accents. I’m not sure if I like it better this way or not, but I can’t say it was a bad choice, and all-in-all, owning a 1955 Chrysler station wagon doesn’t sound like a bad choice, given the price is right. Since nobody’s made a bid yet, it seems like the price will have to come down a bit, but given the condition of the wagon and the fact that Forward Look (ahem, 100 Million Dollar Look) Chryslers have maintained their value relatively well in a declining market for 1950s cars, it’s probably not egregiously high. What do you think?
In “two car” American families in the 1950’s, Mom often drove a station wagon for hauling kids and running errands while Pop might have driven a slightly upmarket sedan suitable for taking the family to church or visiting in-laws. This Chrysler wagon was classy enough to suffice for any family activity, but it was also the most expensive Chrysler model that year outside of the Imperial series. Still looks good today IMHO.
“for taking the family to church or visiting in-laws.” Sounds like BIG FUN!
I vote for liking the two tone effect. These cars, even the wagons look great in multiple colors. It sits nice but I’m not sure I’d leave the lowering blocks in there.
Now that’s a wagon! I’ve never seen one of these in person.
I imagine it was a lot of money when new.
The door handle puts me in mind of the 69-72 Grand Prix handle. They’re almost identical.
Me, I’d lose the lowering blocks in favor of a MFR.-spec stance. Other than that, it’s very presentable and somewhat hard to find today. This car has been for sale in Hemmings for over a year; sorry it hasn’t snagged a buyer yet but hope it does soon. GLWTA!
Nice, but it’s for sale by the St. Louis Car “Museum” and their prices are always way over market price.
I bought a 50 Packard from Motoexotica in St. Louis years ago on eBay. I was high bidder at $10K, but didn’t meet reserve. Went to website and saw that they had it advertised for $26K. They contacted me as high bidder and asked if I’d give $11K for it, which I did. Shows how much mark up these dealers can ask for.
That’s the same thing that I thought when I saw the name of seller. They had a Dodge Phoenix for sale in Hemmings for many issues. This may be a way for them to advertise, given the low cost for a small car ad.
This has been listed 6 previous times on eBay, most have had someone make an opening bid. It’s listed on the dealers website for $42,900. They might be better off just listing it with a set price, not every potential buyer will search out the dealer through their website and deal directly.
Steve R
we had a ’55 chrysler st regis deluxe. this brings back memories of that 3 tone sled.
Sky King’s ride when he’s not flying the Song Bird.
And was his daughter Penny?
Have to be “Dollar” today! Gloria Winters was a real cutie!
Niece
I was in grade school during Sky King, but I think he drove a Plymouth woody wagon.
Okay everyone….lets face it this wagon needs a crown on each door just like uncle Sky’s had!!! For the Flying Crown Ranch!!!!!!
“Out of the Clear Blue Western Sky….Comes Sky King”
This is how to tell the world you’re a Boomer, without disclosing your age. Me too. It’s Howdy Doody time!
I miss station wagons.
Don’t like the fact that it’s been lowered: can’t people let these cars alone as original? The changes in brakes and paint do not bother me. But changing the stance definitely does.
Maybe the original owner was short or had a short wife?
Penny was his niece.
I’d prefer a single color, not a 2 tone fan, and loose the wide whites. Lowering doesn’t bother me if it can still carry a load, though I doubt it. Love the hemi under the hood, maybe swap in a TorqueFlite from a later year?
Nice wagon, I’d put it to use. A bit rich though. Usually if something hasn’t sold it’s because it’s over priced.
My vote goes for two-tone. My ’54 Studebaker Starliner was yellow on the bottom and blue on the top, with a brown interior. Beautiful.
Beautiful! Wish I had the money and space.
But like my granny used to say “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”
To Billyboy: The rest of that goes, “If turnips were gold watches, I’d wear one by my side”: my late mother used to hound me with that when I was a child. Of course, were she alive to-day, she’d be in the Guinness Book of World Records.
In the early 60’s my dad drove a 56 three tone NewYorker, red and white with a black top. I believe it was a St Regis. It was a cruiser but those Chryslers were true rust buckets. To see a surviving wagon is amazing. Three tone paint was the order of the day on those cars.
nice wagon. a bit picky here and there though. would be tough to find trim for it should you need it
Yeah, try to find that missing heater temp knob!
Just went thru all the pics on the ad, and call this car a Hemmings 3-. Probably cost $25K to get it to 2 or 2-. Another $25 at least to get it to 2+ or 1-. You’d have nearly $100K in it, and it might be worth their asking price. It’d be a neat car to have, but not for the money they’re asking.
A lot of photos of the driver side in the shade and only one partial one of the passenger side. However, I would give this a full #3 condition from what I can see. It is my favorite year Chrysler but costly. I would not need to restore the cosmetics. Drive as is if okay mechanically.
RNR beat me to the Sky King reference. I’d watch it again.
Out of the Western skies comes Sky King!
But seriously, I got to see the airport version of this car in 1960
or ’61. I was six goin on seven when I saw it at Golloway Ford Town in my hometown of Bloomington Illinois. My Mom was given the job of finding a bus
for our small congregation to use
on Sundays to get the folks to church that didn’t have a car or were too old to drive. Well, we saw this thing in the back row of
the used car lot. And man, was it
ever big! Six doors, five bench seats, and the longest roof rack I
ever saw on a wagon! That thing could carry 15 passengers with no trouble at all. The only scary thing about it was Mom trying to
back it out of the parking space.
My Mom was kinda short and on
the dainty side and to see her try
to drive that huge wagon scared the crap out of me. After the salesman got the car out, Mom said that it wasn’t all that hard to drive once she got the hang of it.
We took the pastor there to show
him the car, but after hearing the price ($600 in 1961 money) Reverend Anderson decided to keep looking. We didn’t get a bus
until Reverend Phillips bought a well used ’55 Chevy school bus in
1966. And yes, that’s the bus I kept running for them on up to 1970. Seeing this car reminds me of that monster that almost became out church bus.
Ken, I love the front view and the grille on these Chryslers. Noone would mess with your mom with that on the road! Imagine trying to pass it on a two-lane highway.
I love it. I also love the two-tone; it is subtle enough for me, and I think it enhances the look. I’m thinking the wide whites look sort of silly, and I’d have to get it standing tall again – but if I had space and the extra cash around for it, I’d be a buyer for about $8 – 10K less. Would look great in the Turkey Day parade.