Chrysler first made the Windsor in 1939 as a full-sized luxury car with an economy motor for those who couldn’t quite rustle up the dough for a New Yorker with its straight-eight. Production was interrupted during the war but re-commenced in 1946. A major styling update occurred in 1949, for Chrysler’s 25th anniversary. The differences between the 1948 and 1949 Windsor were subtle: the later cars appeared slightly stubbier, with a more refined greenhouse. The windshield was still in two pieces. The restyled car was as close in appearance to Chrysler’s new top-of-the-line car, the Imperial as Chrysler dared make it without sullying the Imperial’s luxury image. The Windsor’s only motor option was a 251 cu. in. flathead six-cylinder engine, paired with a PrestoMatic semi-automatic transmission. Here on craigslist is “Hazel”, a 1950 Chrysler Windsor, looking for someone to take her home for $3,000. This car is located in Seattle, Washington. We have T.J. to thank for this tip!
Hazel’s owner did not manage to move her out of the shed for a solid photo opportunity, so we have to guess at her body style, and I’m going to say sedan, since the back-seat photo clearly shows she’s a four-door. The club coupes have very attractive two-door styling, the sedans are less collectible unless they are the Newport style hardtop. Still, the interior here is very nice. The seller says the car has been owned by one family since 1972 and was given a frame-off restoration in 1982, then stored in a shed in 1987, where she has remained since.
The 251 cu. in. six-cylinder motor was used in several models starting in 1942. This motor was rated at about 116 hp by the time it was placed in this Windsor. (Chrysler was only one year away from producing the first of its famous “hemi” engines.) As regards Hazel’s motor, it hasn’t run or been started since storage commenced in 1987. I think a Squirrel has been nesting here, however, so at least some use has been made of this dormant powerplant. The PrestoMatic was one of Chrysler’s Fluid Drive transmissions, utilizing fluid couplings to minimize clutch use. The transmission had only two speeds, but with overdrive on each. The overdrive was automatically engaged.
Perhaps that’s just dust on the paintwork, but gee, it would have been nice to see the seller make an effort to show us how even a portion of the car could clean up – or won’t clean up, as the case may be. Still, the price is low, and if this car truly was restored at one time, perhaps the resuscitation of Hazel will be easier than it looks.
It’s definitely a four-door. In the rear seat picture, not only can you see the driver’s side rear door handle, you can also see that the front seatback is one continuous piece – not split to allow half to fold forward for rear-passenger egress.
Michelle: I normally enjoy and admire your superb writing, but I’m a bit confused about the “major styling update” for 1949 (which I remember vividly) vs “The differences between the 1948 and 1949 Windsor were subtle.” Were Windsors alone continued into 1949 with1948 body shells? Certainly, the1950 model shown was the new body style – with minor styling changes from 1949 to 1950 of course.
Great observation, I kinda shortcutted that; I could have expressed it better. We only have 400 words give or take and I didn’t want to short shrift Hazel’s other qualities.
So the update was a modernization of the car bodies from the post-war period and involved shortening, lowering, narrowing, less sheet metal, lighter weight, wider interiors, and some added interior features like padded dashboards. The 49-on cars were considered more compact and ‘boxy’ than the earlier cars though a lot of the styling cues such as the fenders and hood line represented very subtle changes. Interior changes were more significant. Interestingly, the relatively conservative direction of the exterior styling update was criticized at the time, when other automakers were more daring. If you compare the ’49 Ford with the ’48, they are vastly different. So I guess the exterior Windsor update was on the subtle side, while the interior Windsor update was more significant.
As an aside Chrysler took a strike in late 1949. (Hazel might have been a strike baby.) Some research I see shows that some “leftover” ’48s were sold as ’49s to fill in for slow production that year, but I can’t confirm that.
Cars with missing air cleaners always bother me. There is no telling what may have been dropped down the carburetor.
Actually I believe this car is near Spokane, several hundred miles from Seattle.
I bought my third car ever, a 1941 Chrysler Windsor Fluid Drive in 1956 so it was already an old car. and I paid £35 for it. I only owned it for about ten months before falling asleep at the wheel and ending up in a farmers field with the front suspension wrapped in barbed wire! I left it there and hitch-hiked home and never saw the car again. As to what engine it had I have no idea as I never opened the bonnet the whole time I owned it! As a 17 year old as long as it drove that was good enough for me. My friend and I used it for discovering (Rhodesia) Zimbabwe and slept on the front and back seats. Great car, great times.
If she were closer, I would go get her today. She would look so nice in our collection.
The 251 was around till the late 60s in some trucks. Really made little sense as the 225 was a better engine, but these had just so much more low end grunt. Those were some fun times.
I acquired Hazel last week from a man out of Tacoma, Washington
Look at her now !
She is a beauty and drives like a new car. She will be loved and taken care of for many years as a family member.