From 1939 through most of the 1960s, the Windsor was Chrysler’s “everyman” car, an automobile for those who wanted a Chrysler but weren’t ready to spring for a New Yorker or Imperial. This 1956 Windsor 6-passenger station wagon was one of the rarer machines the company built that year, as just 2,700 out of nearly 153,000 Chrysler-badged cars had this body style. It’s been in the same family since new, and may only need some TLC to continue keeping on. Located in Mountain View, California, this nifty survivor-quality auto is available here on craigslist for $17,000. Kudos to Barn Finder Rocco B. for bringing this tip our way!
Designer Virgil Exner created a fresh look for Chrysler’s cars in 1955 (the industry-changing “Forward Look” effort was just around the corner). A nice facelift was arranged the following year, giving the 1956 Chryslers a taste of tailfins – which they would embrace and use into the next decade. As the Windsor appealed to a wider range of buyers, it’s not surprising that two-thirds of Chryslers built in 1956 would come from that nameplate.
Buyers of the 1956 Windsor received a 331 cubic inch V8, an upgrade from the 301 CI from the year before. We’re told the original owners/seller have recently done some maintenance on this swell-looking station wagon, though we don’t know what that may have entailed. While the car runs and drives, the seller hints that a bit more tinkering may be needed if you plan to do a lot of driving in this old people-mover. The overall mileage is said to be 213,000, which adds up to a machine that was well-used but also well-maintained.
We’re not sure what the primary color is on this wagon, but it’s a nice repaint from 25 years ago that has a matching interior that looks to be in decent shape except for the driver’s side of the front bench seat. If you can find NOS materials that will match, that should tidy up things nicely. If you’ve been looking for a vintage wagon for Cars & Coffee, it’s a safe bet you’d be the only collector to show up next week with a ’56 Windsor.
What fabulous car, and reasonable in price. Absolutely fantastic.
If I’m not mistaken, the color is Navajo Red, a carryover color from 1955. My dad had a ’55 New Yorker Deluxe St. Regis sedan in two tone Navajo Red over Desert Sands with the 331 hemi. I guess the Windsor was always one engine back as the 56 New Yorker and Imperial were both equipped with the upgraded 354 cu in engine.
Yes the Windsor was as you put it, “one engine back”. However this engine is NOT a Hemi, it is what is known as a Poly engine.
I never understood the drooling fascination with combustion chambers.
Looks like the ” One Day at a Time” station wagon. The next buyer could have card board stand-ups of the cast as a homage at car shows. I admit watching because of Valerie Bertinelli. Cool wagon!
My G/F was not amused when I excitedly told her Valerie Bertinelli was getting divorced and I still had a ‘chance.’ Some crushes never go away.
As I remember it, there was a series “The Man from Yuma” about a sheriff or state trooper in Arizona who drove one of these.
Yes, most certainly One Day At a Time wagon. Same color too!
If this was at a car show, I would bypass the numerous muscle cars, Tr-Five Chevys & TBirds, Vettes & pony cars just to check this well cared for time capsule out.
That’s a rare find . It’s been a long time since I have seen one of those ! Growing up in the sixties , Chryslers were commonly seen on American roads but after the oil embargo of 1973 – ’74 demand for heavy cars rapidly diminished . Today most of the vehicles are foreign and electric . In 1956 , fuel prices were not a concern . Happy Motoring !
I have my grandfather’s last car, a 56 Desoto Firedome Wagon. It’s a cool ride, unrestored, and mechanically sound.
Cool car priced right imo and I’m not a Mopar guy but I’d definetly like to have this in my garage.Utilitarian is why I like wagons. She should sell quick. Same family 67 years. Amazing. The stories I’m sure the family could tell you. Glwts.
Back in the late 1970s a neighbor had an almost identical wagon except it was a New Yorker with the 354 hemi engine and the rare [for 1956] 5-push button Torqueflite transmission. It was the same color scheme as well. I tried for years to buy the car, as I already had a couple of ’56 Imperials.
When a tree fell across the front fenders and hood of the wagon, I wanted to buy it, but the neighbor quickly had it hauled off for scrap, thinking I wouldn’t want it. What he didn’t know was I had all the parts I needed, on a complete but rusty 1956 Imperial, to make the wagon into the world’s only 1956 Imperial Town & Country wagon.
The rear tail lights of the ’56 Chrysler wagons were so similar to the ’55 that it was decided to not create new stamping. A little cutting and welding on each individual car created the look of the new style.
That upholstery fabric can still be found, and this car is well worth the sale price. Bill’s neighbor sounded clueless. What a shame. Also, since Imperial was brought up, I wonder to this day why a New Yorker front bumper wasn’t installed on Imperials, or would that have been overkill on them, since the rest of those cars were spectacular for Chrysler Corporations flagship.
Nice old ride. I had a 55 Chrysler New Yorker. Best back seat car I ever owned 😉😉
Only problem no park on transmission , kept forgetting to put the dismal emergency brake on and the sucker kept rolling away on me!
So nice to see a wild wagoon andvin such great shape. So many weird beautiful cars that we don’t see anymore since wagons were not saved as much.
Interestingly, for 1956 the Cord-like Windsor grilles are markedly different than those on the pricier New Yorkers.