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Solid Project: 1948 Chrysler New Yorker

The New Yorker was one of America’s longest-running automobile nameplates, appearing from 1940 to 1996. It was usually Chrysler’s most luxurious vehicle, excluding the Imperial which sometimes did not carry Chrysler badging. This 1948 New Yorker has been sitting for many years, so it doesn’t currently run. The body looks solid, the paint has sufficient patina, and the interior is almost like new. If you can get this Chrysler running with minimum effort, you might want to leave its appearance alone as they’re only original once. Located in Tracy, California, this classic is available here on craigslist for $8,500. Our thanks to T.J. for this post-war classic tip!

Chrysler did not immediately work on new models after World War II. The 1946-48 editions were warmed-over 1941-42 models, with the new stuff not coming until 1949. The biggest post-war news for the New Yorker was the availability of a new Presto-Matic 4-speed semi-automatic transmission which we believe is in the seller’s car. A 323 cubic inch straight-eight powered these elegant machines.

The seller provides limited information about his prize. The photos suggest it was a “barn find” that the seller brought home. But are the non-trailer photos of the car before or after it was rescued? Chrysler built more than 52,000 of the 1948 New Yorker 4-door sedans like this one, so they weren’t exactly rare when new. This one has seen 109,000 miles in its 74 years on Planet Earth. No major problems regarding the body jumping out and the paint could very well be original. The interior is in surprisingly good condition, so this machine was once well-cared for and likely stored indoors during any downtime.

We’re told this Chrysler could be a great low-rider project, which we hope the next owner will not do. Keeping this machine in near original condition would be ideal as it has not deteriorated to the point where a full-blown restoration may be needed to make it viable again. These cars were built like tanks, unlike the thin metal and plastic that adorns most cars built today. Even the luxury ones.

Comments

  1. Avatar Mike

    Never saw that type of interior trim in a New Yorker. That woodgrain look was usually in the Royal line-up or maybe the Imperial. May have been a special order. I’ve owned three New Yorkers with that exterior color and they all had a green interior.

    Like 0
    • Avatar GitterDunn

      The Chrysler Royal was was a 6-cyl. model slotted below the New Yorker in the Chrysler model lineup, which was their 8-cyl. top-of-the line model next to the Imperial. That beautiful wood-grain trim would have been available in the New Yorker.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Gil Davis Tercenio

    I like it!

    Like 9
  3. Avatar George Birth

    Nice old car, price is fairly reasonable. HAopefully some one will tackle this one.

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    When I initially saw the first photo of this Chrysler, I thought it was the same car I had in the late 1980s, except mine was in far better condition because it had done only about 35,000 miles, garaged every nite.

    For a late 1940s luxury car, these are great driving cars and very reliable. I have always said they compare favorably to the Packards of the same time. Also very easy to work on. If the engine is not locked up, the price is reasonable.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Ken Vrana Member

    I had a Navy Blue one in perfect condition and loved it. Moved to LA and couldn’t truck it cross country.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar GitterDunn

    Back in the ’60s and ’70s, these old ’40s Chryslers, along with their Dodge, DeSoto and Plymouth siblings, were seen on the road pretty regularly, usually with plenty of patina, like this one here. Most other cars of that vintage were gone by then, junked or put away and forgotten in barns. But these were still on the job, proving them to be so rugged and durable, their owners didn’t care that the pre-war styling was decades out-of-date, looking stodgy and old-fashioned next to the longer, lower, wider and faster cars that surrounded them.

    Today, they are rarely found on the road, and seeing them now with fresh eyes, they are just the kind of car one pines for in this age of flimsy, overly-complex and high-strung little vehicles. They’re big, solid, simple, very roomy and comfortable, easy to maintain, and, in a world seemingly gone crazy, a cozy time machine to the world of the 1940s, when Pop wore a suit and tie and smoked a pipe, and Mom wore a hat and gloves.

    Like 1
    • Avatar karl

      Rugged is a good word for these cars ! They dont seem to rust away, even in New England . There is one that came in recently at our local CT. pick n pull ; same year and body style, with no trace of paint anymore , just a heavy “patina” of rust – but no rot ! Every panel is solid, despite having sat outside neglected for many years.

      Like 1

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