Yesterday, it was this 1967 Chrysler Newport Custom, and today, I’m going to wind things back about a decade and take a look at the Chrysler division’s offerings for 1956, specifically in the form of this beautiful Windsor four-door sedan. In 1956, Chrysler began referring to their lineup as the new PowerStyle Chryslers. I’m not sure what that terminology means, so let’s delve into the listing for this Atco, New Jersey resident, and see if we can figure it out. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,000, and we have T.J. to thank for this tip.
Chrysler offered three models in ’56: the Windsor, the New Yorker, and the 300. Windsors were available in two-door hardtops (standard and Nausau-designated) and convertibles, as well as four-door sedans, hardtops (called Newports), and station wagons, dubbed the Town & Country. Total Windsor production reached 86K units in ’56, with 53K of that total being four-door sedans. “Complete and original survivor coming out of a personal collection of over 30 years. Car was always stored indoors on blocks,” is how the seller describes this two-tone sedan. Its finish is still surprisingly sound, and other than a scrape here and there, the body presents quite well. Same goes for the extensive trim and chrome-plated bits; no issues or concerns.
Power is provided by a 225 gross HP, 331 CI “Spitfire” V8 engine. The seller adds, “Runs and drives. Carburetor has been rebuilt. New gas tank and sending unit. New champion 3-row aluminum radiator. Fresh oil change and tune-up. Does need an exhaust system.” A PowerFlite automatic transmission, actuated by a pushbutton selector, makes the rear-wheel connection. The seller mentions that the original brass radiator is included in the sale.
The interior, with its two-tone upholstery, big, flat steering wheel, and chrome-accentuated dash, is the epitome of fifties design. The driver’s side of the front bench is showing some fatigue, as is the top of the painted steel dash, but originality surely abounds. The interior images don’t reveal the floor covering, but the topside, the headliner, shows well and is still attached.
So, back to that PowerStyle business. It appears to be an all-encompassing term for Chrysler’s ying and yang. You know, styling, proportions, power, and balance; I suppose it’s an existential sense. This car’s lines are certainly in keeping with the times, though all bets were off before long as Virgil Exner’s pen was waiting just around the corner and he would author some rather “memorable” designs at Chryco through the late fifties and early sixties. What’s next for this stately sedan? It’s hard to say. If it were a two-door hardtop or a 300 model, the question probably wouldn’t need to be asked. I still contend that the two extra doors hold these older models back, but again, there always seems to be a bottom for every seat, though not always at the anticipated price. And this car’s $15,000 ask may need some further refining. What’s your thought on this Windsor’s salability and price?
Very sharp looking Chrysler. I always like the ’55 and ’56 models. Great, original period correct 50’s color combination too.
I have no problem with four doors, but I prefer the Newport hardtop version, I think it looks much better. In 1956 dollars, it would have cost about $258 dollars more for the hardtop, well worth it if you could afford it, in my opinion.
$258 back in 1956 equals $3,040 in todays value.
So that hardtop was a lot more.
I agree if you could’ve afford it the hardtop was worth it.
I have the 55 Chrysler Newport Windsor Deluxe two door–black with a white cap–have been driving it for over 30 years–repowered with a 1956 Imperial engin. fun ride it kinda like driving a boat but very smooth.
A wonderfully preserved car that presents really well. I would hope that someone young would appreciate it and have the skills to work on it. And there will be plenty to work on. The list of replaced items is just the start on an old car like this. Everything is old. Every piece of rubber or fabric, all the electrical, well everything. And repair costs are modern day. So fixing the crumbling foam in the front seat could easily cost a grand. Multiplied be everything else, the costs can eat an old car like this alive.
Nothing has been said about fluids and before I would drive it much I think you would need to R& R everything and hope you don’t get leaks.
Unfortunately it isn’t a Tri-Five Chevy and unusual isn’t going to translate to desire. I don’t think it will bring anywhere near the ask perhaps half.
That said, if you were handy and wanted a slow trip down Route 66 , this might be your ride.
Its nice to see this of BF. There was just a episode of pickers that had a car like this and 50 more. He had been trying to sell them for the past 5 years and had sold very few. The desirability has faded with age. I like to see them, ride in them, but no longer want to own them.
Exner’s Forward Look officially began in 1955 with the “100 Million Dollar Look” of which this Windsor is a junior example; the Imperial was the vanguard with its ‘gun sight’ taillights. 57 was the all new body year with the compound curved windshields and massive tail fins.
Maybe so, but this one’s not as nutty looking as what followed.
JO
Every time I see a picture of an engine without the air cleaner I always wonder if it’s missing or just not installed. Running without the air cleaner isn’t something that I would recommend. Plus finding the stock air cleaner for these old cars is getting a lot harder and expensive too.
On another topic though, I believe that the style of the outside door handles; which was the same on the ‘55 Mopars, was short lived due to their propensity to extract damage on feminine manicures. Just a useless bit of trivia I picked up some where reading up on my’ ‘55DeSoto. GLWTS.
Read the entire listing, the seller states that it’s included.
JO
I think the ’56 door handles were somewhat modified so that they could be pulled open.
Some vendors leave the air cleaner off to allow more photographic access to the engine and close-proximity units like the carburetor (which the seller states was rebuilt). I would have included a picture with the air cleaner installed, though.
Rare…..that chrome blow rim on the steering wheel – most are broken from honking hard are some one push starting one…haha…..out of all the 1955/56’s I’ve owned only had one that wasn’t broken……
Nice car….