1954 Chrysler Cars Fact Sheet
Chrysler
Falters
Chrysler was facing competition from Lincoln, Mercury, Cadillac, and Buick, all who now featured more powerful OHV V8 power plants across the line and no ancient L-Head 6 cylinder units as in the Windsor line – an engine that dated back to the 30s and that was considered anemic in the public eye.
General Year Information
The low-end Windsor series was dropped, leaving only the Windsor Deluxe. The line now consisted of Windsor DeLuxe, the New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe.
This year, the only facelifts consisted of changes to the grille, trim and tail lamps. The front grille trim no longer wrapped around the front of the fenders. The dash, while resembling the earlier 1949-1953 Chryslers, was restyled. One-piece rear windows were now used on all body styles.
It would be the last year for the long wheelbase 139.5-inch chassis. Styling, however, was essentially six years old and sales plummeted more than 40 percent.
Chrysler opened its Chelsea Proving Grounds in 1954 and Chrysler test drivers running the Hemi V-8 teamed with Tony Bettenhausen to complete a 24-hour endurance run of 2,836 miles averaging 118.18 M.P.H.
Models Offered
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WINDSOR DELUXE SERIES 62:
Gone was the low-line Windsor series, which was now combined with Windsor DeLuxe Series. The Windsor DeLuxe grille center bar was abbreviated at both ends, which differentiated it from the up-scale New Yorker’s, also without the famous “V” on the nose.
The six-cylinder was in its last year as an engine in a Chrysler. The Club Coupe was also at the end of its run as a Chrysler Body style.
NEW YORKER SERIES C63-1: A slight facelift of the 1953 model made, paralleling the changes in the Windsor DeLuxe Series in body and trim. “New Yorker” nameplates were moved to the rear fenders, but the “V” insignia remained on the hood and deck lid.
The big news was that the Hemi benefited from new cylinder heads. The New Yorker line continued to use the 2-barrel carburetor, however the model ‘s horsepower jumped to 195.
NEW YORKER DELUXE SERIES C63-2: This top-of-the-line Chrysler used more chrome trim than other series in 1954. The grille center bar was bow shaped and dipped at both ends to parallel the upper grille design. The front fender stone shield was unique to the New Yorker DeLuxe while the rear fender stone shield had a horizontal trim piece in the middle, matching the trim on the front fender shield, Hub cap design was unique to the New Yorker DeLuxe and consisted of a very flat, spinner-like design in gold color that matched the exterior insignia.
An upgrade was made to the Hemi, now fitted with new heads, a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts – and standard on this New Yorker DeLuxe line. Horsepower jumped to 235, overshadowing its luxury competitors Cadillac and Lincoln. Surprisingly, in a year of plummeting Chrysler sales, the New Yorker DeLuxe outsold its 1953 counterpart by nearly 25 percent. Horsepower. it seems, did sell cars in 1954.
Engines
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Windsor Series Engine. L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. 264.5 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.438 x 4.75 inches. Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Horsepower: 119 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 218 ft. lbs. @ 1600 RPM. Four main bearings. Mechanical lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 236°, Exhaust 236°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.365″ (Exhaust) 0.365″. Carburetor: Standard shift – Ball and Ball E9C1. Fluid Drive or PowerFlite transmissions: Ball and Ball E9B1.
New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Double rockers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81″ x 3.63″. Compression Ratio: 7.5:1. Horsepower: 195 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 320 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.378″ (Exhaust) 0.361″. Carburetor: Carter WCD 2-barrel 2039SA.
New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Double rockers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81″ x 3.63″. Compression Ratio: 7.5:1. Horsepower: 235 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 330 ft. lbs. @ 2600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap Unk°, Lift (Intake) 0.378″ (Exhaust) 0.361″. Carburetor: Carter WCFB 4-barrel 2041S.
Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: Windsor and New Yorker long wheelbase models – 139.5″ All Others – 125.5″.
- Overall length: Long wheelbase cars: 226.75. All Others: 215.50″.
- Tires: Long wheelbase cars – 8.20 x 15, Short wheelbase cars – All Windsors 7.60 x 15, All New Yorkers 8.00 x 15. Long wheelbase cars – 8.20 x 15, Short wheelbase cars – All Windsors 7.60 x 15, All Station Wagons: 8.20 x 15. White walls available at extra cost.
Power Train Options
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- Windsor DeLuxe. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission optional.
- New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard.
Significant Options
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- Electric Window Lifts.
- Fog lights.
- Heater ($79).
- Highlander trim ($63).
- Map light (standard in Newport and Convertible).
- New Yorker leather trim ($121).
- Outside rear view mirror.
- Power brakes.
- Power steering ($130).
- Power windows ($125).
- Powerflite automatic Transmission on Windsor ($175).
- Radio ($101).
- Rear seat radio speaker.
- Solex tinted glass ($20).
- Spot lamps.
- Two-tone paint.
- White sidewall tires.
- Windshield washers.
Body Paint Color Codes
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1954 Chrysler
| 5 Alpine Blue | |
| 6 Flagship Blue | |
| 7 Commodore Blue | |
| 8 Glacier Blue | |
| 9 Turquoise Blue | |
| 10 Peacock Blue (Green) | |
| 11 Seabreeze Blue | |
| 15 Mint Green | |
| 16 Sea Island Green | |
| 30 West Point Gray | |
| 31 Ascot Gray | |
| 40 Pebble Beige | |
| 41 Topaz Tan | |
| 42 Cordovan Brown | |
| 43 Tahitian Tan | |
| 50 Torch Red | |
| 55 Canary Yellow | |
| 151 Valley Green | |
| 301 Canyon Gray | |
| 89L Scarlet Red | |
| 89U Snow Crest | |
| 90U Steelhaze Gray | |
| 91L Gold | |
| 93L Royal Crest Blue | |
| 93U Bahama Blue | |
| 95U Floral Green | |
| 96U Royal Palm Green |
1954 Chrysler –
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1954 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible
The prestige leader for Chrysler in 1954 had to be the New Yorker DeLuxe Convertible, even though the Town & Country wagon and the 8-Passenger Sedan cost more. But the price of over $3,900 did slow buying as only 724 were sold this year.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker DeLuxe Newport 2-door Hardtop
Aside from 4-door Sedans, the most popular 1954 Chrysler New Yorker was the DeLuxe Newport 2-door Hardtop with 4,814 sold.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker DeLuxe 4-door Sedan
The 1954 New Yorker 4-door Sedan topped the line with 26,907 sold in the DeLuxe Series.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker DeLuxe 2-door Sedan
The 1954 New Yorker Deluxe 2-door sedan was fading versus the 2 door Newport. Few buyers were found with 1,861 delivered. The days of a New Yorker 2-door Sedan were numbered.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker Long Wheelbase 4-door Sedan
For 1954 only 140 long wheelbase New Yorker 8-Passenger Sedans were delivered. The era of the limo-type Chrysler was ending – Imperial would pick up the mantle going forward.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon
The 1954 New Yorker Town & Country station wagon outsold its Windsor sister for the first time, with 1,100 produced.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker Newport 2-door Hardtop
The 1954 New Yorker Newport 2-door hardtop was the lesser series brother to the DeLuxe. Only 1,312 were sold due, most likely, to the small price differential a more sumptuous interior and the 40 HP difference in power.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door Sedan
The 1954 New Yorker 4-door Sedan was a practical choice: Owners received Hemi power and practical space at a reasonable price. As a result, 15,788 were sold.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker 2-door Sedan
The 1954 New Yorker Club Coupe was available as a Standard or DeLuxe. The Standard model sold only 2,079 units – and Chrysler saw the handwriting on the wall. The body style would disappear for 1955.
1954 Chrysler Windsor Convertible
The 1954 Windsor convertible’s sales declined drastically from 1953’s 1,250 units, down to 500. The lack of V-8 power was killing this model’s appeal.
1954 Chrysler Windsor Newport 2-door Hardtop
The Windsor Newport Hardtop also took a beating in 1954, dropping to 3,655 total. Power from a 119 HP 6-cylinder just did not translate to this sporty car.
1954 Chrysler Windsor 4-door Sedan
The bread and butter 1954 Windsor 4-door sedan also suffered a 50% loss in deliveries, down to 33,563. It made no sense to offer a Chrysler with L-head 6-cylinder power when all Chrysler’s competition were sporting V-8s.
1954 Chrysler Windsor 2-door Coupe
The 1954 Windsor Club coupe, a sales stalwart in previous years, dropped to a minuscule 5,659 deliveries. It is a mystery why Chrysler held on to an anemic 119 HP power plant for so many years. Management refused to see why the competition was outselling them.
1954 Chrysler Windsor Station Wagon
The 1954 Windsor Town & Country Wagon sales were halved to only 650 units in 1954. People wanted more power to haul and 119 HP was just too low.
1954 Chrysler Windsor Long Wheelbase 4-door Sedan
The 1954 Windsor long wheelbase sedan sales rose slightly to 500, but the car needed V8 power badly. It would disappear and the V-8 version would be greatly upgraded and become a Chrysler Imperial in years to come.
1954 Chrysler New Yorker V-8 Cutaway
For 1954 Chrysler’s 331 CID Hemi V-8 received better flowing heads. In the DeLuxe New Yorker, a Carter WCFB 4-barrel carburetor was also fitted, bumping the horsepower to an industry leading 235. The 2-barrel version made a very respectable 195 HP.
1954 Chrysler Rear Styling Changes
Major 1954 styling differences were the more modern headlight surround with the integral parking light and the movement of the model identifier from the front fender to the rear fender.
1954 Chrysler Windsor and NewYorker Fascia Differnces
The Windsor grille did not have the “V” and “Chrysler” in script replaced it. The Windsor’s grille cove had three triangles inset in it. For the new Yorker in 1954, the grilles were changed. The New Yorker had an extra curved bar and “Chrysler” in the center cove. Of course, the “V” for V-8 dominated the nose.