1955 Chrysler Cars Fact Sheet
Chrysler
is Back!
The “100 Million Dollar Look” a great redesign by Virgil Exner, brought the buying public an all new Chrysler from stem to stern. And to capitalize on the power of the Hemi V-8, the Chrysler 300 was added to the line. When the dust settled, Chrysler took second place in the high-priced sales field in 1955 – Chrysler was back!
General Year Information
The “100 Million Dollar Look”, redesign by the new head of styling, Virgil Exner, gave the buying public an all new looking car from stem to stern. The six-cylinder engine was gone from any Chrysler. There were now only two lines: Windsor DeLuxe now with V-8 power and New Yorker DeLuxe – and later the Chrysler 300.
Also, the models were paired down to 2 distinct 2-door hardtops in both lines, a 4-door sedan, Convertible, and Wagon. The lesser-trim 2-door Hardtop was intended to replace the now defunct 2-door Club Coupe. The long wheelbase models were gone, with this model car sent to the Imperial line.
Windshields were now of the wraparound style as were the rear windows on the hardtop and sedan, Tail lamps were integrated into a chrome housing which began at the top of the rear fender and dropped toward the bumper. Backup lamps were affixed to the panel beneath the deck lid. A new, highly touted feature was the dash-mounted shift lever for the Powerflite automatic transmission.
In February of 1955 the Chrysler 300 debuted, while truly a separate line, it carried a New Yorker model number C-68-300.
The Chrysler and Imperial lines for 1955 were introduced November 17, 1954. Chrysler Town and Country station wagons were added to the line on January 5, 1955. The Chrysler 300 was released on February 10, 1955. Chrysler took second place in the high-priced sales field this model year. Chrysler production for 1955 totaled 152,777 – Chrysler was back!
Models Offered
Click the Tab to See the Details
WINDSOR DELUXE SERIES 67: Windsor now Used a Polyspherical Head V-8. For the Windsor, the new power plant was a 301 CID V-8, using a de-bored Hemi block and new “Polyspherical” semi-hemi cylinder heads. (See the attached image for a description of how a Polyspherical head differs from a Hemispherical head.)
The other big news was that there were now a pair of two-door hardtops in the line. The low-trim version essentially replaced the Club Coupe and was named the “Nassau”. The high-trim version continued as the “Newport”.
Later in the model year another Newport was offered, with slightly modified trim borrowed from the 1955 New Yorker St. Regis model. Depending upon the color ordered, these late versions were named “Green Falcon” or “Blue Heron” and came in 2 and 4-door versions. The 4-door sedans used the same trim package as the 2-door Newport.
Windsor DeLuxe grilles were identical with the upgraded New Yorker, except the Windsor used round parking lamps while the New Yorker had parking lamps that were a part of the upper bumper guard. Lower grille areas behind the bumper were also different on the Windsor DeLuxe. See the images for reference.
NEW YORKER DELUXE SERIES C68: The top-of-the-line New Yorker DeLuxe continued to use the 331 CID Hemi engine with horsepower increased to 250 as a result of the increased compression ratio – now at 8.5:1. The two-door hardtop came in two flavors, as a standard Newport or an upgraded interior trim version called the “St. Regis” – noted for its unique two-tone paint. Later, a summer sales special used the St. Regis curved upper body side trim on the standard New Yorker DeLuxe Newport, providing a rather unusual two-toning effect.
Minor lower grille and bumper alterations in the front and a different rear bumper treatment set the New Yorker apart from its Windsor sister. New Yorker DeLuxe nameplates were placed at the rear of the body side color sweep on standard cars. On the St. Regis it was toward the rear, below the horizontal molding.
CHRYSLER 300 – SERIES C68-300: The 300 was the most powerful automobile of the year. It used a much modified 331 CID hemi-engine developing 300 horsepower. It was equipped with two four-barrel carburetors, a full race camshaft and heavy-duty suspension. Externally it was a New Yorker Hardtop, with the grille from the Imperial, and Windsor parking lights, to give it a powerful look. Inside, it had a full leather interior. when you saw an 300, you marked this car as something special. Chrysler 300s were only available in one color: Paint Code 30 Platinum.
The 300 packed performance and styling combined in one package of such magnitude, that it created a true “muscle car”, perhaps the first true model in that vein. That aura would last for more than a decade and go through letters B through L – all with great performance from such a large car. The series V-8s would grow in power and displacement from the original 300 CID to 440 with horsepower to match.
Initially, the 300 was only equipped with Powerflite automatic transmission, but later in the year the Windsor’s 3-speed manual could be special ordered. The 300 would go on to dominate NASCAR and USAC stock car racing in 1955.
Engines
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Windsor DeLuxe Series Engine. V-8, overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 300.5 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.63″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 8.0:1. Horsepower: 188 @ 4400 R.P.M. Torque: 275 foot-pounds at 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.381″ (Exhaust) 0.357″. Carburetor: Standard Shift: Ball and Ball BBD 2180S.
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: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 340 ft. lbs. @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 30°, Lift (Intake) 0.381″ (Exhaust) 0.357″. Carburetor: Carter WCFB 2126S.
Chrysler 300 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: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 300 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 345 ft. lbs. @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 280°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 60°, Lift (Intake) 0.444″ (Exhaust) 0.435″. Carburetors: Two Carter WCFB 2118S (front) 2317S (rear).
Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: Windsor and New Yorker models – 126.0″.
- Overall length: All Windsor models 218.6″, All New Yorker and Chrysler 300 models 218.8″.
- Tires: Windsor – 7.60 x 15, New Yorker and 300 – 8.00 x 15, New Yorker, 300 and Town & Country with wire wheels – 8.20 x 15
Power Train Options
-
- Windsor DeLuxe. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Powerflite automatic transmission optional.
- New Yorker Deluxe. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard.
- Chrysler 300. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard, three-speed manual transmission special order.
Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1955 Chrysler
| Desert Sand | |
| 1 Black | |
| 5 Wisteria Blue | |
| 6 Rhapsody Blue | |
| 7 Crown Imperial Blue | |
| 11 Porcelain Green | |
| 12 Shantung Green | |
| 13 Jade Green | |
| 14 Crown Imperial Green | |
| 16 Skyline Gray | |
| 17 Embassy Gray | |
| 20 Canyon Tan | |
| 25 Tango Red | |
| 26 Crown Imperial Maroon | |
| 27 Navajo Orange | |
| 30 Platinum | |
| 31 Nugget Gold |
1955 Chrysler –
Current Market Values
Significant Options
-
- Air Temp air-conditioning. (Except Convertible, Town & Country, and 300).
- Back up lights. (Not Available on 300).
- Electric Window Lifts.
- Fog lights. (Not Available on 300).
- Heater.
- Heavy Duty Generator
- Leather trim (New Yorker, standard on 300).
- Map light (standard in Newport and Convertible).
- Outside rear view mirror. (Not Available on 300).
- Power brakes. (Standard on Town & Country).
- Power seat.
- Power steering.
- Power windows.
- Powerflite automatic Transmission (on Windsor, standard on New Yorker & 300).
- Radio.
- Rear seat radio speaker.
- Solex tinted glass.
- Spot lamps. (Not Available on 300).
- Two-tone paint. (Not Available on 300).
- White sidewall tires.
- Windshield washers.
- Wire spoke wheel rims.
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1955 Chrysler 300 Logo
The original Chrysler 300 Logo. It would only last one more year. In 1957, the more familiar round logo would be used.
1955 Chrysler 300
Introduced on February 10, 1955, the Chrysler 300 (so named for its 300 HP Hemi V-8). It was a New Yorker hardtop with an Imperial nose. The 300 was an immediate hit, with 1,725 sold in a very short model year. It was not braggadocio – the 300 was the NASCAR and USAC racing champion in 1955!
1955 Chrysler 300 Front Fascia
The Chrysler 300 was a New Yorker Hardtop with a Chrysler Imperial front fascia. It also used Windsor parking lights and no hood ornament. Of course, the 300 had its own unique logo.
1955 Chrysler 300C Hemi V-8
The Chrysler 300 sported two 4-barrel carburetors under that “bat wing” air cleaner. A hot mechanical camshaft and other performance improvements were fitted. The result was 300 Horsepower. Astounding in 1955.
1955 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible
The 1955 New Yorker Convertible sales increased by almost 30% over 1954, showing that styling and power sold cars.
1955 Chrysler New Yorker St Regis 2-door Hardtop
The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis replaced the Newport as the top end 2-door Hardtop. It featured an upgraded interior. 11,076 this model were sold in this year.
1955 Chrysler New Yorker Newport
The tried and true New Yorker Newport sold well, though it was slotted to replace the old Club Coupe. Out shown by the St. Regis, the result was that only 5,777 left the factory.
1955 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door Sedan
Always the sales leader in the New Yorker line, the 1955 4-door Sedan was no exception. 33,342 were delivered to buyers.
1955 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country Wagon
The 1955 Town & Country Wagon sales stayed even with 1954, even with the new styling. Perhaps wagon owners didn’t care as much about looks.
1955 Chrysler Powerflite Dash Shifter
The Powerflite automatic transmission shifter was on the dash and unique to 1955. Push buttons would replace it next year.
1955 Chrysler 300 Hemi V-8
This would be the last year of the 331 CID Hemi. Increased compression ratio to 8.5:1, better breathing and an improved carburetor netted 250 HP for the V-8.
1955 Chrysler New Yorker vs Windsor Front Fascia
The New Yorker and Windsor were most easily identifiable by the different hood ornaments, parking lights position, and front bumper bar. Both used the same grille but had different logos attached.
1955 Chrysler Windsor Convertible
The 1955 Windsor Convertible now had V8 power, and as a result, it almost tripled its ’54 sales – up to 1,395.
1955 Chrysler Windsor Nassau 2-door Hardtop
The 1955 Windsor Nassau 2-door Hardtop had a much higher level of trim than the Newport new styling added flash. A new name didn’t hurt either. 18,474 buyers cashed in on this model and its perky 188 HP Poly V-8.
1955 Chrysler Windsor Newport 2-door Hardtop
The 1955 Windsor Newport replaced the old Club Coupe but was now a sporty hardtop. By moving upstream in style, but downstream in interior appointments, sales skyrocketed to 13,126!
1955 Chrysler Windsor 4-door Sedan
The 1955 Windsor 4-door sedan with V8 power had a sales increase to 63,896 units – that was a gain of over 30%! A less stodgy, V-8 powered car attracted buyers in 1955.
1955 Chrysler Windsor Station Wagon
The 1955 Windsor Town & Country Wagon had V8 power, but sales were flat at 1,983 delivered. Apparently wagon owners were not impressed with increased horsepower.
1955 Chrysler Windsor Spitfire Polysphere V8
The Windsor’s Polyspherical head V8 was an attempt to lower engine production costs yet use many Hemi parts. These single rocker heads were a direct bolt on to a Hemi block. Note the intake is angled toward the carburetor, while the exhaust is like a wedge head. Chrysler Poly Heads used scalloped valve covers.