1956 Chrysler Cars Fact Sheet
1956 Chrysler Facts, Figures, and Specifications
The Chrysler 300B led the Chrysler model line with a 354 CID Hemi – now with 340 horsepower! An optional “race only” version produced 355 HP, the first US car with one horsepower per cubic inch!
1956 Chryslers – Refined and Aggressive
The “100 Million Dollar Look” was carried forward once again with a tasteful facelift and notably sweptback tail fins! The Chrysler 300 Continued with more horsepower – now as the Chrysler 300 B, setting the precedent for the “letter Series” 300s.
General Year Information – 1956 Chrysler
The “100 Million Dollar Look” was carried forward once again with a tasteful facelift centered around grille changes and integrating the tail lamps into the body. The two-piece grille of 1955 was redesigned into a one-piece unit with a look similar to the 1955 Flite Sweep I show car. Three horizontal grille bars floated within a chrome surround. The new tail lamps formed a natural extension of the new uplifted outer rear bumper ends.
The “DeLuxe” nomenclature was dropped, and now there was only the “Windsor” and “New Yorker” nameplates in both lines. Chryslers were all powered by V-8s and the real differences in the lines were interior fitment/appointments and level of V-8 power (very important in the 50s horsepower races.
Big news this year was the size increase for the Hemi engine, now at 354 CID. This increased horsepower, in standard form, by more than 10 percent to 280. The Windsor continued on with the Poly V8 – but its displacement moved up to the old Hemi’s 331 CID. The Poly head’s horsepower rose to 225 – and with the 4-barrel Power Package – up to 250 HP.
This would be the last year for front coil springs combined with rear leaf springs.
1956 Chrysler Factoids
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The 354 CID V-8 was released in 1956. It had a bore of 3.9375″ and stroke of 3.625″. The High Performance 300B engine was rated at 340 HP, while the New Yorker 354 engine sat at 280 HP. See it in the Chrysler 300B Brochure HERE.
In 1956, Chrysler switched to push button transmission controls for its Powerflite transmission. This was the only PowerFlite shift mechanism until it was retired after 1961. Catch it in the 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Brochure HERE.
The Highway Hi-Fi system first appeared this year, using a vinyl record player. Records for the system were manufactured exclusively by Columbia Special Products, and could hold about 45 minutes of music or one hour of speech per side. It Used a lower rotation speed of 16+2⁄3 RPM. See it in the Chrysler Windsor Brochure HERE
1956 Chrysler Facts – Models Offered
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WINDSOR SERIES C71: (Polyspherical Head 8-Cylinder): The Windsor line added a true four-door hardtop known as the “Newport 4-door”. Standard features included Oriflow shock absorbers, new safety door latches, independent parking brake, safety rim wheels and center plane brakes.
NEW YORKER SERIES C72 (Hemi 8-Cylinder): The tastefully restyled New Yorker used a finer detailed grille and different bumpers to set it apart from the Windsor, Additional moldings created unique two-tone paint combinations and even a tri-tone combination in the St. Regis series. (See our example of the differences in the Images Section).
The New Yorker also introduced a 4-door hardtop in the Newport line. A distinctive New Yorker styling touch was the appearance of eight chromed teeth on the rear fender, above the horizontal molding. This feature was to become a New Yorker hallmark for many years.
CHRYSLER 300B SERIES C72-300 (Hemi 8-Cylinder): Technically a sub-series of the New Yorker, the 300B’s styling continued to reflect the flavor that the letter car introduced in 1955. Changes were essentially limited to the fins and tail-lamps, in line with those appearing on other 1956 Chryslers. As in the Windsor and New Yorker, the push button control for the Powerflite/Torqueflite automatic transmission was positioned to the left side of the dash.
The 300B was available with a choice of either automatic or standard shift transmissions. Two high-performance Hemi engines were available, either standard 340 or optional 355 HP. Leather upholstery was standard. The 300B was America’s fastest and highest powered car in 1956.
NOTE: The 300B was only available in three colors:
- Cloud White
- Regimental Red
- Raven Black
1956 Chrysler Facts – Engines
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Windsor Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 225 @ 4400 R.P.M. Torque: 310 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: Carter 2-barrel BBD 2312S. Powerflite: Carter 2-barrel BBD 2313S.
Windsor Series Power Pack Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 340 foot-pounds at 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 4-barrel WCFB 2367S or 2367SA. Includes dual exhaust.
New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 280 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 380 foot-pounds at 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 4-barrel WCFB 2314S or 2314SA.
NOTE: While the camshaft duration of the Hemi 354 New Yorker V-8 appears the same as the Windsor Poly head, the lobe separation was different: 15° BTC open, 57° ABC on the intake and 49° BBC and 15° ATC on the exhaust.
Chrysler 300B Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 5200 R.P.M. Torque: 385 foot-pounds at 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 280°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 60°, Lift (Intake) 0.444″ (Exhaust) 0.435″. Carburetors: 2 Carter 4-barrels WCFB (front) 2444S (rear) 2445S.
Chrysler 300B Series Optional Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94″ x 3.63″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 355 @ 5200 R.P.M. Torque: 405 foot-pounds at 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 280°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 60°, Lift (Intake) 0.444″ (Exhaust) 0.435″. Carburetors: 2 Carter 4-barrels WCFB (front) 2444S, 9rear) 2445S.
NOTE: Current information indicates that the major differences in the 355 HP unit was only the increase in compression ratio.
1956 Chrysler Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: All models – 126.0″.
- Front tread: 60.4″
- Rear tread: 59.6″
- Overall length: Windsor 2 and 4-door 220.5″, Windsor Town & Country 220.4″, New Yorker 2 and 4-door sedans and hardtops and 300B 221.0″; New Yorker Town & Country 221.2″.
- Overall width: Windsor 78.8″, New Yorker 81.0″, 300B 78.8″
- Overall height: Windsor 60.6″, New Yorker 60.9″, 300B 59.4″
- Tires: 7.60 x 15, New Yorker and 300 – 8.00 x 15, New Yorker, 300B and Town & Country with wire wheels – 8.20 x 15. 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
1956 Chrysler Facts – Power Train Options
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- Windsor. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Powerflite automatic transmission optional.
- New Yorker. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard. Later in the model year: Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission.
- Chrysler 300B. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard, three-speed manual transmission special order. Later in the model year: Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission optional. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard, three-speed manual transmission special order.
1956 Chrysler Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
NOTE: The 300B was only available in Cloud White, Regimental Red and Raven Black.
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1956 Chrysler
| 5 Stardust Blue | |
| 6 Mediterranean Blue | |
| 7 Glacier Blue | |
| 8 Turquoise | |
| 9 Crown Blue | |
| 16 Mint Green | |
| 17 Surf Green | |
| 18 Hunter Green | |
| 19 Crown Green | |
| 25 Satin Gray | |
| 26 West Point Gray | |
| 30 Sand Dune Beige | |
| 31 Rosewood Tan | |
| 35 Desert Rose | |
| 36 Geranium Red | |
| 37 Regimental Red | |
| 38 Raven Black | |
| 38 Crown Maroon | |
| 41 Cloud White | |
| 42 Nugget Gold | |
| 261 Crocus Yellow | |
| 262 Blue Jade | |
| 263 Copper Glow |
1956 Chrysler Facts –
Current Market Values
1956 Chrysler Facts – Significant Options
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- Air Temp air-conditioning.
- Carpets for Sedan and Nassau (Windsor).
- Custom Steering Wheel (Windsor)
- Custom Wheel Covers (Windsor).
- Electro-Touch Tuner Radio with foot control standard (with or without rear speaker).
- Electric window lifts.
- Highway Hi-Fi record player.
- Hot Water Heater.
- Instant Gas Heater.
- Music Master Radio (with or without rear speaker).
- Power Brakes.
- Power Front Seat.
- Power Package on Windsor.
- Power Radio Antenna.
- Power Steering.
- Rear Center Arm Rest for Sedan and Four Door Hardtop (Windsor).
- Removable Kiddie Seat for Town Country Wagon.
- Solex Safety Glass.
- Steering Wheel Mounted Clock.
- Undercoating.
- Whitewall Tires.
- Wire Wheels.
1956 Chrysler Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1956 Chrysler Car Line will appear below. Click to Download:
1956 Chrysler Windsor Brochure
1956 Chrysler New Yorker Brochure
1956 Chrysler Car Print Advertisements
1956 Chrysler 300B Print Advertisements
1956 Chrysler Car All Lines AMA Specifications Sheets
1956 Chrysler 300B Owners Manual Supplement
1956 Chrysler 300B Drive Test – Coming Soon!
1956 Chrysler Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the 1956 Chrysler Line will appear below
1956 Chrysler 300B Logo
The 1956 Chrysler 300B Logo was little changed from 1955 with the exception of the “B” in the center. All that would change next year.
1956 Chrysler 300B
The Chrysler 300B led the Chrysler Model line with a 354 CID 340 HP Hemi and an optional 355 HP version. It was labeled “America’s Most Powerful Car”. 1,102 300Bs were sold in 1956.
1956Chrysler New Yorker Convertible
The 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible was number 3 in top of the line price tag, and also #3 in top price sales at 921 units.
1956 Chrysler New Yorker 2-door St. Regis Hardtop
The 1956 St. Regis 2-door hardtop outsold its sister Newport by a wide margin, with 6,686 delivered
1956 New Yorker 4-door Newport Hardtop
New for 1956 was the Chrysler 4-door hardtop, also called a “Newport”. It justified the production expense with 3,599 sold.
1956 Chrysler New Yorker 2-door Newport Hardtop
The 1956 New Yorker Newport hardtop had some of its thunder stolen by the new 4-door hardtop and the St. Regis, regardless, 4,115 still left the factory.
1956 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door Sedan
The “old soldier” the New Yorker 4-door Sedan was still the best seller in the line with 24,749 units.
1956 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country Wagon
The 1956 New Yorker Town & Country wagon was a high priced piece at $4,417 base, but deliveries were stable at 1,070.
1956 Chrysler Windsor 4-door Newport Hardtop
The Windsor line got in a good punch with the release of the 4-door Newport hardtop, selling 7,050 cars in its first year.
1956 Chrysler Windsor 2-door Nassau Hardtop
The 1956 Windsor Nassau 2-door Hardtop was quite popular now that it could boast up to 250 HP. The result was that 11,400 were sold.
1956 Chrysler Windsor Convertible
The 1956 Windsor Convertible outsold its New Yorker brother at 1,011, due to its $900 lower price – a lot of dollars in 1956.
1956 Chrysler Windsor 2-door Newport Hardtop
The 1956 Windsor Newport was a great deal when measured against the other Chrysler 2-door Hardtops, but it sold less than the more expensive Nassau at only 10,800. Perhaps the Nassau’s finer interior was the key.
1956 Chrysler Windsor 4-door Sedan
The 1956 Windsor 4-door Sedan was by far the best selling Chrysler. It’s 53,119 deliveries outsold the entire New Yorker line!
1956 Chrysler Windsor Town & Country Wagon
The 1956 Windsor Town & Country wagon was quite popular, outstripping its senior sister by almost three to one – 2,700 units. A $1,000 price difference tells the tale.
1956 Chrysler Push Buttons
The Powerflite automatic transmission shifter was now push buttons – a feature that would last for 10 years.
1956 Chrysler New Yorker vs Windsor Fascia
Key model identifiers were at the front. New Yorkers had a thin bars grille, “Chrysler” in letters above & a Chrysler logo centered. The bumper had a thin upper bar. The Windsor had 3 large horizontal bars, the logo above & a more husky upper bumper.