For those yearning for a look into the past, the driving experience offered by cars like this are a crystal clear view of just how good the machines were.
For those of you who watch the state of the hobby with any kind of interest, you know that original, untouched, unrestored cars are red hot right now. Barn finds? Through the roof! The motoring public has discovered what a lot of us already knew: there’s just no way to restore the factory feel back into a car. Preservation classes and special judging has evolved in most clubs to celebrate survivors that preserve history rather than attempting to re-create it. And if you’ve never driven a low-mileage car that has simply been loved all its life, you probably don’t know what it was really like to own and operate one of these old cars. Quite honestly, most people are shocked by how good cars were in the past, and all the proof you need is a drive in something like this 1964 Chrysler New Yorker.
Showing just 48,471 original miles, this remarkable 1964 Chrysler New Yorker is an exceptional example of full-sized luxury in the ‘60s. With clean, chiseled styling and the kind of gravitas that makes people think you’ve spent a small fortune, it’s a wonderfully affordable way to enjoy one of the best segments of the hobby. And judging by the extensive paperwork, show boards, and other items that accompany the car, it has always been treated as an object of value and maintained accordingly. That’s 100% original, factory-applied Nassau Blue paint, and while the color name might be familiar to you Corvette fans, the Chrysler version is a few shades lighter and has an almost silver undertone that looks fantastic. It features the last of Virgil Exner’s dramatic styling, and it has a look like nothing else on the road in 1964. Chiseled features like the “eyebrows” above the headlights, the headlight fairings in the front fenders, and the smoothly integrated roof line are all hallmarks of his work. The paint is in excellent condition with no substantial flaws beyond a few chips on the nose which really are quite minor. It’s got a great gloss and all four doors open and close easily and fit with a precision that’ll have you demonstrating the sound to your friends. CHUNK! The chrome is also original and in excellent condition throughout, with shiny bumpers and a bright grille that was simplified from 1963. Only the tail panel with the ‘New Yorker’ script shows light pitting, but it’s not substantial enough to warrant restoration. And speaking of the emblems, they still show crisp gold anodizing and the trunk badge is bright.
The tailored, restrained styling outside hides a beautifully detailed and wonderfully period interior, which is also entirely original. The fantastically funky fabric upholstery is very nicely preserved and has both an interesting texture and a comfortable feel. The cushions underneath the power front bench are still firm enough for all-day road trips and it’s hard to resist running your hands over the smooth material. There are no split seams, thin spots, or even notably worn areas on any of the seats, more evidence of a very easy life. The squared-off steering wheel is a Chrysler trademark that gives the big New Yorker an upscale feel that hearkens back to the massive Imperials of a few years earlier. Instrumentation was obviously inspired by aircraft design, with big, round gauges with easy-to-read markings and bright needles against gray backgrounds—gorgeous! And yes, this big New Yorker uses a pushbutton TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission, which got a specific Park feature this year to keep the car from rolling. A symmetrical batch of buttons on the right side of the instrument panel controls the ventilation system and the original AM radio underneath works as new. Original carpets are protected by floor mats, so they still look exceptionally good and the back seat is almost new. The massive trunk is outfitted with black carpets instead of a plastic mat, which gives it an upscale feel suiting the New Yorker, and it is equipped with a full-sized spare, original cardboard side panels, and a full jack assembly. Peel those carpets back and you’ll also find totally solid, clean floors in remarkable condition for a Chrysler of this era.
Chryslers in the 1960s didn’t need any help in the horsepower department, and at the very top of the early ‘60s was the 413 “Wedge” engine. In the New Yorker, it’s rated at 340 horsepower and given how smoothly and effortlessly it moves, you’d almost think there’s an electric motor under the hood. With just over 48,000 original miles, there’s no need to crack it open and look around inside, and it runs beautifully. There’s no smoke at start up, it doesn’t have major leaks, and dipping into the endless reserves of torque seems to make the big sedan feel 1000 pounds lighter. The engine still wears its original air cleaner assembly, corporate turquoise engine enamel, and cast iron exhaust manifolds, all of which remain in very good condition. There's plenty of evidence of conscientious maintenance with recent ignition components and hoses, as well as fresh brake lines, hoses, and fittings underneath. The chassis is not detailed for show, as it has been undercoated since new, but there is no rot or damage and the car continues to drive superbly. The only notable deviation from stock specifications is a modern Milodon oil pan installed by the previous owner because the original was damaged by a careless mechanic with a floor jack.
The TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission shifts almost imperceptibly and with towering 2.41 gears out back, this is a spectacular highway vehicle that cruises effortlessly at supra-legal speeds. A single exhaust system with new muffler gives it a hushed yet muscular sound and both the power steering and power drum brakes make control efforts light enough for city traffic. It tracks straight, soaks up bumps like a cruise ship, and with right-sized 215/75/14 whitewall radials, remains a tidy handler for such a large automobile.
Also included with the sale is the original window sticker, title, and registration, as well as a binder full of receipts and other related documents, a color chart, factory service manual, and a display board with all the car's vital statistics.
The very best survivors aren't the barn finds covered with dirt, they're the cars that have always been cherished by loving owners. This big New Yorker is just such a car and will be a sure-fire hit in preservation class judging. For those yearning for a look into the past, the driving experience offered by cars like this are a crystal clear view of just how good the machines were. A very impressive vintage luxury car for less than the price of a 3-year-old Hyundai. Pretty hard to beat that!
