True Barn Find: 1955 Chrysler Windsor DeLuxe
By the mid-fifties, design guru extraordinaire Virgil Exner was calling the shots at Chrysler when it came to styling, with the new look of the 1955 Windsor DeLuxe credited to his skills along with the rest of the brand’s lineup. It was popular too, with the Windsor accounting for almost two-thirds of Chrysler’s inventory for ’55, and sales nearly reached the 100k unit mark. So while this 1955 Chrysler Windsor DeLuxe here on Craigslist certainly isn’t a rarity in terms of how many were manufactured, close to 70 years later it is refreshing to see one coming out of the barn with such strong bones remaining. It’s not perfect and needs some work, but for $13,600 this seems like a decent deal, so head west to San Luis Obispo, California, if you’d like to check out things more closely.
T.J., thanks for sending us this great tip! After a more than 30-year hibernation, the owner decided to move the Chrysler from the storage part of his barn to the designated shop area, but a set of used tires had to be installed first because after that period the older ones were looking like this. Once the deteriorating cover came off and the Windsor was rolled out, a clean-up followed, with the results about as good as one could hope for considering the number of decommissioned decades that have passed. The seller doesn’t say whether or not the paint is original but does confirm it will hold a shine when buffed, and that the chrome still polishes out, though there is a small amount of pitting in a few sections.
Chrysler began using their new 301 cubic-inch polyshperic V8 in the 1955 Windsor DeLuxe, which was based on the Hemi design and used the same block and crank system but incorporated different cylinder heads, pistons, and pushrods. This helped keep costs down while still delivering good performance, with the Poly Spitfire making 188 horsepower in ’55. The seller states this is the original powerplant, which is turning freely but didn’t quite make it to running status before the starter solenoid began having issues. However, the motor is believed to be not far from ready to run after a few hopefully not-too-serious issues are addressed.
The completeness and overall condition inside are impressive, with the dash pad and door panels stated to all be free of cracks and a steering wheel that is said to clean up to almost like new. Only the headliner and a portion of the driver’s seating area are mentioned as needing attention, but the rear seat is still covered in plastic. This Windsor DeLuxe seems like a fine candidate for those in the market for a mid-fifties auto, and also one that’s not going to deplete your retirement savings on the front and hopefully not the back end either. What are your thoughts here?
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Comments
I lean towards MoPar’s for the most part but for the difference in price between this and the Chieftain shown above I’d take the Poncho. Yes the money spent would be to bring this up to being equitable the lines on the Pontiac flow nicer IMHO.
But then again, I wouldn’t push this out of my driveway if it were left there..
I had a 55 Windsor DeLuxe 4 door for quite a few years…had the 301 Spitfire and the Powerflite automatic on the dash…..nice driving fun old car….lots of room inside and rode like a cloud….this would make someone a fine car
I had a 55 Windsor DeLuxe 4 door for a number of years….301 Spitfire and the Powerflite automatic on the dash….nice driving fun old car….lots of room and rode like a cloud….this will make someone a nice car
The Windsor was the kinda base model. The New Yorker Deluxe St. Regis was top of the line with a 331 hemi and 4 barrel. Nicer appointed. If you like 55’s IMO that is the one to hold out for. Only thing faster was the “300” which had the 331 hemi fed by two 4 barrels. My dad bought a ’55 NYDSR new, desert sands/ navajo red (which was more brownish than red) two tone, and it was crazy money for him at the time – over 1/4 the price of our house. Kept it over 20 years and I was ultimately able to drive it for a short while. Very fast for the time.
When Exners 55 Chrysler Corp cars hit the market, it was only the beginning. The Chrysler brand looked the least attractive and rear end a little awkward. For me, the 55 DeSoto was the best looking. I learned to drive on a55 Black Firedome. The instrument panel was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. This was only the beginning of Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler, sending GM scrambling to catch up. My favorites were final 61DeSoto and 61 LeBaron, Exners Grand finale before disastrous 62 Plymouth and Dodge. The 63 Chryslers (except Imperial) were also awkward looking. Then came Engel bringing Lincoln like styling to give Chrysler a more traditional elegance.
By 1954, Chrysler Corporation’s whole line was dated, and losing market share. They borrowed $100 Million, betting the company on Virgil Exner’s totally new 1955 models.
Fortunately for Chrysler, the economy was roaring that year, and from Plymouth on up, the new cars were well received, and sold much better than the ’54’s.
This is a nice example, and with it being from CA the body should be in good shape.
It doesn’t look like it would be ridiculously expensive to take to the next level. Good luck to the seller, and the new owner.
Part of the problem was Kaufman Thurman Keller (head of Chrysler) insisted that Chrysler Corp cars should have enough head room for him to wear his hat while driving. This Limited designers and resulted in the boxy look of pre55 Chrysler Corp cars. I’m not sure if Keller was gone when Exner came on board. I’m sure there were other factors, but Keller’s Pecadilo has stuck in my memory. As a side note, Chrysler created a one off 53 or 54 CORONATION in white and royal purple (based on Imperial) for QUEEN ELIZABETH II visit to the US. Believe it is now in a museum, but you can find it on the net.
My dad had a 1956 two door Chrysler in the mid 1970’s for a few years in New jersey when i was a kid. He told me years latter he sold it for around three hundred dollars because it needed exhaust work. At that time it was just a 20 year old used car. If he just keep it for a while!
Those Chrysler products had good engines , and were quite reliable cars ! Years ago , we owned a ’53 Plymouth which for a $375 car , gave us five years and a lot of trips ! That shows that even older used models are dependable cars . Happy Motoring !
Always liked the front end on these.