1959 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED

Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, Al l Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected].

1959 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED 1959 CHRYSLER - GENERAL: The 1959 Chryslers used the same basic body structure of the 57-58 finned versions, but the sheet metal was craftily changed to give the car a new look. The grille carried forward its horizontal theme, but the lower section now wrapped around the fender and ran back to near the front wheelhouse opening. Both bumpers were noticeably different. The rear license plate was no longer embedded in the deck lid - it was positioned at the center inset of the rear bumper. Tail lamps were placed in a "notched" housing totally unlike the previous designs. A unique "outlined roof"' treatment which, as an option, could be ordered in colors that matched the body side sweep inserts

The Town and Country name continued to be used on the station wagons. All hardtops and convertibles used the dome-like windshield pioneered on 1957 convertibles. Interior upholstery came in 14 color and fabric choices using "Times Square" metallic threaded cloth with pleated vinyl inserts. Swivel bucket seats were available on all body styles except the wagon, and were standard on the Chrysler 300E.

Chrysler's new promotional theme, "Chrysler 1959 - presenting the Lion-hearted Car that's every inch a New Adventure." was indicated by a Lion medallion placed on Saratogas and New Yorkers.

INNOVATIONS: A new, wedge combustion chamber engine was used on all 1959 Chryslers. Engine weight, simplicity of design and lower manufacturing costs were the principal reasons for the change in power plant. This engine was a derivative of the B-block introduced, in 1958, on the DeSoto. Dodge and Plymouth. It and had a raised deck height, allowing a longer stroke, and resulted in the "RB" designation (raised B block). It would be available in two displacements: 383 CID and 413 CID, resulting from a 4.03 inch and 4.18 inch bore respectively. Both had a 3.75" stroke.

1959 WINDSOR SERIES MC1-L (RB 383 Wedge 8-Cylinder): The Windsor continued to use the 122.0" Dodge chassis, however, the 4.0" difference in size between the Windsor and the other 1959 Chryslers was ahead of the windshield, not in interior or rear overhang. The Windsor bodies generally came in a single color unless the "outlined roof"' option was ordered.

The Convertible returned to the line, flushing out the series that featured a 2 and 4-door hardtop, a 4-door sedan, two wagons; 6 and 9-passenger, and the convertible.

1959 SARATOGA SERIES MC2-M (RB 383 Wedge 8-Cylinder): The 1959 Saratoga used the long wheelbase chassis of 126.0". From the cowl area back. the sheet metal was identical to that of the Windsor, but the front end was four inches longer at the cowl. A new color sweep began at the lower rear quarter panel and arched upward gracefully, to mid-body, then ran forward to the tip of the front fender.

Standard two-tone color combinations had the body and the new roof panel insert in the same color and contrasting finish on the color sweep, roof outline and C-pillar. A "Saratoga" nameplate was located just forward of the tail lamp housing.

A Golden Lion medallion was fixed next to the nameplate. This was part of Chrysler's new promotional theme. An array of options included the unique swivel seat. Interiors were all-vinyl. Optional were seat inserts made of Jacquard material called 'Mayfair.'

1959 NEW YORKER SERIES MC3-H (RB 413 Wedge 8-Cylinder): For 1959, the Hemi was gone from the New Yorker - replaced by the new B-series wedge head at 413 CID, a 21 CID increase. Horsepower was up slightly, from 345 to 350 with the new engine.

The New Yorker used a spear-like color sweep with horizontal top trim. The lower trim molding dipped and broadened, at the rear, running to bumper level height. An anodized insert ran from front to rear, within the color spear, and seven slash type strips were added at the rear. They continued the same pattern used on previous New Yorkers. The Golden Lion insignia was placed below the script "New Yorker" at the rear portion of the front fender.

Upholstery options consisted of 22 combinations of vinyl and Jacquard fabric. The instrument panel and dashboard were relatively unchanged from the two previous years.

1959 CHRYSLER 300E SERIES MC3-H (RB 413 Wedge 8-Cylinder): The Chrysler 300E was built as if it were part of the New Yorker series, but it still retained its "big brute" attributes that were the tradition of this luxurious, high-performance car. The use of the new 413 CID wedge-shaped combustion chamber engine was the major change. The new engine was said to have performance equal to or slightly better than the Hemi engine, which left no doubt as to the car's heritage.

Minor changes included a revised grille, on the familiar theme, but eliminating the vertical bar look. A "300E" insignia was placed on the driver's side of the hood, in line with the headlamps. Swivel bucket seats were available and the red-white-blue 300 medallion was positioned in its usual places with the letter 'E' was added to signify the new model.

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA:

Windsor serial numbers. Detroit built cars started with M511-100001. Los Angeles built cars started with M514-100001. Detroit built station wagons started with M571-100001. Los Angeles built station wagons started with M574-100001. Engine numbers started with M5383-100001.

Saratoga serial numbers. Detroit built cars started with M531-100001. Los Angeles built cars started with M534-100001. Engine numbers started with M5383-100001.

New Yorker serial numbers. Detroit built cars started with M551-100001. Los Angeles built cars started with M554-100001 and up. Detroit built station wagons started with M571-100001. Los Angeles built station wagons started with M574-100001. Engine numbers started with M5413-100001.

Chrysler 300E serial numbers. All cars were built in Detroit. The serial numbers started with M591-100001. M5413-100001. Engine numbers started with M5413-100001.

Chrysler instituted a new serial number coding system which consisted of ten digits. M signified 1959. The second digit '5' Chrysler. The third digit "1" = Windsor; "3" = Saratoga; "5" = New Yorker; and "9" = 300D . The fourth digit indicated the assembly plant, as follows: '1' = Detroit '4' = Los Angeles). The last six symbols represented the production sequence number, beginning with 100001.

Continued –


BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: CHRYSLER 300E

A Formal Black K Turquoise Gray R Radiant Red W Cameo Tan X Ivory White Z Copper Spice

BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: WINDSOR, SARATOGA AND NEW YORKER

A Formal Black B Normandy Blue C Nocturne Blue D Empress Blue E Ballad Green F Highland Green H Silverpine I Tropical Turquoise J Aqua Mist K Turquoise Gray L Spanish Silver M Storm Gray N Persian Pink P Carousel Red R Radiant Red S Gray Rose T Deep Ruby U Sandstone W Cameo Tan X Ivory White Y Spun Yellow Z Copper Spice

CHRYSLER ENGINES: Windsor Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve wedge head. Cast iron block. Displacement: 383 CID. Bore

and stroke: 4.03" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 10.1:1. Horsepower: 305 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 410 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type BBD two-barrel Model 2872S.

Saratoga Standard Windsor Series Optional Power Pack Engine. V-8 overhead valve wedge head. Cast iron block. Displacement: 383 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.03" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 10.1:1. Horsepower: 325 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type AFB four-barrel Model 2797S.

New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve wedge head. Cast iron block. Displacement: 413 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.18" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 350 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 470 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type AFB four-barrel Model 2797.

Chrysler 300D Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve wedge head. Cast iron block. Displacement: 413 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.18" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: Horsepower: 380 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 450 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetors: Two in-line Carter four-barrels Type AFB Model 2798S.

CHASSIS:

Wheelbase: Windsor Models 122.0" All other models - 126.0". Front Suspension: Torsion bars, all models. 300E used larger diameter torsion bars. Overall length: Windsor 216.6", Saratoga 220.6", New Yorker and 300E 220.9". Front tread: Windsor and Saratoga - 60.9"; New Yorker and 300E - 61.2". Rear tread: Windsor and Saratoga - 59.8, New Yorker and 300E - 60.0". Width: All models - 78.8". Tires: Windsor - 8.00 x 14. Saratoga - 8.50 x14. New Yorker and 300E - 9.00 x 14. Other: Body and frame construction. Hotchkiss drive. Hypoid rear axle. Total-Contact brakes.

POWERTRAIN OPTIONS:

Windsor. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Torque-flite automatic transmission optional. Saratoga and New Yorker. Three-speed Torque-flite automatic transmission standard. Chrysler 300D. Three-speed Torque-flite automatic transmission standard. Three-speed manual transmission

special order. Continued –


SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS:

Air-Temp air-conditioning. Antenna (including power antenna). Antennas Antennas, dual rear. Auto-Pilot. Backup light (Optional Windsor, Standard All others). Custom super soft cushion rayon tires. Hand brake warning lights. Heater. Non-slip differential. Nylon and Captive Air tires. Power brakes (Optional Windsor, Standard All others). Power seat. Power steering (Optional Windsor, Standard All others). Power windows. Radio with Music Master or Electro-Touch tuner. Rear window defroster. Remote control mirror. Sill moldings (Optional Windsor, Standard All others). Solex glass. Stainless steel wheel covers on (Optional Windsor, Standard Windsor Town & Country and All others). Swivel seats. (Standard 300E). Three speed manual transmission (Optional 300E, not available Saratoga and New Yorker, standard Windsor). Torqueflite (Optional Windsor, Standard All others). Two-tone finish. Undercoating. White sidewall tires. Windshield washer.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The 1959 Chryslers were introduced on October 24 1958. Last year for separate body and frame construction. Golden Lion was new the advertising theme to commemorate the new RB 383 and 413 V-8s.

PRODUCTION: The strong recession of 1957-1960 continued. Sales rose slightly from 63,671 to 69,970. 300 sales dropped again, down from 809 to 690 - only 140 convertibles were sold.

See the attached chart for the detailed model breakout.

Continued –


CAR IMAGES The Chrysler 300E Convertible was very expensive, with all options as standard and listed for $5,749. Only 140 were sold in the Recession year. The venerable 300 now returned as the 300E with the new 413 Wedge, 2 4-barrels and 380 HP. It cost $5,319. Only 550 were delivered. For Chrysler 300 E used the same logo started in 1957 with the “E” in place rather than the “C” or “D”. Continued –


CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker was the still top line for Chrysler and this 2 door hardtop was not as strong a seller as the 4 doors at 2,435 units.

The 1959 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door Hardtop's 4,805 unit sales was strong, despite a $4,553 price tag.

The New Yorker Convertible sold in low numbers, due in most part, to the More reasonable Windsor equivalent. Only 286 left the factory.

The 1959 New Yorker 4-door sedan was the strongest selling top-line model, with 7,792 delivered.

Continued –



The 1959 New Yorker Town & Country Wagon now came in 6 and 9-passenger versions, but even so only 1,008 were sold.

The mid-line Saratoga 2-door hardtop was a good seller with 3,970 produced. It could be quite sporty with its 383 CID 325 HP wedge V8.

Like the New Yorker, the Saratoga 4-door hardtop sold better than the 2-door, with 4,943 delivered.

The 4-door sedan Saratoga was a solid seller in 1959 with 7,792 built.

Continued –



The Chrysler Windsor 2-door hardtop was the sporty lower-priced Chrysler and could be had with the 383 CID power pack. It was the only 2-door that outsold the 4-door in '59.

The 1959 Windsor Convertible was the low-price drop top for Chrysler this year. Even so it was a hefty $3,620, but $1,200 under the New Yorker version. 961 were sold.

The Windsor 4-door hardtop sold well, and though not better than the 2-door. 6,084 were produced.

For 1959, Chrysler's biggest seller by model line was the Windsor 4-door sedan with 19,910 delivered.

Continued –



The 1959 Windsor Town & Country wagon was also offered as a 6 and 9-passenger vehicle. 1,743 of both configurations combined were sold.

STYLING:

For 1959, Chrysler Corp's swivel bucket seat was available in all brands from Plymouth through the 300 (where it was standard). This was quite the option for its day.

TECHNOLOGY:

The new "RB" wedge debuted in Chrysler this year at 383 and 413 CID. It cost less to produce than the Hemi, was easier to service and made good HP. It was a modern design that would serve into the late 70s.

Documents

1959 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED