Introduced as a Chrysler Imperial submodel for the 1938 model year, the New Yorker emerged as its own standalone model in 1940. Positioned as an upscale vehicle, it commanded a price slightly above $1,200, equivalent to around $26,000 in today’s currency, and directly competed with select Buick and Oldsmobile models. By the 1950s, the New Yorker had firmly established itself as Chrysler’s premier luxury offering, second only to the Imperial, which transitioned into a separate brand in 1955.
Renowned for its comprehensive standard features and a plethora of unique optional upgrades, the New Yorker stood out as a trendsetting vehicle, embodying aspiration with its blend of exclusivity, performance, and opulence. In 1956, the price of a New Yorker convertible could easily surpass the $6,000 mark, equivalent to approximately $66,000 in today’s monetary value, which partially explains the relatively low sales figures.
Apart from the exclusive 300 series, the New Yorker represented the pinnacle of Chrysler’s lineup. Equipped with a formidable 280-horsepower 354-cubic-inch Hemi V-8 engine, all New Yorkers boasted a plethora of power-focused features, including PowerPilot Steering, PowerSmooth Brakes, and the innovative Pushbutton PowerFlite automatic transmission. With only 921 units produced for the model year, the New Yorker’s scarcity further enhances its allure among Mopar enthusiasts and aficionados of 1950s automotive design.
Photo Source: RM Sotheby’s
