– New Yorker Deluxe top of the line for 1954 Chrysler product line
– HEMI® “FirePower” under the hood – 55 additional horsepower for 1954
– New for 1954: the fully automatic PowerFlite 2-speed transmission
1 OF 724 BUILT
The pictured New Yorker Deluxe Model C-63-2 Convertible Coupe was purchased new at a Chrysler / Plymouth dealer in Reno, Nevada – complete with rare wire wheel option ($260.00), leather seating ($121.00), electric window lifts ($121.00), radio ($101.00), heater ($78.25), white sidewall tires ($34.75) and power steering ($130.00). The 4,265-pound beauty’s selling price was slightly over $4,400.00, which is not an inexpensive vehicle at that time and a rare car with low production numbers.
The big Chryslers rode on a 125.5-inch chassis and measured 215.5 inches in length. Amola Steel helical coil springs were used up front with semi-elliptic leaf springs (with wax-impregnated liners) on the rear, coupled with straddle-mounted Oriflow shock absorbers. 12-inch diameter drum brakes were used on all four corners, with an auxiliary independent internal-expanding parking brake located on transmission drive shaft for parking. Power brakes were standard on all New Yorker and New Yorker Deluxe models.
The electrical system used a high-capacity 45-amp generator, sparked by a 135 amp. hr. 6-volt capacity (positive-ground) battery. Electric window lifts were offered as optional equipment on all models, and Chrysler Airtemp air conditioning (mounted above the rear wheels in the truck space) was available on all models as well, except the convertible coupe – because of space limitations with the folding top mechanism. A special 8-passenger sedan model was also built – featuring an extended wheelbase of 139.5 inches – but very limited numbers were produced.
The stylists were well into the preparation of the new version of the Chrysler (to be released for the ’55 model year) when the 1954s rolled into the dealerships, but that didn’t stop the factory from advertising them as “Anything less…Yesterday’s Car!” Reality was, the ‘54s were still based on an overall design that was first introduced to the buying public back in 1949.
However, the car for ’54 had been updated with a much more powerful engine, a revised automatic transmission and additional creature comforts as well.
BIG ACCOLADES
“The Power of Leadership is Yours in a Chrysler!
“There is a lot of happiness and pleasure in the knowledge that behind the wheel of the Chrysler New Yorker, the Power of leadership is yours. Leadership in beauty and style. Leadership in performance, in comfort, in safety. Leadership in the prestige that comes with the ownership of anything superlatively fine, and eagerly desired, both by those who can, and those who cannot, unfortunately, afford the finest.
“The Chrysler New Yorker and New Yorker Deluxe Models for 1954 are superlatively fine – beautiful to look at, thrilling to drive, comfortable to ride in, safe beyond comparison, and they uphold with pride and dignity, the traditions of those who have long known the power of leadership.”
The crafty copywriters at Chrysler’s ad agency had a field day when describing the then-new-for-1954 line of Chrysler vehicles in the full-color dealer brochure. Sure, they got a bit carried away while raving about the big and beautiful luxurious Chryslers – but, even without the carefully selected words and accolades, the fact remained that these cars were impressive and well worth all the immodest lexis.
FIREPOWER UNDER THE HOOD
Lifting the hood of a 1954 New Yorker Deluxe and seeing the big, voluptuous HEMI valve covers proclaiming “FirePower” was an impressive sight! With the larger four-barrel carburetor of the ’54 New Yorker Deluxe, that is what made it the most powerful engine in America at the time. There was an extra 55 horsepower added for the 1954 model year, now 235 horsepower thanks to the use of a new Carter WCFB 2041S four-barrel carburetor, larger air cleaner, improved porting and dual exhausts. Torque was listed at 330 foot-pounds (at 2,600 rpm), up from the 312 foot-pounds rating (at 2,000 rpm) of the 1951-53 versions.
One of the reasons for the brilliant performance of the FirePower engine is the Chrysler-perfected valve train, the finest and most efficient ever developed for a V8 engine. The lateral valve arrangement, in contrast with the longitudinal arrangement that is used on other V8 engines, provides the maximum amount of space for large valves, and also permits direct-flow and unrestricted intake and exhaust valve porting. The overhead valves are activated by push rods and rocker arms, operated on twin rocker shafts to drive the valves – one push rod and rocker arm operate the intake valve, and another the exhaust valve.
The year 1954 also saw the HEMI engine flex its muscles at the new Chrysler test track at Chelsea, near Ann Arbor, Michigan. To honor the new proving grounds, Chrysler test drivers, driving a Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe, set a new American 24-hour speed record of an average of 118.18 mph (just under 190 km/h) for 2,836 miles.
Also in 1954, NASCAR great Lee Petty (and family patriarch to the Petty family racing dynasty) drove the “San Juan Motors” #42 HEMI engine-powered ’54 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe to seven wins (including that year’s Daytona event) and an additional 17 top-five finishes in NASCAR racing, winning the prestigious stock car racing points championship.
The heavily engineered “FirePower”engine incorporated several revolutionary design features, making it the most powerful passenger car engine in the United States – more horsepower than rival Cadillac or Oldsmobile. A feature of all GEN I HEMI engines is the covering of the center of the valve covers, sealing the spark plugs from water or dirt.
KELSEY HAYES WIRES
Beautiful Kelsey Hayes wire wheels are wrapped with (tubeless) Coker Classic White Wall – replacement size P235/75R15 to replicate originals.
PRISTINE INTERIOR
“Beautifully designed, with your convenience and safety in mind. Note the heavily padded Safety Crash cushion that extends across the dash panel for your safety, the convenient location of all switches, the easy visibility of the speedometer dial, and the handy horn ring which can be operated without taking your hands off the wheel.”
Chrysler dealer literature description of New Yorker dashboard.
Glove compartment still has the original 40-page owner’s manual. Talk about a complete car!
ONE-FINGER POWER STEERING
“The advantages of Power Steering are yours from the moment you start your Chrysler FirePower engine. This hydraulic mechanism is ready to work for you when parking, driving through traffic, turning corners and traveling the open road. On all types of surfaces, under all conditions, Chrysler Power Steering makes your driving a pleasure instead of a chore.”
EMBLEMS
The Chrysler Crest with “V” on front and rear, with New Yorker Deluxe quarter panel emblems, announced to other motorists the car was V8 plus with the most horsepower on the road: 235! (Cadillac was 230 and Oldsmobile 185.)
BACK-UP LIGHTS
Back-up lights were standard equipment and located center of the lens.
MOPAR® GLASS JIFFY JET BOTTLE
It took some searching, but the factory original windshield wiper bottle was found through a Chrysler/Plymouth parts specialist.
TRUNK CARGO AREA
The spacious rear deck compartment has 38 cubic feet of storage space – a spare Kelsey Hayes wire wheel with Super-Cushion tire is included, as is an ultra-rare 24-page full dealer brochure highlighting the entire line of 1954 Chrysler cars.
BROCHURE
Fully illustrated, the dealer brochure for the 1954 Chrysler New Yorker Series had detailed descriptions of the features of both the standard New Yorker and premium New Yorker Deluxe.
NOSTALGIC CRUISER
The classic ’50s cruiser with a FirePower HEMI engine!
Author: James Maxwell
0 Comments