From The Classifieds: 1965 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe

1965 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe

The 1965 New Yorker was maybe not the pinnacle model in the long-running big-car range from the Chrysler Corporation, but it still carried a certain amount of street credibility.

The New Yorker started out in the late 1930s as a premium model and (more or less) continued that way until its exit from the Chrysler lineup in 1996. In fact, it has the distinction of being the longest-running US car nameplate.

New Yorkers started as lavish pre and post-war Chryslers with glitzy “harmonica” grilles, engine choices including a 5.3-litre inline eight-cylinder and the availability of four-speed automatic transmission – along with, in 1951, industry-first power steering. New Yorkers sat between the likes of GM’s Buick and Ford’s Mercury models, and upper-echelon brands such as Cadillac and Lincoln.

The New Yorker nameplate was a little emasculated in the early 1980s when the US was caught up in a frenzy of down-sizing, but regained some of its pomp a few years later.

In the mid 1960s the New Yorker was still a full-size car, and was available as a two or four-door hardtop, or as a four-door sedan. Engine choices in the US covered 413 cubic inch and 440 cubic inch V8s, the latter appearing for the 1966 model year.

Unlike the iconic, finned “forward look” models from the flamboyant mid-1950s Virgil Exner era, the angular and more conventional Elwood Engel-designed 1965 New Yorkers displayed plenty of chrome and sheetmetal, but not a fin was to be seen. The 1965 New Yorker range shared its new unibody construction with other Chrysler nameplates including Dodge and Plymouth.

Wheelbase length of the 1965 car dropped from the massive 3200mm measurement of early-1960s models, but was still pretty substantial at 3100mm. Chrysler buyers still got plenty of car for their money.

The good thing about many US cars, from practically any era, is the size of the market. Plenty of low-mileage treasures are to be found hiding away in various parts of the country. Further good news is that, by and large, Australian rules allow cars of a "certain age" to be registered, in left-hand drive form, in this country.

Thus we find examples like this green/gold 1965 (not 1956 as quoted in the ad) New Yorker Deluxe Town Sedan that comes with an owner-claimed 56,000 miles, coupled with a standard of presentation you would expect.

The owner says the New Yorker “has been loved and is in truly superb condition throughout.” The photos – particularly those of the interior – do nothing to dispel the claim.

Quotes from the listing in carsales.com.au tell the story: “Everywhere you look you see barely any sign of age. The paintwork is magnificent; the interior is ‘as new.’ The engine bay is ‘as new.’ The chrome hubcaps, soft trim are all ‘as new’. This gorgeous car is equipped with power windows, power seat, power aerial and front and rear speakers, 440 cubic inch V8 and TorqueFlite transmission. The car comes with all the original paperwork, owner’s manual and Certicard, plus more.

The New Yorker presently lives in the Canberra suburb of Hackett in the ACT and is tagged (without roadworthy certificate) at $20,500. For the price of a new, entry-level small hatch, this is an awful lot of metal for the money.