1953 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Convertible

Maxwell-Chalmers was ailing in the early 1920s when they recruited Walter P. Chrysler to rescue them as he had done at the Willys-Overland company. Changes came quickly. In 1923 production of the Chalmers stopped. A year later the first Chrysler was launched. Maxwell ended in 1925 and Plymouth was born in 1928. Early Chryslers offered affordable, well-engineered cars with early innovations such as the first mass-produced four-wheel hydraulic brakes; advanced engineering that quickly pushed Chrysler to 2nd place in U.S. sales.

The New Yorker became the longest-running nameplate in the industry - running from 1940 to 1966. It defined Chrysler as a maker of upscale models, priced and equipped above mainstream Fords and Chevys, yet below luxury marquees Cadillac, Lincoln, and Packard. The 1953 lineup featured all-new Chryslers along the board as Virgil Exner's influence reached the marketplace. The 1953 New Yorker had a streamlined look with a one-piece curved windshield and rear fenders integrated into the body. The convertible was New Yorker's costliest model at $3,980 - of which only 950 were built.

This car has a 331 cubic-inch Hemi V8 with 180 horsepower and Fluid-Torque automatic transmission. It is one of only 10 C56-2 New Yorker Deluxe convertible models known to exist. It features Pimento Red paint and a Red Highlander Plaid leather interior. It also has the original stainless wire wheels.