1960 Chrysler Windsor

The Windsor was part of Chrysler's lineup from 1939 through 1961, with production continuing through 1966 in Canada. It was a full-size car that was positioned above the entry-level Royal from 1939 to 1950, and then as the company's entry-level model through 1960. All Chryslers received the Virgil Exner-designed '100 Million Dollar Look' for 1955 and the six-cylinder engine was no longer available in any Chrysler series. In 1957, the Chrysler received dual headlamps, sweeping rear fenders, and a new Torsion bar suspension. In 1958, the Windsor received a Dodge chassis with a wheelbase size of 122 inches and Chrysler styling. By 1960, all Chrysler vehicles rested on a unibody frame, with the wheelbase of the Windsor continuing to measure 122 inches.

The 1960 Chrysler Windsor wore large, pointy, rakish, modified rear tail fins, and the taillamps were positioned within an arched housing at the far end of the tailfin. A deep, rounded indentation traversed the body side at mid-height. In the front was a 300-type grille with a mesh-type insert and a golden lion medallion positioned at the center. The 'Golden Lions' was part of Chrysler's advertising campaign for the new wedge-head 'B' engines introduced the previous year, and the cars were known as 'Lion Hearted.' The RB 383 cubic-inch V8 had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter two-barrel carburetor, a cast-iron block, and delivered just over 300 horsepower. The Canadian-built Windsors were powered by the 'Low Block' 361 cubic-inch engines from the U.S.-built DeSotos and Dodges. Instead of the 'Golden Lion' medallion, they received three golden crests on the front doors.

Dual headlamps were standard and the Flitesweep deck lid, stone shields, and sill moldings were optional equipment.

Windsor body styles included a hardtop coupe priced at $3,280, a hardtop sedan at $3,345, a sedan at $3,195, and a convertible at $3,625. A six-passenger station wagon was $3,735 and the nine-passenger version listed for $3,815. The most popular body style was the sedan with 25,152 examples built, followed by 6,496 of the hardtop coupe, and 5,897 of the hardtop sedan. The convertibles and station wagons were exclusive, with 1,467 of the convertible, 1,120 of the six-passenger wagon, and 1,026 of the 9-passenger wagon constructed.

Above the Windsor was the Saratoga resting on a 126-inch wheelbase which it shared with the New Yorker. The 300F Series was offered as a hardtop coupe and convertible and came equipped with a 413 cubic-inch V8 rated at 375 horsepower. The Saratoga used a 383 CID V8 with 325 horsepower and the New Yorker had a 413 CID V8 with 350 horsepower. The Saratoga listed in the high $3,000s, and the New Yorker was priced from $4,400 to $5,130. The 300F was the most expensive and exclusive, with prices of $5,410 for the hardtop coupe and $5,840 for the convertible.

The 41,158 Windsor vehicles produced for 1960 accounted for approximately 53 percent of Chrysler's overall U.S. production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2021