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1951 Chrysler Saratoga

When the Saratoga nameplate was first used by Chrysler in 1939, it represented the company's most expensive full-size eight-cylinder models and was positioned above the Imperial and the New Yorker. After World War II, the name returned as the least expensive eight-cylinder Chrysler model.

In 1949, Chrysler introduced its first all-new post-war styling, introducing the 'Second Series' Chrysler Saratoga. Body styles had dwindled down to just two, a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan, both resting on a 131.5-inch wheelbase platform and powered by a straight-eight engine sourced from the Chrysler New Yorker. It was backed by a semi-automatic transmission that was now called Prestomatic on Chryslers.

Minor styling revisions followed for 1950, including a new grille, a larger rear window, and updates to the taillights. Production in 1949 had been 2,475 vehicles and for 1950 it dropped to 1,300 cars.

The Saratoga moved to a shorter 125.5-inch wheelbase for 1951 and its engine bay received Chrysler's 331 cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine. It had overhead valves, five main bearings, a 7.5:1 compression ratio, and delivered 180 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

A new feature for the year was the Hydra-Guide power steering, an industry ist, and Fluid Torque Drive, a true torque converter in place of Fluid Drive's fluid coupling.

Body styles included a club coupe priced at $2,990, a sedan at $3,015, and a Town and Country Wagon at $3,680. A long wheelbase platform measuring 139.5 inches was reserved for the eight-passenger sedan and limousine, priced at $3,910 and $4,240 respectively. The combination of attractive pricing, shorter bodies, and the powerful new V-8 helped the Saratoga sales reach 34,806 units.

by Dan Vaughan

Club Coupe

1951 was a monumental year for Chrysler as they introduced the famed HEMI engine, serving as a replacement for the L-head straight-eight whose basic design had been used by the company since 1930. Though the HEMI engine was not designed for racing, the high-performance capabilities were quickly realized, resulting in it being specified for road racing and stock car competition, plus many other events ranging from sports cars to drag racers.

This 1951 Chrysler Saratoga Club Coupe is powered by a HEMI 'Firepower' overhead valve engine offering 180 horsepower. It was a stock production vehicle that was taken off the showroom floor of Horace Holly Motors in Abilene, Texas, and driven, with only minor modification, in the 1951 Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. Drivers Clyde Johnson and Royal Russell placed 11th and may have finished higher had they not encountered tire problems. The car remained the property of Horace Holly for many years until it was purchased by the Walter P. Chrysler Museum and restored to racing condition.

In 1951, the car had a factory base price of about $3,000 and came equipped with a Fluid Drive semi-automatic gearbox. The wheelbase measures 125 inches and is 207.8 inches long.

by Dan Vaughan