1963 Chrysler New Yorker Salon

The Chrysler New Yorker is an automobile model that was produced by Chrysler from 1940 until 1996, serving for several decades as the brand’s flagship model, or as a junior sedan to the Chrysler Imperial luxury brand. A trim level named the “New York Special” first appeared in 1938 and the “New Yorker” name debuted in 1939. The New Yorker name helped define the Chrysler brand as a maker of upscale models, priced and equipped to compete against upper-level models from Buick, Oldsmobile and Mercury.

The 1963 New Yorker was one of the first Chrysler products. The body was generally more smooth-sided and squared than before, with a bold character line running the entire perimeter at the tops of the fenders and the headlights arranged side by side. The New Yorker Salon’s four-door hardtop design was further highlighted by a contrasting roof panel that suggested the open-roof phaeton of years past while avoiding the associated engineering complexities.

The Chrysler New Yorker Salon is a 4 door saloon (sedan)-bodied automobile with a front mounted engine powering the rear wheels. It is part of Chrysler’s TC3-H family of cars. The Chrysler New Yorker Salon’s engine is a naturally aspirated petrol, 6.8 litre, overhead valve 90 degree V 8 cylinder with 2 valves per cylinder. It develops 340 bhp (345 PS/254 kW) of power at 4600 rpm, and maximum torque of 637 N·m (470 lb·ft/65 kgm) at 2800 rpm. A 3 speed automatic gearbox transfers the power to the driven wheels. Stated weight at the kerb is 1946 kg.

Inside, however, there is  one of the greatest dashboards in a large car of the era.  The wide, sweeping panel with numerous round instruments is both businesslike and sporting.  The outside of these cars took a long time to grow on me, but after my first ride in the front seat of that turquoise Newport of long ago.

The 1963 Chrysler is a unique car, yet also a somewhat strange one.

The SALON was basically a luxury package for the regular New Yorker hardtop sedan compromising a premium interior with a reclining front passenger seat, landau style black vinyl roof cover, and most every convenience in Chryslers book- hence its advertised boast as “the world’s most complete car.”