1958 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED

Transcription

1 1958 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED 1958 CHRYSLER - GENERAL: The look of all Chryslers was virtually unchanged from 1957, even though 1958 Windsors now used a Dodge chassis under their Chrysler-look sheet metal. The grille continued the horizontal bar look of 1957 with the topmost part of the bumper horizontally dividing the opening. The 1958 tail lamps were similar to 1957, however the lenses rose to a point only two-thirds the way up the fin rather than running to the full height. The lenses were also narrower and revealed more of the tail light housing itself. Dual headlamps were now a standard feature. As in 1957, the rearview mirror was mounted on the dash rather than the windshield header. Both Windsor and New Yorker Town & Country Wagons could be had in 6 and 9-passenger configurations for the first time. Once again, the Windsor and Saratoga used the unique Poly-head 354 CID Chrysler V-8. The Hemi was still at 392 CID and was available only in the New Yorker and 300D. This would be the last year of these two engines as the new Corporate V8s would be introduced in INNOVATIONS: Auto-Pilot (cruise control) was Chrysler's unique option. First introduced in this year. the device permitted the driver to dial in their highway speed and cruise without using the gas pedal. Just like the units of today, brake application disabled the control. Some 300D's were built with an electronic fuel injection system called the Bendix Electrojector WINDSOR SERIES LC1-L (Poly 8-Cylinder): A Dodge 122.0" chassis was now used under the Windsor's sheet metal. The car had typical Chrysler styling motifs, with the major difference being that the front-end sheet metal was capped-off with a chrome eyebrow running from side to side above the head lamps. The 1958 style grille was tastefully adapted to the Dodge-like front end. Side trim on the standard offering was a single molding. at mid-level, running horizontally from the rear to just aft of the front wheelhouse opening. A surprising omission was the Windsor Convertible, which was unexpectedly dropped just after model introductions and is missing from most literature. The only logic was that in a recession year, Chrysler did not want the less expensive convertible drawing sales away from the high-priced New Yorker version. Even so, 2 were sold. In the spring of the model year, a "Dartline" package was introduced added to hardtop line. The Dartline series added some flair to the Windsor's styling. Besides additional trim on the front fender and a metal insert, this option included bright sill moldings, special roof trim and three slim moldings on each side of the rear deck license plate housing. The two-door hardtop used a sweep of color like the 1957 version. with the major difference being the sharper pointed front part of the sweep on the 1958 models. Windsors used Bahama Jacquard and metallic vinyl interior trim combinations. Newly available was a three seat ninepassenger station wagon. The third seat faced to the rear SARATOGA SERIES LC2-M (Poly 8-Cylinder): The 1958 Saratoga continued almost unchanged from Instrument panel background color changed, as did the metal background of the radio and heater control panels. On the outside, the side trim began at the forward edge of the front door and continued rearward to the tail lamp bezel. The "Saratoga" nameplate was placed to the rear of the front fender, directly in line with the side trim molding. A color spear was available at extra cost. On cars with this option, the extra trim began at the middle of the front door and rose slightly, in a very gentle line as it ran rearward. The tail lamps were changed and the grille continued its horizontal flair, however the topmost part of the bumper horizontally divided the opening. Dual headlamps were a standard feature NEW YORKER SERIES LC3-H (Hemi 8-Cylinder): 1958 New Yorkers were also little changed from Changes paralleled what were seen in the less expensive Chrysler models. The Saratoga-style mid-line body trim molding was used, but a unique emblem, placed just rearward of the front door, set New Yorkers apart. A color spear of anodized aluminum graced the area between the two trim pieces and covered the rear portion of the car. While not as substantial or as long as the color sweep of 1957, it helped distinguish this model from Saratogas and Windsors. The Auto-Pilot speed control and remote-control outside rearview mirrors were new options. Interior fabric was "Fontainebleau" Jacquard and metallic vinyl and was slightly richer than the "Chainmail" fabric and metallic vinyl used on the Saratoga. The Town and Country station wagon now had a third seat option, with the seat facing the rear of the car. All hardtops sported the new domed windshield introduced on 1957 convertibles CHRYSLER 300D SERIES LC3-S (Hemi 8-Cylinder): The 300D super high-performance Chrysler was still a sub-series of the New Yorker. It carried forward the design motifs of 1957 with only minor alterations. The windshield on hardtops now conformed to the windshield style (domed) of the convertible. Hub caps now had red finish, painted in the depressed outer areas of the wheel covers. Instrument face backgrounds were identical to those of other 1958 Chryslers. Large red-white-blue rear quarter panel medallions returned for the second year, but the letter 'D' replaced the 'C'. There were ten locations for the 300 medallions on the car: glove box. grille, deck lid, steering hub, hub caps and the rear quarters. A limited number of 300D's were built with an electronic fuel injection system called the Bendix Electrojector. This marked the first use of a computer in a Chrysler product. The system was not fully reliable and a recall program was instituted in late summer 1958, where most of the EFI units were replaced by the conventional 2 4-barrel carburetors that was standard on 300D's. MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA: Windsor serial numbers. Windsors built in Detroit were numbered from LC Los Angeles built cars were numbered from LC1L Motor numbers started with 58W Saratoga serial numbers. Saratogas built in Detroit were numbered from LC Los Angeles built cars were numbered from LC2L Motor numbers started with 58S New Yorker serial numbers. Detroit built cars serial numbers were from LC Los Angeles built cars serial numbers were from LC3L Motor numbers started with 58N Chrysler 300D serial numbers. Serial numbers for the Chrysler 300 were from LC4-1001, built in Detroit only. Motor numbers started with 58N All serial numbers were located on the left front door hinge post. Windsor and Saratoga Poly V-8 engine numbers, and New Yorker and Chrysler 300C Hemi V-8 engine numbers were located at the front of the engine block, between the heads, under the water outlet elbow. No code numbers were provided for identification of body/style type.

2 BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: CHRYSLER 300D A Raven Black H Aztec Turquoise M Mesa Tan O Tahitian Coral P Matador Red X Ermine BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: WINDSOR, SARATOGA AND NEW YORKER A Raven Black B Stardust Blue C Air Force Blue D Midnight Blue E Spring Green F Cypress Green G Mandarin Jade H Aztec Turquoise J Spruce Green K Satin Gray L Winchester Gray M Mesa Tan N Sandalwood O Tahitian Coral P Matador Red R Shell Pink S Fireglow T Garnet Maroon V Bamboo Yellow V Bimini Blue W Ballet Blue X Ermine Y Frosty Tan Z Champagne Gold CHRYSLER ENGINES: Windsor Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94" x 3.63". Horsepower: 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 385 foot-pounds at 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Carburetor: Carter two-barrel, Type BBD Model 2733S. Saratoga Standard Windsor Series Optional Power Pack Engine. -8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 354 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.94" x 3.63". Horsepower: 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 405 foot-pounds at 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Carburetor: Carter four-barrel, Type AFB Model 2805 or Includes dual exhaust and full-low oil filter standard. New Yorker Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 392 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.00" x 3.90". Horsepower: 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 450 foot-pounds at 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 9.25:1. Carburetor: Carter four-barrel, Type AFB Model 2651S. Chrysler 300D Series Standard Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 392 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.00" x 3.90". Horsepower: 5200 R.P.M. Torque: 435 footpounds at 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters with high-lift camshaft and extra-stiff valve springs. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Carburetors: 2 Carter 4-barrels Front WCFB Model 2741, Rear WCFB 2742S. 2.5-inch low back-pressure exhaust system available. Chrysler 300D Series Optional Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 392 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.00" x 3.90". Horsepower: 5400 R.P.M. Torque: 435 footpounds at 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters with high-lift camshaft and extra-stiff valve springs. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Fuel Induction: Bendix "Electrojector" Electronic Fuel Injection. 2.5-inch low backpressure exhaust system available. CHASSIS: Wheelbase: Windsor Models 122.0" All other models ". Torsion bar front suspension. 300D used larger diameter torsion bars. Separate body and frame construction. Hotchkiss drive. Hypoid rear axle. Total-Contact brakes. Overall length: Windsor 218.0", Windsor Town & Country 217.7". Saratoga 220.0" New Yorker and 300D 220.2", Town & Country 219.9". Front tread: Windsor and Saratoga "; New Yorker and 300D ". Rear tread: Windsor and Saratoga , New Yorker and 300D - 60". Width: All models ". Tires: Windsor x 14, Saratoga x14, New Yorker and 300D x 14 POWERTRAIN OPTIONS: Windsor. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Torque-flite automatic transmission optional. Saratoga and New Yorker. Three-speed Torque-flite automatic transmission standard. Chrysler 300D. Three-speed Torque-flite automatic transmission standard. Three-speed manual transmission special order (standard with optional 390 HP FI Hemi).

3 SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS: Air-Temp air-conditioning. Auto-Pilot speed control. Fuel Injection (300D only) Hi-Fi Phonograph Instant Air heater. Non-slip differential. Nylon tubeless super soft cushion tires in black and white. Power brakes. Power Front Antenna. Power steering (optional on Windsor, standard on all others). Power windows. Radio with Music Master or Electro-Touch tuner. Dual rear antennas. Rear window defroster. Remote control mirror. Six-way Power seat. Stainless wheel covers (optional on Windsor, standard on all others). Tinted glass. Fresh air heater. Torqueflite (optional on Windsor, standard on all others). Two-tone finish (not available on 300D). Undercoating. White sidewall rayon tires. Windshield washer (standard on New Yorker/300D) HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Dealer introductions of 1958 Chryslers was late - on November 1, Installation rates of the popular optional equipment items continued to be high on all 1958 models. Automatic transmission, power steering, heater and windshield washers, were installed on almost 100 percent for all Chryslers. PRODUCTION: The strong recession of hampered all automakers and struck Chrysler hard in 1958, dropping sales in half - from 122,273 in 1957 down to 63,671. Each model was hammered equally, and the 300 sales were cut by two thirds. See the attached chart for the detailed model breakout.

4 CAR IMAGES The 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible cost $5600 in Given the huge recession that the Country was reeling from, and the niche market the car appealed to, it is a wonder that even 191 were sold.. The Chrysler 300D hardtop was little changed from 1957, most noticeably the grille and tail lights. However, the Bendix "Electrojector" Fuel Injection option was offered - boosting HP to 390. It was unreliable and most were recalled & replaced with the standard 2 4-barrel unit. Only D hardtops were sold. For 1958 Chrysler two 300D logos were created one for the standard car (left) and one very special one for the fuel injected car (right).

5 CAR IMAGES Continued The 1958 New Yorker Convertible was not an inexpensive piece but still less expensive than the Town & Country Wagon. With a base price of $4,761, only 666 were purchased. The 1958 New Yorker Town & Country Wagon was unimpressive looking, hardly inspiring its $4,868-5,083 price tag. even so, 1,203 were sold. The 1958 Chrysler 4-door Hardtop was a good seller for the year with 5,227 delivered. The sporty New Yorker 2-door Hardtop was a sales disappointment with only 3,205 leaving the factory in 1958.

6 CAR IMAGES Continued Of course, the venerable New Yorker 4-door Sedan was the sales leader for the senior line in 1958, but even so only 7,110 were purchased. The 1958 Saratoga 2-door Hardtop seemed to fit between the expensive New Yorker and the thrifty Windsor, and it did sell 4,456 units. Chrysler expected the Saratoga 4-door Hardtop to be a significant seller in 1958 due to its $3,955 price tag, however, it barely beat the New Yorker version in sales 5,322, to 5,227. The Saratoga 4-door Sedan was also expected to be a good seller, but 8,698 units was the best it could do in this recession year.

7 CAR IMAGES Continued The 1958 Windsor line was expected to carry the Division in this slow sales year, but 6,205 2-door Hardtop sales were not earth shattering. The 1958 Windsor 4-door Hardtop also sold dismally, with 6,254 delivered. The bread and butter Windsor 4-door Sedan was Chrysler's largest seller, but 12,861 was the best it could muster in sales for The 1958 Windsor Town and Country Wagon was now offered in 6 and 9 passenger versions. Even though, the new configuration only found 1,653 units to going to customers.

8 STYLING IMAGES: Looking at the 1958 Chrysler interiors, there is no doubt that the New Yorker's (top) outshone the others. What is surprising is that the Saratoga's (middle) looked less enticing than the Windsor's (bottom) - perhaps a reason for Saratoga's slow sales TECHNOLOGY: Some quick views of the Bendix Electronic Fuel Injection. The arrow in the left picture shows that the 2-barrel throttle body units are very similar to what was fitted to early EFI units in the early 80s. They have very large unencumbered venturi and likely flowed way beyond the 2 AFB carbs fitted to the standard 300D. In the picture at right, the two lower arrows point to the injectors that were port type. The top arrow shows that the fuel system was a return type, once again like early 80s EFI, due to the pressure generated by the injector pump. It was the early computer fuel management system that killed it. The electronics of the day were just not up to the heat and vibration of an automobile. When it worked it was excellent and the 390 HP figure was way under the actual output.