1956 Chrysler New Yorker convertible - Hemmings Find of the Day - Car News, Car Reviews, Car Maintenance & Repairs

Of the six 1956 New Yorker models available, the least common variant was the two-door convertible, of which just 921 examples were built. That makes this 1956 Chrysler New Yorker convertible, for sale on Hemmings.com, something of a rare find, and one worthy of salvation in its nearly rust-free state.

Chrysler pitched its 1956 New Yorker models as “The perfect combination of style and beauty, and a performance that is as exclusively Chrysler as is the new PowerStyle design.” That performance came courtesy of a 354-cu.in. FirePower V-8, fed by a single four-barrel carburetor and rated at 280 horsepower, second only (among Chrysler’s offerings) to the 300B’s 340 horsepower. The current owner is clear about what is and isn’t known about the car, and having been off the road since 1973, it will require a bit of work to achieve “driver” status. For the right buyer, though, the end result will surely justify the work required to get this Chrysler back on the road. From the seller’s description:

Here’s an all original unmolested 56 New Yorker. Original black plate California car. Originally Satin gray over West Point Gray metallic with a White leather and Coral metallic cloth interior. A very striking combination. Very solid body with isolated rust in a few places. Runs very well. transmission shifts nicely. It was last tagged in 1973. I do not know any history on this car. Here’s a rundown of it’s features and condition. This is a good honest car. The price is nearly $10,000 under Hagerty insurance #4 condition price evaluation.

Highly optioned. p/s, p/b, p/w, p/seat, mark IV air, town and country radio, power antenna.
Runs very well. strong 354 Hemi.
rebuilt water pump.
complete tune up.
oil and filter change
fuel tank cleaned and reinstalled.
fuel line cleaned.
brakes have not been done. there is no pedal but it feels like the power booster is doing it’s job.
parking brake works.
I drove it down the street and back and the transmission shifts nicely, power steering works great.
All gauges work great. fuel, temp, oil, amp. runs cool, good oil pressure, charging system working. has a 1/4 tank of fuel.
horn ring is broke, epoxyed together. an experienced welder who does pot metal can properly repair it.
tires are at least 45 years old and need replacing.
a/c compressor is free but the idler adjustment pulley for it has a bearing noise therefore no belt.
Seats had blue covers over them. I removed the covers to reveal the original Coral metallic cloth/ white leather upholstery. the door panels have the original white vinyl, but the lower sections which should be coral have been recovered in blue.
Title is clear and in my name. Matches the black ca. plates. on current non op so no back fees due.
No evidence of prior rust repair or body work.
Very nice windshield
all other glass ok but drivers door window cracked.
all power windows work well.
power seat works well
power antenna works great.
nice dash pad.
passenger door only opens from the inside handle. also the check strap is broke.
heater blower works, core disconnected.
wipers work
please see photos for the rust areas.
passenger area floors perfect, minor rust in trunk floor. comes with an original patch panel cut from another car.
Rocker panels rust free.
spare wheel but no jack.
conv. top rams disconnected, top frame appears all in good order but does not lay flat when down due to the disconnected top rams are in the way. I lubed all hinge areas.
the upper Satin Gray is the original paint. the lower body West Point Gray metallic was re painted in a darker color than original. see the door jamb pic with the vin tag for the original lower body color. paint code 454