1955 Chrysler New YorkerHarry S. Truman, (born May 8, 1884, Lamar, Missouri, U.S.—died December 26, 1972, Kansas City, Missouri), 33rd president of the United States (1945–53),...
1955 Chrysler New Yorker
Harry S. Truman, (born May 8, 1884, Lamar, Missouri, U.S.—died December 26, 1972, Kansas City, Missouri), 33rd president of the United States (1945–53), who led his country through the final stages of World War II and through the early years of the Cold War, vigorously opposing Soviet expansionism in Europe and sending U.S. forces to turn back a communist invasion of South Korea.
A piece of history in our midst, in the form of a Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe, and a special twist as it was former president Harry S Truman's personal vehicle after he left office. Several photos of Harry driving the car for his daughter's wedding, and it has spent time in the actual Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. Now fully restored and looking like it's in its original glory.
Exterior
A wide trimmed split front grille with another horizontal trim piece below and a nicely curved bumper framing the bottom with signal lights attached to the top of said bumper, leads the way. A big cloisonné badge is on the small “beak” in the grille are flanked at the end of each front quarter panel with a wide chrome bezel single headlight. A nicely shaped bulbous but overdone hood makes its way to the wide trimmed curved front glass. The remainder of the passenger compartment glass is surrounded by thin trimmings. Black paint covers all the steel panels, which are all rust free. Some of these show slight cracking and crazing from an earlier restoration when this car was initially completed. On either side is an ever-widening trim spear in beautiful shiny chrome. Just past the B pillars are open vents which feed an air conditioning/cooling system which is housed in the trunk. On back the big chrome theme continues with upper rear quarter trimmings that are basically chromed tail fins housing the cathedral style taillights. Just below are oval backup lights and a thick shiny wrap around bumper with dual chrome tipped exhaust outlets peeking out below. Wide whites wrap pristine wire spoked wheels with center knock off hums. Make no mistake this car is very large… I guess we could call it “Presidential”!
Interior
Inside swinging near perfect doors which are covered with wide stitched and padded upper panels in tan leather, have a chrome curved delineation appliqué, and below show a beautifully molded darker tan lower and seamless armrest. A shiny actuator lever and a power window toggle panel are also within this door panel. Inside warm tan broadcloth power activated seats with various stitches in textures have been recovered to emulate the originals but have all new coverings. Upfront a wonderfully sculpted undulating dash befitting of the Chrysler moniker houses all the gauges one needs to monitor while driving this automobile. Curved two tone deep gold mixes with dark tan painted metal. Shiny bezels, a shifter in the dash and perfectly chromed knobs pepper this dash with all the essential switches and below a shiny chromed panel houses the ignition, ashtray, and a cowl vent slider. A Town and Country radio is neatly installed and for the passenger a tan painted glove box covering door is curvaceous to the point of making Raquel Welch jealous, and sports some vertical opening for the speaker and a circular clock above. Thick pile brown carpeting covers the floors and is the perfect landing spot for those wingtips so they will not have their spot shine marred! “The buck stops here!”
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a completely restored numbers matching 331ci Hemi V8 engine fed on top by a single 4-barrel carburetor. On the back is a 2-speed Powerflite automatic transmission, and way back for the axle it has 3.36 gears. All is very nice under this hood. “If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!” The engine cranks but does not start…similar to a post war economy.
Undercarriage
All fully restored and undercoated neatly, just a light coating of surface rust on the exhaust piping. All else is black and structurally sound. Floor pans look nearly as new. Power drum brakes are all around and for the front independent coil springs provide the ride, in back the task is left for the leaf springs. "I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work."
A nicely restored former President turned private citizen automobile, spending time in his library, and well documented as to its history. Also, a list of the car's condition from virtually every angle can be looked over if you are interested in this car. Some of it is seemingly picayune, some possibly important, but overall, this car has a great history and is a very nice car, it just does not run!