1947 Chrysler Windsor

Description

Chrysler was pretty good at being all things to all people in the 1940s, with cars that crossed all price brackets and offering big car luxury at medium car prices. As this 1947 Chrysler Windsor sedan proves, you could get a full-sized Chrysler for not a lot of cash, a fact that's true even today.

The neo-fastback shape of this big sedan has aged rather well, and between the gracefully flowing front fenders and the swooping rear deck line, this is one heck of a good looking car. There are some who loved Chrysler's "electric shaver" front end, and when you look at the entire package, it has a restraint that's commendable and a chiseled look that's aged rather well. The medium blue paint is actually pretty close to the original code 1 Military Blue that this car wore originally, maybe a little brighter but certainly no less handsome. All four doors open and close with that solid sound that you just don't get in cars these days, and the trunk lid fits better than most. The bumpers have been recently re-chromed, a big expense on a car like this and probably a good 10% of the asking price all by themselves. The rest of the stuff is a combination of good original trim and polished stainless that needs little more than a quick buff to look its best.

The bright blue plaid interior is a cool riff on the original Highlander upholstery of the period. Yes, that's pretty close to how the factory might have done it, although the vinyl might be a shade or two brighter. Either way, it looks cool and the workmanship is good, so you'll find the interior of this Windsor to be a great place to hang out with some friends. The big steering wheel gives you a sense of power and the comprehensive dashboard has a very cool look reminiscent of a juke box, particularly with that cool center stack with integrated radio speaker. All the gauges appear functional, the clock has stopped, which isn't unusual, and sadly, the AM radio isn't working either, but otherwise it's ready to cruise. It's worth noting that this Windsor has a standard 3-speed manual transmission with the Fluid-Drive setup, where you dont have to push the clutch in while coming to a stop. And in addition to the spacious back seat, there's a giant trunk out back, making this big sedan a fine candidate for long tours.

Don't underestimate Chrysler's 250 cubic inch inline-six, this is the little engine that could! Smooth and torquey, it pulls the big sedan up to speed and doesn't seem to sweat keeping up with modern traffic. It's still quite stock, from the oil bath air cleaner, to the downdraft carburetor, to the cast iron manifolds, and few engines before or since are more reliable. Parts are still plentiful and it's so simple that just about anyone can work on it with just basic tools. It's not detailed for show, but it does have plenty of new components and runs quite nicely. The 3-speed manual shifts properly with decent clutch action and the hydraulic brakes are reasonable given the car's age. The ride is plush and it'll happily cruise all day and even pulls down reasonable fuel economy. The underside is about the same as the engine bay, original, but that only means it's OK to drive just about anywhere, any time. Big 7.00-15 wide whites on factory steel wheels with hubcaps complete the cool '40s vibe.

A neat old sedan with a lot of charisma, great road manners, and a very affordable price tag. Why not get into the hobby when cars are this much fun and this easy to buy? Call now!