1956 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible – Frame-Up Restoration, 392 Hemi from 300C, TorqueFlite 3-Speed, One of 921 Produced

The dazzling-looking 1956 Chrysler New Yorker convertible offered here was a rarity when new, accounting for just 921 of about 41,000 total New Yorkers made that year. This car received a frame-up restoration over 20 years, with the most recent work being a new convertible top and front suspension kingpins. The previous owner upgraded the original 354 Hemi to a 392-cu.in. Hemi V-8 and three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission from a 1957 Chrysler 300C, delivering 375 horsepower. With show-quality Tango Red and Cloud White paint, all-new leather interior, new chrome, and rust-free California origins, this Forward Look convertible is a true showpiece.

Powertrain

• 392-cu.in. OHV Hemi V-8 from 1957 Chrysler 300C (replaced original 354 Hemi)
• Factory-rated 375 horsepower (vs. 280 for original 354) – higher compression, solid-lifter camshaft
• Approximately 1,000 miles on rebuild
• Single Holley four-barrel carburetor with electric choke (replaced original Carter)
• Electric radiator fans for better engine heat management
• Easy cold start – no smoke, no leaks or weeps
• TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission from 1957 Chrysler 300C – shifts perfectly

Exterior & Body

• Rust-free California car
• Repainted six years ago in Tango Red and Cloud White – show quality, as perfect as it gets, no blemishes
• Has not been in rain since repaint
• Power convertible top – best quality, new (including hardware and hydraulics) installed October 2021
• All glass and seals perfect – no leaks
• Chrome appears new – gleams throughout
• All exterior lighting works properly
• Second-year “Forward Look” design by Virgil Exner – lower, sleeker, tasteful tailfins

Interior & Comfort

• All-new red-and-white leather interior
• Power bench front seat – works properly
• All-new power windows including switches – work fine
• Heat and all gauges operate properly
• All-new English wool carpeting
• All interior trim intact and in excellent condition
• Vintage aftermarket 45-rpm record player (gutted for nostalgic look – offers opportunity to install modern audio inside casing)

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

• Exceptionally clean undercarriage
• Coil springs in front, leaf springs in rear
• New kingpins installed spring 2021
• New brakes installed spring 2021
• New heavy-duty shocks installed at rear
• Power-assisted steering – working properly, no leaks
• Chrome-rim wire wheels with stainless-steel spokes – perfect condition
• Period-correct wide whitewall tires – like new, approximately 1,000 miles

Restoration & Rarity

• Frame-up restoration performed over 20 years
• One of only 921 New Yorker convertibles produced in 1956 (out of ~41,000 total New Yorkers)
• Rust-free California car
• Garaged when not in use
• Used only to drive to local shows since restoration
• Upgraded 392 Hemi and TorqueFlite from 1957 Chrysler 300C