1954 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Sedan, C-63-2 🇺🇸

Chrysler was a bit late to the V8 engine party but when they arrived on the scene they did make a big splash. The Hemi V8 first arrived in the New Yorker in 1951, 2 years later than the new Cadillac and Oldsmobile V8s. But, the Hemi quickly took the crown for the most horsepower per displacement in the industry. The 331.1 cid Hemi was pumping out 180 horsepower compared to Cadillac’s 160.

By 1954, Chrysler was at the forefront of the horsepower race. The hemi with new cylinder heads and a four-barrel carburetor as installed in the New Yorker Deluxe, now produced 235 horsepower and for the first time, horsepower became a big selling point. While the 1954 New Yorker was the top of the line Chrysler product and it got more trim than any other cars from the brand, all that shiny dressing couldn’t cover the fact that this was a stodgy 6 year old design. Its big selling point was the Hemi engine.

Chrysler's conservative styling and lack of a fresh look along with trimming several models for this year hurt sales. Despite a blip upward in 1953, sales sank nearly 40% in 1954. Yet, the 1954 New Yorker outsold its ‘53 predecessor by about 25%. That was largely attributed to the New Yorker Deluxe and its Hemi engine.

Chrysler styling would start to change in a big way in 1955 as new design chief, Virgil Exner, would start to impact the look of the cars.

Chrysler opened their new proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan in 1954. To mark the occasion they hired race car driver Tony Bettenhousen to lead a group of factory test drivers on a 24-hour endurance record attempt at the new facility. They covered 2,836 miles at an average of 118.18 miles per hour. This was preceded in 1953 by Bettenhousen and other drivers winning the Samual B. Stevens trophy for Chrysler by driving a stock New Yorker Deluxe around the Indianapolis Speedway for 24-hours at an average speed of 89.89 mph for a distance of 2,157 miles. This broke a record held by Cord since 1937.