1954 Chrysler New Yorker DeLuxe
Engine: V-8
Displacement: 331.1 Cubic Inches
Horsepower: 235 BHP
Cost New: $4,504
         "The power of leadership is yours." That was the advertising line for the 1954 Chrysler New Yorker DeLuxe, and the Hemi engine under the hood easily backed up that statement. Released in 1951, the Chrysler Hemispherical Head V-8 engine was the company's greatest achievement of the decade. While their styling was considered a weak point, their engineering was anything but. The Hemi provided a thrilling increase in performance, while using a lower compression that allowed the use of lower-octane fuel than most of the other World War II era V-8s. The ability to alter the engines to gain more power made them very popular with drag racers, many of whom could get over 1,000 BHP from the engines.
         This vehicle is the New Yorker DeLuxe, and has nearly every option offered by Chrysler in 1954. It is equipped with the heater and defroster, the solex-tinted windows, radio, power windows, power steering, power brakes, electric clock, white side wall tires, and the Air-Temp air conditioning. Chrysler had first developed Air-Temp back in the 1930s for the Chrysler Building, and had offered it on cars in 1941-42. The company offered it again in 1953 as the first automaker to sell a reliable and modern air conditioner for automobiles.