There was no mistaking the design and unique curb appeal of early 1960s Chryslers. Between the offset headlight design, exaggerated tailfins (most automakers by this era had toned them down), and generous chrome, these cars made a statement. Add to the mix a spicy paint color like “Cinnamon Poly,” and you had a real eye catcher on your hands.
The Pick of the Day is a 1961 Chrysler Newport two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Tucson, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)
“A rare car you will never see at a car show,” the listing begins. “The last year for the Chrysler forward-look flight-sweep design of designer Virgil Exner.” The seller has owned the car for seven years, and it has reportedly been restored from top to bottom, both inside and out.
The Newport name itself has a long history in the Chrysler family, first applied to a “phaeton” vehicle in 1940 that had a four-door, dual-cowl setup. When the Newport became a standalone model many years later in 1961, it slotted as the least expensive model in the lineup. However, marketing materials strived to make it clear that the Newport was still a full-sized car (just with a lower price point). Numerous body styles were available for 1961 including a two-door convertible, a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop, and a four-door station wagon.
Today’s feature car is of the two-door hardtop variety. Its momentum comes from a 361cid V8 mated to a TorqueFlite push-button automatic transmission. “She runs extremely fast with great torque,” the seller says. The motor was originally rated at 265 horsepower when new.
I’ve talked about it in prior stories, but my favorite feature of this model is its “AstraDome” instrument cluster which looks like a sort of glass globe that covers a series of gauges. Because of its placement, even the turn signal lever had to be relocated to the dashboard underneath the gear selector. The lever would return to the center position when a turn was completed. The seller says that this car is equipped with power steering and that the AM radio is working well.
For the 1960s, this car had some space-age, futuristic elements that were “out there.” And 60 years later, that makes it a neat car to preserve and showcase. Like the seller says, you aren’t likely to find very many like it on your local car show circuit. “Sadly, my health issues and age have now precluded me from driving her often enough. I need to find a new loving home for her,” the listing concludes.
The asking price is $39,600 for this classy Cinnamon hardtop.
To view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com, click the listing here.
The original ’57 was quite a looker. Chrysler couldn’t wait to turn the clean design baroque, with added on chrome moldings and trim bits. What they didn’t change was the body integrity that quickly disintegrated in up north road salt, starting with the rocker panels.
My grandpa on my mom’s side would be a new Chrysler New Yorker every 5 years!
This appears to be a Powerflite transmission. 2 speed. R,N,D,1 (only four buttons.) My family bought a new 62 Newport with torqueflite which was a 3 speed, ie: R,N,D,2,1. Nice car though.
The 1960+ MoPars were Unibody not BOF like the ’57-’59s. While not perfect, They were more solid than the ’57s. I you have a rust free ’60+ they are pretty tight.
You are not seeing the second button from the left. This is TorqueFlite. My dad had the 1960 version. Fast. Comfortable ride.
Mine was a 62 Chrysler 300, 383, 4 barrel (alas, not the crossfire dual quads), rust free California car, 3 speed push button, maroon with tan leather. Yeah, folks, it was both fast and tight, as well as stunningly space age and luxurious even around 1980. Same overall shape, minus the fins. So, 61 was the last of the fins but not the “forward look,” or those gorgeous headlights. Sold it to buy my first RV, so I’d love another one as much as the memories, but can have no regrets!
An interesting piece of Virgil Exmer’s excess in styling, but WAY OVERPRICED for what it is. The mill appears to be a 361 with a “wheezy” Stromberg two-barrel carb. At least it’s crisp and clean.
Love the car and the color!
Always were fond of those older Chryslers especially the pre -’65 full size models ! They were a part of my younger era and saw many of them until about the late seventies and later . Let’s preserve some for others to admire in the future ! Happy Motoring
Mine was a 62 Chrysler 300, 383, 4 barrel (alas, not the crossfire dual quads), rust free California car, 3 speed push button, maroon with tan leather. Yeah, folks, it was both fast and tight, as well as stunningly space age and luxurious even around 1980. Same overall shape, minus the fins. So, 61 was the last of the fins but not the “forward look,” or those gorgeous headlights. Sold it to buy my first RV, so I’d love another one as much as the memories, but can have no regrets!
300 C.
White soft top,brown with white leather swivel bucket seats and a hemi. Family car we named Marmaduke. I drove it college before my father had it fully restored. It was a beast but the most beautiful car he owned. Out ranked his 62 Austin Healy 3000 and the 61 4 door Jaguar with duel gas tanks.