Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, Al l Rights
Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail
[email protected].
1949 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED
1949 CHRYSLER - GENERAL: The first postwar all-new styling
change was also Chrysler's 25th Anniversary model. The well-known
egg-crate grille was simplified. Chair-high seats were a strong
selling point and bodies appeared taller and boxier than previous
models. Front and rear overhangs were shortened and this, coupled
with the bustle back rear styling, gave the car a stubby look much
like the 1949 DeSoto which shared the same body.
A station wagon, the first for Chrysler since 1942, was
available in the Royal line. The wagon rode on the stretched
139.5-inch chassis.
All 1949 Chrysler dashboards were padded for safety. All gauges
arranged in a housing located directly in front of the driver. The
chrome trim below the dash padding had a horizontal "combed" look.
The radio was offset to the left of center for driver convenience.
The heater controls were placed directly below the radio.
Key starting was now available across the board on all
Chryslers. The three-passenger "Salesman's Coupes" were dropped at
end of the 1948 run for all lines. Specially trimmed Windsor and
New Yorker coupes and convertibles were offered under the
"Highlander" name. They were the same outside but had a plaid and
leather interior package. The Town and Country was now limited to a
New Yorker Convertible chassis only.
1949 ROYAL SERIES C45S - 6-CYLINDER: The big news for Royal
buyers was the availability of a Station Wagon. It was given a wood
sided look reminiscent of the 1946-48 Town & Country. The spare
tire was mounted on the rear tail gate for this year only. The
Royal wheelbase was stretched four inches to 125.5 inches, with the
increase occurring by moving the rear axle housing further aft.
Price increases resulted from the labor settlements of 1948.
The Royal line was now limited to a 2-door Club Coupe, a 4-door
Sedan and the Wagon. The Royal 4-door sedan/limousine models were
once again available on a "long" 139.5" wheelbase chassis.
Royal standard equipment included arm rests on both front doors,
directional signals, entrance light, brake warning light, cigar
lighter with illuminated ash tray, rubber floor covering in front
compartment (except club coupe and 8-passenger sedans which are
carpeted), dual outside front door locks, glove box light and lock,
pile fabric or broadcloth upholstery, luggage compartment light,
assist straps and robe cords on sedans and broughams, dual
two-speed electric wipers, plastic steering wheel, automatic dome
light, white wall wheel covers and interior door lock.
1949 WINDSOR SERIES C45W 6-CYLINDER: The Windsor continued to be
an upgraded version of the Royal, using the same L-head 6-cylinder
engine. Windsor 4-door sedan/limousine models were once again
available on a "long" 139.5" wheelbase chassis. Body styles were
limited to 2-door Sedans, 4-door Sedans and the Convertible.
The Windsor included the “Fluid Drive”, “Prestomatic”
transmissions as standard equipment. All other standard equipment
mirrored the Royal. "Windsor" was found on the rear portion of the
front fender, above the trim strip. Highlander plaid upholstery was
again an option. The gas filler was now located on the left rear
fender. Front and rear exterior door locks were standard on all
eight-passenger sedans.
1949 SARATOGA SERIES C46K - 8-CYLINDER: The Saratoga was an
eight-cylinder trimmed like a Royal. Standard equipment reflected
that found in the Windsor. It was available in only two body styles
- Club Coupe and four-door Sedan. The Fluid Drive, “Prestomatic”
transmission was standard.
The "Saratoga" name was located on the rear portion of the front
fender, just above the horizontal trim molding. The chassis was
lengthened four inches to 131.5 inches also by moving the rear axle
rearward.
1949 NEW YORKER SERIES C46N - 8-CYLINDER: The New Yorker was a
high-line version of the Saratoga. It had the same mechanical
features, while interior appointments were plusher than the
Saratoga. Like the Windsor, the Highlander coupes and convertibles
were offered as an option, which included plaid upholstery.
The Town & Country was now part of the New Yorker series
only, and was offered in eight-cylinder form and as a convertible.
One prototype Town & Country hardtop was built and listed as
available in some sales literature, but none were delivered until
the 1950 model year (see picture). Faux wood inserts replaced the
real mahogany panels set between the Ash used on previous Town
& Country models. Late production cars deleted this treatment
and used body color painted panels.
MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA:
Royal serial numbers. Cars built in Detroit used the numbers
70041001 to 70572284. Cars built in Los Angeles used the numbers
65002,001 to 65003000. Royal motor numbers began with C45-1001 and
ended with C45-93419, and were interspersed with Windsor numbers,
sequentially as engines were built.
Windsor serial numbers. Serial numbers started at 70725001 and
ended at 70793638 on Detroit built cars. Los Angeles numbers were
67005001 to 67010795. Motor numbers on all Windsors ran C45-1001 to
C45-93419, and were interspersed with Royal numbers, sequentially
as engines were built.
Saratoga serial numbers. Serial numbers ranged from 6772001 to
6774475, Motor numbers ranged from C46-1001 to C46-28838, and were
interspersed with New Yorker numbers, sequentially as engines were
built.
New Yorker serial numbers. Serial numbers started at 7094001 to
7118581. Motor numbers ranged from C46-1001 to C46-28838, and were
interspersed with Saratoga numbers, sequentially as engines were
built.
New Yorker Town & Country serial numbers. Numbers started
with 7410001 and ending with 7411001. Motor numbers ranged from
C46-1001 to C46-28838, and were interspersed with Saratoga and
regular New Yorker numbers, sequentially as engines were built.
All serial numbers were located on the left front door hinge
post. Motor numbers were found on the left side of the engine block
below the cylinder head between the first and second cylinders. No
code numbers were provided for identification of body/style
type.
Continued –
Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, Al l Rights
Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail
[email protected].
BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS:
00 Dodge Blue Gray 01 Black 05 Mist Blue 06 Ocean Blue 07 Ensign
Blue 20 Fog Green 21 Gulf Green 22 Scotch Green 23 Noel Green 35
Thunder Gray 36 Dust Gray 45 Pearl Tan 46 Navajo Brown 47 Burmese
Brown 60 Burgundy Maroon 61 Pepper Red 65 Pagoda Cream 66
Anniversary Silver
CHRYSLER ENGINES:
Royal and Windsor Series Engine. L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron
block. Displacement: 250.6 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.438" x 4.5".
Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Horsepower: 116 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 214
ft. lbs. @ 1600 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid lifters. Carburetor:
Standard shift - Ball and Ball Model Ball and BallEX1R or EX2R.
Fluid Drive and M-6 transmission - Ball and Ball model E7L1-L2.
Saratoga and Windsor Series Engine. L-head eight-cylinder. Cast
iron block. Displacement: 323.5 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.25" x
4.875" Compression ratio: 7.25:1. Horsepower 135 @ 3200 RPM.
Torque: 230 foot-pounds at 2000 RPM. Carburetor: Ball and Ball B-B
E7J1, J2.
CHASSIS:
Wheelbase: Royal and Windsor: Long wheelbase models - 139.5"
Others - 125.5". Saratoga and New Yorker: Wheelbase: 131.5".
Tires: Royal and Windsor: Long wheelbase cars - 8.20 x 15, Short
wheelbase cars - 7.60 x 15. Saratoga and New Yorker: 8.20x 15.
White walls available.
POWERTRAIN OPTIONS:
Royal. Three-speed manual transmission standard. Fluid Drive
hydraulically operated M-5 transmission optional. Windsor, Saratoga
and New Yorker. Fluid Drive hydraulically operated M-5 transmission
standard.
SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS:
All-Weather Air control system. Central bumper guard. Comfort
Master Heater. DeLuxe heater mounted on dash with fan and defroster
controls. Electric clock (optional Royal, standard all others).
Exhaust pipe deflector. Fog lights. Grille Guard (dealer
installed). Highlander upholstery. Lifeguard tire tubes. Locking
Gas Cap. Middle rear bumper guard Mopar Auto Compass. Mopar brand
locking gas cap. Radio Refrigeration unit. Six-ply tires. Spare
tire valve extension. Spot lamp. Sun visor Top luggage rack on
eight-passenger models. Under hood light. Weatherproof ignition.
White Sidewall Tries. Windshield washer. Wing vent wind
deflectors
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The production of the new models began
late in 1948, due to a strike affecting tooling. Therefore, for the
first part of the 1949 Chrysler year, 1946-48 models were sold
while the first new Chryslers since 1942 were ready for production.
Over 28,000 of left over or final production 1948 Chryslers were
delivered until the new models were available.
Continued –
