The leather wrapped dash saved me from injury in a panic stop in 1954. I was sitting cross-legged on the front seat when my grandmother had to stop suddenly for a kid that ran into the road in front of the car. I pitched forward, my 5 year old head struck the padding (before seatbelts) and I sat back in the seat unscathed. When I turned 16 and was given the car, I installed seat belts. The clutch pad reads "safety clutch" because there is no neutral starter lockout. And will bolt when started.
have a CN 1950 sedan, working on some minor details thinking about getting that dashboard bumper replaced with wood because mine is melted from being out in the sun, long story!! do you have any diagrams or manuals of how the dash is assembled? FYI by the way I could not hear most of what you were saying, sorry just being honest, thank you
that's very nice! The prism instrument was a good idea I didn't know such a thing existed in old cars. It's surprising that there's a hood release handle inside such an old car. Our 1979 Ford Econoline doesn't even have that option!
Most Interesting = ) Art Deco on WHEEELS ! And Chrysler sure knew something about Art Deco. Just take a look at the Chrysler Building. It has Shiny metal protruberances like chrome gargoils. Once the 2nd biggest company in the world, and incredibly well engineered, Chrysler was once a proud leader in automotive innovation. Such incredible amazing cars. Thankyou for sharing this with us.
The defrost air in this period came out of slots at the base of the windshield so would take some time to get the windshield clear up where you actually look through it. In 1957 all Chrysler cars had the first defrosting from non-slot duct vents that hit spots in the middle of the windshield first. Also of course, no AC so no dehumidifying the air either! Air conditioned Chryslers starting also in 1957 used flip up versions of the defroster outlets on the top of the dash for AC air.
Love the art deco look im this car giving it plenty of character which is something lacking in todays cars. Also can see it would have been a converitble which is a shame they did not sell well back then. I bet the New Yorker would have made a grand convertible.
@hudsoninbury Hey, Chris! I will try...I can't ever recall seeing this before. Next time I see a Chrysler of this vintage I will check with the owner if he's around. I checked all books I have on Mopar of the era..they talk about styling, but make no mention of the curious pushbutton. :) Jack
My grandmother owned a 1955 Imperial Newport with factory a/c. I remember the cold air coming from a vent on the back shelf and blew forward. There was no cold air vented under or anywhere on the dash. I wonder when this was changed.
The other AC air outlets were below the dash. In-dash vents weren't invented quite yet. Anyway, they didn't think of running the compressor with defrosting, but by running AC with the heat up, not flipping the defrost vents to AC position, and closing the under-dash vents you could do it yourself!
That button may be for engaging a passing gear. The driver would press the button and hold it pressed until the passing was no longer needed, then release the button.
I have a 1950 chrysler windsor my name is Carol And I can't wire the high and low gears to the from the tranny to the carborator Please get back to me as soon as posible.
That fluid drive semi-automatic had not four forward gears; it had only three. Starting out was in first. When you were moving you took you foot off the accelerator momentarily for the automatic shifting from first to third, making a loud clunk sound. If you wanted to go to second gear, you had to shift the lever up and away from you and back down for third. Shifting the lever toward you was reverse. Dodges and DeSotos had the same transmission.
If your car had the Fluid Drive WITH the M6 electric shift transmission,it had two forward gear shifter positions and EACH position had TWO ranges, or "gears" and it eletronically shifted in EACH "GEAR" BY LIFTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHILE IT SHIFTED. Fluid Drive descibed the Fluid Coupling which referred to the torque converter looking unit which replaced the flywheel in a non Fluid Drive car. The clutch was bolted to the Fluid Coupling rather than the flywheel which was not installed in an electrically operated semi automatic M6 transmission...the Royal had a regular 3 speed transmission, all other models had the M6 (1949) Once you understand it, it makes sense but if you see it apart it becomes MUCH clearer
@hudsoninbury Hmm, I'd imagine that's more than likely the case, but I can ask around if you'd like anyway to see if anyone around here knows anything come the next car show. I'm from the states, so maybe someone will know. Incidentally, the way I found your video was I want to own an old 40s chrysler or something someday! 40s and early 50s were my favourite era for cars. :) Mind if I ask how much you obtained yours for? (I know it'll probably be more over there in europe.)
Very interesting..nice explanation of fluid drive and the semi-automatic transmission. As to that button, it puzzles me too..an overdrive seems a logical explanation, but it is the first time I have noticed such a button on a semi automatic transmission. I wonder if it could be a forced downshift, as in passing?? :) Jack
BEAUTIFUL CAR it has character - totally missing these days !!
The leather wrapped dash saved me from injury in a panic stop in 1954. I was sitting cross-legged on the front seat when my grandmother had to stop suddenly for a kid that ran into the road in front of the car. I pitched forward, my 5 year old head struck the padding (before seatbelts) and I sat back in the seat unscathed. When I turned 16 and was given the car, I installed seat belts. The clutch pad reads "safety clutch" because there is no neutral starter lockout. And will bolt when started.
have a CN 1950 sedan, working on some minor details thinking about getting that dashboard bumper replaced with wood because mine is melted from being out in the sun, long story!! do you have any diagrams or manuals of how the dash is assembled? FYI by the way I could not hear most of what you were saying, sorry just being honest, thank you
that's very nice! The prism instrument was a good idea I didn't know such a thing existed in old cars. It's surprising that there's a hood release handle inside such an old car. Our 1979 Ford Econoline doesn't even have that option!
Most Interesting = ) Art Deco on WHEEELS ! And Chrysler sure knew something about Art Deco. Just take a look at the Chrysler Building. It has Shiny metal protruberances like chrome gargoils. Once the 2nd biggest company in the world, and incredibly well engineered, Chrysler was once a proud leader in automotive innovation. Such incredible amazing cars. Thankyou for sharing this with us.
What a wonderful Classic Chrysler.
The button on the floor to activate the high beams. Seems very odd now, but yes, all USA cars had that back in the day.
I hate to say this, but folks nowadays are computer "smart", but VERY IGNORANT in most ways.
The padded dash no only looks nice, but it does have another advantage: it cuts down on the glare from the sun.
The defrost air in this period came out of slots at the base of the windshield so would take some time to get the windshield clear up where you actually look through it. In 1957 all Chrysler cars had the first defrosting from non-slot duct vents that hit spots in the middle of the windshield first. Also of course, no AC so no dehumidifying the air either! Air conditioned Chryslers starting also in 1957 used flip up versions of the defroster outlets on the top of the dash for AC air.
Is that a Royal? Did they all have that kind of transmission ?
A 1949 Chrysler in my family had a pad on the dash, though it was set up a bit differently than in your 1950.
Love the art deco look im this car giving it plenty of character which is something lacking in todays cars. Also can see it would have been a converitble which is a shame they did not sell well back then. I bet the New Yorker would have made a grand convertible.
@hudsoninbury Hey, Chris! I will try...I can't ever recall seeing this before. Next time I see a Chrysler of this vintage I will check with the owner if he's around. I checked all books I have on Mopar of the era..they talk about styling, but make no mention of the curious pushbutton. :) Jack
My grandmother owned a 1955 Imperial Newport with factory a/c. I remember the cold air coming from a vent on the back shelf and blew forward. There was no cold air vented under or anywhere on the dash. I wonder when this was changed.
Lovely video. Thank you.
The other AC air outlets were below the dash. In-dash vents weren't invented quite yet. Anyway, they didn't think of running the compressor with defrosting, but by running AC with the heat up, not flipping the defrost vents to AC position, and closing the under-dash vents you could do it yourself!
I would love to see how the heater, or defogger works on your cars in inclement weather. How well does it clear the windshield of fogging up?
MUCH BETTER than the exotic crap on vehicles now! I have experienced both!
the button on the shifter? It wasn't a button that locks the lever and keeps you from shifting by accident while driving? Interesting..
That button may be for engaging a passing gear. The driver would press the button and hold it pressed until the passing was no longer needed, then release the button.
I have a 1950 chrysler windsor my name is Carol And I can't wire the high and low gears to the from the tranny to the carborator Please get back to me as soon as posible.
That fluid drive semi-automatic had not four forward gears; it had only three. Starting out was in first. When you were moving you took you foot off the accelerator momentarily for the automatic shifting from first to third, making a loud clunk sound. If you wanted to go to second gear, you had to shift the lever up and away from you and back down for third. Shifting the lever toward you was reverse. Dodges and DeSotos had the same transmission.
I'm sure this is all very familiar to you, but to me, Id be lost!
If your car had the Fluid Drive WITH the M6 electric shift transmission,it had two forward gear shifter positions and EACH position had TWO ranges, or "gears" and it eletronically shifted in EACH "GEAR" BY LIFTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHILE IT SHIFTED. Fluid Drive descibed the Fluid Coupling which referred to the torque converter looking unit which replaced the flywheel in a non Fluid Drive car. The clutch was bolted to the Fluid Coupling rather than the flywheel which was not installed in an electrically operated semi automatic M6 transmission...the Royal had a regular 3 speed transmission, all other models had the M6 (1949) Once you understand it, it makes sense but if you see it apart it becomes MUCH clearer
what about the button on the gear lever ?
@hudsoninbury Hmm, I'd imagine that's more than likely the case, but I can ask around if you'd like anyway to see if anyone around here knows anything come the next car show. I'm from the states, so maybe someone will know.
Incidentally, the way I found your video was I want to own an old 40s chrysler or something someday! 40s and early 50s were my favourite era for cars. :) Mind if I ask how much you obtained yours for? (I know it'll probably be more over there in europe.)
Do you still have the vehicle sir?
Very interesting..nice explanation of fluid drive and the semi-automatic transmission. As to that button, it puzzles me too..an overdrive seems a logical explanation, but it is the first time I have noticed such a button on a semi automatic transmission. I wonder if it could be a forced downshift, as in passing?? :) Jack
i bet it feels wierd for this guy to drive the chrysler because he lives in a country where cars drive on the otherside
A REAL CAR! These DO NOT exist in these times!
Gripping!