Vehicle Description
Nice older restoration. Great colors. Smooth 331 cubic inch 'Poly
head' V8 with 2-speed pushbutton automatic. Power steering and
power brakes. Rare Highway Hi-Fi installed. Chrome wire wheels with
radials. A handsome Chrysler ready to cruise!First, a disclosure:
my wife and I own a 1956 Chrysler Windsor station wagon and it is
our favorite long-distance tour car. In the five years that we've
owned it, it has been bullet proof reliable, impeccably smooth at
modern highway speeds, and so easy to drive that my wife drives it
daily in the summer. You could say we're big fans of these cars.
With that said, all the good things that apply to our wagon also
apply to this handsome black and white Nassau hardtop. Same smooth
engine, same comfortable suspension, same high build quality. In
fact, we have found that everything about these Chryslers feels
better than its contemporaries-the switchgear is heavy chrome, not
plastic, the buttons for the transmission snap into position with
precision, and the car has a tight, buttoned-down feel that isn't
at all floaty or loose. Add in some of the best styling of the
1950s and these are cars that deliver all out of proportion to
their cost. The black paint on this car is beautifully done and
holding up quite well. It's probably 15 or 20 years old at this
point, but quality workmanship withstands the test of time. One
glance down the super straight flanks should tell you all you need
to know about the car's history of rust and the work that was done.
The muscular quarters extend into modest fins that are just right
for the Nassau's upscale look and all the chrome was likely
refinished at the time of restoration, as it remains in great
shape. This is a really nice car.The interior is simple but not
plain. Gray striped cloth and white vinyl have a '50s sensibility
that isn't as ostentatious as some of the brocade fabrics that were
available from other marques, and the car feels like something a
grown-up would drive. Black carpets anchor the interior but it
remains bright and airy with the pillarless hardtop roofline. The
big steering wheel is in beautiful shape, including the unusual
'wicker' inserts at 4 and 8 o'clock, and it's probably worth
mentioning that the horn ring alone is worth about $1000 (ask me
how I know). Big, round gauges are all fully operational, including
the fuel gauge, and the row of knobs in the center of the dash
control everything else. The pushbutton transmission controls are
to your left and the buttons snap into position with a satisfying
click. You'll also note the original AM radio in the dash is joined
by an FM converter on the transmission tunnel, as well as the
aforementioned Highway Hi-Fi, an in-car record player that was all
the rage in 1956 (we have not tested its operation, however). The
back seat is in excellent condition and there are heavy-duty floor
mats at all four positions to keep things clean. We believe the
headliner is original and in very good shape and all the interior
lights work properly. The trunk is spacious and includes its
original rubber mat and a full-sized spare tire.It's not a hemi,
but it's the same size: 331 cubic inches. The Windsor got the
unique Poly Head V8 in 1956, which was rated at 225 horsepower with
a 2-barrel carburetor and single exhaust. It's easy to recognize
with its uniquely shaped valve covers, and this one remains almost
entirely stock, from the heavy-duty air cleaner to the corporate
silver engine enamel. Of note, power steering and power brakes are
included as part of the package, making this big hardtop quite easy
to drive just about anywhere. The big V8 offers modern performance
and cruises easily with today's traffic. It's also whisper quiet.
The transmission is a 2-speed automatic, but we've found that's
perfectly fine in regular use and the Nassau uses 3.73 gears so
it's quite punchy around town for a big car. Someone has added dual
exhaust, so that probably adds a few horsepower and you'll note the
floors are quite clean with none of the usual issues. Beautiful
chrome wire wheels are another insanely expensive upgrade, with
these carrying a set of 235/75/15 whitewall radials.Documentation
includes original owner's manuals, advertising literature, and a
shop manual.Chrysler was quietly flying under the radar in 1956,
but their quality was exceptional and the cars were extremely well
engineered. With modern road manners, this handsome Windsor Nassau
hardtop offers a no-compromises ownership experience. It's
comfortable enough to drive every day and special enough to stand
out at shows. At this price, that combination is pretty hard to
beat. Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes
personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.
