STORY LINE: MO-POWER

When Walter P. Chrysler left Buick, yes, Walter P. was the ‘BOSS’ at Buick and left as it’s president in 1919 … one can only wonder, had he ever thought that  his future Chrysler Corporation built cars would become collectibles.

History records that the first Chrysler named automobile was introduced to the motoring public on January 24, 1924 at the Commodore Hotel in New York City. History also records the fact that by December of that same year, 32,000 Chrysler cars were sold-establishing a new record for first year sales.     

Three-quarters of a century later, and three years into a new century, 2003, high performance Chrysler vehicles  are now a very popular and collectible commodity. It was not always that way, though, as  this number three auto maker was once overshadowed by GM and Ford past models as the hot ones to own. Since the second design HEMI powered Chrysler cars of the ‘60s have gone stratosphere in pricing, the lesser models have been pulled up value wise also. 

Some of the most collectible performance Chrysler cars were not popular when first introduced. The winged warriors called the ‘Superbird’ and ‘Daytona’ languished on car dealers lots oft times for better than a year … not selling. Some dealers removed the unsightly nose and deck wing, replacing them with conventional bumpers fore/aft … so they could be sold. Today, these ‘winged’ models originally factory built with the HEMI engine-and concour restored-are valued in excess of $100,000.  Their ‘B’ engined brethren start at $40,000 in single four barrel version and some $75,000 with the triple Holleys.

The RACE-HEMI Dart(80) and Barracuda(70) cars of 1968 specially built by HURST PERFORMANCE RESEARCH in Madison Heights … were throw away drag cars, worth a King Tut’s gold tooth today.  So too with 1970 and ’71 ‘CUDA and Challenger HEMI cars. And likewise with the 1965, R051/W051 Plymouth and Dodge(101 each) and 1967, R023/W023(55 each) HEMI S/S drag cars. Again, a kings ransom in today’s perceived value.

It wasn’t so long ago that only the top line Chrysler vehicles of the ‘30s and ‘40s, ‘Woodie’ T&C models and ‘50s/’60s letter series 300 models were considered collectible, let alone valuable. It wasn’t until the V10 powered Dodge Viper  set a performance standard for modern production supercars and kindled collectible MOPAR performance interest, that in general, did the lower series Pentastar vehicles garner attention. This rekindled interest in the collectible upper performance level-call it HEMI-virtually pulled the rest of the lower level performance Chrysler line to the interest it holds today. It is logic and far easier financially for the majority of Pentastar lovers to buy/own a 383, 413 or 440 street wedge powered Chrysler vehicle car or 340 engined performance MOPAR  … then to ‘feed’ a HEMI need.

Stratosphere pricing of the performance models have increased the level of activity in less popular MOPAR models and in the higher priced luxury cruisers of the ‘50s/60s and ‘70s. Hobbyist collectors find it very pleasantly affordable to own a large late ‘60s Plymouth Sport Fury or bucket seat Dodge Monaco 500 with 383 or 440 and A/C or even a four door model. Chrysler and Imperial cars once inexpensive, are becoming more scarce and escalating in price/value. Interesting to note though, a 1955/56 Dodge Royal Lancer 2dr hardtop or comparable Plymouth model, can still be bought for far less than a comparable Chevrolet or Pontiac of the same vintage.

While going through some of my dealer catalogs the other day, I was focusing  on the 1968 Plymouth bucket seat Sport Fury models-convertible, hardtop  and fast top that were optional with up to the 375HP/440. That led me to the 1970/71 Sport Fury GT. Reportedly only 61 were built in 1970, all with the 440-6 barrel engine …. Hmm.  375 were built in 1971 all with the single four barrel 440.                                      

Moral of this story is … I can guarantee you that no more old Chrysler vehicles will ever be built. They will be restored if they are collectible and as long as parts will be available, but the number of these cars are dwindling so the values of solid originals not cost effective to restore … will continue to rise steadily. With the aftermarket suppliers-both MOPAR and others-building a donor car may be the only way to go in the future.

Walter P. would be proud and certainly I believe … gratified with this Chrysler heritage.

TOP HAT JOHN can be contacted for story leads, vehicle appraisals, or questions at: P.O. Box 46024, Mt. Clemens, MI., 48046-6024; or call 586-465-1933