Re: '51-54 models Wheelbase

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2011/8/19 7:41:52

1949 - 52 Chrysler New Yorker and Imperial had a wheelbase a full 6" longer than the Windsor and Saratoga.

The main body was identical, all the extra length was forward of the windshield.

Up to 1950 this was to make room for the longer straight eight engine used in the heavy models vs the six cylinder in the Windsor. But in 1951 and 52 they had the new hemi head V8 which would fit in the shorter wheelbase car (this was the Saratoga model).

GM liked to add length to the trunk.Pontiacs used the same body as Chev with longer nose and tail. The most expensive Cadillac (60 or 62?) had a longer trunk.

So far as I know Packard (Cavalier and Patrician) and Studebaker (Land Cruiser) were the only ones who added length to the body in their top models. I am not including limousines or commercial chassis in this.