Chrysler Windsor

Chrysler Windsor
1960 Chrysler Windsor hardtop coupe
Overview
ManufacturerChrysler
Production1939–1942
1946–1961
1961–1966 (Canada only)
AssemblyJefferson Avenue Assembly
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Los Angeles (Maywood) Assembly (starting 1948)
Windsor Assembly, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
(1961–1966)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
LayoutFR layout
Chronology
PredecessorChrysler Royal
SuccessorChrysler Newport

The Chrysler Windsor is a full-size car which was built by Chrysler from 1939 through to the 1960s. The final Chrysler Windsor sold in the United States was produced in 1961, but production in Canada continued until 1966. The Canadian 1961 to 1966 Windsor model was for all intents and purposes the equivalent of the Chrysler Newport in the United States.

The Windsor was almost identical to the more luxurious Chrysler New Yorker in terms of size, interior and standard features except that it was only available with the Chrysler Straight Six that originally started the company in 1925, which offered customers a luxurious car with a more modest and economic engine. As the years progressed and technology and manufacturing costs improved, the Windsor offered items that were initially optional as standard equipment while maintaining a market position lower in the Chrysler product hierarchy.

The Windsor was mechanically similar to the Royal from 1939 to 1950 and offered more standard equipment and an upscale interior to the well equipped Royal while both vehicles came with the Chrysler Straight Six. As the Royal nameplate was discontinued for the 1951 model year the Windsor became Chrysler's six cylinder coupe until 1955 when the Poly V8 was introduced. For the 1961 model year the Chrysler Newport assumed the market position originally held by the Royal, keeping the Windsor positioned one level above the Newport. Chrysler replaced the Windsor name in 1962 with the introduction of the non-lettered series Chrysler 300.[1]

  1. ^ Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946–1975 (Revised 4th Edition)