I have been offered over the phone a the chance to buy a 1950 Chrysler Coupe, they say it has a 331 Hemi and it runs. What do they look like and are they any good? Sound a big car! Any built ones on the HAMB?
Russ, here is my 1951 Imperial 2 door hardtop and it has a 331 hemi (first year) in spite of the misinformation on the hood of this car. This one was raced some many years ago. These cars have that "fluid drive" ****** which is a semi automatic with a clutch. Mine is for sale too, cheap!
I had a 52 Chrysler Crown Imperial limo. HUGE car- so big it had to account for the curvature of the earth. So big it had its own address. Hemi and a Gyromatic semi-automatic four speed - that is being kind. Four wheel disk brakes, using the stock MoPar wheel cylinders (2 on fronts and 1 on rears). Standard drum brake wheel cylinders pushed one disk against the other, with balls rolling on ramps, giving a self-energizing disk brake. Clever, but they tended to run very hot even with the (stock) vented wheels. Interior as big as all get-out, especially the rear (jump seats, too!). The car had 'Korean Chrome' which means that it was built during the Korean War when nickle was rationed. So the chrome plating went right over the pot metal and steel. The chrome never looked good on these cars even when they were new, and the chrome did not age well, especially on the pot metal pieces. My car was a rust bucket, too. But very rare as only a hundred or so were made. I sold it to someone who stated he was going to frame-off the car. Wonder if he ever did.
It's hard to mistake a hemi for a flat 6 or 8. But, it's probably not too hard to mistake a '51 for a '50... As for pics, some are bound to show up on here. But you can try carnut.com if you get tired of waiting.
I don't have any pics online of my '50 New Yorker, but if it is a Imperial, and it is a coupe, it has to be a 51, and it would have the Hemi. Imperials before 1951 were 4 door sedans, at least through the 40's. If it is a 50, it could be a Windsor (6cyl), Saratoga (8cyl), New Yorker (8cyl), or a Town and Country (2dr Hardtop 8 cyl Woodie) all were also available as a Highlander, which came with Highland Plaid interiors. The 8 cyl in the 50 would be a flathead, and they all came with Fluid Drive.
I have a 50 Imperial Limo but coupes are rare. The ImperialClub.com has lots of photos and tons of info but no 50 coupes. That said, the only difference in the 50 & 51 is trim so here is a photo of a 51: More info at: http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1951/ClubCoupe/DSC02475_small.JPG The 50's were the last year for the straight 8 flathead and the only year for hydraulic lifters. Acceleration was 'stately'. Plenty of room for a V8. The 331 Hemi that came out in 51 fit easily. A 440 or other hemi will fit. You'll want to ditch the fluid drive ****** if you rod it. Don't s**** the parts. Folks on the Imperial Club will buy them.
Thanks for the info guys, seems the guy offering the car after another phone call recalls it could be a 51 as it is an Imperial coupe. Glad I checked with you experts out there. Thanks again.
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