Monthly Archives: June 2021

THE GREAT TEXAS MOPAR® AUCTION: PART IV

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By Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante 6/25/2021 8:05 PM EventsVideo8 min read AUCTIONSDODGE CLASSICSPLYMOUTH CLASSICS

Well, I’m back from last week’s Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas collector car auction event. Regular DodgeGarage readers may recall that I had to short shift last week’s report on the Great Texas Mopar® Hoard Auction Event due to a lack of time. Last week, there was just one lonely preview car depicted here.

That was last week. Let’s pick it up here with a nice thick slice of the many amazing vintage and collectible Mopar products that will sell in mid-October (exact date to be determined) during the ONLINE ONLY Freedom Car Auctions Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event.

Freedom Auctions, by the way, is an auction company operated by none other than Spanky Assiter. Long-time Barrett-Jackson fans will recall Spanky (and his energetic wife Amy) as the lead auctioneer at Barrett-Jackson for something like a decade or more. Well, Spanky has graduated from the Barrett-Jackson scene, but is still totally active in the auction realm, selling real estate, livestock, race horses and vintage cars at events like the Great Texas Mopar Hoard.

What makes the Great Texas Mopar Hoard unique is that the vehicles on offer aren’t the highly polished show cars typically associated with TV auctions. Rather, they’re prime cut project cars. Yes, some of them may look like they’re ready to hit the road (and a few may well be), but most are vehicles that we consider project cars. That’s because most have been sitting still in the Texas prairie for at least five years (some as many as four decades). Thus, it’s to be expected that braking, cooling and electrical systems will be in need of a thorough refurbishment before driving is possible.

This likely need for refurbishment also holds true for the radiators, transmissions, engines and drive line components. All of these sub-systems (when present) will also need to be refurbished. But that’s the easy part of any project car restoration. The most difficult part is finding a solid restoration candidate. And that’s where the vast majority of these cars shine. As Texas vehicles, they rarely suffer from the severe structural rust that afflicts vehicles sourced from the rust belt.

As the following photos and walk-around videos will depict, the majority of the cars and trucks in the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event are solid, rust-free cores. Better yet, in most instances the chrome trim, interior bits and body panels are still present and go with the sale of the vehicle. In short, as any serious vehicle restorer knows, it’s better to have a solid, nearly complete project car that doesn’t run, than it is to have a running rust box. Think about that for a moment then feast your eyes on this week’s offerings from the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event.

1956 CHRYSLER WINDSOR: LOT #26

1956 Chrysler Windsor

This 1956 Chrysler Windsor packs a very special surprise beneath its sleek, complete skin. While the big Chrysler C300 of 1955 was the first post-war Mopar vehicle to advertise its horsepower with external metal emblems, this ’56 Windsor 250 is the second. Subtly positioned beneath the stylized “V” on each rear quarter panel are a pair of “250” emblems signifying the presence of the single four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust Power Package that elevated output from 225 to 250 horsepower.

But unlike the larger and more expensive Chrysler New Yorker and 300B models which had hemispherical combustion chambers and grew from 331 to 354 cubic inches for 1956, the entry-level Windsor utilized less costly polyspherical heads and related valvetrain bits and kept the 331 cubes of the 1955 HEMI® engine. Only offered in Windsors, this poly 331 Power Package is notable for its unique “250” body emblems.

Elsewhere, this great fifties cruiser packs power drum brakes, power steering, the two-speed Powerflite automatic transmission – with first-year push button shift controls – and a complete interior with nice door panels, instrument cluster – with factory AM radio – and bench seats with the predicted wear and tear on the horizontal surfaces. As for the body, as the accompanying video demonstrates, the paint is very likely the original coating applied 65 years ago. Rust has taken hold down low on the rear quarter panels and front fenders – again, see the video for more – but the grille and tail brightwork is complete. It wouldn’t take much to revive this beauty!

1963 CHRYSLER 300J: LOT F

Ahh, the mighty Chrysler 300 “letter series”. Made from 1955 through 1965, these “beautiful brutes” are as highly collectible as any sixties muscle car and for good reason. Built with Chrysler’s hottest available engine offerings, with superior brakes, firmer suspension and that all-important (and realistic) 150-mph speedometer, Chrysler letter cars are hot stuff.

This 1963 300J is the ninth in the series (there was no 300″I” slotted between the 1962 300H and this 1963 300J because Chrysler wanted to avoid possible confusion between the letter “I” and the number “1”) and features an all-new body design. Virgil Exner’s radical finned look of the late fifties was toned down, as seen here.

Not to be confused with the mechanically de-contented 300 Sport series, which arrived in 1962, the letter series was always as hot as possible. In this 1963 “J”, the ram induction intake manifolds were upgraded versus their 1960-62 counterparts with the elimination of the first half of the vertical intake runner divider walls. This move increased plenum volume and helped the ram induction system flow more air from the dual carter AFB’s to the big-valve heads and solid lifter camshaft.

While a total of 24,665 300 Sports were built in 1963, a mere 400 300Js were assembled, all of them hardtops like this one (a convertible would be added to the 1964 300K lineup). With a solid, rust-free body, factory-installed air conditioning, massive 11-inch power drum brakes, power steering and power windows all propelled by its 390-horsepower 413 wedge, this rare beauty isn’t too far away from being ready for the road. And though the bucket seat interior (complete with console-mounted tachometer) was disassembled during photography, we’re told the loose parts will be reunited by the auction date. Be sure to double check the situation before you bid and have a look at the video for more details.

1966 DODGE CORONET 440: LOT D

1966 Dodge Coronet

Still wearing its medium gold metallic paint, this 1966 Coronet 440 hardtop is a wonderful, original example of what was once a common sight in parking lots and roadways all over America – 40 years ago. Today, sights like this are seen only at car shows and in private collections. Packing the optional 383 four-barrel big block wedge, the only thing hotter in the 1966 Dodge Coronet catalog was the 426 Street HEMI (the 440-powered Coronet R/T arrived a year later).

The one sad note about this offering is the fact its body shell has been bent. A look at the door gaps reveals trouble. Most likely this Coronet left the road, went airborne and landed on a mound or peak as if the Duke Boys were having some fun. The roof skin seems unaffected. Otherwise, the body is rust free and packed with potential.

Goodies include the 383 four-barrel – complete with the unsilenced air cleaner used on these high-performance bruisers – factory dual exhaust, air conditioning, power steering, a 26-inch A/C radiator with three rows of tubes, a heavy-duty 727 TorqueFlite® with column shifter, original body colored 14-inch steel wheels with Coronet hub caps and an 8-3/4 rear axle, inside of which may (or may not) lurk a coveted Sure Grip differential. There wasn’t access to a floor jack during photography, but the 383 four-barrel was often coupled with Sure Grip. A competent body repair shop with a frame machine could probably make it square in an afternoon. Otherwise, this Coronet 440 hardtop is loaded with rust-free panels ready for use on a rusty restoration. Check out the linked video for more details.

1958 CHRYSLER 300D: LOT C

1958 Chrysler 300D

In its fourth year, Chrysler’s “letter series” 300 muscle car grew from strength to strength. Packing the mighty 392-cube Fire Power HEMI head V8 with 300-specific dual quads, solid lifters, adjustable rocker arms, large-port cast iron exhaust manifolds, high-flow dual exhaust, extreme-duty 12-inch drum brakes, this 1958 300D is the final year for HEMI engine power before the less-expensive-to-produce 413 wedge replaced it in ’59. Only 809 of these 300Ds were produced in 1958, a miniscule quantity compared to later output of Dodge Chargers, Plymouth Road Runners and other muscle era Mopar collectibles. These “letter cars” are very uncommon.

Without the usual rust and corrosion that consumes Exner-era Chrysler products with abandon, this Texas king is virtually rust free. The Aztec Turquoise paint (one of just six colors offered on the 300D) was partially hand-removed via a razor blade to expose a solid foundation for restoration. The heavy-duty TorqueFlite automatic transmission takes commands from a push button control pod situated next to the D-only 150-mph speedometer.

Factory options include air conditioning ($540 in 1958), power windows ($107.60 in 1958) and the Music Master AM radio ($99.80 in 1958). Though the photo and video depict the car sitting on jack stands and in less than complete condition, many (if not all) of the loose items will be reunited prior to the auction. To wit, the wheel covers, fender emblems and many other items were found in the trunk during photography (unfortunately, a search for the extremely rare Bendix Electro-Jector electronic fuel injection option turned up no evidence. This is, without a doubt, a factory carbureted 300D and not a “fuelie”). Be sure to inquire with Freedom Car Auctions about any missing parts prior to bidding.https://www.youtube.com/embed/qEbBt5nOFyE

1956 CHRYSLER INDUSTRIAL HEMI GENERATOR: LOT #300

With all of the attention given to Chrysler Corporations’ many automotive offerings, it is often forgotten that as far back as 1931 the Chrysler Marine and Industrial Engine Division produced stationary power plants like this 1956 electrical generator.

Though the DC generator portion of this item is interesting – it’s a three-phrase, 120-volt unit made by the Electric Machinery Manufacturing Company (EM) of Minneapolis, Minnesota – the real interest comes from the 354-cubic-inch Chrysler Industrial HEMI engine making it go ‘round.

Like many Chrysler Industrial engines, the 354 HEMI is bolstered by special bearings, hand-selected parts for maximum durability and a conversion from gasoline to LPG fuel. The benefit of LPG is how it burns cleaner than gasoline and reduces the amount of sludge in the crankcase.

But most importantly, these Industrial HEMI engines (and their Marine counterparts) were equipped with solid lifters in place of the quitter (and more expensive) hydraulic lifters used in passenger car applications. And as any hot rodder knows, solid lifters also allow higher engine speeds before the onset of valve float.

Getting to the point of what makes this portable generator so important, we have to look at the rocker arms and the rocker arm covers. To achieve the necessary operating clearance between the valve stem tips and rocker arms, special adjustable rocker arms – with threaded pushrod ends – are required. These same adjustable rocker arms are also used in the 1955-58 Chrysler 300 “letter series” muscle cars. And yes, these rocker arms are highly desirable among First Gen HEMI builders today.

But not only are the rocker arms in demand, so are the specific “humped” rocker arm covers. As shown in the picture, clearance humps are formed into the surfaces between spark plug tube holes. These are a must when the bulkier adjustable rocker arms are used on any 331 – 392 HEMI. And this generator has them! So that’s why this Generator is of particular importance.

Though a handful of collectors exist who might treasure this generator for its novelty, the majority will quickly scavenge the ultra-rare adjustable rocker arms – and the related “humped” Chrysler Industrial rocker arm covers – for use in a hopped-up 331, 354 or 392 HEMI engine. Check out the pictures and video for more info!

Okay, that’s it for this week’s preview of the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event. Stay tuned to DodgeGarage next week for even more.

The Great Texas Mopar® Auction: Part II

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1957 Plymouth Belvedere

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By Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante 6/11/2021 7:15 AM EventsVideo 7 min read auctionsDodge ClassicsPlymouth Classics

Over 250 Mopar® Project Cars to be Sold Online at NO RESERVE!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL AUCTION NOW!!!!!

Gather ‘round, Mopar fanatics! It’s time for another of our weekly auction preview stories focused on the 250-plus vehicle online estate auction scheduled for early October of this year (2021). In each of these weekly previews, we’ll focus on another handful of vintage Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, DeSoto and Imperial project vehicles that are all going to be sold online this fall with no reserve.

In case you’re new to the auction scene, the term “no reserve” means every item is going to sell … even if the highest bid is far less than the actual value of the item. No reserve auctions are a great way to get the vintage Mopar project car of your dreams for a very affordable price.

The auctioneer behind this history-making event is Spanky Assiter, founder of Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions of Texas and former Barrett-Jackson lead auctioneer. Spanky got the call to liquidate this massive outdoor hoard of vintage Mopar vehicles from the executors of the John Haynie estate in early 2021.

John Haynie, the Texas gentleman who amassed this huge collection of prime vintage tin, was sadly taken by a terminal illness at age 52. But we celebrate his foresight and good taste here while putting these great cars back into circulation after slumbering for as many as 30 years in the dry Texas prairie.

So read closely and be sure to click on the video link to learn more about the cars and light trucks that will all find new homes in early October as the Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event plays out!

1964 Chrysler Newport: Lot #18

1964 Chrysler Newport

Though the body style seen on this nifty 1964 Chrysler Newport four-door sedan was only seen for two model years (1963 and 1964), folks over the age of 40 probably recall a time when these large vehicles, with their assertive trapezoidal grilles and horizontally aligned headlamps, were a common sight on the road. Things have changed and what was once common has become scarce – and desirable.

This one is a sedan – with a fixed-B-pillar and full door frames – and is by far the most popular body style offered in the 1964 Chrysler line. Of the 85,183 Newports built that year, a whopping 55,957 were four-door sedans like this. Pillar-less hardtops, wagons, convertibles and two-doors made up the rest of the mix. America loved these cars!

And while this one wears “Turner County Sheriff’s Patrol” door and trunk graphics and a big blue emergency light on the roof, a check of the VIN reveals a starting sequence that reads “814”, which tells us it’s a Chrysler (8), Newport (1) from the 1964 model run (4). If the second digit was a “9”, we’d know it was originally built as a Police model. It’s not clear if this car was given a “police” makeover by a fan – or if it really saw duty in law enforcement. Either way, the body is solid and shows no signs of rust or rust repair work.

Under the hood are 361 2-barrel big block, push-button-activated 727 Torqueflite® automatic transmission, power-assisted drum brakes and power steering. Inside, the original bench seat upholstery, floor carpeting, head liner and door panels are all in excellent condition, making this a solid candidate for a mechanical once-over to get it back on the road – where it belongs! Be sure to watch the walk-around video for more details.

1957 Plymouth Belvedere: Lot #19

1957 Plymouth Belvedere Hardtop

Suddenly it’s 1960! That’s what the world said when the 1957 Mopar vehicles were unveiled for the first time. With the industry’s lowest beltline, cleanest lines, most glass and highest tail fins, the rest of Detroit looked “three years older” by comparison. Many say it was stylist Virgil Exner’s finest work.

This 1957 Plymouth Belvedere four-door hardtop is one of 37,446 made. Without the sedan’s fixed B-pillar and full door frames, the hardtop delivers a breezy, open air experience with all windows rolled down on a sunny day. The interior is all there with all gauges and the factory AM radio still in place. And of course, the torsion bar front suspension (making its debut in ’57) is all there.

Under the sleek “pancake” hood, the original 301-cubic-inch polyspherical V8 remains, complete with the optional “Power Pack” four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust boosting the 301 two-barrel’s 215-horsepower up to 235 horses. The only thing better was the optional Dual Fury 318 V8’s 290 horsepower – thanks to dual quads.

As the accompanying video demonstrates, this lucky survivor is mostly free from the terminal rust that consumed many 1957 Mopar vehicles within their first decade. And while this four-door is loaded with many rust-free panels that could be very helpful in the restoration of a more desirable two-door Fury model, this four-door hardtop is so solid it’d be a shame not to get it running again for all the world to enjoy. Learn more by watching the accompanying video.

1961 Plymouth Savoy Suburban Wagon: Lot #21

There was a time, long before the rise of the Chrysler minivan (and its many imitators), when American families moved around in large station wagons like this 1961 Plymouth Savoy. There was also a time when it was possible to purchase what was known as a “stripper” – a car assembled with minimal extra cost options and the smallest engine offered.

Those two realms merge with Lot 21, a 1961 Plymouth Savoy Suburban station wagon. At the time, Plymouth offered just two model lines, the compact A-Body Valiant and the full sized C-Body, which could be had as the Savoy, Belvedere and Fury with cost and complexity rising on each successive nameplate.

With its manual drum brakes, manual steering, column-shifted three-speed manual transmission and 225 Slant Six engine, the only extra cost options found on this austere people mover are a heater ($74) and AM radio ($35). With its base price of $2,670, the total cost with options came to $2,779.

Still wearing its original two-tone blue colors and, most likely, much of its factory-applied exterior paint, only the slightest bubbles of rust are beginning to form down low on the rear quarter panels. The under hood area is pristine though the Slant Six is missing its one-barrel carburetor and starter motor.

Records show that just 12,980 of these entry-level, four-door wagons were built in 1961. How many remain today? More importantly, how many remain today in nearly 100-percent original condition? Though the bizarre styling triggered a 21.77-percent sales slump versus 1960, that’s all irrelevant today as collectors and enthusiasts alike clamor for surviving examples of Virgil Exner’s swansong designs. See the walk-around video for more details.

1966 Plymouth Belvedere II Custom Pickup: Lot #22

Have you ever wondered what Plymouth’s answer to the Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero might have looked like? Though neither Plymouth nor Dodge ever went after the “Ute” market here in America, Chrysler of Australia’s April 1965 launch of the Valiant Wayfarer Utility used the compact A-Body platform to deliver a pint-sized pickup truck down under.

None of it answers the question stateside, which is where Lot Number 22 comes in. Based on a 1966 Plymouth RH45E6 Belvedere II station wagon, some enterprising Texan sliced and diced it into a very appealing El Camino act-alike. Maybe we call it Bel-Camino?

Powered by a swapped-in LA series 318 two-barrel (not the original Polyspherical 318) with a column-shifted Torqueflite automatic, aftermarket air conditioning and cruise control add convenience and comfort. The four-wheel drum brakes are non-assisted though power steering takes a load off up front.

Out back, the original station wagon load floor does duty as the cargo bed while the rear doors have been permanently molded closed with very nice body work hiding all surgery scars. Rolling stock consists of original equipment 14×5.5 inch Magnum 500 rims of 1967-’68 (all-chrome) vintage and white wall radial tires.

The compulsory magnet check (for rust) indicates solid bones throughout for this what-if Ranchero contender. See more in the walk-around video.

1965 Chrysler 300L: Lot #25

1965 Chrysler 300L

The Beautiful Brute for 1965 was the last of the line for Chrysler’s fabled 300 “Letter Cars” and wore the “L” suffix. While lesser 300 Sport (non-letter) models were offered since the 1962 model run, only the Letter Cars delivered top-tier power and performance. They were indeed full-size muscle cars, complete with heavy-duty suspension and huge 11-inch drum brakes.

For 1965, the 300L shared all-new bodywork with more pedestrian Newports and New Yorkers, but was quickly identified at night by its centrally mounted running lamp situated in the grille. Behind that distinctive grille was a standard issue 413-cubic-inch wedge with a full 360 horsepower. The standard issue 8-3/4 rear axle packs 300L-specific 3.23:1 gearing. It is unknown if the optional Sure Grip limited-slip differential is present.

Though a handful of the 2,845 1965 300Ls built (440 convertibles and 2,405 hardtops) came with a factory-installed four-speed manual transmission, this one is equipped with a console-shifted 727 Torqueflite automatic transmission. The leather-covered front bucket seats and special “300L” console button are still present along with the L-only 150 mph speedometer.

Beyond all that is the fantastic rust-free condition of the body, which still wears most of its factory-applied Regal Gold surface paint and stainless steel full wheel covers. Oh, and did we mention it’s got Chrysler’s excellent Air Temp air conditioning system? That’s the story of Lot Number 25. See the walk-around video to learn more!

THE GREAT TEXAS MOPAR® AUCTION: PREVIEW

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By Steve “Scat Pack” Magnante 6/4/2021 4:00 PM EventsVideo5 min readAUCTIONSDODGE CLASSICSPLYMOUTH CLASSICS

There’s something BIG brewing in the Texas prairie! It’s the Great Texas Mopar® Hoard auction event, an online-only collector car auction featuring over 200 choice Mopar vehicles from the estate of a lifelong Mopar collector. And best of all, the auction will be a “no reserve” event, meaning that each and every lot number will sell to the highest bidder.

Scheduled to take place in October of 2021, these great project cars and trucks will all find new homes thanks to the services of Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions. If the name Spanky sounds familiar, then you will remember him – Spanky Assiter – as Barrett-Jackson’s lead auctioneer for several successful years.

And if you remember that, then you probably also remember Spanky’s wife Amy Assiter, one of the Bidder’s Assistants, her long brown hair flying on the TV screen as she shouted bids to the auction block. Today, Spanky and Amy operate Assiter Auctioneers, the parent company of Spanky’s Freedom Car Auctions.

With the meet-and-greet out of the way, let’s preview some of the 200-plus vintage and special interest Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto, Chrysler and Imperial vehicles that will all find new homes in October. To see more, go to freedomcarauctions.com or to the Steve Magnante YouTube channel where live-action walk-around videos exist to add even more information on each lot number.

1974 DODGE D200 CLUB CAB: LOT # 1

1974 Dodge D200 Club Cab

In its third year on the market, Dodge’s fully redesigned D-series pickup truck line was far more refined than the 1961-71 Sweptline D-series that came before. The primitive leaf spring, live front axle was replaced by independent coil springs and the interior was far more luxurious with padded surfaces in place of cold, hard steel.

This Club Cab model, new for 1973, offered an extra 18 inches of wheelbase to make room for the longer cab floor and convenient behind-the-seat storage area. Also new for 1974 was the mighty 440 big block engine, which replaced the 400 that was used in 1973. This original paint D200 Club Cab packs the top dog 440, heavy-duty 727 TorqueFlite® automatic transmission, Dana 60 rear axle, factory optional chromed trailer towing mirrors, bucket seats, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering and cruise control. As a Texas truck, it’s solid and rust-free except for a couple of small patches seen in the walk-around video.

1973 PLYMOUTH FURY FLEET SEDAN: LOT # 2

1973 Plymouth Fury III

Packing the P-code High Performance 400-cubic-inch big block with dual exhaust, a dual snorkel air cleaner and 140-mph certified speedometer, this 1973 Plymouth Fury probably has a law enforcement background. Rolling on 15×6.5-inch body-colored “steelies” with “poverty caps”, it’s essentially a muscle car in disguise. Though the data tag is missing, a second tag reading “special order” sets this one apart from the crowd.

The “fuselage body”, making its final appearance for 1973, still wears its original Honey Gold paint and is free from structural rust, while the interior is complete down to the front and rear bench seats. While the light-duty Salisbury-type 8-1/4 inch rear axle was standard issue under most Furys, this one packs the same heavy-duty Hotchkis-type 8-3/4 rear axle used under most Mopar muscle cars of the day. A heavy-duty 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission takes commands from a column-mounted shift lever. If you appreciate a “sleeper” muscle car, this one is for you!

1965 PLYMOUTH FURY III: LOT # 5

After going without a full-sized model line since 1961, Plymouth reintroduced the full-size C-body for 1965 in the form of the Fury. Offered as the Fury I, Fury II, Fury III and Sport Fury, these extra-large models helped increase Plymouth’s overall sales by 31.5 percent over 1964 when only the compact A-body and mid-sized B-body platforms were offered.

This 1965 Plymouth Fury III four door sedan (Lot Number 5) is one of 50,725 built and packs the optional 383 2-barrel big block and 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission, a $396 surcharge over the base Slant Six and “three-on-the-tree”. And speaking of this car’s TorqueFlite transmission, know that it is a one-year-only big block unit with the cable-operated valve body and new slip-yoke tail shaft configuration. These transmissions are in high demand among builders of 1962-65 Max Wedge and Race HEMI® clones who want the push-button transmission controls without the hassle of the ball-and-trunnion driveshaft. Not that you’d want to harvest this particular item. Just sayin…

Other goodies include manual drum brakes, power steering, a factory clock and RADIO DELETE. That’s right, if you didn’t want to pay $59 for the Transaudio AM radio, Plymouth graciously plugged the hole in the dash with an ornate plastic delete plate, as seen in this one. Re-sprayed in the original turquoise and white, this first-year full-size Fury would make a great family cruiser.

1964 DODGE A100 WALK-THROUGH VAN: LOT # 11

The A-series compact van of 1964-70 was Dodge’s answer to Ford’s 1962 Econoline van, which was Ford’s response to Volkswagen’s Microbus of the 1950s. This 1964 A100 van is very special for two reasons. First, it was ordered with the rare “walk through” door configuration, and secondly, the sequence number on the VIN tag (1962000604) tells us this was the 604th A100 van ever built! If that’s not cool, we don’t know what is.

Powered by the 225 Slant Six with a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, this first-year A100 is exceptionally solid and nearly rust-free. Though some small areas of rust bubbles and perforation are visible on the lower body surfaces, the floors and foot wells are nice and clean. These A100 compact vans are becoming more and more popular every day and surviving examples are very hard to find. And being a walk-through makes this one all the more unique. Imagine stuffing a Mopar Performance 426 HEMI crate engine between the Bostrom Thin Line front bucket seats. With its double-side-door body configuration, you could showcase the engine from either side!

1959 CHRYSLER WINDSOR: LOT # 14

1959 Chrysler Windsor

1959 was the final year for body-on-frame construction for the Chrysler line. Unitized construction would replace it for 1960 (except on the top-tier Imperial line). This 1959 Chrysler Windsor wears Arizona license plates from the 1959 model year and passes the “magnet test” in all of the usual rust areas except for some small bubbles popping through on the lower quarter panel extensions. Inside, the original upholstery covers the seats and the factory AM radio is still present.

Under the hood, a 383 2-barrel big block wears factory air conditioning with an early version of the clutch-type fan that would later help Street HEMI vehicles stay cool while reducing parasitic drag. Factory power drum brakes and power steering help make this Windsor a breeze to drive. All of the hard-to-find chrome grille, bumpers and trim are present and in great condition. This would make a nice cruiser or – shun the notion – a solid parts car for the restoration of a less common two-door model or convertible.

Stay tuned to DodgeGarage for more interesting vehicles from the Great Texas Mopar Auction!