1965 New Yorker Sedan cleanup

[ideologist]

Well, here is Grandma's cruiser. Original cosmetics, rebuilt engine.

Purchased from the original owner, it was bought in NY in 1964 and moved to California in 1966. Original invoice, plus the dealer gift of a rain smock and umbrella still in the trunk.

Her nephew started messing around with it and bought 3 extra air cleaners and new valve covers. The original 413 is fully rebuilt with an updated radiator and extra fan for cooling. A Holley carb had been added for now, but I plan to rebuild the Carter and maybe swap to a different intake. The performance is fantastic but you know how it goes with car guys, always happy to squeeze a little more blood from a turnip

Also picked up new wheel covers to replace the old ones and found an original Chrysler keychain on a nice new leather fob. Total nonsense, but I like to get primo original stuff when possible.

I'm trying to add all the factory options to it and then deciding how to go on the exterior. The chrome is all pretty clean and the parts are mostly intact. The paint has obvious 55-year old patina and worn spots, but no rust anywhere. Rock solid body and frame, pans, everything. The cabin and dash lighting could use an overhaul, the old bulbs and dimmers are showing their age.

The original steering wheel is pristine, usually the acrylic had cracked or split by now, this one is lovely. I'm planning to keep an aqua interior even if I change the exterior paint, just because of that steering wheel.

View attachment 364029

 

[ideologist]

More photos of the current state.

 

[ideologist]

A few more photos just to document everything

 

[Davea Lux]

This is a good looking car that just needs some cosmetics. FYI the correct engine color is turquoise for that year Chrysler, not blue. Blue started to happen later. Only matters if you are a freak for originality.

Dave

 

[ideologist]

Some more shots. I'm hoping to get the radio swapped out to AM/FM and a power antenna switch installed, and fixing the clock if I can.

The reverb and rear speaker work great. The wiper motor isn't very powerful, I'm going to mess around with that but I'm hoping not to drive it in the rain. I live in a relatively dry climate so fingers are crossed.

If anyone needs any wheel covers, I'm going to sell the set pictured here for cheap, thinking $40 for the 4 plus shipping. Two of them are fantastic and two are a little worn. I'd put the fantastic set in the front and touch up the black paint on them.

Sorry for the rambling, I just want to get everything typed out as I think of it.

 

[ideologist]

This is a good looking car that just needs some cosmetics. FYI the correct engine color is turquoise for that year Chrysler, not blue. Blue started to happen later. Only matters if you are a freak for originality.

Dave

The paint was already going on as I found the car, so I'm resigned to blue under the hood and turquoise everywhere else

 

[BigblueC]

You have a good looking original car. I suggest relaxing on any plans to change things and just drive her as is.

 

[MacLebaron]

Good job, she is looking nice!

 

[ideologist]

Here are the new wheel covers. NOS in the factory paper. I'm getting some nice white letter tires when the lockdown is over and then the new caps are going on.

 

[ideologist]

You have a good looking original car. I suggest relaxing on any plans to change things and just drive her as is.

If I take it to a carwash, paint is going to flake off more. It's down to bare metal in some spots and needs a paint job. I'm not personally a fan of clearcoat over patina, but I'll put something nice on it whether it is the factory turquoise or a black or something.

I'm not planning to do anything to the interior or exterior that isn't factory

 

[GregG48203]

Just so you're aware: you'll be replacing the correct New Yorker wheelcovers with Newport wheelcovers.

 

[ideologist]

Just so you're aware: you'll be replacing the correct New Yorker wheelcovers with Newport wheelcovers.
View attachment 364173
View attachment 364174

Yes, but the New Yorker has the same red crown motif across the back and the "correct" covers don't match anything on the car. Plus these are beyond flawless. Old stock from a Chrysler dealer. If I find a set of the New Yorker covers in this condition, I may switch back. I thought the red looked really sharp.

 

[Clay Harrison]

NICE car!

 

[marko]

cool ! and with rear heat too

 

[cbarge]

cool ! and with rear heat too

The extra BTU's were needed when the car was in New York!!
Invouce confirms early build date and the clear taillights which were discontinued later during the model run.

 

[cbarge]

To the OP...
I recommend using Super brite LED 360 degree barrel 1157 red bulbs in the tailights.
For the front get the LED "Switchback" which are white in park but turn amber with signal.
An LED flasher with external ground is needed.
When all installed very cool looking and a much lesser draw on the electrical system
I had done several cars like this without any problems.
Looks stock yet modern functions.
The 66 300 I revived comes to mind since like yours rhe paint is weathered but everything else is good and very reliable.
Cheers

 

[ideologist]

cool ! and with rear heat too

The extra BTU's were needed when the car was in New York!!
Invouce confirms early build date and the clear taillights which were discontinued later during the model run.

Though I think the heater assembly is missing, it has the opening for heat but it's just open air under that vent. I'll get a trunk photo and show that

 

[ideologist]

To the OP...
I recommend using Super brite LED 360 degree barrel 1157 red bulbs in the tailights.
For the front get the LED "Switchback" which are white in park but turn amber with signal.
An LED flasher with external ground is needed.
When all installed very cool looking and a much lesser draw on the electrical system
I had done several cars like this without any problems.
Looks stock yet modern functions.
The 66 300 I reveved comes to mind since like yours rhe paint is weathered but everything else is good and very reliable.
Cheers

Thanks, I was trying to find a bulb guide for this car, I wanted to swap almost everything to LED to try and reduce the draw. I killed it yesterday by turning the lights on while the turn indicator was blinking during normal driving, so there's something drawing somewhere that I need to figure out.

I'm hoping to put fogged LEDs behind the dash cluster, the current bulbs are very dim and I love driving at night

 

[cbarge]

links..
for red tailliights
1157 LED Bulb - Dual Function 27 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb | Super Bright LEDs
for the front park/turns..switchback....
1157 Switchback LED Bulb - Dual Function 60 SMD LED Tower - A Type - BAY15D Bulb | Super Bright LEDs

You will need THIS flasher to make the LED work..
GROTE 44891 available at any parts store or trucker shop.
You will have to swap the wires at the flasher pigtail since the flasher is polarioty sensitive. The white wire is ground wire just screw it to the bottom of the dash.

 

[cbarge]

Here are the switchbacks in the 66 300 in park..brught enough to use as daytime running lights..

Now with left turn signal on...note it switches to AMBER...Right is still WHITE

 

[cbarge]

Two things you can do to eleiminate stalling in regards to the lighting system..
1) Run a wire with a fusible link from the battery stud back of alternator to the battery stud of starter relay.
This takes 50% of the load away from the ammeter gauge.
2) install the following headlamp harness with relays.Totally eliminates dimming of lights and take the draw away from the foot switch and headlight switch.
Plug and play no cutting or hacking of original wiring. Tape up the original right low beam plug it will no longer be needed.
Replacement relays are generic and can be bought anywhere.
Available on Amazon dot com