[Chrysler300] '50's prices and values

["Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

1955 Chrysler 300's went for about $4,100--factory air on other '55's would
have added $579.  Windsor coupes were quite a bit less and New Yorkers
somewhat less.  Major cost differences between 300's and New Yorkers seem to
be limited to another leaf in the rear springs, the 6-ply Goodyear Blue
Streak nylon cord racing tires with inner liners, another clutch plate in
the PowerFlite, trimetal main bearings, leather seats, standard dual
exhaust, a second carburetor, a more complex air cleaner and Imperial front
tin and grilles.  The solid lifters, adjustable rocker arms and 150 MPH
speedometer might have added a few bucks to the cost. Deducts included no
outside rear view mirrors or backup lights.  These seemingly minor
differences were worth 250 HP, bought bragging rights at the Country Club
and created an icon whose reputation lives on today.

If anyone has an original invoice on a '55 300, I'd sure like to view it.
This was before standardized window stickers and I recall dealers and
salesmen had little pocket sized books with list (and wholesale?) prices for
base car and accessories.  Anyone seen one of those little books for '55
Chryslers lately?

C-300'ly,
Rich Barber 
Brentwood, CA
1955 Chrysler C-300

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of D'Aloise, Lawrence Jr.
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 1:31 PM
To: George Riehl; 300club
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Center Plane Brakes

George,   $4700 in 1954 was a pretty healthy sum.In todays dollars that
may be more than $30K.
 
Larry

________________________________

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of George Riehl
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:14 PM
To: 300club
Subject: Fw: [Chrysler300] Center Plane Brakes





What a wealth of information a "little" brake squeal problem can bring
to life! This is what the list-server is all about! I am so glad to have
some other very knowledgeable members contribute to history. Hopefully,
all the "young" guys know what we are talking about. 
Having owned a '47 Ply, '48 Ply, '48 T & C Cvt., '51 Saratoga, '53
DeSoto cvt., '54 N.Yer. H.T. and a '55 Imp. sedan, hands-on work was
performed by me. Both the Saratoga Club Coupe and New Yorker Special
Delux 2 dr. H.T. (a Golden Falcon) was bought new by me. By the way,
that N.Yer. cost $4,711.53 out the dealer's door. To buy the comparable
car of today........$30K+?
Other than whatever had to be done by warranty, I did all the other work
by myself and loved it.
(Now I am really telling you all just how old I am). 
George 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: RWestra@xxxxxxx <mailto:RWestra%40aol.com>  
To: longrams@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:longrams%40modempool.com>  
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Center Plane Brakes

I worked on the Center Plane brakes when they came out in the 50's and I
recall problems with squealing and grabbing. I also recall the service
bulletin George Reihl referred to. I tried the saw cut several times
with mixed success. I, like George, have no idea why it was successful
when it was. 

We also experienced problems with grabbing, or pulling, and had a great
deal of difficulty correcting these problems. I believe this was the
result of manufacturing variances in the brake anchors and the variation
of the profile of the heel on the shoe. 

The Center Plane brake was Chrysler's last attempt to avoid buying
brakes from Bendix. Chrysler had used a Lockheed design for many years
and fought hard to give in to Bendix. The Bendix brake was self
energizing (it still is). That is; the rotation of the drum against the
shoe when the brake was applied forces the shoe harder into the drum.
Chrysler, with the Center Plane brake, accomplished this by the floating
heel of the shoe being in contact with an anchor that was placed on an
angle so the rotation of the drum against the shoe caused a wedging
action that forced the shoe into the drum making it "self energizing".
This was an improvement over the fixed heel anchor of previous Chrysler
brakes. The concept was fine except the variation in cam position and
the profile of the heel of the shoe was very critical and resulted in
the amount of self energizing to vary causing pulling or grabbing. This
also changed over the life of the brake. 

Chrysler used two forward shoes in each front wheel and one forward shoe
in each rear brake. This meant that six of the eight shoes were self
energizing in the forward direction and actually self de-energizing when
in reverse. Only the rear two shoes in the rear brakes were self
energizing in reverse. This is why these cars are so hard to stop in
reverse. 

I believe it was the introduction of the self adjuster by Bendix (and
perhaps the problems with the Center Plane brake) that finally caused
Chrysler to say uncle in the mid sixties. 

Rolland Westra. 

----------------------------------------------------------
Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less.

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