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What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?
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r_fostoria
Posted 2020-01-27 3:28 PM (#593473)
Subject: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


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Posts: 4

Hello, new member here. I've always wanted a Forward Look Chrysler and recently spotted this blue Chrysler Windsor on the side of the road, so I stopped by to take a look. How bad of a deal is this one? They are asking $4k for it. Supposedly it runs (fuel tank is not hooked up) and moves, but has no brakes. It was supposed to have had the rockers replaced in the 60s and has been in dry storage since 1970 or so. I don't know what the big problem areas are on these cars, but there are some spot where rust is poking it's way through that have me worried. I didn't have a magnet with me to check the rockers out, either. Just thought I'd throw it out there and get some expert eyes on it.

 

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58 DESOTOS RULE
Posted 2020-01-27 4:29 PM (#593476 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH

From what I can see in the pictures, it looks like 4K would be a fair price. Does it drive and can you start the engine? Notorious spots for rust were the rocker panels, bottom third of the rear quarters, and the front fenders just behind the headlight buckets. They had no protection from road salt and dirt getting in there, so rust outs were common. So common in fact, there were metal patch panels that you could buy to fix rot outs.Floors are weak spots too, especially in the driver's footwell. The carpet appears to have been taken out of this car and the floor sprayed with undercoating, which makes me leery.

On the positive side of the ledger, there seems to be a newish gas tank installed, and the rear springs don't look tired. I wonder whats in that frame though? It looks like some squirrels have been stuffing nuts into it.Someone has tried putting an electric fuel pump in the system, so I'm guessing there are some fuel delivery problems.



Edited by 58 DESOTOS RULE 2020-01-27 4:37 PM
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60 dart
Posted 2020-01-27 4:54 PM (#593479 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA
is the price solid , if not start at 3 grand but 4 would be ok , . looks pretty solid for that money . rockers do look replaced but mostly by rivet not weld . all and
all it might be a good project -------------------------------------------later
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BigBlockMopar
Posted 2020-01-27 5:13 PM (#593480 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Power brakes and power steering.
Looks like a nice car without any obvious/serious rust issues.
Just expect the floors to need fixing.
The spraybombed engine is quirky.

That electric fuel pump is a total car burndown waiting to happen though...
Probably just a worn/broken fuel pump on the engine.

It would probably be in my garage before the end of the week if I were you.
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r_fostoria
Posted 2020-01-27 7:32 PM (#593490 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


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Posts: 4

Here are a few more pics. They had a plastic jug ziptied to the inside of the grille that was being used as a makshift temp fuel tank, so that's what the electric fuel pump is doing there.



Edited by r_fostoria 2020-01-27 7:38 PM
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1957sotos
Posted 2020-01-27 9:34 PM (#593497 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


Regular

Posts: 65
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Wow, tag shows its' been off the road 50 years! It appears it's been in storage by the condition of the
steering wheel, and the window alignment looks great for a hardtop. And with power windows! My
car was about the same shape and money 7 years ago. (1957 Desoto Firedome 4 door hardtop)
Since it runs, you should ask if you can lot drive it to check the tranny. Otherwise, go for it!

Perry
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mikes2nd
Posted 2020-01-28 1:18 AM (#593499 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


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yeah start at 3k... fuel pump should be at the tank also with a return line.. it wont last long pulling instead of pushing.

if your worried about burning the car up with an electric pump they have shut offs...

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Gasket-7872-Safety-Switch/dp/B00068OQ3S

https://www.amazon.com/Holley-12-810-Electric-Safety-Pressure/dp/B00029JC7G

 

 

 



Edited by mikes2nd 2020-01-28 1:23 AM
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firedome
Posted 2020-01-28 8:50 AM (#593502 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Posts: 3153
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Location: NY & VT
This car has been on here before, about a year ago, and again last month, it's located in Paradise PA near Lancaster. I've looked at it, having owned 3 '57/58 Chrysler/DeSoto 4 dr hardtops previously.Basically a fairly bottom of the line model, somewhat solid car that needs metal work in a bunch of areas, not to mention all the visible cosmetic/interior and chrome stuff, missing trim, Pep Boys seat covers. The rockers have been covered up with a aftermarket replacement on top, not correctly repaired. Depends on what one wants to do, but just making this car roadable and sort-of-presentable (quickie paint &c) you could be talking 10K+, and that's IF the engine/trans doesn't need a total rebuild. It's been off road for a very long time, so brakes, suspension, front end, fuel system, ignition all will need work. IMO far better to wait for one in better condition for not that much more, I've seen some really decent ones go for $7-9k.

Edited by firedome 2020-01-28 9:00 AM
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58 DESOTOS RULE
Posted 2020-01-28 11:17 AM (#593511 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Posts: 2308
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Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH

The car must have been in indoor storage somewhere, as that padded dash looks awfully good for a 60 year old car - not even one crack. Ditto for the steering wheel. If it drives OK, I'd probably offer the seller 3K, but I could maybe see my way to 4K. No more though; it needs a ton of work and there are some missing parts.

Edited to add: The heater box looks different from the one I had on my 57 Chrysler Windsor. I wonder if that was the style used when the optional South Wind gasolene heater was fitted? It has a hole above the distributor too that somethinng was meant to fit into. If it did have a gas heater, I'd not be fixing that unless I wanted to turn my car into a flaming torch. The gas heaters were tricky.



Edited by 58 DESOTOS RULE 2020-01-28 11:34 AM
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r_fostoria
Posted 2020-01-28 11:33 AM (#593513 - in reply to #593502)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


New User

Posts: 4

firedome - 2020-01-28 8:50 AM

This car has been on here before, about a year ago, and again last month, it's located in Paradise PA near Lancaster. I've looked at it, having owned 3 '57/58 Chrysler/DeSoto 4 dr hardtops previously.Basically a fairly bottom of the line model, somewhat solid car that needs metal work in a bunch of areas, not to mention all the visible cosmetic/interior and chrome stuff, missing trim, Pep Boys seat covers. The rockers have been covered up with a aftermarket replacement on top, not correctly repaired. Depends on what one wants to do, but just making this car roadable and sort-of-presentable (quickie paint &c) you could be talking 10K+, and that's IF the engine/trans doesn't need a total rebuild. It's been off road for a very long time, so brakes, suspension, front end, fuel system, ignition all will need work. IMO far better to wait for one in better condition for not that much more, I've seen some really decent ones go for $7-9k.


Thanks! This is the answer I was looking for, as I expected as much. At the very least, my interest has been piqued again by this car, and I will start watching the market and doing some research. This site is a great resource. I'm also surprised how affordable these car actually are. Being so iconic, I sort of expected them to be a million billion dollars (although, I guess the special ones are.) I'm definitely more inclined to spend more on a better example than cheap out on a basket case that will turn into an endless money pit, so I will heed your advice.
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Powerflite
Posted 2020-01-28 8:10 PM (#593534 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
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Location: So. Cal
This 4dr sedan on Ebay just sold for $6K. It probably has better metal structure, but is a sedan, not a hardtop in similar shape.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Chrysler-Windsor-/124055484924
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firedome
Posted 2020-01-29 2:24 PM (#593562 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



Expert

Posts: 3153
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Location: NY & VT
The best advice I can give to anyone is to buy the best one you can afford... it's always far cheaper in the long run.


Edited by firedome 2020-01-29 2:26 PM
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frwl
Posted 2020-01-31 3:52 PM (#593669 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


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Posts: 1876
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From the left to the right and from up to down…

MDL 149 = Windsor 4door Hardtop
PNT BCB = Horizon Blue over Regatta Blue and Horizon Blue insert color
TRM 53 = Medium Blue Decorator Damask Cloth and Light Blue Saddle Grained Vinyl
SCH 1204 = Scheduled on December 4, 1956
ITEM 0167 = 167th Windsor built that day

315 = Dual Manual Antennas
328 = Power Windows
353 = Rear Quarter Stone Shields
349 = Dual Headlamps
346 = Windshield Upper Molding
311 = Light Package
319 = Music Master Radio
322 = Rear Seat Speaker
352 = Instant Gasoline Heater

BODY 07428 = 7428th Windsor built
264 = Delivery Route
A9 = Rear Axle Ratio
337 = Torqueflite 3speed Push Button Automatic Transmission
341 = Undercoating an Hood Pad
333 = Safety Cushion Dash Panel
332 = Solex Tinted Glass
325 = Power Brakes






(Body Tag.JPG)



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Powerflite
Posted 2020-01-31 4:31 PM (#593671 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Cool, I never realized that the upper windshield molding was a possible option for a Windsor.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2020-02-01 2:41 AM (#593691 - in reply to #593671)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


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Powerflite - 2020-01-31 4:31 PM Cool, I never realized that the upper windshield molding was a possible option for a Windsor.

 

the chryslers and desotos are maddening with all their trim options...insane

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frwl
Posted 2020-02-01 6:25 AM (#593697 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


Expert

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As seen on 1957 Chrysler specifications:

346 = Windshield Upper Molding was standard on New Yorker and 300C models and optional on Windsor and Saratoga
353 = Rear Quarter Stone Shields were optional for all at cost $6.25, they were probably removed with rocker panels replacement on this car
316 = Rear License Plate Frame optional for all at cost $4.40 (not stamped on the tag)

And this car was equipped with gas fired heater at cost $145.40 – that confirmed by hole in the heater case above distributor
The welding marks on the right front sidemember / apron probably says about it deleted bracket

’57 Windsor had three styles of side trim:
Without moldings – blank side
One molding ran from front edge of the front door to the tail light
Contrast color rear insert – like this one has

But I don’t know Windsor side trim codes…

There front and rear center bumper guards are optional equipment on this car too and would have their codes as well…





(gas fired heater.jpg)



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56D500boy
Posted 2020-02-01 10:41 AM (#593706 - in reply to #593697)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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frwl - 2020-02-01 3:25 AM

.
As seen on 1957 Chrysler specifications:
And this car was equipped with gas fired heater at cost $145.40 – that confirmed by hole in the heater case above distributor


As shown here:



The red car still has its gas-fired heater in place along with the big gas-fired heater fan in the front passenger corner, by the rad support



Edited by 56D500boy 2020-02-01 10:45 AM




(Model801GasFiredHeaterDiagram.jpg)



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Powerflite
Posted 2020-02-01 11:03 AM (#593708 - in reply to #593697)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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frwl - 2020-02-01 3:25 AM
As seen on 1957 Chrysler specifications:

346 = Windshield Upper Molding was standard on New Yorker and 300C models and optional on Windsor and Saratoga
353 = Rear Quarter Stone Shields were optional for all at cost $6.25, they were probably removed with rocker panels replacement on this car
316 = Rear License Plate Frame optional for all at cost $4.40 (not stamped on the tag)
...
’57 Windsor had three styles of side trim:
Without moldings – blank side
One molding ran from front edge of the front door to the tail light
Contrast color rear insert – like this one has

But I don’t know Windsor side trim codes…

There front and rear center bumper guards are optional equipment on this car too and would have their codes as well…


I have never seen a code for the side trim or the bumper guards. My '57 Windsor came with the bumper guards and the 2-tone sweep, but no codes for either of them on the plate. They may not have included one for the 2tone sweep because the paint PNT code would indicate if the 2-tone trim was used or not. But that wouldn't indicate if the car had the spear, or no spear. Do you have a picture of this optional rear license plate frame?



(My 57Windsor TrimTag.jpg)



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frwl
Posted 2020-02-02 9:32 AM (#593731 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: RE: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


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Unfortunately not. Only this one…

http://www.oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Chrysler_and_Imperia...





(1957_Chrysler_Full_Line_Prestige-22-23.JPG)



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Powerflite
Posted 2020-02-02 10:06 AM (#593732 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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Thanks. Looks like the simplest of frames. Just a simple band around the plate.
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r_fostoria
Posted 2020-02-02 10:57 AM (#593733 - in reply to #593732)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?


New User

Posts: 4

What's the deal with the lack of hood letting? I can't find another example of one without the C H R Y S L E R on the hood, but this one also doesn't have mounting holes. Was that an option or were they filled in and painted over?

Edited by r_fostoria 2020-02-02 10:58 AM
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Powerflite
Posted 2020-02-02 11:34 AM (#593734 - in reply to #593473)
Subject: Re: What do you all think of this '57 Windsor?



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They've been filled in. All '57-'58 Chryslers had the lettering on the hood (even the 300s, though it was different).
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