Not only is it beautiful to look at, this Chrysler New Yorker is also a genuine piece of automotive history.

As Chrysler’s flagship model, the New Yorker was significant. Still is. It remains the longest-running nameplate in US automotive history, having been in production for 57 years, from 1939 to 1996.

It spanned 11 model generations, though in keeping with much of what has emerged from the US car industry in the past three decades, the last five generations ” produced between 1979 and 1996 ” were pretty forgettable.

But it was during the New Yorker’s attractive second generation of models, produced between 1950 and 1954, that the marque made one of the most significant contributions to the automotive world ever, when it was offered in 1951 with Chrysler’s magnificent new FirePower Hemi V8 engine. The ’51 New Yorker was an unassuming car. It had subtle styling, with an outer layer that gave no clues to the fact that nestled snugly between its bulky flanks sat an engine which would become one of the most famous in automotive history.

The Hemi engine gets its name from the shape of its combustion chambers, which are shaped like half a sphere, or hemisphere, to best enclose its canted inlet and exhaust valves. The Hemi combustion chamber shape and valve locations, and centrally located spark plug, allow for short intake and exhaust ports and large valves. The result is smooth-running, effective valve stem and seat cooling, extended valve life, good prevention from carbon build-up, and excellent breathing, volumetric efficiency and performance. (more…)

Thanksgiving will come early this year for American auto enthusiasts as Turners Auctions holds an American Muscle Car Auction in Whangarei next Saturday the 20th November.

By definition a muscle car is: A product of the American car industry adhering to the hot rodder’s philosophy of taking a small car and putting a BIG engine in it and Turners has 29 of the finest examples up for grabs.

The cars going under the hammer are part of a deceased estate and 10 per cent of the auction proceeds will go to the local hospice North Haven Hospice Society INC where the owner was cared for before he passed away.

The vehicles being auctioned include a 1986 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition, 1975 AMC Matador, 1975 Cadillac EI Dorado Convertible and a number of Pontiac Trans Ams.

“This is a formidable collection of classic American automobiles including a number of sought after models that rarely come up for sale. Anyone with a true appreciation for American automotive history should find something here to their liking,” says Graham Roberts, Chief Executive of Turners Auctions.

Fans of the American television series Dukes of Hazzard will be able to relive the glory days with two AMC Matadors, similar to the Hazzard County police cars used in the series, going under the hammer. Those who fancy themselves as a bit of a Boss Hog, the corrupt County Commissioner, should also check out the four Cadillac De Ville vehicles for sale.

Rounding out the collection are two slightly more refined vehicles, a 1974 Jaguar XJ6E and a 1975 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.

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Chrysler came out with the EVA system in 1983. Pretty ahead of its time.