Chrysler’s need for speed in the 1950’s

Chrysler’s need for speed in the 1950’s

1951 was the birth of what would be one of the most recognized, powerful engines in the automotive industry, the hemispheric-head V-8 engine, otherwise known as the HEMI®. Initially installed in the Chrysler Saratoga, New Yorker and Imperial, the HEMI operated with exceptional volumetric efficiency and delivered truly thrilling performance for its day. The engine’s lower compression ratio also let the HEMI run on lower octane fuel than most V-8s at the time.

In 1955, the first muscle car, the Chrysler 300, was introduced. The hardtop contained a 300-horsepower HEMI V-8 with solid valve lifters and dual four-barrel carburetors, the most powerful full-size car in the world. A tight, competition suspension made the big Chrysler handle as well as it accelerated. The new Chrysler 300 would dominate NASCAR racing with the Kiekhaefer Mercury Outboard Racing team and driver Tim Flock. The Kiekhaefer team would win 20 of its 40 NASCAR races.

Highway Hi-Fi from CBS debuted in 1956 and featured a compact phonograph mounted under the dash with sound that came from regular speakers.

Virgil Exner took over Chrysler design in the early 1950s, with his “Forward Look” styling debuting in 1955. Exner’s new styling language featured a flat hood, light, airy roof and soaring tailfins.

In 1957, Chrysler Corporation’s entire line of cars was awarded Motor Trend’s“Car of the Year” award, and Exner and his team received the Gold Medal from the Industrial Design Institute.

1957 saw the introduction of torsion-bar front suspension, which delivered superior handling and allowed for much lower bodies. Chrysler also introduced the first rear-window defogger and child-guard rear door locks on its vehicles. In addition, the push-button TorqueFlite transmission with three speeds was offered. The three speeds allowed for better fuel economy and the TorqueFlite quickly earned a reputation as the industry’s best automatic transmission. In 1957, Chrysler Corporation products took first place in every class of the Mobil Economy Run.

In 1958, a Chrysler 300-D set a land speed record at Bonneville at 156.387 mph.

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