Chrysler Nassau cars - concept and production
The production car (by Curtis Redgap)
The Nassau was a sub series introduced on the 1955 model Chrysler line in the Windsor Deluxe line. It was a low priced hard top model that replaced the club coupe model, which disappearred into history. It went into 1956, then disappearred along with the club coupe designation. A companion make to the Nassau was the Windsor Deluxe Newport. They were identical in using the same body with the differences being minor trim areas. No record was kept of how many of each model were sold. Prices ranged from $2,700 to $2,850.
Another model of interest in the 1955 line was the higher priced New Yorker which also had a Newport hardtop, which was priced slightly lower than the New Yorker Deluxe St Regis. Just $50 seperated the two models. Just to confuse everyone the New Yorker series was gone for one year, replaced by the New Yorker Deluxe series, which became the middle series for the marque.
1956 was even wilder than 1955. The Chrysler line started with seven distinct series. The basic model was the Windsor (named after the city and the plant that built it). They all rode on the same chassis, with a 126 inch wheelbase. The Windsor has a four door sedan, a convertible, and a station wagon, as well as the one model Windsor Nassau which was a two-door hardtop; they also had the Windsor Newport which consisted of a four door and a two door hardtop. These were powered by the small-block 331 cubic inch Hemi. The New Yorker series had a sedan, convertible and a wagon. The New Yorker Newport contained a two door and four door hardtop. There was also New Yorker St Regis, a two door hardtop. These were powered by the externally similar, but more powerful, 354 cubic inch Hemi V-8 of 280 horsepower.
The 2000 Chrysler Nassau design study
This Chrysler Nassau ended up being produced as the Chrysler 300. It probably would have started around 2003, except that Stuttgart demanded a complete redesign of the almost-ready-to-go LX series so it would use the same rear suspension and electronics as Mercedes would use (because Mercedes is always right).
2007 Chrysler Nassau concept car
Riding on the current LX platform, this Nassau may be a design study for the LY series, or for the long-wheelbase version of the 300C. Or it may be there to make us think that Chrysler intends to merge with Cadillac. We’ll find out.
And, since we don’t have any other place for it, here’s the Jeep Trailhawk introduced at the same time.
We’ll have actual photos in January with the auto show.
