Who Needs Trophies? This Unrestored Four-door 1965 Chrysler Newport Belongs on the Road, Not the Show Field
12/22/2021
If we're going to be brutally honest, only a megafan or somebody with a personal connection to it would spend the time, money, and effort on a full rotisserie restoration of this 1965 Chrysler Newport listed for sale on Hemmings.com. It won't likely make for a good restomod candidate, either, and with the interior work, it's a bit of a stretch to consider it a preservation-class car. But that's not to say that it doesn't have a place in the collector car hobby. It runs and drives just fine, it has a solid rust-free body, and it could provide many more years on the road after resolving the issues listed below. That redone interior would also make driving it a comfortable and pleasant experience. From the seller's description:
Original Formal Black paint and mostly original White/Black interior. 383 V8/2bbl, Torqueflite, only 48,000 miles. No rot anywhere on the car, typical surface rust on the undersides and under fender skirts. Sold new at Canandaigua Motors in Canandaigua, NY. According to the previous owner, the car was sold back to the dealer who sold it new in 2000, remaining in the dealer's private collection until 2010. This car features power steering, power brakes, remote mirror, light package, wheel covers/whitewalls, AM radio and variable speed washer/wipers. Transmission was pulled and rebuilt by the previous owner in 2019; the front half of the fuel line and the fuel pump was also replaced in 2019. Heater core replaced in 2017. Newly rebuilt heat riser valve (fully functioning, NOT bypassed). Newly rebuilt factory original Stromberg 2-barrel carburetor. Front seat fabric, headliner, piping and carpet were replaced in 2001 by the same dealer who sold the car new in 1965. All gauges and mechanical systems work well, this car has been a daily driver since February. Transmission does leak small amounts of fluid if sitting for more than one day. Wires to fender-mounted turn signals were cut at some point in the past; front and rear signals operate with no issue. AM radio dial will light up with dash lights, radio does not work. Catch/stop on the left front door hinge is worn; the left side rear window does not roll down. Windshield washer motor is still operable but rubber lines to the cowl have dry rotted. The steering wheel has cracked in a couple places, this is currently concealed by a black vinyl wrap. Original paint is presentable on all but the left rear quarter panel; the original enamel is failing on that panel; repainting should be considered. There are several small dents in the roof from a fallen tree limb many decades ago. No leaks present around windows or trunk. Chrome is presentable; some patina present. Overall, a solid, original, Engel-designed C-body that makes a great daily driver or can be easily restored on a budget.
1965 Chrysler Newport
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Boosted Powertrain
At the heart of this SVT Lightning is its iron-block 5.4-liter SOHC, 16-valve V8 with a supercharger and an intercooler. The blower helped it deliver 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque in 2001, up some 20 horsepower and 10 lb-ft from the ’99 and 2000 models. The Eaton supercharged engine delivered peak boost of 8.0 psi and the engine featured an 8.4:1 static compression ratio, down from the standard 5.4 V8’s 9.0:1, which was rated at 260 horsepower and 350 lb-ft.
Power reached the rear 18-inch cast aluminum-alloy wheels via a four-speed automatic, an aluminum driveshaft and a beefy 9.75-inch, limited-slip rear axle with an acceleration-friendly 3.73:1 final-drive ratio, another upgrade for 2001. Car and Driver magazine reported a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds and a quarter-mile in an E.T. of 13.8 seconds at 104 mph—impressive numbers for a 4,600-pound truck. Top speed was a drag-limited 142 mph.
A Truly Sporting Truck
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As the years go on, fewer and fewer clean, unmolested low-mileage examples are out there, which is why this 2001 Ford SVT F150 Lightning now on Hemmings Auctions caught our attention. Showing just 5,525.5 miles on its odometer at the time of submission, it is said to be in “mint” condition and have an “immaculate” finish in the seller’s words. No modifications are noted to any part of the vehicle. The 18-inch factory alloys don’t appear to have any curb rash, though the Goodyear performance tires may be original. About the only deviations from stock are the tinted windows.
The latest electric-only F-150 Lightning is certainly a quick vehicle in its own right, but this 2001 edition from the engineers at SVT was built for excitement, not range. It was made with an old-school muscle-car vibe along with modern handling and braking. Which Lightning would you look good behind the wheel of?
Take a look at this second-gen Lightning on Hemmings Auctions before the bidding ends.
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