132394 / 1957 Chrysler Saratoga

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This 1957 Chrysler Saratoga may very well be the nicest in existence. With just 33,039 original miles and forty years of registrations to a single Iowa owner, it's a stunning example of Virgil Exner's finest work. The body is 100% original sheetmetal from nose to those glamorous fins, and it has just a single repaint in its original black and white color scheme. With those fins, this car looks about a mile long, so it had to be right because there was just too many places for problems to hide. Even upon close inspection, it's pretty tough to find anything wrong with this car's bodywork. There's no trick photography here, it truly is as remarkable in person as it looks on screen.
Quad headlights were just coming into fashion, and the Saratoga was offered with both two and four headlights at first to satisfy laws in some states which still did not permit separate low and high beam bulbs. This one obviously received the superior quad headlamps, which is how the car was designed initially.
The engine is a 354 cubic inch "Spitfire" V8 making 285 horsepower thanks to a 4-barrel carburetor. The engine bay is orderly, with a lot of heavy-duty looking equipment around the engine, including what may be the biggest air cleaner ever devised by man. However, it is all very correct and accurately detailed, with beautiful chrome valve covers that do their best to impersonate the mighty Hemi and a high-rise intake manifold that probably helped make big-end horsepower. Much of the firewall is obscured by the large climate control assembly and power brake booster. The original generator still makes the juice, while the original radiator keeps it all cool. Details like hoses, the battery, and all the wiring are new and correct in every way.
The transmission is Chrysler's famous and virtually indestructible TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic that anchors a wonderfully detailed chassis. Check out the red and yellow high-performance driveshaft twisting the 8-and-three-quarter-inch rear, the satin black frame rails, and the floors still wearing their original undercoating. A fresh dual exhaust system does its part to help make horsepower, and sounds great doing it, and the suspension has been completely rebuilt, including the innovative torsion bar front setup. It rolls on a set of gorgeous wire wheels wearing BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewalls as original.
The '50s are in full swing inside this Saratoga, but that's the correct upholstery and it's absolutely awesome to see in person. Once you get past the kitschy fabric, you'll discover one of the most handsome interior designs of the era, with the cool red instrument binnacles ahead of the driver and a steering wheel with a hub that looks like a jet nozzle. Look up and you'll find chrome roof bows that make this structural part of the headliner part of the overall design-very cool. It also appears that the original spare tire is still stashed in the trunk, unused for the past five decades, and one glance at the inside of the quarter panels will prove to you that they're original.
Combine the low mileage with a spectacular, highly-correct restoration and the result is a wonderful cruiser that will be the center of attention anywhere it goes. With six-figure prices being the norm for the 300s, this Saratoga starts to look like a real bargain. And let's not forget that these are absolutely wonderful cars on the road, with impressive power and a ride that feels like a hovercraft. Unusual, powerful, and extremely handsome, this Saratoga and its rich history won't last long on the showroom floor. Call today!

[@novaseline4u]

The 1957 model is the best looking Chrysler ever built.

[@Human_Evolution-]

Agreed. 58 was great too.

[@theophilhist6455]

Agreed. Unbelievable condition. I always thought these were what a 57 Chevy was closest to looking like

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

I found a 4 Door and am bringing her home. I personally like the 4 door over the 2 because the 2, which is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but the 2 door looks like a moth with oversized wings but the 4 door seems more evened out. She has no rust, a few minor dents, the engine rebuilt, and the interior completed and she is ready for the road. All for $1k The glass and Chrome, are immaculate as is the frame. Unreal for a car that normally fell to the elements. I plan on getting her into this condition.

[@dehoedisc7247]

Whatever, Joe, every jackass will run the game as he sees fit.

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

Who's Joe? Dick.

[@dehoedisc7247]

Joe Bloe.

[@denyhicks4730]

Ye Olde Salty Dog qq

[@jimheitkemper8216]

My Dads 57 DESOTO Fireflite was Red and White , BEAUTIFUL 4 door inside and Out . It was started by the Nuetral Push button . It had ADVENTUER badges in front of the doors and a similar badge on the chromeat the rear of the top ,. Yet it was badged a Fireflite ,. I washed that car over a hundred times so i KNOW .. Love To have that Car back , but We loved it to death and by 1972 she was in rusty condition because of Our gravel roads.Were these winged vehicles Chrysler products more classy than a 57 chevy ,,. ? Ohh YES by far ,,. I must say ,,. In reality , Those Years of All makes and models truly was the high point in styling ..

[@alanstrong3295]

Some were lucky enough to own a car like that. Looks handsome.

[@RockerWasRight]

Fantastic car, family had one when I was a kid. Neck snapping acceleration at that time. Maybe ours was an early one....... single headlights. Transmission eventually went tits up, she drank some serious gas though (high test only), good thing it was cheap!

[@peterheidgerd5418]

Did I hear you say, "Virgil Eckner"? IT'S EXNER DING-A-LING!

[@stevenhorton902]

The 1957 quad headlight Chrysler. Exquisite

[@dehoedisc7247]

This is a Saratoga, and is Not unique, the Chrysler 300C and the DeSoto Adventurer had the Quad headlights.

[@dehoedisc7247]

@George Lynch Thank you for the info, very few people "speak DeSoto" these days

[@michaels612]

Beautifulllllll car and when turn on engine beautiful voice

[@georgecass8529]

Thats a much better looking car than the 57 Chevy

[@garymckee8857]

Exactly

[@radioguy1620]

After looking at the engine bay I seem to remember a big topic was engine serviceability those days, and Chevys of course were pretty easy as were fords, could have hurt sales on this model after looking at it, no one seems to care about servicability of course now , but back then it was on the front burner with tune ups every 10,00 miles or so , awesome car, my dad;s uncle had a black one and i still remember driving in it one time , and I was around 7!!

[@itsmegp46]

When Chrysler first introduced their push button automatics, the neutral button was used to start the engine. First you would put the key in the ignition, turn it on, the push the neutral button to actually start the car. I'm not sure when this feature (annoyance?) was discontinued, but my dad's 1962 New Yorker did not have it. He would turn the key to start the car.

[@hallgeirnyheim1581]

@George Lynch, start with neutral button was only in 1957, and last year for pushbutton was 1964.

[@davidkirkham6497]

Hallgeir Nyheim I agree! My Dad owned a 57 Chrysler Windsor from new & I am sure the neutral button was the start button!

[@kevinbarry3277]

Fun fact, quad headlights weren't legal in all states until 1958

[@rubcad]

The two tone paint and sportone trim were optional on the Saratoga. The base model had monotone paint and the single body length stainless moulding. You could also order the bumper guards, which this car doesn't have...

[@DougCameraMan]

my '57 Saratoga didn't have that two tone paint and chrome trim on the rear quarters. Can't imagine why they would be different.

[@borjebjernby5946]

Yeah .. That is sure one of the most "nicest" ones I have ever seen before !!!

[@garymckee8857]

Beautiful.

[@wildcat64100]

Virgil Ekner? Come on . . . it's Exner.

[@summitdrinker]

Nice Poly head engine. Spark plugs were easier to change, plugs were also above the exhaust manifolds.

[@dehoedisc7247]

Oh, what a joy that spark plugs are easy to change. That's the main thing, right, Joe?

[@bigthunder2860]

Some day this will be all yours

[@asteverino8569]

Whenever I hear " won't last long ", I laugh. 😂 Love the car though.

[@DougCameraMan]

@buickboy92 they are extremelly rare.

[@2right4words]

absolutely the worst thing you can do to an engine, just start it up and over rev the engine with no load on it. I don't know why people always do that!

[@dehoedisc7247]

They do it because of teen aged hormones without any sense of knowledge. Any more questions?

[@radioguy1620]

second worse, let it idle when cold or hot for that matter, 12-15 hundred rpm best for start up , till the cam gets lubed.

[@Pomiferous]

Didn't sound over revved to me.

[@koioo2]

did i see a start stop system ?

[@a.d7566]

Вот это настоящий мотор, а не современное алюминиевое дерьмо объемом 1.0 литр на турбине!💪😉

[@jr42a1]

yes he said Eckner.... give him a break, he's the owners son..he most likely doesn't know what a carb is.... but if it were the latest video game or app on a smartphone he'd be all over it !!!

[@dansmusic5749]

Was the Hemi optional on this?

[@Human_Evolution-]

How much?

[@bubbaclinton1105]

I wonder what this beaut went for?

[@nastybastardatlive]

Repaint? Its ruined.

[@joesinkovits6591]

Kitschy fabric or not, still waayyy better looking than anything Toy-yo-yo, Ha-ha-ha-Honda or any other Asian hunk of junk has ever had.