Old Newport News

Steve examines what separated the Newport from other Chrysler models in 1962 with a look at a rare 1/25 scale Revell Newport model kit and 300H road test article for context. And will Rudolph Dieselhead make a guest appearance? Watch and see…

[@ScottDLR]

I was at a shop that specializes in old car radio (and more) repair that had a totally restored Astrodome on display. It was a magnificent piece of art all by itself.

[@geraldlafleur7776]

My dad, an engineer for Chrysler, had a 1962 300 w/361 4bl . I remember that electroluminescent cluster glowing at night . It was a marvelous piece of engineering. I also remember dad punching it to pass on a 2 lane hwy and being thrown back in my seat in amazement at its power.

[@CR7659]

Here's a fun fact not many people know. The 1960-62 grilles are the same opening. They flipped it upside down for the 61-62 cars. But they'll interchange with each other. They'll look funny because the inserts were not made to be seen upside down, though. How do I know, I was parting out a 1960 and I had a loose '62 300 Sport grille I picked up somewhere and I got looking and sure enough it fit right in right down to the bolt holes. That dash can be completely unbolted side to side. Make sure to get the power unit for the dash lights though. They're electroluminescent.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I absolutely love this design. That front end is one of my favorites

[@SteveMagnante]

Same here!

[@Eero_V]

I have always disliked the '61-62 Chrysler front end 😄 The Astro Dome cluster is the best part of the car...

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

I remember seeing one of these awhile back in a scrap yard and thinking..wow, that interior with the "Astrodome" is spectacular.

[@jmark7390]

STEVE is a very lucky guy. He finds the engine he says is under the hood plus a magazine or book that talks about the car! Awesome.

[@GuitarMan22]

Yeah - what a coincidence - with post it notes in the right spot

[@davidszakacs6888]

Back in ‘62 my local C-P dealer had a bare bones Newport on the showroom with a standard shift on the floor, with a big white plastic shifter ball. Can’t recall which engine it had.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Attended a Long Island Cars car show this past weekend and there was a 1961 Chrysler Newport 4 door factory ordered with a 413 cross ram and a manual transmission. What a beast.

[@robbyaugtel5189]

Remember Ethel Merman telling Milton to step on it we’re in a Chrysler

[@craigpests_channel]

Wasn't that an imperial?

[@robbyaugtel5189]

I think your right , has been a while since I seen that movie. A lot of good cars in it!

[@frankjones4094]

@@robbyaugtel5189 I loved that movie when it came out. Still do.

[@mexicanspec]

She said something like we are in an Imperial and everybody is in front of us, step on it, or something close.

[@dubiousf00d]

To see that dash all lit up at night is truly something special. Probably one of my favorite dashes in cars.

[@johnmaki3046]

My dad (I grew up with this) had a '50 DeSoto with MAGENTA colored bulbs lighting the dash! I don't know if this was "factory", BUT IT WAS AWESOME! Actually, the ENTIRE CAR WAS!

[@BigMikesHooptyBarn]

I always liked the canted headlight look.

[@fredwalt2282]

I inherited a 62 Windsor sedan when Grandpa Hill got too old to drive. Loved that car !! Road trip from Lewiston NY to Key West on college winter break. Later drove it from Utica all the way to Seattle pulling a UHaul trailer clamped to the rear bumper. Now I drive a 1962 300H !!! Love those early 60s 300 cars

[@gregbarnett3141]

Dr. M, every time you show one of these older cars, no matter the make, I make sure to try to see the clock if equipped. Some of them were works of art on their own. Thanks for these videos I learn every time I watch.

[@84GordonShumway]

Great Video, love the interior detail you did. Not too often you find one with most things still intact!

[@SteveMagnante]

Thanks!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

NYC in the late 50’s to mid 60’s to me was a showroom of cars ! Thanks !

[@patdesrosiers6423]

Interior in remarkably good condition on this Chrysler

[@pete540Z]

I grew up with mom or dad driving us around in a baby blue 1962 Newport hardtop station wagon. On one of the car's last cruises down the highway, someone pulled up next to us at speed and wanted to buy it (1977 or so), probably to build a hotrod. It was the first car I drove. The 361 pulled that beast to 120mph, with the front end shimmying from loose ball joints. Fond memories of that car.

[@richarddavis5542]

My dad bought a '61 Newport stationwagon for my Mom brand new back in the day. It was the car our family grew up in. I was the youngest and got stuck in the way back seat. I did sit behind the wheel and eventually got to drive it around our driveway as a kid. By the time I was old enough for a license we had upgraded.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! The convertibles & the two doors no post , always looked like they were moving even if they were in part ! Very cool l

[@geoffmooregm]

I gotta say that is the most unique instrument cluster I have ever seen.

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve Get well soon

[@Statimtek]

My grandmother had a ‘62 NewYorker. I remember being impressed by the juke box gauge cluster and the push button transmission, even as a wee lad. That car, and my parents ‘53 Chrysler New Yorker convertible started my love for Mopars.

[@galactica5]

I owned on of these cars from 1986 to 2008. It was very fun to drive and I love the "Astrodome" so much that I put one of those in my 1946 Chevy PU restomod. My car had a 1969 383 4BBL from a 1969 road runner in it. One of your best "crawls".

[@johnmaki3046]

March 1973; I bought a '61 Chrysler Newport 2-door hardtop (nice body/interior, good "383", no reverse!) for $45! I LOVED the speedometer/gauge "stadium"! I had to be SUPER careful parking this large car as it only worked at "roll-out" spots!

[@thomasvanepps7551]

I love the Junkyard Crawl. Your knowledge of automobiles makes these cars come alive. It's amazing because most are nothing but a pile of rust! I'll look forward to more great videos! Thanks Steve!

[@artjones2498]

Revelle always made very good modle kits

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Revealing That reg is gonna cause the owner to be harrassed

[@CR7659]

Assuming she's still alive and still lives there 34 years later.

[@HarborLockRoad]

I fell in love with the 62 plucked chicken when i found a Jo-Han model of it, back in the early 80s. Even with the model kit, the dash looked spectacular, and the tail lamps were cool too. An elderly lady a block away had a real 62 4door, wish i could find that car today!!!

[@HowardJrFord]

The downsized 62 dodges and plymouths were referred to as plucked chickens , not the chryslers .

[@1984xlx]

Definitely the coolest instrument panel of the era!

[@ryurc3033]

The first car I ever got to mess with was a 62 Chrysler 300 sport when I was 14. My dad was at his friends house and said he was selling his dad's old scrap cars. One was that old Chrysler. My dad bought it for me for 250$ and I payed him back the whole rest of the summer. I cleaned all the pine needles off, pulled 6 inches of rat turds off the rear floor, and got points, wires, condenser, points, coil and spark plugs. And eventually got it to fire. It sounded so cool with the exhaust rusted off. The rust was bad. It didn't have any brake lines left, or Any floors, and I never got past starting it up a couple times. I sold it to get a 84 caprice classic that ran. But I will never forget that car. Or that dash.....it was just so cool. I thought it had a 413, with a single 4 barrel, but was very likely a 383.

[@googleusergp]

Chances are the shifter was done that way to "force" the buying of the more expensive automatic. Much the same way that GM didn't have rear opening windows on some of the 1978 and up four door A body cars. It was a perfect lead in to, "You know sir/ma'am, those rear windows don't open up. Gives you more room that way. But you might want to order AC because it's going to get mighty hot back there". Response, "Yup, let's order it with AC". Bingo, more profit. No Chrysler keys and locks were likely supplied by Briggs and Stratton/Strattec (as were GM keys back then), but I knew right away those were later GM keys. LOL. We got the VIN, we win: 8 for Chrysler, 1 for Newport, 2 for 1962 model year, 3 for Jefferson Plant, Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Jefferson plant that assembled this car operated from 1925 to 1990 and then the "new" Jefferson plant adjacent to it opened in 1991 and is still operated by Stellantis today. The old Jefferson plant was located on Clairpointe and Jefferson Avenues in Detroit, MI. I think that might be a four-barrel carburetor on this one as someone else pointed out. I heard that. LOL. But since you ask, Ms. Lashway appears to still be alive, still living in Amherst and is about 74 years old according to public records. The address shown on that registration is a smaller home and I believe where she resides now is a much statelier home. I don't see any photos of the Chrysler in them, so it's likely been many years since it was on the road. No tag, can't brag, but can be figured out, no doubt: 834 for Newport hardtop, 301 for blue interior trim, possible D for Sapphire Blue exterior paint and W for Oyster White exterior paint.

[@ExilefromCrownHill]

I recall a '61 Windsor in a junkyard, it had a three-speed stick on the floor as you mentioned...but it had also swing-out front seats. Weird combination! It got sold complete right out of the yard, to a collector.

[@b.abrackus6403]

I owned a 1961 Newport 2 door hardtop....loved the style .. one thing l didn't like was the aluminum ignition keys

[@josephdipalma5989]

Well, I finally found an answer to a long mystery. I live in upstate NY and as a kid in the late 70's I sometimes did chores for a old women who lived in an old farm house. In the barn was an early 60's canted headlight Chrysler. It was a base model 4 door. I was amazed when I saw the floor shifter. I never did open the hood. By the time I was old enough to go back and check the house had been sold and the old barn was torn down. I've often wondered if that was some special 413 cross ram 4 speed gem that I missed out on, now I know it was actually the bottom of the barrel, but still cool!

[@davebarron5939]

What looked like a nice sport wood rim steering wheel behind you, would probably clean up beautiful. That's the problem with the junkyard, to many treasures. Always enjoyable Steve, Thanks.

[@shaggydogg630]

I was three when that car was built. I would have played with that dash board all day. Hours of fun.

[@rjflipper61]

I got a 66 Newport project I picked up a few years back. Some guy saved it from the crusher and had it sitting in his driveway for years. I gave him $700 bucks ,and my buddy who owned a flatbed towed it home for me. It had the original plates , and registration from the last year it was on the road. 1979. It's a 2 door hardtop. 383. He never could get it running. I found out it wasn't getting gas to the carb. Put on a fuel pump for about $20 , and it fired right up!😊😊😊

[@TheHelado36]

Ahhhhh, the joys of a new Yunkyard Crawl !!!!!

[@johnnyedify]

I always,liked these front end designs.

[@chrisscearce]

Hi Steve another great video. My grandfather had a white 62 Chrysler 300. I don't remember if it was the sport or the letter car. He had to get that dome looked at a few times. I remember 1 time riding in front with him and the dome filled up with smoke and completely filled the inside up so you couldn't see the odometer. I remember him stopping the car suddenly and disconnected the battery. I eventually got to drive it solo one day and boy would that Chrysler fly. It would leave the ground if you didn't lift sometimes! Coming down the rd and had that Chrysler in the wind and some old dude jogging jumped out in the rd and started shaking his fist at me when I blew by. Later on my grandpa asked me where did I go when I drove it. Because the ol dude shaking his fist just so happened to be the local sheriff and almost cited my grandpa for wreckless driving and said that car was inches off the ground when he saw it topping the hill! Needless to say never got to drive the 300 anymore and was left to, at that time grandma's 72 Mercury Marquis Colony Park station wagon. 429 car, That thing was a little slow but she would get up there in the triple digits too! Just floating down the rd. Namaste Steve 🙏🏼

[@dustbat]

good story.

[@chrisscearce]

@@dustbat Thanks... my grandpa had many different vehicles around and each one has a story...lol Namaste 🙏🏼

[@mexicanspec]

From canted headlights to covered headlights. The best of the offerings.

[@chrisscearce]

@@mexicanspec yes superior design for sure

[@madmike2624]

Gotta say it takes some guts to crawl into and sit-down in those junk yard cars! All kinds of critters call that home now!! The "rib raker" made me chuckle! Outstanding video Steve and Shane! How about calling out the previous owner, name and address to boot! Thank you both for keeping us entertained with these GREAT videos!!

[@waynebrown5428]

I am amazed how good it looks in the engine bay for its age.

[@jamespetersen3933]

Great story and great camera work. Keep on crawling!

[@javierdenardo2607]

The interior is surprisingly mint

[@johntomlin3282]

I love the front end much more than the one on my dads 64 Newport. Thanks Steve!

[@bozodog428]

That dash is one of my favorites. My '63 Newport had the 361 engine but not that fabulous Astradome dash.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

What a rare beauty that car was! Is a shame seeing it in such dilapidated condition! And you ever wonder if the person in that registration is still alive! Let’s just hope so.🙏

[@jamietie]

I definitely understand why many people didn't love the style of Mopars in 61 and 62, but the canted headlights look, especially on the Valiant, is one of my favorites from any period of U.S. car design.

[@ExilefromCrownHill]

What year(s) did Valiants have canted headlights?

[@SupergurlKara]

I had a 1962 Plymouth Valiant station wagon, battleship gray, slant 6 and and push button 3 speed automatic. It was rusted so badly that there was no rear floor and no quarter panels behind the rear tires so basically it looked like an open wheel car back there. It was great fun winding out the car to 20 miles an hour in 1st gear and then pressing the button for 2nd then 3rd. With each shift the front seat, which was only bolted at the front because of the missing rear floor, would tilt back and have you looking up like it was a rocket on a launch pad. The bald tires were showing their cords and these "slicks" were exciting on icy roads. I paid $25 for the car in 1974 and drove it for about 4000 miles until the rear end seized. While waiting for a tow truck to take it to the junkyard, we broke out every bit of glass including the instrument panel and wedged a stick to keep the accelerator pedal to the floor. With the push button in 1st gear the speedometer was indicating 60 miles an hour but the car was stationary. That slant 6 ran until it threw the fan belt and finally seized up. I am certain there wasn't a single usable part left when the car went to the boneyard. Oh, and it did not have canted headlights. Or any headlights when we were done with it.

[@jamesadkins1780]

I love that interior.

[@bradkay]

Good job Steve.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

I'm impressed that car was driving in 1988. It would have been a rare sight even then.

[@frozenone1403]

Steve, One of the more interesting features of the Astrodome was that there were no light bulbs in it. Chrysler had collaborated with Sylvania ( the lighting company) to produce one of the first electroluminescent dashes. The needle tips and the top edge of the gauge bars were coated with phosphorus. When the light switch was pulled the 12v DC went from the switch to a power inverter in the kick panel and changed the 12v DC to I believe 220volts AC. Very low amperage, more like a horse fence. This high voltage when transmitted to the needle and bar, excited the molecules in the phosphorus and they glowed green ! Quite alien looking. Because of the thin wires required, and the high voltages, the wires became brittle and broke frequently from road bumps and jars, causing no end of headaches for Chrysler, who finally went back to regular light bulbs after the Astrodome was eliminated. Electroluminescent dashes aren't dead however, they are back in some of the higher end vehicles today, but using computer controlled voltages and more state of the art electronics I'm sure.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

Crazy tall windshield!

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Its Dr. Ze Zuburban! Nice to see you C.W.! Hope all is well. :-)

[@johnquinn7643]

We had a ‘62 Newport 4 door sedan (brown) with the 361 - 2 bbl (p/s & p/b). The steering box required a number of “high point” adjustments - when you hit a bump a speed the car would violently shake prior to the adjustment!

[@LSniumUwU]

Whr my dad was a kid, he told me his parents had a Chrylser New Yorker, Ive seen pictures of the car in family photos, but never really thought anything of these cars.

[@rickloera9468]

My parents had a 1962 Newport 2 door hardtop from New. It was an amazing car. All the buttons on the radio as well as the surrounds for volume and tuning were illuminated. This one has the clock which was rarely seen in Newports.

[@zachsmith5216]

Wait a minute....I briefly saw Roger🦌 in the back seat!

[@samhicks97]

Steve seems to find the C body chryslers where ever he goes! all the yard i've been to doesn't even have a whiff of C body in their lot. Anywho, great video.

[@N2YTA]

This brings back memories, my first car was a '62 New Yorker, four door sedan.

[@mexicanspec]

I had the wagon with dual air. Coolness for sure.

[@ericwilson2585]

A friend of mine has one of those he's fixing up and it's a low mileage 2-door hard top, "WITH NO RUST"!!!! It's been sitting in his garage for 30 years, longer than he's owned the garage itself. Lol.

[@davidciesielski8251]

What a great dash, Thanks

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Steve! Ya gonna crack the cluster. Too many cups of coffee!

[@garymckee63]

Chrysler C body vehicles were well made and l had a 64 Custom 880 with the 361 and it was one of most dependable vehicle l have owned. Those A.M. radios would DX at night l used to pick up some far away stations at night.

[@zzzoo2]

Thanks Steve! I harp about Furies all the time, but I love Newports, too. I thought those crazy headlights were cool...

[@misigis]

I was about 15 yrs old when I had my 1st encounter with left hand lugs. My grandfather had me change his snow tires on his ‘64 Polara. Very frustrating, never forget that fiasco 🤣

[@howardscott7521]

IRC, the 57 Lincoln had stacked headlamps. I believe the canted design appears on 58 Lincolns, followed quickly by the 59 Buick.

[@bozodog428]

You're correct.

[@UberLummox]

Yep!

[@brentleehayes9621]

My mom drove a 62 Newport in the late 60's

[@guylr7390]

The Exner front end styling on the 62 Chrysler was tasteful and restrained compared to the ridiculous spindle grills on Lexus cars these days. The Robby the Robot IP is epic.

[@cornbinder]

I like the Dash Mount Rear View Mirror

[@rockettcustoms6266]

Actually, the canted headlights on the Lincoln first appeared in '58. In '57, they were stacked.

[@rayinpau.s.a.6351]

Good to know !

[@letsgobrandon5814]

I have that Revell kit in my stash . I think it's time to build it !

[@dustbat]

You could cash in!

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

This is such a incredible car

[@dustbat]

My father had one of these. People like him would never have ordered a large motor, no way. He loved that car, however had a LOT of problems with the computer. They would put a new one on but you had to pay for it even if it turned out to not be the problem. Loved that dash. Man it was 3d at night. I had to retrieve it once. Every thing was dead save the horn. I could jump some wires and start it, but if it cut off you had to jump start it as nothing worked. Dealer went right to it. If it has only horn working, it is the amp gauge.( Up date.) I believe my 81 year old brain has made a mistake. I thing his computer problems were on a later (circa 67) model.

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

As always, thanks for a quality product at a giveaway price. ❤

[@tomtbi]

Cool 😎 vintage kit!!..

[@isaiahvillarreal4512]

My girlfriend had five 61 Chrysler Newports. One for everyday of the week, to match her vintage shoes and Pendletons. When we hit hard times I begged her not to sell them. But they went to the Netherlands. She kept one. Took a few years and lot of hard work to get out from debt. She plans to keep the last one.

[@richtomasek9308]

Now that is called an Oldport.

[@joesliger1633]

My first car was a 62 Newport Enforcer from the CHP, it was a hand me down from an older cousin, he claimed it had a 413 but I don't know if that's what was in it, it did have a Carter AFB and dual points as well as dual exhaust. One thing I remember was the turn signal lever was mounted in the steering column and the rearview mirror was mounted at the top of the windshield.

[@ccg1171]

Great video very knowledgeable. Cool to see these classics even though they're in a junk yard.

[@TheTreasureGuard]

Canadian version had the New Yorker with 413 or a 383 option. The Saratoga with the 383 or 361 option. And the Windsor with the 361 engine.

[@cromBumny]

On "Speed is the new Black" they put a V10 in the 300H. Super cool

[@mexicanspec]

What a waste of a 300H.

[@cromBumny]

@@mexicanspec didn't have the original engine..so who cares what engine was placed in it.. in a couple of years it will have an electric motor in it either way.

[@jholthenrichs]

Steve. Slow down when you say your name! Almost painfully slow. Let viewers hear just how you say it. Don't rush! Love your gig! Enjoy watching it!

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

dig the astro dome dash on the 1960-62

[@terryvuylsteke2434]

O.M.G.!!!!! Steve, to see the 300 and you with a Revell model kit..... brother. Perfect video. Cheers from London Ontario CANADA. (P.S.) show some more AMC.

[@SteveMagnante]

More to come!

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

Well I miss my cup of Steve this morning. Hey it's evening nice way to unwind. Tell you what not my favorite body style but the interior of that car is magnificent in styling. From what I saw in condition it looked pretty darn good for being almost retirement age and human years for early retirement depending on your birth date. I miss that early cut off. Anyhow the only thing I asked to see a little more of that interior. The dash shined so I'm assuming the engine or transmission went or the car just got too old and the seller said come and get it. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@Slowgroovin]

Grandfather of the big mouth grills found on many cars today.

[@jimmartin735]

Kinda smiles at you

[@davidmckinney6577]

If I had one of those ol cars I would construct a frame to tie on to the front frame and go out the back to make it stronger

[@privateprivate1865]

The chanted headlights eventually grew on me but I never came to appreciate that grill I think I would have liked that grill had it been flipped upside-down and the other way, for example: resembling a flattop mountain.

[@jimmartin735]

Friend of mine Donny told me he was cruising his Savoy and jammed on his brakes thinking he was about to be hit.turns out he was looking at his stubby tailfin in the low-mount rearview.R.I.P. Donny s.

[@TrashcanGarage]

Exner at his weirdest, factory kustom. I love it. I've got the Jo Han kit which is a "letter car" hardtop version as I recall.

[@JCT442]

This place isn't a wrecking yard it's a museum.

[@TheopolisQSmith]

I like 60’s Mopars. Especially early 60-64 Chryslers.

[@mexicanspec]

I had a 1962 New Yorker wagon and I loved that dash at night. I think the guy that bought it took it to Sweden back in the '80's.

[@joemcmillan5415]

Wheres the deer guy

[@CORVAIRWILD]

Nick's Garage is rebuilding the original J 413 '62 Chrysler. Go look at his channel. I've been to his shop with my 409 Biscayne survivor (clone)

[@mexicanspec]

It is a 1963 model.

[@wreckerjonny6144]

Tank on wheels. So many of them died entertaining the weekend derby events.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Virgil was a mad scientist!

[@matthewharvey2493]

Interesting distinction about Chrysler and left hand threaded lugs. I had a 53 Plymouth that used wheel lug bolts on the rear, lug nuts with studs on the front, left hand threaded on the driver side and right hand threaded on the passenger side. All four corners had something different going on. I assume it was a transitional thing from the 52 to 53 model changes from the early "P" models from the post war cars. They were so frugal about things back then I am sure they were wanting to burn up any more stock on the shelves rather than engineer and buy continuity in those cars.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

You corrected me... LONG RAM!!!

[@kevinkelly7348]

yep, i looked up her house, HA! what a mind / memory you have !

[@DavidWilliams-ol3vp]

59 Buick had canted headlights as well

[@davidgleason3379]

I would love to go through that yard just to pay homage to a lot of good cars and trucks. That are currently in the slow aging process. But when you view the cars just think of the stories that are behind each of these vehicles of the past. Boy if they could speak and someone was smart to write a book from their adventures on that blacktop life they rolled along what a book it would be.

[@scoobyroorogers]

David Gleason, it would definitely be an enjoyable book to read. Very Cool

[@davidgleason3379]

@@scoobyroorogers thank you for the kind words. You have a great day.