1962 Chrysler Newport

[Hayes Brendefur]

I have a 1962 Chrysler Newport with 31,800 original miles on it. The car was purchased in early 1960's by my grandfather. He drove it for about a year, then parked it in his barn in South Dakota where it was stored until recently. The car is all original, runs good and has no rust. Does anyone have information on what this car might be worth? It needs paint, but otherwise the car is in excellent condition. The car has a 383 in it and is a 4-door. Thank you.

[KManiac]

Now that's what I call a find! The 1962 Newport came standard with a 361 CI, 2-barrel engine. The 383 CI, 2-barrel was standard in the 300. Both engines are identical in appearance when observed with the naked eye. The internal differences between these engines are a smaller bore and pistons in the 361 and a lower compression ratio, allowing the use of regular gas in the 361. Everything else interchanges. I suspect your Newport has a 361 and not a 383. To verify, clean and inspect the machined pad on the block below the distributor. The 361 will be hand stamped with "S-36" and a "MM-DD" build date code. The 383 will be stamped with "S-38" instead. Whatever engine you have, nowadays you should run modern Premium fuel. Also, the 361 was equipped with a Stromberg 2-barrel carburetor. The 383 used the Carter 2-barrel carburetor.

You said this car was a 4-door. Is it a sedan or hardtop? Chrysler made 54,813 Newport 4-door sedans in 1962. They made only 8,712 Newport 4-door hardtops. The sedan has a full frame around the window of each door and a full height center or B-pillar. The hardtop has frameless windows where the front and rear door glass meet together when the windows are shut.

Any optional equipment which would make your car unusual will strengthen its value on the old car market. Most Chryslers, Newports included, were built with the new aluminum case Torqueflite automatic. This used the push-button gear selector. The Newport was standard with a 3-speed, floor mounted stick shift. However, stick shift Chryslers were only built to customer or dealer special order. Stick shift equipped Chryslers of any model are rare.

Let us know if you have any other questions.