1948 Windsor Coupe on the block today

By: Ben Dillon, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 17.12.2016

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

1940s coupe has some worthy mods and will today be auctioned at Lloyds in Queensland.

1948 Chrysler Windsor Coupe

Clawing their way out of post-World War II austerity, car manufacturers globally faced a difficult road to recovery, but the Americans knew the sales power of chrome and V8 engines would win the day.

As a depression-destroyer the 1948 Chrysler range was just what the doctor ordered with a stylish face comprising a two-tier grille and jutting bumper topped by humped bonnet and quarter-panels (fenders to the Yanks) with a single headlight per side and a rear-end only bettered by Beyonce.

This handsome shape though was common for 1946-1948 models as the first major post-war visual refresh didn't come until 1949.

This didn't stop Chrysler from upping the sticker price by nearly 17 per cent over the 1947 model (US$1611 to $1884), but business was booming and the demand was there with buyers for every single car Chrysler could produce, which for the Windsor Coupe amounted to 1980 units built from 1946-48.

This car is a pristine example with enhancements that add to the reliability and driveability without sacrificing the originality Chrysler gouged its punters for back in the day.

Unmarked paint and a brilliantly period interior that looks and feels factory fresh (we'd love a time machine to verify that last point) help this car stand out, but the driveline is the biggest surprise.

Gone is the original 135hp, 323ci V8 with a 354ci 280hp item out of a 1956 Imperial in its place backed by a later 727 TorqueFlite trans and 8-inch rear end.

Disc brakes and more modern air-conditioning complete a very special package.

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