A 1955 Chrysler New Yorker automobile owned by Harry Truman is up for sale.

Posted on July 02, 2022
Classic cars
A 1955 Chrysler New Yorker automobile owned by Harry Truman is up for sale.

A 1955 Chrysler New Yorker with presidential pedigree is currently for sale. According to the seller, Classic Auto Mall, the black sedan was driven daily by Harry S. Truman after he left office.

First spotted by Car and Driver, this New Yorker was the first year of the "forward look" design language that redefined Chrysler styling and was considered very influential at the time. The seller claims that the car has been fully restored inside and out, and the black and chrome exterior and tan leather and upholstery certainly look fresh in the photos.

However, the seller notes that the car is not in running condition. Despite being "fully restored," the numbers-matching 331 cubic-inch Hemi V-8 cranks but does not run, according to the listing. When running, it drives the rear wheels via a two-speed Power Flight automatic transmission.

Truman was a loyal Chrysler customer; according to Car and Driver, shortly after Truman retired in 1953, he and his wife Beth left on a 19-day road trip in another Chrysler New Yorker. Truman's last car was also a Chrysler. The 1972 Newport, which Truman purchased about six months before his death, is still in existence in the garage of Truman's Missouri home, which is now a museum.

While this is certainly no ordinary New Yorker, the asking price of $83,500 is still a big leap compared to the prices at which similar non-presidential cars are usually sold. For example, Car and Driver notes that a non-running 1955 New Yorker two-door hardtop sold for just $7,700 at Bring a Trailer in 2020.

From Ronald Reagan's Subaru Brat to Joe Biden's Chevrolet Corvette, the private car preferences of past U.S. presidents are diverse. But since these cars are more likely to end up in a museum than in a showroom, perhaps the rarity of this opportunity will convince someone to pay a premium price for a Truman-owned Chrysler.

You may also like

2026 Audi RS 5 Avant with plug-in hybrid spotted
2026 Audi RS 5 Avant with plug-in hybrid spotted

Audi's A5 family currently consists of coupe, convertible, and hatchback body styles, but the next generation is expected to include a new A5 wagon, t...

Jan 25

GM to discontinue UltraCruise brand and integrate technology into SuperCruise.
GM to discontinue UltraCruise brand and integrate technology into SuperCruise.

General Motors has abandoned plans to introduce a new "Ultra Cruise" brand, a further evolution of the "Super Cruise" automated driving assist feature...

Jan 24

2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata: today's automotive news
2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata: today's automotive news

Porsche was spotted testing an updated Touring version of the 911 GT3. The refreshed trackster is expected to receive slight tweaks, one of which woul...

Jan 26

Trending

1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo with prototype active suspension goes to auction
1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo with prototype active suspension goes to auction

In the 1980s, Lotus was developing active suspension for both race and road cars. One of its prototype road cars is being offered at the Anglia Car Au...

Jan 26

California Bill Proposes 10-Mph Speed Limit Exceeded by Gov.
California Bill Proposes 10-Mph Speed Limit Exceeded by Gov.

A California state senator has introduced a bill that would require the use of speed governors to prevent drivers from traveling more than 10 mph over...

Jan 26

2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Update Revealed
2025 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Update Revealed

Porsche's latest 911 GT3 Touring has just been introduced as a 2022 model, but an updated version has been spotted testing.The update appears to be a ...

Jan 26