This weeks post is a long one.
A great story of a beautiful car that’s had a very interesting life. And amazingly I know two of its owners in 2 countries!
Its current owner is James, here in Melbourne, who I met at various Forward Look events after becoming involved in the scene following the purchase of my 58 Plymouth.
One of its previous owners is Scott, from San Antonio, Texas, USA, who I’ve known through Facebook for years through our love of vintage signage/neon and photography of that subject. We also have a love of all things vintage, cars included.
Recently I discovered that Scotts old pink 57 New Yorker made its way to Australia and was indeed the car James now owns. Quite a coincidence!
Anyway, a bit more digging into the history of the car was even more fascinating than my part of the story.
Classic Car Quiz #16 PART 1
◾️Name of owner
James Van Buuren
◾️Car make and model
1957 Chrysler New Yorker Coupe.
◾️When did you get the car/how long have you had it?
I imported the car nearly 3 years ago from America after having many attempts to buy it (long story), but the car was talking to us and wanted to come to us I believe so it did!
◾️Why do you love your car?
It’s about as glamorous and sleek as a car gets and is finished in Sunset Rose which is a perfect era colour to give the right effect. It looks good from every angle which is a rarity in many cars. Many 50’s cars had more chrome and jewellery but had bulbous bodies compared to the Forward Look Design cars.
The ‘57 was a full-length body car with nice simple uncomplicated flowing side sweep mouldings to separate the car to be a 2 tone, complimented by its low line body design, make this a perfect car, along with having the Iconic 392 Hemi Engine and a very elegant yet simple interior design.
◾️Does the car have a name and why?
Sabrina, as the car is a glamorous cream puff of a car and named after 1950’s era model Norma Sykes, the blond bombshell better known as Sabrina!
◾️What restoration/modifications have been performed on the car?
Only mods are a set of 66 Charger Spinner Hubcaps, and a correct 1957 2448s Carter AFB carby with 1958 Chrysler 300D Gold Oval Air Cleaner. We’ve replaced the seat cloth only with NOS Material, saving all original piping and vinyl, new correct carpet. Minor mechanical items by us and previous owners, but it’s still basically a survivor car that we have left as we got it. The car still needs detailing in the engine bay and other items, but we just like it how it is, drive the wheels off it and don’t care for the car to be perfect, as it still looks stunning as it sits, but I’m biased of course!
◾️How often do you drive your car?
Nearly weekly without fail. You have to keep these cars exercised.
◾️Have you always been into cars, and if so, what other cars have you had?
Yes, been into cars since I was a kid thanks to dad. I’ve owned about 100 cars, including about 50 HKTG Holdens in all body styles including Monaros Had a few US GM cars like 64 GP Pontiac Coupe, 68 American Impala, 66 GT Fastback Mustang, 68 El Camino, 4x 58 DeSoto’s, 3 x 57 Chrysler’s, and about 20 x 1966 67 68, 300’s and New Yorkers and a 1965 Chrysler 300 L, plus many more I can’t think of including modern classics.
◾️What was your first car?
1968 HK Monaro 186s 4 Speed in Rare Woodman Green.
Classic Car Quiz #16 PART 2
◾️Name of owner:
Scott Kimrey
I was first told about the Chrysler when I took our delivery van to the shop. The guy that services our fleet vehicles had a 1956 Cadillac outback, and I was asking him if he would part with the sombrero hubcaps so I could put them on my 1954 Bel-Air. He said the Caddy belonged to one of his employees, but “you should go check out the pink airplane over at Duke’s Brake Shop...it’s for sale”.
I drove a few blocks over, and almost like the scene in the movie Christine where Arnie sees a fin peeking above the fence...I saw the ass end of “Rosie” sticking out of the bay.
I got out and walked around her and admired the graceful lines. I took down the number to call Col. Roy A. Lange. After my initial phone call, I put the thought of ownership out of my mind because it seemed the Colonel had been offered almost $20,000 for the car and still hadn’t sold it. Little did I know it was less of a phone call about price and more of an interview to see who would qualify to own the car. I wasn’t told until about 30 days later that I made the cut, and the car could be mine for $16,900. The Colonel took a shine to me and wanted me to own it presumably because of my youthful enthusiasm and excitement over the car (even though I was 35).
We made the deal, and I picked the car up in late May of 2008. On the maiden voyage to my house the car almost caught fire when an old electrical relay shorted and burned. I had to pull over and swat out the flames with my bare hand while trying not to have a heart attack.
The colonel died almost 6 months to the day after he sold his beloved “pink elephant”. It was a source of pride for him for many years, and it was for me too. Life moves in mysterious ways, and due to divorce I had to sell the car in 2016, but it afforded me the ability to remain in my house and not have to make even bigger changes. I’ll never own another car like that 1957 Chrysler New Yorker sport coupe with the mighty 392 HEMI...but I was incredibly fortunate to have shared in part of its life and been the custodian of her for 8yrs or so. I miss you, Rosie, but glad you’re making a home down under. SK.
While Scott owned the car, he was lucky to get the history of the car from new in a letter from the Colonel he mentions above.
The Colonels 2008 letter to Scott…
“Dear Scott,
As far as I can recall, this recounts the events that gave rise to the Desert Rose & Off-White 1957 Chrysler New Yorker becoming a one owner jewel.
In the pleasant community of folks in Somerset, PA., a convenient stopping off place for travellers to stop overnight on their trips between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Judge Custer and his family resided in an old fashioned three story, frame structure with many rooms. It had been turned into a “rooms for rent” facility to help the family make ends meet after the Judge retired in 1957.
Judges Custer, a sombre person with a sound reputation and known to most everyone on the Somerset County, declared at his retirement ceremony in 1957 that he had contacted the largest Chrysler dealer in his town and ordered the most powerful, “jazziest” and eye-catching vehicle that Chrysler could manufacture. He insisted that the color be unique and “stand out”. He was about to “step out!”.
While Judge Custer was informed he could be readily traced in case of speeding violations, he plucked at his robe and advised that his retirement privelige gave him immunity. Suffice to say, he was never “booked” nor do records reflect any violations. Just before his demise in 1960 he had logged 6200 miles on his vehicle.
Their home had a one car garage, sized years before to accommodate a Model A Ford. It was partially beneath the main bedroom about 3 feet below the buildings first floor with access through the hallway door and the actual automobile entry. This auto entry had 4 small windows but no door which to gain entry.
On my first visit to Somerset with Judge and Mrs. Custer’s daughter, Geraldine, I met Mrs. Custer for the first time about 14 years after the Judge’s death. It was not until some time had passed before I stumbled upon the existence of the Chrysler which had not been out of the garage since the judge’s death. Mrs. Custer did not drive.
At the complaint of Mrs. Custer that she was being bothered by spiders in her bedroom emerging from the garage area, and at her behest I offered to clear out her garage. With the door swollen shut off the hallway and no keys available for the locks on this doorway nor for the actual garage doors, I could not accommodate her.
It wasn’t until 12 years later when we returned from our residence in Spain that I was determined to open and clean out the garage. I looked through the spider web covered dark garage windows and could perceive nothing that I could recognize. However, determined to please my mother-in-law and wife, I broke a window and fumbled for the inside latch which would bypass the locking device. As I groped for this avenue of relief, I encountered a somewhat sharp point leading to a rear fender of some vehicle. I immediately discussed this with Mrs. Custer and was told it might well be a vehicle from one of her “boys” who were passing through and forgot it. On the other hand, she advised that her husband had parked his car in the garage at infrequent intervals. In any case, I received permission to break into the garage, remove the vehicle and clean out the garage as she originally intended so as to not be bothered by spiders again.
With enthusiasm, I “ripped” open the garage doors and beheld the shape of the 1957 Chrysler New Yorker so covered in dirt and cobwebs that its true condition could not be ascertained. When Mrs. Custer was informed of what I had discovered, she admitted it was her husband’s vehicle, but I could have it if I wanted. My response was to advise her she would have the cleanest garage in all of PA., and I would have the vehicle transferred into my name.
Coincidental to contemplating how to clean up the vehicle, replace the tires, check all belts, replace the battery, etc. I discovered that the Chrysler dealer from whom Judge Custer bought the vehicle also sol the Judge a AAA membership for which dues had been paid out of a common account without the knowledge of Mrs. Custer.
We returned to Spain and 19 years later returned to Somerset where I shocked the Chrysler dealer by requiring him to provide full AAA service to get the vehicle in “Apple Pie” order. Boy, oh boy did he grumble yet expressed pleasure in advertising this peak type service in the local newspaper. I then cleaned out the garage and made off with the “pink elephant”.
One unpleasant encounter occurred with a local state trooper who claimed kinship with the Judge and had had the Judge’s promise of transfer of the vehicle to him on the Judge’s demise. This was not proven, however I permitted him to drive the vehicle on a 17 mile stretch of unopened highway with him following me as I drove the squad car to see what it would do. At my signal reflecting my speed to be 85mph, he roared around me as I pulled over, and when he returned, claimed he had achieved a comfortable 125mphin the Chrysler.
Thereafter, Mrs. Lange and I took trips at comfortable, slower speeds to Wisconsin and Florida making sure that maintenance was the by-word on its care. One result of our trips was to note that the vehicle was considered “catnip to the ladies”.
I can’t seem to remember anything else, and I hope that this is what you wished to have.
Sincerely
Roy A. Lange
Col., USAF (Ret.)
So there you go. A long story like I said, but definitely an interesting one. Thanks to James for the recent photoshoot.
Cheers, PlymouthDale.
