Chrysler Windsor: which version to buy and why
If the question is which Chrysler Windsor to choose, the catalogue data split the model into two very different cars. From 1 generation (1939–1942) through 5 generation (1955–1956) every listed version is a Gasoline Inline 6, 108–119 hp, RWD, Carburetor (where measured), no boost.
If the question is which Chrysler Windsor to choose, the catalogue data split the model into two very different cars. From 1 generation (1939–1942) through 5 generation (1955–1956) every listed version is a Gasoline Inline 6, 108–119 hp, RWD, Carburetor (where measured), no boost. From 6 generation (1957–1958) the same name is a Gasoline V-shaped 8 at 290 hp, then 7 generation (1959–1961) is a Gasoline V-shaped 6 at 305 hp. Specific output jumps from about 27–28 hp per litre on the sixes to about 50 hp per litre on the 5.8 MT and 5.8 AT. Torque (Nm), 0–100, top speed, mpg, kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank and wheels are not measured on every version, so you cannot rank Windsors by weight per horsepower or by economy — only by power, displacement, gearbox, body and the few chassis fields that exist.
Which generation actually changed what
1 generation (1939–1942), Estate 5-door, one version: 4.0 MT. Lowest output in the line: 108 hp (79 kW) from 3958 cm³, 27.3 hp per litre. Bore × stroke 85.7 x 114.3. Manual 3, RWD. Front Independent, spring; rear Dependent, leaf spring; Drum front and rear. Fuel 76. This is the only Estate 5-door in the data. Versus the later 4.1 cars you give up 6 hp and 148 cm³; versus the 5.8 cars you give up 182 hp.
2 generation (1946–1948), Coupe, two versions: 4.1 MT and 4.1 AT. Same engine on both: 114 hp (83 kW), 4106 cm³, 27.8 hp per litre, 87.3 x 114.3, Carburetor, No boost, Front, longitudinal, fuel 76. The only buying choice inside this generation is the gearbox: 4.1 MT is Manual 3; 4.1 AT is Automatic 4. Power, cylinders (6, Inline), drive (RWD) and chassis labels match. Versus 1 generation 4.0 MT: +6 hp, +148 cm³, same stroke 114.3, bore up from 85.7 to 87.3. Versus 3 generation: same 4106 cm³ and same 87.3 x 114.3, but 2 hp less (114 vs 116).
3 generation (1949–1952), Cabrio, two versions: 4.1 AT (116 hp) and 4.1 MT (116 hp). Distinguish these from 2 generation’s identically named 4.1 AT and 4.1 MT by power: 116 hp (85 kW) here, 114 hp (83 kW) there — +2 hp on the same 4106 cm³, 28.3 hp per litre, the densest of the Inline 6 cars. Gearbox split is the same pattern: Automatic 4 versus Manual 3. This is the only Cabrio in the data. Chassis matches 2 generation: Independent, spring front; Dependent, leaf spring rear; Drum both ends.
4 generation (1953–1954), Sedan, one version: 4.3 MT. 119 hp (89 kW), 4334 cm³, 27.5 hp per litre. Versus 3 generation 4.1 MT: +3 hp, +228 cm³. Versus 5 generation 4.3 MT (same name, same 119 hp, same 4334 cm³): 4 generation is listed at 89 kW, 5 generation at 87 kW; 4 generation front suspension is Dependent, leaf spring, 5 generation Independent, spring. On 4 generation 4.3 MT, boost, fuel system, fuel grade, bore × stroke, rear suspension and rear brakes are not measured. Engine position is Front, longitudinal; gearbox Manual 3; RWD; Drum front.
5 generation (1955–1956), Sedan, two versions: 4.3 MT and 4.3 AT. Both 119 hp (87 kW), 4334 cm³, 87.3 x 120.7, Carburetor, No, fuel 76, 6 Inline, 2 valves per cylinder. Engine location is not measured. The only difference between 4.3 MT and 4.3 AT is Manual 3 versus Automatic 3 (not Automatic 4 as on 2–3 generation). Stroke is 120.7 versus 114.3 on the 4.1 engines — same 87.3 bore, longer stroke, +228 cm³ versus 4106, same 119 hp as 4 generation so specific output falls slightly versus 3 generation’s 28.3 hp/l. Front Independent, spring; rear Dependent, leaf spring; Drum both ends.
6 generation (1957–1958), Sedan, two versions: 5.8 MT and 5.8 AT. The buying step that changes the character of the car. 290 hp (213 kW), 5801 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 50.0 hp per litre, 100 × 92.2, Carburetor, No, Front, longitudinal, fuel 80. Versus 5 generation 4.3 MT: +171 hp, +1467 cm³, cylinders 8 instead of 6, layout V-shaped instead of Inline, fuel 80 instead of 76. 5.8 MT is Manual 3; 5.8 AT is Automatic 3 — same power, same engine. Chassis still Independent, spring / Dependent, leaf spring / Drum / Drum / RWD.
7 generation (1959–1961), Coupe Hardtop, one version: 6.3 AT. Peak listed power: 305 hp (224 kW) from 6286 cm³, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 48.5 hp per litre — 1.5 hp/l less dense than 6 generation’s 5.8 despite +15 hp and +485 cm³. Automatic 3, RWD, Carburetor, No, Front, longitudinal, 102.4 x 95.3, fuel 80, 2 valves per cylinder. Front/rear suspension and front/rear brakes are not measured. Only Coupe Hardtop in the data; only version without a Manual twin.
Engines and specs (comparison table)
| Generation | Years | Body | Version | hp (kW) | Nm | cm³ | Fuel type | Cyl. | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive | hp/l |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1939–1942 | Estate 5-door | 4.0 MT | 108 (79) | not measured | 3958 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Manual 3 | RWD | 27.3 |
| 2 | 1946–1948 | Coupe | 4.1 MT | 114 (83) | not measured | 4106 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Manual 3 | RWD | 27.8 |
| 2 | 1946–1948 | Coupe | 4.1 AT | 114 (83) | not measured | 4106 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Automatic 4 | RWD | 27.8 |
| 3 | 1949–1952 | Cabrio | 4.1 AT | 116 (85) | not measured | 4106 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Automatic 4 | RWD | 28.3 |
| 3 | 1949–1952 | Cabrio | 4.1 MT | 116 (85) | not measured | 4106 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Manual 3 | RWD | 28.3 |
| 4 | 1953–1954 | Sedan | 4.3 MT | 119 (89) | not measured | 4334 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | not measured | Manual 3 | RWD | 27.5 |
| 5 | 1955–1956 | Sedan | 4.3 MT | 119 (87) | not measured | 4334 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Manual 3 | RWD | 27.5 |
| 5 | 1955–1956 | Sedan | 4.3 AT | 119 (87) | not measured | 4334 | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | No | Automatic 3 | RWD | 27.5 |
| 6 | 1957–1958 | Sedan | 5.8 MT | 290 (213) | not measured | 5801 | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | Manual 3 | RWD | 50.0 |
| 6 | 1957–1958 | Sedan | 5.8 AT | 290 (213) | not measured | 5801 | Gasoline | 8 | V-shaped | No | Automatic 3 | RWD | 50.0 |
| 7 | 1959–1961 | Coupe Hardtop | 6.3 AT | 305 (224) | not measured | 6286 | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | No | Automatic 3 | RWD | 48.5 |
Fuel grade where measured: 76 on 4.0 MT, both 2 generation 4.1 cars, both 3 generation 4.1 cars, and both 5 generation 4.3 cars; 80 on 5.8 MT, 5.8 AT and 6.3 AT. 4 generation 4.3 MT fuel grade is not measured.
Performance, mpg, reliability — what is not measured
0–100, top speed, city / highway / combined consumption, CO2 and eco class are not measured on 4.0 MT, 4.1 MT, 4.1 AT, 4.3 MT, 4.3 AT, 5.8 MT, 5.8 AT and 6.3 AT. You cannot pick a Windsor on mpg or acceleration from this catalogue. Compression ratio is not measured on any version. Problems and reliability are not in the data; the only mechanical split you can use is Manual versus Automatic, 3 versus 4 speeds, Inline 6 versus V-shaped 8 versus V-shaped 6, Carburetor versus not measured (4 generation 4.3 MT), and Drum versus not measured (7 generation 6.3 AT).
Dimensions and weight
Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank and wheel sizes are not measured on every version: 4.0 MT, both 2 generation 4.1 cars, both 3 generation 4.1 cars, 4 generation 4.3 MT, both 5 generation 4.3 cars, both 5.8 cars and 6.3 AT. Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated. Body type is the only size-related field: Estate 5-door (1 generation), Coupe (2 generation), Cabrio (3 generation), Sedan (4, 5 and 6 generation), Coupe Hardtop (7 generation).
Which version to choose
Choose by body first. There is no overlap: Estate 5-door means 1 generation 4.0 MT only. Coupe means 2 generation 4.1 MT or 4.1 AT. Cabrio means 3 generation 4.1 AT (116 hp) or 4.1 MT (116 hp). Sedan is 4 generation 4.3 MT, 5 generation 4.3 MT / 4.3 AT, or 6 generation 5.8 MT / 5.8 AT. Coupe Hardtop is 7 generation 6.3 AT only.
If you want the Inline 6 and the smallest step-up in power: 3 generation 4.1 MT or 4.1 AT at 116 hp is the highest specific output among the sixes (28.3 hp/l). 2 generation’s same names are 114 hp. 5 generation 4.3 MT / 4.3 AT add 3 hp and 228 cm³ versus 3 generation but drop to 27.5 hp/l. 1 generation 4.0 MT is the least powerful at 108 hp.
Manual versus Automatic inside a generation does not buy horsepower. 2 generation 4.1 MT and 4.1 AT are both 114 hp. 3 generation 4.1 MT and 4.1 AT are both 116 hp. 5 generation 4.3 MT and 4.3 AT are both 119 hp. 6 generation 5.8 MT and 5.8 AT are both 290 hp. What changes is Manual 3 versus Automatic 4 (2 and 3 generation) or Automatic 3 (5 and 6 generation). 4 generation 4.3 MT and 7 generation 6.3 AT have no gearbox twin.
If you want the power jump: 6 generation 5.8 MT or 5.8 AT at 290 hp is 2.44 times 5 generation’s 119 hp and the highest hp per litre (50.0). 7 generation 6.3 AT adds 15 hp more (305 vs 290) and 485 cm³ more (6286 vs 5801) but is Automatic only, V-shaped 6 rather than V-shaped 8, and 48.5 hp/l. Fuel moves from 76 to 80 from 6 generation onward.
4 generation 4.3 MT versus 5 generation 4.3 MT: same 119 hp and 4334 cm³, same Manual 3 and RWD. Prefer 5 generation 4.3 MT if you want Independent, spring front, measured Carburetor, measured No boost, measured 87.3 x 120.7 and measured rear Drum. Prefer 4 generation 4.3 MT only if the 89 kW listing versus 87 kW matters to you; several of its fields are not measured.
Do not choose on 1948 / 1950 / 1956 / 1957 / 1959 / 1960 / 1961 “deluxe,” plant, hood ornament, or sale price — those are not in the data. 1966 is not a production year here (the last listed year is 1961). For 1948 specs use 2 generation 4.1 MT or 4.1 AT; for 1949–1950 specs use 3 generation 4.1 AT (116 hp) or 4.1 MT (116 hp); for 1954 specs use 4 generation 4.3 MT; for 1955–1956 specs use 5 generation 4.3 MT or 4.3 AT; for 1957–1958 specs use 5.8 MT or 5.8 AT; for 1959–1961 specs use 6.3 AT.
Short ranking from the numbers that exist: most power — 6.3 AT (305 hp); most hp per litre — 5.8 MT and 5.8 AT (50.0); densest Inline 6 — 3 generation 4.1 MT / 4.1 AT (116 hp, 28.3 hp/l); fewest hp — 4.0 MT (108 hp); only Automatic 4 — 2 generation 4.1 AT (114 hp) and 3 generation 4.1 AT (116 hp); only Estate 5-door — 4.0 MT; only Cabrio — 3 generation pair; only Coupe Hardtop — 6.3 AT.