1961 Chrysler Windsor driver

**dragracert99** · February 5th, 2012

Hi guy's and gal's, nice to find this site. I recently found a GEM! 61 Windsor with the 383(Lion under door handle), 4 door sedan.My research said the 383(Lion) was only used in the convertables and wagons, but this must have been an option.I thought it would be the 361 because of the 2 barrel carb, but lo and behold.
I found it in a pole barn, it was last registered in Cali in 2002, has Cali title.I've tried to decode the vin but the sites keep telling me I need either 13 or 17 numbers, this title only has nine(8213101669), and the vin tag on the car say's same thing, so no luck yet.
I put new plugs and oil in it and winterized it and checked trans fluid and got it running.It has push button auto trans that both buttons and trans works good. Brakes had low fluid and pedal on the floor but after filling master cylinder twice I now have brakes(even without bleeding, go figure), they are a bit sticky but are working better the more I drive it around small distances(around my house and down the gravel road a bit,lol.)The interior is extremmely nice , with just the drivers door panel lower section billowed out a bit.Underneath it is so clean I can't believe it myself,I was shocked how good it is.It has a funny rust hole in the drivers side lower roof by back door and down lower in door jam is a small rust spot, where water must have run down, and the front of the hood is rusty(another funny spot). The rest of the car is very nice indeed.
Every thing works but the radio and dash lights(needs driver,on ebay for 50 bucks, new solid state style and guy bragged about coming up with, plugs right in to factory harness, this driver converts dc to ac for dash lights).The heater core was by passed along with heater valve and after hooking them up I found out they both leak a bit,via the bypass.What research I have been able to do ,I have come to find out this car is more rare than I thought!It need tail lights(lenses broken but I have most of the pieces to both sides) and tail light chrome is missing.
The passenger door upper door hinge was missing ( for some strange reason,lol) but I bought a new one for 50 bucks at Murray Parks Chrysler salvage in Ohio, he has only old Chrysler parts and seems nice.He told me you can't find tail lights any where and he has a pair of rechromed tail light chrome pieces for $1,000.00 and said he sold a used pair a few weeks back for $1,200.00, gulp,lol. Does any one know where I could get these items?I could trade my first born for them,lol(but good luck,he's 30 now)!
This car was repainted white a good while back and it's a cheap job. It looks like it used to be red, the trunk is sweet.
The bumpers are straight but need rechrome.
Doors open and close solid, good glass and window operation.
This car seems to drive real nice and will burn rubber,lol.(had to do one burnout,hence my name). Any leads to the history and vin id would be greatly appreciated, also leads to tail light stuff.
How rare is this car, I can't find another one that is a 4 door sedan!
I found a Newport that is the same year and the guy is parting out, but not the Windsor.I will try to post pics, Thanks All.

**keiser31** · February 5th, 2012

Some information for you...click on the images a few times and they grow.

**dragracert99** · February 5th, 2012

Thanks Keiser31, very kewl.I was offered 5k for it but I think I will keep it a while.I want to paint it the original red and rechrome the bumpers. I have a 383 high rise dual quad tunnel ram intake and carbs I could use on it, cut a hole in the hood for them ,lol. I can get a good hood ,for 200 bucks so,lol, Side pipes and mags and fat tires> would be a unique rod.

**keiser31** · February 5th, 2012

Here's a red one...

**dragracert99** · February 5th, 2012

85k on it, pulled out 413 to save and put a 440 in it.Repainted it the original Maroon and put Cali gold down the middle.I couldn't get the fat tires on th back so I modified the skirts and flared them out, every one likes it.

**dragracert99** · February 5th, 2012

Wow, I want that one too,lol.Look's like the Red mine must have been, I don't like it. I'm thinking very bright red metallic. Jack it up and mags and side pipes on this one too.We took the 66 300 to the Woodward dream cruise and it had every one looking at it, more than my 68 red Iron Man Theemed Camaro.