Hot Rods 1955 Chrysler 330 hemi - worth buying?

I ran across a decent 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe with a 330 hemi under 50k miles. I’m guessing I could pick up the car for around $2 grand. An old Hemi would be really cool in an old hot rod but I don’t know values or any other challenges a 330 may have or if a later years just better to wait for? Thoughts?


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I don't believe a 331 Hemi is worth 2k but a drivable New Yorker most likely is.

 

Should be a 331. It's a "short bell", so it is desirable. For an "old hot rod", I don't think you could tell the difference between a 331, 354, or 392 when it comes to performance. The '55's have arguably the best heads of all hemi's. It's a New Yorker, so it should have the good heads and a 4 bbl manifold. I would worry more about the condition than the size.

If it runs good without overheating and good oil pressure, I would pay the 2K. You can make a lot of that up parting out the car if you want to take the time.

 

so, how have you confirmed how many miles on car? stored in a dry place for entire life? chrome / paint / interior in good condition?

 

What Frank said.....and 56 were said to be the best heads by most early racers....

 

Pics of the car?

 

331s seem to bring about 1500-2000 in my part of the woods. Providing they are fairly complete and fairly clean. I’ve bought a good amount of Spare Hemis. Complete would be the key, as parts are pretty expensive.

392 prices have climbed a lot lately. Nothing wrong with a 331 Hemi.

 

If it is a 330, it is a DeSoto Hemi, which is even better than a Chrysler to some.

 

I was wrong, it’s said to have 33,500 miles. Looks to be good condition but one can only really tell up close in person.




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That car looks way too good to part out.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^totally agree!!

 

My money would be out of my pocket so fast I'd probably sprain my wrist!

 

Buy it! Drive it! Beautiful car.

 

nice car
great price
drive it
we can find ya another hemi for a hot rod

 

those extra 2 doors wouldn't slow me down a bit
imagine it chopped and hard topped
mmmmmmmmmm

 

I turned down a 55 St. Regis coupe in the 80's for free, been kicking myself ever since. Also never did follow up about the same time frame on what was said to be a 300 parked at a ranch in rural NM. Old rancher came in one day to the dealership wanting parts for his O/T Stage 1 Riviera told me that he never junked out cars he just parked them "out back" and he always had fast cars. Said "come on out and see if anything's there you like" but I never did.

 

That’s quite a deal.
Drive the wheels off it.
Too nice to part out

 

Sorry, I'm a Hot Rodder............
Part it out and build a way cool Hemi powered A, '32, '33, '34 Hot Rod!

 

I know right! It’s a freaking nice looking ride & your probably right I should just drive it.... or at least drive it while I build the Hot Rod then pull the engine & maybe tranny too when the rod is ready for it.

To me it would be unthinkable to do that to a sweet 2 door but I’ve never been a fan of 4 doors and it would possibly make one nice donor. Having had to drive 4 doors & more (minivans) for the last 20 years raising kids, I’m inclined to steer clear of driving a 4dr. They just aren’t sexy like a 2dr to me.

Either way, I’m gonna try to go take a look at it today.


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Buy, pull the hemi, and sell the rest to one of those TV guys who'll put an LS3 in it and everyone will be happy!

 

You are not a 'Hot Rodder"...you are a "Barbarian"! ...

 

Tubman...now you have disappointed me. We are even....

 

I hope someone who has some respect for survivors beats you to it!

 

You’re rude and I take exception to your statements.

Have you ever heard..........
One is entitled to one’s opinion!

I could understand a response back replying that it is not something you would do but.........a personal attack?

I expect nothing more from you than your apology to me.

 

Perhaps....but then, you just said “one is entitled to one’s opinion”.....so, is that “one” just you, or is it figurative and means the rest of us too?

Here is another.....some people have ‘thinner skin’ than others and could benefit from not taking everything so seriously. Nonetheless, I have edited the post in deference to your umbrage.

 

Buy the car, pull the Hemi, install 2bbl 318, build a Hemi hot rod. Let yer Darlin' drive the Chrysler to the grocery store, you drive the hot rod.

 

I agree with all the purists
Way too nice to cut up


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That’s a steal for that car, as said above please don’t destroy that car, they are beautiful cars to drive


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Buy the car, pull the engine, sell the rest of the car complete to one of the guys here who would like it...Let him find a suitable engine for it...

 

Fabber must be reading my mind... I have a 95 Jeep GC which my kids drive & was hit on the side in the summer. It’s not worth fixing but has a decent engine & tranny I’ve been thinking of transplanting.

One of the things I have always appreciated about the H.A.M.B. is everyone’s honest opinions because they truly are helpful. With that said, I know we all have different likes & dislikes which is why there are Fords, Chevys & Chrysler. However, for everyone’s sake let’s try to keep from anything which might be construed as an attack because we are all car guys here and we are all really on the same team, no matter what our likes or dislikes happen to be.



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