Drew Pearson's Classic Car Home Page

Welcome to my Classic Car Home Page. As is true with many personal web-pages, this one is also in a perpetual state of construction. In fact, I only set this site up in April 2000. This is my first attempt at this type of thing, so please bear with me.

I am the District Human Resources Manager for the 23 dealership South Texas District of AutoNation, Inc. and; therefore, have a passion for and enjoy autos, especially Antique and Classic Cars. That's why I've created this webpage...to introduce you to various antique and collector car subjects including, but not limited to my personally owned vehicle(s).

At present, I am the proud owner of my first Chrysler Corporation manufactured vehicle. My 1954 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe.

1954 Chyrsler New Yorker Deluxe: VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS:

Production Plant -- Detroit, MI
Production Unit -- # 27,976 of 30,806
Production Date -- July 1, 1954
Factory Price -- $3,763 ($330 Options)
Shipping Weight -- 4,065 pounds
Original Selling Dealer --  Struble Motor Sales, Westwood, NJ (Dealer #6936)
Previous Owner --  Alamo Classic Car Museum, Austin, Texas

Engine --  Chrysler "FirePower" 331.1 cc.; V-8 HEMI
(date stamp: 6/23/54); 235 HP at 4400 r.p.m. 
Carburetor --  WCFB Carter 2041S- 4 barrel downdraft 
Electrical System --  6-Volt; Positive Ground 
Transmission --  "PowerFlite", 2-speed Automatic 
Brakes --  "Safe-Guard" Hydraulic; 12 Inch Drums

STANDARD FACTORY EQUIPMENT:
Air Foam Seat Cushions
Horn Ring 
Armrests (all doors) 
License Plate Light 
Ash Trays 
Assist Handles (rear) 
Luggage Compartment Light 
Automatic Entrance Lights 
2-Tone Broadcloth Upholstery
Back-up Lights (Two) 
Bumper Guards 
Bumper Jack/Tools 
Oil-Bath Air Cleaner 
Chrome Wheel Covers 
Cigar Lighter 
Oriflow Shock Absorbers 
Plastic Steering Wheel 
Coat Hooks 
Power Brakes 
Dome Light 
Electric Clock 
PowerFlite Transmission 
Dual Directional Signals 
Supercushion Tires 
Floor Carpet 
Two Sun Visors 
Undercoating 
Folding Center Arm Rests (front & rear compartments) 
2 Speed Electric Windshield Wipers 
Defrosting Vents 
Full-Flow Oil Filter 
Waterproof Ignition 
Glove Compartment, with Light & Lock 
Folding "Lavaliere" Window Control Handles 

Factory-Installed OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (Extra Cost):
Power Steering ($130) 
Radio ($101) 
All-Weather Comfort System Heater ($79) 
Solex Tinted Glass ($20)

Chrysler's Advertising Theme for 1954 New Yorker Deluxe:

"Anything Less...Yesterday's Car!"

Chrysler's 1954 New Yorker Production Notes:

This top-of-the-line Chrysler used more trim than other series in 1954.The front fender stone shield is unique to the New Yorker Deluxe while the rear fender stone shield had a horizontal trim piece in the middle, matching the trim on the front fender shield.

Hub cap design is unique to the New Yorker Deluxe and consists of a very flat, spinner-like design in gold color that matched the exterior insignia.

The big news this year is the beginning of the horsepower race, as Chrysler raised the ante with new heads, four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. The division capped the top spot in the performance race with a rating of 235 horsepower.

Styling, however, is essentially six years old and sales plummeted more than 40 percent on all Chrylsers, although the New Yorker Deluxe out sold its 1953 counterpart by nearly 25 percent.

Historical Footnotes from Chrysler:

Chrysler opened its Chelsea Proving Grounds in 1954 and test drivers teamed with Tony Bettenhausen to complete a 24-hour endurance run of 2,836 miles, averaging 118.18 MPH in the 331cc HEMI, V-8 Powered New Yorker.

I've also owned other classic cars, including: 1968 Ford Mustang; 1965 Chevrolet Pick-Up Truck; 1965 Ford Thunderbird landau; 1965 Ford Thunderbird convertible; 1967 Mercury Cougar; a 1968 Volkswagen KarmanGhia convertible; and a 1964 Dodge Dart GT Convertible.

I've had lots of fun (and spent lots of money) restoring and preserving these vehicles. However, my '54 Chrysler New Yorker is the only classic car that I've actually entered in Car Shows in and around the Houston/Galveston Bay area.

Here is a photo and a list of the Show Awards my '54 New Yorker has earned to date:

"3rd PLACE CLASS AWARD" 
Space City Cruisers Fall Car Show - 2001

"CLASS AWARD - 2nd PLACE"
1st Annual North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Kemah Classic Car Show - 2001

"PARTICIPANT'S CHOICE - TOP 20" AWARD
5th Annual Deer Park Totally Texas Classic Car Show - 2001

"OUTSTANDING - 2000" (3rd PLACE) - LATE RESTORED CLASS
41st Annual Houston AUTORAMA Car Show - 2000
AstroDomain, Houston, Texas

1st PLACE - ORIGINAL CLASS PRE- 1955
3rd Annual Heart of Angleton Open Car Show - 2000
Angleton, Texas

3rd PLACE - ORIGINAL CLASS 1950 -1959
5th Annual Baytown Optimist Club Car Show - 2000
Baytown, Texas

PARTICIPANTS' JUDGED "TOP 20": ALL CARS, ORIGINAL
10th Annual D.E.R.A. Car Show - 2000
La Porte, Texas

2nd PLACE: ORIGINAL 1950 - 1958
Space City Cruisers 2000 Spring Car Show
In Association with the League City Evening Lions Club

"PARTICIPANT'S CHOICE - TOP 20" AWARD
4th Annual Deer Park Totally Texas Classic Car Show - 2000

"TOP 20" AWARD
1st Annual Conroe Classic Car Show - 2000

SPONSOR'S CHOICE
50's Unlimited Classic Car Show - 1999
Hosted by 50's Unlimited Car Club

1st PLACE- EARLY CAR (1972 & Older)
10th Annual Houston MOPAR Show - 1999
Hosted by Houston MOPAR Car Connection Club

3rd PLACE- "ANTIQUE" CAR (1954 & Older)
1st Annual Tomball Holiday Car Show - 1999
Sponsored by the Tomball Chamber of Commerce

SPONSOR'S CHOICE
2nd Annual Texas Avenue Car Show - 1999
Sponsored by the Goose Creek Historic District, Baytown

COULD THIS CAR BE A "STAR"?
My ‘54 was used in the filming of the ABC-TV movie "King of the World."; 
It aired January 2000. The movie, shot in and around the Houston Heights,
tells the story of Cassius Clay. (a.k.a.: Muhammad Ali.)

Special "Thank-You's" go out to the Service Department and Body Shop of Les Marks Chevrolet/Mazda in La Porte, Texas who have actively participated in the reconditioning and maintenance of my Chrylser (they don't sell them, but they can sure work on them!) You can visit their web site at:

Les Marks Chevrolet/Mazda

The Car Clubs to which I am affiliated are listed below. You may enjoy clickin' on over to see what their web sites have to offer also! ENJOY!

Walter P. Chrylser National Club

Walter P. Chrylser Houston Region

Space City Cruisers, League City, Texas

Classic Chassis Car Club - Houston

PLEASE e-mail me at the following address with your comments or questions:

e-mail: Drew Pearson

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