Chrysler Saratoga
Spanning from 1939 all the way to 1995, Chrysler introduced several waves of the Saratoga vehicle line. Chrysler first introduced the First Generation Saratoga in 1939 and this initial run extended until 1942. After a brief hiatus, Chrysler reintroduced the Saratoga in 1946 and produced the second variation of the Saratoga until 1952. Then, as a part of its “Forward Look” initiative, Chrysler once again began producing the Saratoga. Finally, the Saratoga was shelved by Chrysler until 1989 for one last run that lasted until 1995.
First Generation
The Chrysler Saratoga was initially introduced as the most expensive of the brand’s vehicles, coming in above even the Imperial and the New Yorker. The Saratoga’s initial run was highlighted by several different body styles. Beginning in 1939 the Saratoga was offered in a four-door style along with a Hayes-bodied club coupe. The 1940 version of the Saratoga was only offered in a four-door sedan, with two interior set-ups: standard and sport formal. The main selling point of the sport formal option was a glass partition that could be lowered and raised when desired. When 1941 rolled around, the Saratoga was demoted to the bottom of Chrysler’s eight cylinder offerings. However, more body styles were offered for the first time. The 1942 Saratoga was essentially the same car that Chrysler offered in 1941. Chrysler eventually shut down the Saratoga line for the next several years.
Second Generation
Chrysler reintroduced the Saratoga line in 1946, once again as its cheapest eight-cylinder option. The 1946 Saratoga featured a full array of body styles. From 1946 to the “First Series” of 1949 vehicles, design changes to the Saratoga were essentially completely shelved.
The “Second Series” 1949 Saratoga was produced in two body styles and came with the option of a semi-automatic transmission. The 1950 line of Saratoga received the first redesign of the Second Generation meant that new grilles, tail lights, and bigger rear windows were introduced.
Like all other 1951 Chrysler models, the Saratoga also featured the new hemi V8 engine. The Club Coupe model for 1951 is often referred to as the sportiest and most collectible Saratoga from this era. Its collectible status stems from its lighter design combined with the fact that it was the first Saratoga model to feature the powerful hemi engine creating a quickness that was rare at the time.
1952 ushered in the last car of the Saratoga’s Second Generation. This model was essentially a lookalike to the 1951 version, but is not seen as favorably in collector’s eyes, as it lost the “first year” hemi status. In 1953, Chrysler rebranded the Saratoga line of vehicles as the New Yorker.
Third Generation
As a part of its $300 million “Forward Look” redesign, Chrysler once again revived the Saratoga line in 1957. This five year hiatus for the line once ended when Chrysler brought the Saratoga to slot in between the base Windsor and the top of the line New Yorker. The main redesign of the Saratoga occurred on the vehicle’s interior. As the 1950s came to a close, so too did the Saratoga’s domestic run. At the end of its run the Saratoga was essentially based on the New Yorker’s body, but with fewer features.
