1957 Chrysler Saratoga Hardtop Coupe
Virgil Exner’s “Flite-Sweep” styling transformed Chrysler from conservative to cutting-edge for 1957, with advertising declaring “Suddenly, it’s 1960!”
Bold rear fins and restrained chrome created a design that rendered competitors dated while maintaining lasting elegance. The Saratoga series captured this dramatic aesthetic shift while positioned below the New Yorker in the lineup.
Three engineering advances accompanied the styling revolution: a new three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission with pushbutton controls, TorsionAire suspension featuring front torsion bars, and enhanced Poly V-8 power. The Saratoga’s 354 cubic inch Spitfire Poly V-8 delivered 295 horsepower through a four-barrel carburetor, providing strong acceleration.
Production figures demonstrated market approval, with over 37,000 Saratoga orders including 10,633 hardtop coupes at a base price of $3,754. The 126-inch wheelbase accommodated comfortable six-passenger seating, while power steering and power brakes became increasingly common options as American automobiles grew larger and heavier during the 1950s.
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