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1954 Chrysler New Yorker
Even though Chrysler introduced the Hemi engine in 1951, it didn’t become a hot item until 1954. This is when Chrysler’s engineers managed to squeeze 235 HP into it, which drivers considered a ludicrous amount of power. Chrysler installed this engine in the elegant, restrained New Yorker. The 331 Hemi V8 proved to be fast and durable, but it was also a record breaker.
Chrysler entered a special 24-hour endurance run with the 1954 New Yorker. It managed to average 118.8 mph over 24 hours of nonstop driving. This highly publicized achievement was the perfect marketing tool for promoting Chrysler’s performance.