Although rival brands may have more iconic models to their name, Chrysler has birthed numerous good cars. Walter Chrysler founded the company in 1925, a year after the first Chrysler automobile arrived in 1924. In its long and chequered history, the Chrysler brand has passed through several hands and has borne different names. As one of the Detroit Big Three, Chrysler played a big role in the development of the automobile industry.

It debuted an impressive number of industry firsts that include automatic overdrive, 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, and bonded brake linings. Others are the first cruise control, first gas turbine car, first practical automotive alternator, and the first retractable headlights in a mass production car. Many of Chrysler's classic models like the New Yorker or the Town and Country lasted for decades and set standards in their respective classes. Here are 10 cool classic Chryslers that should be on every gearhead's wishlist.

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10 1956 Imperial

1957 Imperial
Mecum Auctions

Before it became a standalone model in 1955 to compete better with rivals, the Imperial was a top luxury model on Chrysler's model lineup. Designed by Virgil Exner, the Imperial is one of the outstanding models from the '50s. The 1956 model had small tail fins and ran on a 5.8-liter V8 mill rated at 280 hp.

1957-Imperial-1
Mecum Auctions

Late in the model year, a push button 3-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission replaced the 2-speed unit used in 1955. Furthermore, the 1956 Imperial carried, as optional equipment, the first all-transistor car radio in the world.

9 Windsor

1959 Chrysler Windsor
Greg Gjerdingen

The Windsor is a full size car that Chrysler built from 1939 until the 1960s. Despite closely resembling the luxurious New Yorker in size and features, the Windsor ran on a six-cylinder engine for most of its life. Compared to other Chrysler models, it was more of a budget option that offered an upscale interior and many luxury features.

Windsor Stroker Ford Mustang Restomod
Bring a Trailer

Thanks to the range of body styles on offer, buyers could pick and choose what worked best for them. Although it had reliability issues in 1957, the Windsor was generally a strong seller.

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8 Newport

1970 chrysler newport
Hagerty

The Chrysler Newport started life in 1940 as a 4-door dual cowl phaeton based on the Imperial Crown's chassis. From part of the New Yorker lineup in the '50s, it became a separate model in the 1961 model year.

Brown 1970 Chrysler Newport on the driveway
Via Mecum Auctions

However, the base Newport sedans continued as modest trim packages on the upscale Chrysler models. In a production run that spanned four decades across seven generations, it remained a modestly priced car that sold well. Although it was not a not a very powerful car, it still delivered a silky smooth ride that appealed to fans.

7 Town & Country Station Wagon

1972 Chrysler Town & Country Stations Wagon
Mecum Auctions

Long before the modern minivan of the same name, there was a prewar Town and Country in existence. It arrived in the 1941 model year as a 4-door 8-passenger station wagon. From 1941 until 1950, this unique wagon sported wooden doors and body panels with an all-steel roof.

Town & Country Stations Wagon
Mecum Auctions

Constantly evolving over eight generations, it soldiered on well into the '80s. After existing as a RWD wagon for seven generations, it used a front-wheel drivetrain in its eighth and final generation. The Town and Country Station Wagon finally bowed out in the 1988 model year.

6 1957 300C

1955 Chrysler 300C
Hagerty

Built in 1957, the 300C was the third model in the long lineup of Chrysler letter series cars. Behind the unique "yawning" trapezoid shaped grille, it sported a 6.4-liter V8 mill rated at 375 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. That is 50 hp more than what the New Yorker got.

1955 Chrysler 300C
Mecum Auctions

A limited edition race-tuned option bumped output to 390 hp and 430 lb-ft. Fitted with a Torqueflite three-speed automatic transmission, the 300C was capable of hitting 60 mph in less than 10 seconds. Besides the blistering performance, it remained a luxurious family car.

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5 New Yorker

Chrysler New Yorker
Morven

The New Yorker is not only one of Chrysler's most iconic nameplates, it is also one of the most popular. Apart from a brief hiatus during world war 2, it was in continuous production from 1940 to1996. Arguably the greatest Chrysler of all time, it competed with luxury models from Buick, Oldsmobile, and Mercury.

1953 Chrysler New Yorker
GPS 56

Featuring the best that Chrysler had to offer, the New Yorker stood strong decade after decade. Even as it was fizzling out in the fourteenth generation, it still packed plenty of convenience features.

4 Saratoga

1957_Chrysler_Saratoga
Greg Gjerdingen

Arriving a year after the New Yorker, the Saratoga joined the lineup as the sport luxury Chrysler offering. In a production run that spanned about 20 years, it had also served, at various times, as the entry level and the intermediate model.

1957_Chrysler_Saratoga-1
sv1ambo

Although it struggled with other Chrysler models for the premier position in the lineup, it was not a bad car. Furthermore, there was no shortage of motivation from the string of 8-cylinder engines it ran on. For most of its life, it was available in coupe and sedan body styles, but for 1951, it came as a wagon and limousine too.

3 Six B-70

1924 Chrysler B-70 4 Door Phaeton
Barrett-Jackson

Debuting in 1924, the Chrysler Six Model B-70 was the first car to wear the Chrysler nameplate. It was a technologically advanced car that pioneered several technologies like the world's first 4-wheel hydraulic brakes. The engine got innovative features like pressure lubrication, an oil filter, and a carburetor air filter that also functioned as a silencer.

1924-Chrysler-B-70-4-Door-Phaeton-1
Barrett-Jackson

Boasting a compression ratio of 4.7:1, the 3.3-liter straight-6 engine cranked out a whopping 68 hp. Even at the top speed of 75 mph, the B-70 delivered a comfortable ride, thanks to tubular axles and shock absorbers.

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2 Cordoba

1976_Chrysler_Cordoba
Mr.Choppers

Originally a trim on the 1970 Newport hardtop, the Chrysler Cordoba returned for 1975-1983 as the first intermediate-size Chrysler. The 2-door coupe rode the B-body platform and competed as a personal luxury car with models like the Oldsmobile Cutlass and Mercury Cougar. Featuring a tastefully furnished cabin, it was a day one hit with buyers.

1976_Chrysler_Cordoba-1
Mr.Choppers

On the equipment list, it had a tilt steering wheel, air conditioning, a digital clock, and an AM/FM stereo with an 8-track player. Transferred to the J-body platform for 1981, sales fell and the Cordoba finally bowed out in 1983.

1 Conquest

1983 Chrysler Conquest
Pinterest

The Chrysler Conquest was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Starion that was also available as the Plymouth Conquest and Dodge Conquest. It ran on a 2.6-liter turbocharged I-4 engine that sent power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. While it made 150 hp in the base car, thanks to an intercooler, it churned out 176 hp in the TSI model.

1983 Chrysler Conquest
Pinterest

Underneath, it sported a MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent rear suspension. In addition to high tech features like an electronically controlled transmission and a thermostatic climate control, it also came with full instrumentation.