Chrysler Saratoga

The Chrysler Saratoga is an automobile built by Chrysler. Chrysler used the Saratoga nameplate from 1939 to 1952 and from 1957 to 1960 in the U.S. market, in Canada through 1965, and in Europe from 1989 to 1995. It was named for Saratoga County, New York, an affluent region that included the Saratoga Springs.

The Saratoga nameplate first appeared in 1939 and was applied to Chrysler's most expensive full-size eight-cylinder models, above that of the Imperial and the New Yorker. It was available as a four-door sedan and the Hayes-bodied club coupe. Sedan prices for the 1939 C23 eight-cylinder sedans were Imperial US$1,198, New Yorker US$1,298 and Saratoga US$1,443. Full wheel covers were standard on the Saratoga.

In 1940, Chrysler assigned the Saratoga to its Series C26 eight-cylinder models, along with the Traveler, which replaced the Imperial, and New Yorker models. For 1940, the car was available only as a four-door sedan, and in two interior configurations, standard and sport formal. The latter had a glass partition behind the front seat which could be lowered. Fluid Drive was offered for the first time, mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

In 1941, the Saratoga was assigned to Chrysler's Series C30 and was demoted to the bottom of the eight-cylinder series, replacing the Traveler. Body styles offered expanded to include a business coupe, club coupe, two-door sedan and four-door Town Sedan, as well as the six-window sedan. This the Saratoga offered Fluid Drive and the eight-cylinder version of Vacamatic which consisted of a three-speed transmission mated to an overdrive unit.

The 1940 Saratoga models were still offered, but now under the name of Imperial Crown Special.

For 1942 the Series C-36 Saratoga was again available only with an eight-cylinder engine along with the same transmission selections as in 1941. Selection of body styles also remained as in 1941.

The Saratoga nameplate returned for 1946, positioned as Chrysler’s least expensive eight-cylinder model, in a full array of body styles, and was related to the Chrysler Windsor and the DeSoto Custom. Annual styling changes were almost non-existent between 1946 and the "First Series" 1949 Chryslers. Because of government restrictions on manufacturer source goods, Chrysler offered white steel "beauty rings" on its car wheels to give the appearance of wide white wall tires. White wall tires as an option returned in 1947. Fluid Drive continued but the four speed semi-automatic was now offered.

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