1958 Chrysler

Windsor Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

lc1l3355

Gasoline

I am pleased to introduce you to Betsey. Like many great cars Betsy has a story, one that is engrained with the history of a small town and a family. Betsey began her journey when Margery Mansfield of Sedro Woolley, WA went to her local Chrysler dealer in the next town over of Mount Vernon and ordered this car just how she wanted. It was Margery that gave Betsey her name, myself I am not that fond of the name, but who am I to change it? For the next thirty two years Margery owned this car, the entire time residing in the small town of Sedro Woolley. Margery drove Betsy as a daily driver until 1986 when it was deemed that Margery was too old to drive any longer. For four years Betsey sat in Margery’s driveway until my father Rudy came across the car just sitting there, looking as though it had not been on the road for years. Rudy, by no means a shy person, stopped and knocked on the door of Margery’s house to inquire about the car. I was there with my father, only twelve years old at the time. Margery answered the door, I can remember that she was very friendly and seemed lonely. She was happy to tell us all about the car starting with telling us that her name was Betsey. Margery explained that she was born in “nineteen and a hundred” and that she was now ninety years old. She told us about going to the dealer and ordering the car, she even remembered that it took a very long time for her to receive her new Chrysler. Margery told us how Betsey had “taken her on many long trips” to California and other places. She told us that anytime Betsey would spuder she took her down to the local garage for a check up. She also told us about the accident that she got into in the last days of driving the car; the damage to the lower drivers’ fender was a result of that accident. After a lot of story telling from Margery and a lot of looking at the car Rudy asked Margery if she would part with Betsey. Margery was pretty quick to say that she would like to sell the car as she had no use for it anymore. Margery was concerned that the car needed work and was not safe to drive. So Rudy agreed that he would come back at a later time and haul the car on a trailer to make Margery feel good about it leaving. A short time later Rudy and I returned to haul Betsey away, Rudy put a battery in the car and it fired right up, after Rudy and I had to be shown from Margery that it has a push button starter. Margery said “what did you say to her to get her to start?” Rudy simply replied “please”. Rudy took the car home and began cleaning her up, it needed some minor repairs at the time to be road worthy. The brakes needed a little work, and the exhaust was rotted out. Rudy returned Betsey to working order to include a new dual glass pack exhaust system, which still remains on the car today. For a short time Rudy drove this car as a daily driver. Rudy even returned to Margery with Betsey and took her out for a milkshake in her car. I remember well that summer cruising around “hardtoppin” with all of the windows down. It was a joy in my life when I was not happy about much else. Towards the end of that summer Rudy in turn sold the car. I was quite upset with my father at the time, the reality of needing the money more than the car did not equate to my young mind. At this time a man named Terry bought the car and it moved to the Lynnwood area, for how long I am not sure. Some time during the mid nineties a man named Jon purchased the car and brought it back to Mount Vernon. With Jon the car remained until one day in 2002 I was driving along in Mount Vernon and saw her sitting in a field under a tree. I knew as soon as I saw her that it was Betsey. I like my father before me stopped and knocked on the door to inquire about the old Chrysler. Jon answered the door to me wondering why some young man was standing on his porch; I said to him that I was interested in his Chrysler. His immediate response to me was “what do you know about that Chrysler?” and “you don’t have any business with that car” I quickly replied to him that “I know more about Betsey than you do”. I told Jon about Margery and Betsey, I even told him that there was a photo copy of the original title from 1958 in the glove box that Rudy had made years ago. We headed out and confirmed that it was still there, as it is today. Jon agreed to sell me the car, and once again it took a trip on Rudy’s trailer but this time to my house. I drove the car a few times in the summer of 2002. The fuel tank started leaking and then the water pump went out while I was cruising around. It has since been sitting in my shop. I live and work in the small town of Sedro Woolley where Betsey has resided for most her life, there are still people that remember this car and Margery. A man I work with, Mike, remembers loading groceries into the truck of the car for “Ms. Mansfield” as a teenager when he worked at the local store. I get thumbs up from many people every time I take her out. The 1958 Chrysler Dart Line was the “mid-season sensation” as it was advertised, released mid year in 58. The advertisement read like this. “Mid season sensation… New Chrysler Windsor” “It’s all Chrysler and you’ll like the price!” “You want to stand back and drink in this brilliant new Chrysler with its glistening new chrome work and sparkling new colors” “But the real excitement comes when you get in and get going. The moment you touch the wheel you get the sense that this car wasn’t made to stand still. You touch a button and in seconds you are effortlessly out on the open road.” “As it irons out the rough spots, you know why Chrysler pioneered Torsion-Air Ride. Under your foot you feel a reservoir of power thanks to Chrysler’s Torque-Flight Transmission” “The stopping power of its sure-footed Total Contact Brakes is more than a match for Chrysler’s incredible go power. Styled for attraction, engineered for action- this Chrysler is all car. It’s a car you drive because you want to, not just because you have to” “And it’s never been so easy to step up to a Chrysler. You can own the magnificent new Chrysler Windsor Dartline for only a few dollars more each month than most small cars!” “See it – price it – at your Chrysler dealer today. Chrysler’s a thrill you shouldn’t miss.” The add sounds pretty silly today, but I like to think that maybe something in it caught the eye of Margery back in 1958. I especially like the “styled for attraction, engineered for action” statement. I have recently been working on Betsey and have her back on the road. I have replaced the fuel tank, water pump, carpet and master cylinder with new parts and have been driving Betsey around locally “hardtoppin” once again. Most everything works as it should. All of the lights, turn signals, brake lights, wipers, heater, horns and even the original radio works! The car has just over 98,400 original miles on her. The body is in its original paint and has not been touched, what you see is what you get. The car is mostly solid; the trunk pan has some rust as does the drivers’ side floor. I have simply tacked a piece of sheet metal in the drivers’ floor before I installed a new carpet kit to make this a more drivable car. All of the glass is in excellent condition. This car has the 354 2bbl non-hemi (poli) engine. I also have the original keys and factory locking gas cap with the original key. This car is 100% complete, not a single part is missing right down to the correct hub caps and original bumper jack! Betsey also retains all of her original running gear and interior! If you have read this ad I am sure that you are wondering why this car is for sale. I just don’t get the time to work on her and I have many other cars that I am occupied with. That being said, I do not in any way need to sell her. This is a rare opportunity to own a very rare and desirable collector car with a rich history. I have searched and have not been able to find any other Windsor Dartlines for sale to compare this car with. So yes, this car if for sale. I would love to see it go to someone that would love it as I have and give it the proper restoration that it so deserves, but I will not be giving it away. If you have any questions please ask, I have several pictures that I can email. I welcome inspection and have a car lift at my home that we can use. I encourage you to contact me if you are serious about this car. I have a clear title in hand and may be able to help with delivery. Nearly 5000 views and over 180 people watching this auction. Bid to win, she will go to the hightest bidder!