Hemi V8 in 1951?

[keithb7]

I’m not well versed in the early Mopar V8.  I saw this local ad for sale recently. I wondered, did they offer a hemi V8 in 1951?  I thought they were still straight 8 in 51?  I honestly don’t know.  What year did the Chryslers get the V8 option? Thanks for educating me!

 

 

 

Edited March 31 by keithb7

[Sniper]

51 was the first year for the Hemi in a Chrysler

[Doug&Deb]

Keith, 51 New Yorker and Imperial got the Hemi first. Later in the model year they stuffed it in the lighter Windsor chassis and created the Saratoga which was one of the first muscle cars. 

[Dodgeb4ya]

And with the upper line 131" WB New Yorker and Imperial power brakes were std.

Power steering and windows plus a real torque converter were optional starting in 1951.

I had a Fluid Torque Drive Saratoga.

It was easy to smoke the tires from a dead stop in that short WB Windsor.

I have also had a couple of the upper line 51-52 New Yorker and short WB Imperials. Luxurious cars.

 

[Bob Riding]

In fact, Chrysler was so proud of the 1951 Hemi, that they released it as a stand-alone option- no car, just motor. For some reason the gals just loved it!