1952 Chrysler Saratoga
The 1952 Chrysler Saratoga made our list not so much for its understated looks, but rather for the 180 hp FirePower Hemi engine under its hood. That made it the fastest car in the Chrysler fleet – faster, even if not by much, than the top-of-the-line New Yorker.
Cars equipped with the first generation FirePower Hemi could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds, faster than the Oldsmobile 88 Rocket engine of that time. It replaced the flathead straight-eight used in previous Chrysler models. The engine quickly became a popular choice among racing enthusiasts, a trend that continues to today with its namesake second-generation model.
With the Saratoga coupe weighing in under 4,000 pounds, 180 hp under the hood and a great price, the Saratoga was the performance bargain of that year. Think of it as an early muscle car – one that’s still a great performer today.
