Classic recollections: 1956 Chrysler Windsor

Over the course of their lifetimes, it's not uncommon for classic vehicles to travel far and wide, exchanging owners and locales numerous times. Contrasting these vintage globe-trotters are examples like Ed Kolpek's 1956 Chrysler Windsor sedan.

Throughout its insipid six-decade existence, this Chrysler Windsor has been content to stay within one family and has never left the proverbial nest.

Kolpek is the current owner but this Ivory over Desert Rose boulevard steamer was bought new here in Chicago by the Des Plaines resident's grandfather. He enjoyed the pleasant motoring experience until driving became an infrequent occurrence for the aging senior.

As outings became less occasional, the car was rolled into storage and resided untouched for years. The granddad's passing in 1985 signaled renewed family interest by way of Kolpek's mother, who chose to buy out his aunt for full ownership of the stately classic. Kolpek's father also had road-going hopes and built a designated garage for proper storage and preservation, but faced with failing health, Dad, too, let the Chrysler stay parked.

That changed in 2009 when full ownership transferred to Ed with the passing of his parents.

“Initially, I had very little interest in the car, aside from getting it operational. But with the strong interest in ‘survivor' cars, my thinking has changed. Now I'm pleased to preserve and display it just as it is,” he said.

Basic maintenance was all that was required as much has survived on the coral cruiser — it still retains things like the original carburetor, fuel pump and an original spare tire. You won't find any rust on the original body and paint other than what Ed describes as “normal storage patina,” giving it that sense of authentic character that can't be duplicated.

With the Windsor operational once again, Kolpek makes sure this 21,000-mile gem and its 331 cubic-inch, Polyhead V-8 sees regular street use. Power steering and brakes, AM radio and a push-button Powerflite automatic transmission make cruising a breeze and a very familiar experience.

Having driven one of these “barges” in high school, returning to drive such a large old car is just like riding a bike, he said.

“It handles like a big pillow, on tires as skinny as saucers, but it'll do 70 (miles per hour) all day without a whimper.”

The classy Detroit damsel can usually be seen parked at the Mount Prospect cruise night.

So while most vintage autos are travelers with flashier and adventure-filled pasts, it's the mechanical homebodies such as Kolpek's Chrysler Windsor that remind us that once these rolling heirlooms become part of the family, their appeal can still span multiple generations.

“Not only is it a survivor car, but one still within the family. It's your consummate barn find and I'm proud to call it my own.”