During the first half of the 1950s, the 1951-1954 Chrysler New Yorker was either the most popular (1953-1954) model in the line or a close second (1951-1952) to the ubiquitous, lower priced Chrysler Windsor. The purpose of the hemi heads on the 1951-1954 Chrysler New Yorker was to achieve exceptional volumetric efficiency and truly outstanding performance, while relying on a lower compression ratio that could allow the use of lower-octane fuels than comparably sized non-hemis -- or, conversely, producing a lot more power than comparably sized non-hemis of the same or even higher compression. This the hemi proved, in competition as wide-ranging as the Mexican Road Race and at National Hot Rod Association dragstrips, Le Mans, and the stock car oval tracks. It was expensive to build, and Chrysler several times abandoned it. In the early 1950s, though, the hemi reigned supreme among V-8s. Also new in 1951 for the Chrysler New Yorker were two further permutations of Chrysler's old Fluid Drive: Fluid-Matic (standard on New Yorker) and Fluid-Torque ($167 option).

Fluid-Matic was simply the original, fluid-coupling four-speed Fluid Drive