The Chrysler TC by Maserati never quite had the intended effect on sales and brand image the geniuses at headquarters were likely hoping for. It wasn’t particularly fast, nor did it offer class-leading handling. It wasn’t sporting enough to be confused with a Maserati, but it was priced out of range of regular Chrysler customers. Heck, they even made a few oddballs with a stick-shift like this low-mileage example here on craigslist in upstate New York.
Although I am a “Save the Manuals” guy, the thought of buying a heavily-insulated and softly-sprung vehicle like this TC with a 5-speed just wouldn’t occur to me. While I applaud any manufacturer that still offers a manual option, in this car it just feels like further misalignment of the vehicle with consumer expectations. Still, it’s hard to deny that those front seats look like they offer living room comfort in a four-wheeled conveyance.
Although later models would receive a Mitsubishi-sourced V6, this 1989 model makes do with a 2.2L turbocharged four-cylinder, hardly the type of powerplant you’d expect to find in a vehicle wearing the Maserati badge. However, because this is one of 501 Getrag 5-speed variants, it received a slight kick in the pants via a 16-valve head version of the 2.2L and was actually built by Maserati – hence the valve cover.
So, of all the TCs ever produced, the 5-speed versions are likely most deserving of the Maserati badge. I also dig the primrose color of this example, since it was seemingly the shade of choice for any books I read that featured a mention of the TC and several photos – always yellow! If I had the choice, I’d probably opt for the Cadillac Allante of the same era, but you can’t deny the rarity and condition make this TC one of the most desirable examples out there.
Really?
$?
This was the color of the one that turned up very inexpensively at the secondhand lot for a friend of mine. 2.2 liter version? Barnfinds featured a burgundy example last year…http://barnfinds.com/the-worlds-most-affordable-maserati/#comments
No price = Barrett Jackson dreams.
Ok. Who left the lid up? And forgot to flush? Yes, I’m not a big fan of these cars.
Look at the armrest. Weird!!
Looks like some sort of…err….ummm…appendage.
The Biturbo had that same bulky style of seats and center arm rest. Definitely a time period look to it, like the Triple Fat Goose down jackets of the same era.
Was Johnny Holmes sitting in the backseat when the interior picture was taken?
From the CL ad :
“This extremely rare car is a future Italian Collectable!!”
Oh please…it’s a warmed over LeBaron. It’s still an ’89 Chrysler with all the pizazz of, well….an ’89 LeBaron.
True. Rare does not equal valuable. This car being FF with no easy way to make it AWD or RWD means that this will always be a junk car with only a handful of examples that only the rabid care about.
With the Italian built ‘Maserati’ engine… yes, it will be collectible. It already is… And it is not an ’89 Lebaron. These were hand built in Italy and share exactly 0 parts with a Lebaron.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1989-chrysler-tc_by_maserati
Yeah I tried explaining it the last time one was featured. People want to believe what they want to believe as the otherwise inexplicable downvotes clearly communicate.
The TC was not LeBaron based, the LeBaron was actually a stretched version of the TC chassis. Read about it… Was one of Chrysler’s biggest screw ups.
Also, the rare manual version had Mahle pistons and a Bilstein suspension from the factory
Also, the engine had a head built by Cosworth… Forgot to put that in there. The only thing shared with the LeBaron is a couple electrical switches.
Eww yucky!
Not sure which screams “Old Man Car” louder: This, the Allante or the last T-bird. White shoes, white belt, polyester pants and shirt
And that sausage thing armrest…yeeeks
I recall that a friend in Chrysler Credit said that they always waved and smiled at TC drivers because all of them had to be dealers or family. No real customer ever bought a TC.
Something tells me there isn’t going to be a lot of interest in this car, especially with no asking $ in the CL listing, which means: The $$$ Is Too High.
Good for Iacocca / Chrysler doing a special car, and you know it would involve Iacocca’s buddy De Tomaso, but with a Dodge platform and a body actually made by subsidiary Innocenti, not De Tomaso, it really didn’t have a lot going for it with serious drivers. The plush Italian leather interior and transverse FWD layout just didn’t fit any kind of big-$ Italian performance car image, even if it did have a Cosworth head.
There is one in the junkyard near me. Last time I was there not a part had been taken off of it.
I’m not an expert on these cars, but I recall that the 5-speed cars were very quick for the time and they handled extremely well according to the magazines. They aren’t warmed-over LeBarons, more the other way around. The next-generation LeBaron styling borrowed heavily from the TC. Manual cars are rare; I don’t recall ever seeing one for sale. I don’t know if they will ever be worth a lot of money, but a good one is probably a much better car than you’d expect.
My father had the chrysler powered one with an auto, it was slow. I imagine the manual ones with the other engine might be pretty quick. I like the styling of these over the lebarons of that era. if anyone needs a hard top we have a beat up one laying behind the barn still.
I think they’re neat, and comfy, but woefully underpowered. Put something like a 2JZ in one and then it’d be a sport coupe.
This car has clearly brought much disdain by Barn Finds readers… however, this particular car is actually 1 of 501 cars built with the16-valve “Maserati” engine which was cast by Cosworth and assembled by Maserati. This engine was what was originally intended for all cars, however Maserati fell behind in various areas and compromises were made.
Cars equipped with ‘Maserati’ engines were the only versions to receive a Getrag 5-speed. The Mitsubishi 3.0 V-6 and detuned Chrysler Turbo II versions both had automatics. The Maserati engine is good for 200 HP and was thus the most powerful version as well (Turbo II was 160HP and 3.0 was 141 HP).
While the cars have not gotten much love over the years, the versions with Maserati engines will definitely increase in value at a higher rate than the Mitsu or Mopar powered versions.
Words fail to describe this…..except perhaps that it was yet another chapter in the downward spiral of two once proud automotive marquees.
The best thing that could be done with it would be to entomb it in concrete thousands of feet beneath the earth and label the site abandon all sense of dignity all ye who enter here.
I think its a cool car… Too bad he probably wants too much, im probably wrong guessing he wants over 5 k for it, he most probably expects 10 or more, given the low mileage~which brings up a point id like to bring up!! Whats with low Mileage cars, is it because no one wants to drive them ? Shoulder belts look like a pain to try and grab, maybe came out when seat belt use was optional .
Let’s all count to 10, and throw up in our mouths….
1……2….BLAURGHHHHHHH….Sorry I couldn’t hold it…..
I won’t make it past “3”…..
lol Hello well ill have to comment do to the fact i was a Chrysler Technician at this time of err a and well to kinda give a input to all the replies to this article. There was not a big difference in the mazzz compared to the Lebaron but the power plant was a difference . any of these cars that had a 4 cylinder was slow with a automatic trans no doubt about it . And the Mazzz was double the insulation and did handle very well compared to the sister car Lebaron ! the biggest thing was just the upgraded electronics in the car and the option of a sun roof slightly wider tires is it. Now the Lebaron 3.0 lit v-6 with a 5spd trans was the power plant to have . some and not many Lebaron were made with this package . But the remake of the Duster with the v-6 5spd and you can really leave multiple manufactured cars standing still at a stop light with there Jaws dropped to the floor. Very Fast Car straight from the factory much better then the Daytona they made.
@ROBERT- “But the remake of the Duster with the v-6 5spd and you can really leave multiple manufactured cars standing still at a stop light with there Jaws dropped to the floor. Very Fast Car straight from the factory much better then the Daytona they made.”
Can you please elaborate on this as I am a big Duster fan. Thank you.
I think it’s a very cool oddball car. It’s not bad looking and looks like it was made with quality materials. The stick makes it desireable to me however it’s not worth more than five grand to me.
I found these cars to be well built, They weren’t fast, but what was during these years. The stick shift is a plus. They couldn’t have picked a worse color for this car though. Red or black and I might be headed for NY if the price were right. I suspect it highly over priced, why else would the seller put all those details and pictures in the listing, and no price?
A Chrysler with Italian lines? Better design than the Allante.
As an Allante owner, I agree with D. Migaglia, the TC is better looking but the ’93 Allante with the Northstar is a much better car – tests said 0-60 in 6.1 seconds, a rear suspension computer controlled, sounds like what GM is using today with great fanfare on the CTS, goes around corners flat and fast, comfortable, and the top goes down (manually, but easy to do) and mechanical parts are GM and easy to find. My biggest complaint is that the exhaust system makes it sound like a mid-80’s GM 3800 V6. And yes, I have repaired things, but it has 130,000 miles on it, and I drive it except when there is salt on the roads.
I had an 89TC a few years back. Red with the same interior as this one Mine was also a 5-speed 16valve. I loved it, much faster than you’d expect. It was a GT car not a racer. 2-seats, decent trunk, classy interior, and just different enough to be cool. I sold min to a guy in CO that already had two of them, but his others weren’t the 16valve……..If under $10k this is a great deal
Charlie,
I too am an Allante’ owner(89). This last January I drove it home to Nebraska from California where I’ve had it for 4-5 years. I like the Recarros, the handling feel,and straight line cruising attitude. I have driven millions(not a misprint) of miles and have driven about anything you can guess but I had 2,000 miles of pure pleasure coming home. I don’t put much stock in “opinions” unless someone has enjoyed (or suffered) in any certain car and more then once have dismissed such talk as jealousy or someone trying to elevate themselves by putting another down. I really think they are a deal right now(follow sales)as one can be had for 6-10 grand and with both tops. But to each his own. Who buys a TC to flail it around and tear it up when that’s not it’s purpose or design?
I texted the CL lister. When you Google his phone# a dealership pops up owned by “Scott”. He wants a firm $7000 and claims it’s owned by a “friend” (consignment?). But would not recommend driving it from NY to CA = no confidence in his merchandise? ! I offered $5000. Needs various electrical repairs, leaking seals and gaskets also on an 18 miles car?
Thanks for the follow-up. Seller’s add was over-the-top.