Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote a famous poem about Spring being the season of love. Spring was also the time of year when automakers would introduce limited special-edition models to hopefully jazz up the sales force and increase foot traffic into the showrooms. The Chrysler Corporation was no exception with their most famous being the “Flower-Power” Mod Tops (aimed at the growing – and groovy – female car buyer) with various floral pattern vinyl tops and seat inserts found on several 1969 and 1970 Dodge and Plymouth models. They flopped and weren’t big sellers, making them super rare collectibles today. Well, here’s an interesting and rare Spring Special from Chrysler. No youthful counter culture flower-themes or Mod Tops here, that wasn’t Chrysler’s target audience. It was sort of an odd nod to Chrysler’s wood and steel Town and Country model from 20 years earlier. The $126 “Sportsgrain” option had station-wagonish simulated-wood side paneling adhered inside the Chrysler Newport’s scalloped sides. It was only offered on the lowest-priced Chrysler’s 2-door hardtop and convertible models, and there were also special paint colors introduced as well. Only 175 Sportsgrain convertibles left the factory in 1968 and this is one of them. It’s a project for sure but appears to be all there. Currently located in Dallas, Texas, this rare Chrysler drop top is for sale here on eBay. As of this writing, there were six days left on the online auction, and three bids had the top price at only $13.50 which obviously didn’t meet the seller’s reserve. Another thank you to our pal, Larry D, for spotting this rare one and sending it our way.
If you’re wanting to know this car’s history and description details, you won’t find it in the ad. All that is shared by the seller is: “Estate find, stored in the garage for over 10 years. Put a battery on it engine turned over does not start. This has the makings of a super cool car. Excellent project.” It’s dusty and dirty and its “1968 Spring-Special Code 441 Seafoam Turquoise Metallic” paint looks original but is faded. There’s a large tear in the convertible top above the rear seat that has let in leaves and other debris, so I’m not sure if this Chrysler has been stored indoors all of its life. The original black interior is dirty and mildewed with some bird droppings visible on the passenger side, but I’m only spotting one tear. The dash pad is wavy and I’m not sure what the condition is of the carpet, floors, and door panels. I’m assuming there’s no charge for the front seat air filter armrest.
The Sportsgrain Newport could be ordered with various power plants, but based on a little bit of data plate detective work, this one left the factory with the base Code 61 383-cubic-inch, 2 bbl carb V8. As the seller stated, he was able to get the engine to turn over after hooking up a new batter, but couldn’t get it to start. So what do you think? Ever seen one of these? I’ll be honest and say I never knew Chrysler offered this “Spring Special” in 1968 and 1969. Who knows how many Sportsgrain have survived or how many of the 175 produced left the factory in this attractive Seafoam Turquoise Metallic color. I’ll be curious to see what happens to this one and if it can be restored.
I am not a fan of seafood green, but it looks decent on this car.
I would love to see it mostly restored.
I would redo the interior in white, only because white vinyl is not as hot as black vinyl, and I would do the buckets these had with the buddy seat/armrest, so I can get my lean on lol.
If the floors are solid, this could be a cool base for a project.
I bought one a few months back with white vinyl top, white and green vinyl seats with arm rest. It is also a 4 door with no posts.
This 1968 Chrysler Newport Sportsgrain convertible could be a good deal depending, of course, on how much money you’d have to dump into it and how much you’d have to pay for it initially. If the car needs a lot of rust work, that will be the biggest challenge for whoever takes on this project on. I have a feeling the interior will need a lot of new bits and maybe the exterior chrome will need to be freshened up. Fresh paint and a new top will probably be needed but you’ll end up with a very cool car. It does have a lot going for it being a convertible with a dependable engine/trans combination. I think for the right guy, this could be a good project. Not everybody has a 1 of 175 car, either.
That rear seat photo looks scary. Nice car.
Mercury did that in 1968! One year only very rare!
That is a long car I bet its the same length or longer than my F150
Come on now,where are the pictures?can’t be bothered to take a pic?wow.
I’ve seen a total of 6 other 1968 Newport Sportsgrain cars, 2 convertibles and 4 hardtops, and all were in this color, and shared the same basic options like the blue bench seat and no A/C.
Back in the early 1980s my buddy blew the 383 in his 66 Charger ( one of many he grenaded ) . He bought a decent condition black Sportsgrain hardtop for 50 bucks , pilled the engine and junked it . Years later , he found out how rare they were and regretted it , but in the pre internet days you didnt have any way to tell what was rare or not
I don’t understand how people wanting to sell a car don’t even do the minimum to make it look, at least, semi desirable. An old air filter on the front seat?
Really?
There aren’t any garbage cans handy? Or were you saving the dirty air filter for something? $13.50 seems a little strong.
I believe I have 1 of these in Northeast Pa. I got it as a project car,,,BUT will NEVER get to it~~ If anyone has an interest ,,,shoot me an E-MAIL~~
Hi Elwin,
I might be interested, could you send me some photos or information about it?
Thanks Charles
Contact me @ 570-253-2870,Text would be prefered. Might take a few days to get pics.
The guy should have made an attempt at cleaning up some. I’m not really a big fan of the wood grain but the outside of the car looks pretty solid under the hood is surprisingly clean. I bet it wouldn’t take a lot to get it running plugs points and condenser ballast resister and fresh gas should get at least some sign of life. Certainly have to remove the interior fo a deep cleaning just as a start. A good wash and some time with a buffer may brighten up the paint some. It’s rarity makes it’s well worth the effort.
I had one in white with blue interior. It had bucket seats with full console and magnum 500 wheels.
I am Mopar to the core but damn that thing is ugly
like it. Would B sucha cruser! Bring back to what it was (not modded out).
To ‘the aboves’. This car was shoveled out from decades of stuff (on it, in it around it). ∴ Lotta wrk done in their mind. also There are alota pic on the linked site. These not withstanding more pic, out inyard = better.
I had a non-woodgrain version of this car when I was younger. Same year, same engine. I had it for a few years and it was one of the most reliable cars I ever had.
I got sick of people constantly talking to me when I was at a stop lights while the top was down. That, all the sunburns and the 9mpg had me finally get rid of it. I sold over the internet (back when that was a new thing to do) and drove it to the new owner from Montreal to Washington State. It took me 23 days of driving all on back roads. That was a great way to end a relationship with a good car.