Sometimes business ventures between friends can sound like a good idea over the phone, or over drinks, or even over a round of golf. And when Chrysler CEO, Lee Iacocca, dreamed of adding European sportiness and prestige to his rather meat-and-potatoes Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth brand image, he called on his buddy, Alejandro de Tomaso, at Maserati. The result? The Chrysler TC by Maserati (the TC stood for “Turbo Convertible) made its debut at the 1986 Los Angeles auto show but, due to delays, the two-passenger luxury grand touring convertible wouldn’t be available until the 1989 model year. Although it was intended to combine the best of both brands (its badging even shows the Maserati trident inside of Chrysler’s Pentastar badge), the end result fell way short, was viewed as an overpriced LeBaron, sold poorly, and wasn’t around after the 1991 model year. In all, only 7,300 TC’s were built over in Milan, Italy, and here’s a nice surviving one from the Dallas, Texas area that’s being offered for sale here on craigslist for $6,995. Thank you/Gracie to our pal, Rocco B, for sending this tip our way.
This two-seater drop top (with a removable hardtop featuring Thunderbirdish port hole windows) is still wearing its original factory Light Yellow paint. The seller shares that it has a few small nicks but overall the paint looks very presentable. I’m not spotting any rust, and the glass, trim, badging, and alloy wheels all look good as well. The seller didn’t post photos of the TC’s convertible top but says photos are available upon request. A stand for the detachable hardtop is also included.
The TC’s Ginger colored interior was designed to surround its driver and passenger in luxury and comfort. These were loaded with six-way power-adjustable comfy Italian leather bucket seats, power steering, power brakes, power windows and locks, cruise control, tilt wheel, A/C, a 10-speaker sound system, plenty of wood trim, and more. Overall, the interior looks clean, and the door panels, carpet and original floor mats all look great. After 34 years, the driver’s seat’s leather isn’t as puffy as it once was and its showing wear, but I’m not spotting any rips or tears. The seller says “most everything functions correctly” (the only thing listed is a broken odometer) and states that the A/C, power windows, power antenna, and power mirrors all work.
Under that Light Yellow hood is a clean engine bay with the TC’s 3.0 liter six cylinder engine. It’s paired with a four-speed automatic transmission with 83,997 miles showing on the broken odometer. The seller says that the TC “starts easily, runs smoothly, and the transmission shifts correctly.” With a hefty asking price of around $35,000 (that’s about $82k today), these Mercedes SL roadster wannabes were transported from Italy over to the States and met with a resounding thud, and a “thanks but not thanks, I can buy a similar-looking LeBaron Convertible with a back seat for way less” from consumers. Only about 1,900 of these 1990 TC’s were sold, making these rather rare. This one looks like its been taken care of over the years and is a nice driver-quality survivor. Would you like to be its next caretaker?
I think the statement in the article stating this was a Mercedes SL wannabe sums it up perfectly. I drive a 99 SL 500 right now and there is no way this car even slightly holds a candle to the awesome R129 cars. Back in the 80’s and 90’s Mercedes could tout “Engineered like no other cars in the World” and like the saying goes you get what you pay for. Lee Iacocca has some amazing success stories and he has his failures such as the Maserati collaboration and the early 80’s Imperial. Fortunately his success outweighs his failures. We have him to thank for the Mustang, the LTD Lincoln’s, and for saving Chrysler and the Chrysler minivan.
Where are these coming from, what, 3rd one recently? In case you missed the other 2, there’s much more to the story. From what I read, these were a colossal blunder and Chrysler lost around $50grand on every car, a $600 million dollar loss for the company. Initially, it was Iacoccas idea to mesh the 2 worlds, but I read, after the loss, he claimed he had nothing to do with the project. Besides, it was the 4 cylinder/ 5 speed that made these, this was just a LeBaron motor, I believe. Nice cars, probably the nicest K type car they made, just went a bit overboard and as usual, overestimated the market.
If you forget what they aspired to be, wants there is a decent looking car. A 2 seat convertible in good shape for under $10 k
Will not see many at the local car show. Not sure I gave ever seen one. Then again maybe I did and thought it was a LeBaron.
It looked far too much like the LeBaron convertible, which cost vastly less and had similar drivetrains.
Yes, not the best from either side: Italian build quality and Chrysler’s mundane drivetrain. Perhaps if they would have reversed the contributions?
Compared to the last TC I saw, the interior looks a little shabbier. Again, I wouldn’t pay more than $4K for one (only because it’s a convertible) and put in a stickshift drivetrain from a late-model Civic Si.
Yes, Lee laid an egg with this one. If you bought one new it might have left a taste but just how bad are they really? Sadly the court of public opinion holds much influence. I didn’t know these were offered with the Mitsubishi six. Interesting. Maybe a fun little ride if you have a thick skin.
Yep…..know where a few of these yellow ones sit around Dallas with a plum color one or two.
Are you sure about “Turbo Convertible.” Everything I ever read said Touring Car.
The de-tuned 2.2 Turbo II was available in 1989 for sure and I believe 1990. By 1991 they were All Mitsubishi 3.0L OHC V6 powered. Sounds like a better combination, but it wasn’t as reliable as the 2.2 Turbo II. A 2.5 Turbo would have been a better option.
A friend had a 93? LeBaron sedan with V6. Great luxurious, comfortable car. BUT the only transmission available was not up to the V6 causing failure and extensive repair.
For me, Iacocas biggest error was discontinuing 80S RWD Fifth Avenues. Had 83 and 85 both comfortable, luxurious and reliable. Held their own with subsequent Fleetwoods and Town Cars. Switching names of Fifth Avenue, New Yorker, and Imperial was a total insult and not much of a success 😑
A local dealer had a black TC on the showroom floor, but most agreed it was an overpriced LeBaron. Have to agree.
“After 34 years, the driver’s seat’s leather isn’t as puffy as it once was and its showing wear, but I’m not spotting any rips or tears.” Is that a giant patch of silver duct tape on the driver’s seat back?
Chrysler sure beat the daylights out of it’s one trick pony, the K car, didn’t they? This ones over priced by about three grand.
Unfortunately the upscale Kcars were a sad end for storied names New Yorker, Fifth Avenue, and Imperial! Almost forgot ridiculous Executive Limousine!