What is it about T-Tops? Why do they make certain cars seem more special or desirable? I’m not sure why, since all they really serve to do is reduce a car’s structural rigidity, but that’s not really the point. They looked cool and could make a luxury barge seem like a totally different car, as seen with this 1979 Chrysler 300 here on craigslist for $6,950.
The seller says this 300 is one of only 200 cars made with the T-Top roof option. It also wears just 46,000 low miles, which has helped keep both the exterior and the interior preserved, with the latter looking darn near new inside. What better color than lipstick red for a car like this, which hails from the era when big luxury coupes were all the rage from New York to Las Vegas?
For me, the T-Top option transforms the entire look of the car. Everything looks better, from the miles-long trunk and hood lids to the ugly overriders on the bumper. The body on this 300 is quite nice, with no visible damage to complain about. Surprisingly, this car is located in the Boston area where you might expect to see a rusty carcass instead of this rust-free specimen.
Essentially a Cordoba with different threads, the 300 made do with a super malaise-y 360 V8, that churned out 195 b.h.p. and is recorded as getting the big coupe through the 1/4 at about 18 seconds. It is supposed to have dual exhausts from the factory, so it should make some good sounds – which, thankfully, should be all the more audible with the T-Top roof panels. Some say the 300 is a future collector’s car – what do you think?
Great find! I recall Firebirds n Camaros with T Tops, not this beauty. Different summer cruiser to own!
what about the olds cutlass?
Don’t know how collectible this is, but it looks like a great weekend cruisemobile.
The Three Hundred in 1979 is a very collectable car to MOPAR guys and the T-Tops are a very Desirable for those who like the Cordoba /Charger / Fury/ 300 bodies
With no convertibles being built at the time, the T top or sunroof were the only choices. I prefer the T top. I’m a Mopar guy in the suburbs of Boston. I would love to enjoy this car. Love the white with red. Classy.
Interesting on this car but to be avoided on a Z28 or trans am. All I remember is my friends car leaking. A big deal when Detroit didn’t make convertibles anymore I guess but not as much anymore.
If you take care of the seals they will not leak A.J. I have had 4 cars with T-Tops over time and the only ones that leaked needed new seals ~after I replaced the seals and kept them from drying out never had any issues ~ A couple I had with after market sunroofs leaked very bad and those I could not stop the leaking
Btw, who besides me knew that the removable panel roof was patented by Gordon Buehrig of Cord 810 fame in the 1950s.
I’m with you Jeff, the overiders look terrible but those bumper gaurds really look stupid. Bumpers should be horizontal only to my eyes. I’m glad the wind screen isn’t cracked or bubbly.
Like you said it’s still a glories Cordoba. Stick all you want into it its still a post 73 car not worth restoring.
LOL. I used to listen to my Dad and his friends say the same thing about the “post-war” cars. Never be worth screwing with.
Oops. I ripped the 360 out of one of these in the late 80s and had it crushed.
I did think it was an odd car at the time.
The 360 ran really strong after a cam, intake and carb.
@A.J.
Trust me, the GM F body twins didn’t have exclusive rights to the leaking T-top franchise. I worked as a mechanic at Chrysler dealers during this period. Not Chrysler’s finest effort…
Well . . . this is one FINE Cordoba 300. Vinyl roofs were NOT an option on the 300. The T-tops were NOT factory equipment but were done by American Sunroof Corporation “authorized installers”.
On the Firebirds, there were TWO widths of t-top glass. The first “Hurst Hatch” ones were the narrow ones, the ASCs were the wider ones. On the GM cars, the dealer ordered it on the option sheet and then the car was dropped off at the conversion center before going to the dealership, prior to the 1979 models.
Leaks happened at the inner corners, where the weatherstrip needed more internal reinforcement.
I’m not sure where the seller got his information on the production numbers for alleged t-top Cordobas, but all of the factory literature I knew about on those cars did not have T-tops as an option in that model year. As with all Chrysler products of that era, the Data Plate should have an option code for it if they were factory-installed, plus the build sheet would also detail that.
The Cordoba 300s were also not available with a lh power seat. I found that interesting until I figured out why. The 360HO had a real dual converter dual exhaust system. Additional floorpan clearance was needed for the lh cat converter. The seat tracks ended up being about 5″ apart, so no room for the power mechanism.
In any event, that car has all of the correct items (otherwise) for a correct Cordoba 300. It looks great!
Yes, T-top roofs were indeed factory options on Cordobas starting in 1977 and through 1983. Not just Cordobas, but also LeBarons, Dodge Chargers, Diplomats, Magnums, Volares, Miradas, etc. I own a 79 300 with an equally rare electric sunroof, and also a 79 Dodge Magnum GT with T-tops, and both have the ASC (American Sunroof corp) stickers in the driver’s door jam.
I’ve owned a few T-top Mopar of this vintage and i guess I’ve been lucky…no leaks. The seals don’t look great at this age but somehow they don’t leak…and i live just south of Portland Oregon! The real downside of T-tops is that they don’t have rain gutters.
The 1979 Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Little Red Express were both equipped with the cop-motor E-58 4bbl 360 cid engine as standard; no more 400 or 440 engines in 1979!
I always thought the 360 in those 300’s was the same motor that the little red expresses had and was hipo for the late 70s? these 300s are kinda rare but rare doesn’t always mean valuable.
I like tthis car and with the carb, intake and maybe a cam could be a real winner. The secret to all rubber seals is to keep them clean and wipe them down with silicone now and then. My fave colour combo too.
@Bryan- I owned a 1981 Dodge Mirada CMX. It had a simulated convertible top by American Sunroof Corporation. That top fooled a lot of people. Got many nice convertible comments. Almost forgot about the lack of drip rails. Got plenty of cold showers opening the doors in the rain or snow!!!
Due to the fact that chrysler phased out convertibles in 1971. This was pretty much the closest a buyer could get to putting the top down and letting their hair wave in the breeze. The only car I ever owned with t tops was a mustang II. Not very sporty, but the t tops definitely gave it a waft of speed.
is it blasphemy that as a high school kid in the late 80’s early 90’s i use to drag this kib of junk home cut it in 2ft chunks throw engine an tranny on top of the load (more scrap wieght) a get just a few cents a pound? still more than the were worth in #1 condition at the time. for some reason here in s.w. oregon back the it was either chevys or fords an the occasional pontiac and if u drove anything else it was just so u didnt have to trailor it to were it was gonna be cut up. and no we wernt running a chop shop or scrap yard just teen aged guys making an extra $ an parts for our rides. fun fun
Wow, not a lot of appreciation for ye olde 300. These cars (in original condition) are near extinct.
Camaros, Am’s and Chevelle’s are a dime a dozen. You barely see these anymore.
I have one all original and runs great. Daily driver and loving it.
Lee, I appreciate these cars too….here’s my 79 300 sunroof car!
Well there ya have it. Awesome ride Bryan. I love mine and drive it everywhere.
If the seals on this are dried out…good luck finding new ones. The Aspen/Volare guys, last I heard, were S.O.L when it came to finding them.
I own a ’79 300 T roof Coupe and it is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. I’ve enhanced it with glasspaks, no cats, no emissions, electric cooling fan, Pertronix ignition, advanced timing, and seat track modification so I can have dual power seats. Entirely new R134a HVAC system and later model infinity II head unit.
It’s faster than most, reliable as all hell, and is by far more comfortable than your run of the mill 442 or chevelle of which 70 of them will be at the shows all claiming to be unique.
Evidently there was more leeway to building cars then. Mine has a 140 mph speedo with “Certified” printed below. I have been told that no Cordoba ever had a 140 mph speedo.
And mine has a power driver’s seat, and the duals exhaust. The seat works fine.
I know they are not super valuable, but I love mine. I’ve got a moonroof, and the window sticker, too.