One of the best ways to assess whether a classic car will be a dependable runner is if the current owner uses it in a way that requires ongoing upkeep. Many classics get to a point where they present well and can make it down the street on occasion, but that’s not the same as maintaining a vehicle to be used in a variety of road conditions. The seller of this 1977 Chrysler Cordoba with just 13,000 original miles listed here on craigslist has made a few key improvements that should give future owners turnkey drivability. The asking price is $18,000.
The Cordoba, in many ways, is the epitome of the personal luxury coupe. This is the last year of the memorable round headlight design with the additional inboard driving lamps. While I personally think the later years with the stacked headlights offer a classier look overall, both eras of the Cordoba were known for gently gliding down the road, soaking up bumps and effectively isolating passengers from any obtrusions from the road. The classic Corinthian leather is well represented in this example, with an absolutely gorgeous interior.
Now, about the owner taking steps to make this Cordoba daily-driver ready: the 6.6L 400 V8 left the factory with the much-despised “Lean Burn” system. Instituted in response to more stringent pollution requirements, the system essentially introduced more air and reduced fuel, leading to a wide variety of issues affecting performance, driving quality, and reliability. The seller was wise to remove it while leaving the original decals in place to preserve the originality of the car. It now utilizes a new electronic ignition with the Lean Burn computer disconnected.
Fluids were changed, dried-up seals were replaced, and the plugs were replaced. The seller notes that the paint is 98 percent original, and the only significant flaw is noted at the left front near the edge of the fender. The rest of the bodywork appears to be quite clean with excellent chrome and a vinyl “landau”-style roof that shows little in the way of deterioration. The seller adds that he had Troy Angelly Restorations of Eldorado, Illinois, do the mechanical updates, and that all records will accompany the car. $18,000 is ambitious, but it does look like a very clean example. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the tip.
Very nice, but I doubt if they’ll get $18,000. Someone would really have to love it to pay that much. The low mileage and not hopelessly rotted, as well as the beautiful appearance of it is a plus, but the plain-jane color is not a plus.
That back fender is pretty rotted. This is barely an $8000 car.
If you’re referring to the pic that shows a line of corrosion and bubbling paint, I think that’s the front left fender the seller mentions in the ad.
It may strike you as a plain-jane color today, perhaps, but in 1977 that was a VERY popular combination.
Fine Corinthian leather… straight from New Jersey! 😂
That’s no fine Corinthian leather, friend… anyone can tell that’s RICH Corinthian leather!!! :P
….That’s…… New Joisey for those of you not from that state.
Actually, that is NOT leather at all, it was the vinyl high back bucket seats that were also in the ’77 Dodge Charger SE….same seat different material. If the window sticker was shown it would note that…also the leather buckets had less buttons and more tufted, or “pillowy”
Rich Corinthian vinyl!
Some of that engine bay badging is kinda funny, yet also cool
Strange that the seller doesn’t say anything about the fake wood dash applique deterioration or split in the dash. I’d want to bring up all the faults and show them in pictures if I’m trying to sell a low mileage car.
Someone may splurge the 18 if they have had a connection to them such as a father or mother driving them around in one as a child.
I worked at a body shop as a 14year old grunt in the 70’s.
They turned me loose once with a big heavy buffer on a Cordoba, I burned that high spot on the quarter so fast!
My mother-in-law had one in maroon with the ”Indian” pattern interior.
At the price and miles it’s a fine car, our 77 ran out to 175,000 before we traded it. It was a 360 and had the center console and sunroof. If this was a Chevy Monte Carlo y’all would be all over it.
I always thought these were ugly as sin, and they drove like a marshmallow. I hated working on them, too.
I owned that model in a light green color. Welded a frame hitch to it and it could pull a 4000 lb boat out of the water and roll down the highway at 80 mph.
The yellow paint with tan vinyl top was am popular combination at the time. Too bad about the vinyl interior. I would guess a good part of the Cordoba’s popularity today rests on the “reech Coreenthian lather” meme for those of us of a certain age.
Then too, Jeff you made a comment that many people want something that can do more than get to the local Cars n Coffee or Cruise Night with your fingers crossed and AAA on speed dial. Sound like some interior issues that can be dealt with and used as a negotiating point. Look, the heart wants what it wants. What are you going to get for 18k these days, anyway? A 5 year old Buick?
What makes me wonder about the “original paint” claim is that the stripes (that I’m pretty sure were standard) on the sides and deck lid are missing. Perhaps there was a delete option, but I don’t remember seeing a 1977 Cordoba without them.
Herb Tarlicks car. (WKRP in Cincinnati) I like that body style. The 400 has great torque. HP is down around 190-200. Horrid mpg. They dont make em anymore. And like someone else said, what can you get for $18,000 these days.
Well, there ARE ALOT of good choices if you like SUVs and jelly beans. Id say that Cordoba is probably a pretty good deal at around $8k. Maybe.