Have you ever reappraised a car that you didn’t like and realize that you were in the wrong? That’s how I feel about Chrysler’s 1963/4 models today. For much of my life, I thought they were simply weird-looking Mopars, and I didn’t give them a second thought; now, I’m drooling over this Newport Four-Door Hardtop. Barn Finder Wayne Z. spotted it here on craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona, and sent it to our tip line. It’s a California/Arizona car with a claimed 28,000 miles on it, and the best part is the price: a reasonable (in my opinion) $9,950.
Let’s take a second to appreciate the four-door hardtop bodystyle, as I think too many of us take it for granted. It’s airy, breezy, and dare I say more dramatic (sometimes) than even its two-door hardtop cousin. It also looks so much more special and expensive than a sedan.
And it gives us an unprecedented opportunity to look at the Chrysler’s dashboard.
The 1963 Chrysler is widely regarded as Chrysler styling chief Virgil Exner’s last stand, and say what you will about Mr. Exner, he loved his Italianate styling influences. The big Chrysler’s dashboard looks as if it belongs in one of his Ghia-bodied styling studies of the 1950s, with big, round gauges and symmetrical buttons for the TorqueFlite transmission and the climate controls. The dashboard itself is slim and unobtrusive, and its gently concave shape is a fine thing to look at when you’re behind the…I’ll just say it…weird rectangular steering wheel. The seller says that the car, including its interior, is mostly original. “Even the AM radio still works.”
Even the paint is original, except for the hood (which has been resprayed for some reason). Under that hood is the Newport’s standard 361-cubic-inch Chrysler big-block, which produces 265 horsepower in its two-barrel-carbureted Newport tune. It “starts, runs, and drives great,” and you’ll be able to steer and stop the 215-inch-long Chrysler with ease thanks to its power steering and power brakes.
Although the era of baby blues was coming to an end, Glacier Blue paint looks great on this big, spacious hardtop. Ford paid the 1963 Chrysler a compliment in its dealer filmstrip for the 1963 Thunderbird. It said that the competing Buick Riviera had styling, in profile, that was not as unique as the T-Bird’s, as it was very similar to the new Chrysler. As the owner of a ’63 Riviera (and a T-Bird) myself, I don’t quite see it, but to compare this Newport to one of America’s best is nothing to be ashamed of. And I am definitely liking this sweet ’63—it’s funny I didn’t see it before.
My uncle had one of these that he bought new. His was 4 door sedan, kind of an ugly brown. Very few options. It had the 3 speed trans on the floor, no radio, but he ordered back up lights as an option. Weird car but served us well for 5 or 6 years.
Wow, what a great looking Newport at a really good price. Fly in, drive it home!
All I can say is WOW!! You don’t see these Chrysler from early 60s look this good! I zoom in on the photos. I just can’t believe how perfect many parts are. The steering wheel is almost perfect except for that cracked. The dash looks like some knobs are missing otherwise perfect. I am surprised the engine compartment was not taken care of. This was in a garage all its life. The 361 I would clean up and paint it the original colors. Me I would change the intake paint it factory color add a 4 bbl carb most likely a 650 cfm. And of course dual exhaust. For safety update the master cylinder to dual circuit setup. The price is dead on. I would look under and check for rust if any. I still can’t believe the mileage. This was put away. If this was closer to me I would check it out. Good luck to the seller. 🇺🇸🐻
Good job Aaron. I had never studied the instrumentation and controls; they are very nicely styled. A clean and attractive Chrysler.
my dad was a chrysler dealer when the 63s came out. and of course, he drove one, but it was a loaded new yorker, then a loaded imperial. he and mom must have been getting along because she had a new newport demo. the cars he gave her gave me a temperature of the status of their marriage. and I became a car guy in the interim.
I like the car but thought the styling was missing something. They finally lost the fins and deck lid ornamentation and sorted out the headlamps but kept the grille. 🤔 This looks like a fine car to cover some miles with.
My Dad had a stroke, no really, and my Mother drove a 63 Newport from Montana to New York pulling a travel trailer when I was 12. Took Dad on one last trip to see his place of birth and teenage hangouts. Pretty sure ours had a 383. I know that stupid dash shifter caused some repairs. When Dad passed my Mother traded it in on a 68 Valiant that served her well for years.
I’m like Aaron, never thought much about the styling. My girlfriend back in 1971 family had a 1963 Newport sedan. It was a rose metallic. My family had a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere station wagon. At the time I liked the styling of the 1966 better. Now I like the 1963 styling too.
Heater has been bypassed. And that’s the worst thing I can say about this beauty. Looks right for the miles, a real time capsule, and can be enjoyed right away and for years to come with no excuses. Can’t believe it is still available at that price.
clean as pin. that’s 1 wild steering wheel
These were very good cars; well built. I have a ’63 New Yorker. Not a single piece of plastic in that car except for the steering wheel.
This is a really great looking Chrysler and it looks in beautiful original condition. Even the cardboard covers around the trunk wheel wells with the tire jack decal on it looks in great shape. I’d prefer the 4dr hardtop over the sedan myself. I think their asking price is definitely on cue considering the condition.
A trip down memory lane here. In 1967 our 1964 Fury got T-Boned. On my side of course lol. My step dad wanted to get a new but basic Dart. My step brother went car shopping with my mom and my step dad while I stayed with my step brothers family (he was the same age as my mom) and my mom spotted a 1964 Newport VERY much like this one. She loved it! So between her and my step brother they talked my step dad into buy it which was 3 years old as opposed to a new Dart. I certainly don’t need this car but if I had a bit more money and a lot more space I’d buy it and think of my mom everytime I looked at it and drove it. I may have only been 6 years old but that car left a lifelong impression on me. :) miss you mom.
Nice looking. Always liked these. Old guy down the street had a ‘64 New Yorker. He always lead footed away from the stop sign in front of my house. Traded it for a mid ‘70s big T-Bird. Wasn’t as cool.
I was a teen in the mid sixties and preferred the ’65 & ’66 Chryslers.
I don’t like the car, but I have always liked that dash it is very well laid out and very symmetrical, but I don’t know why Chrysler Dodge in Plymouth never seem to like the oil gauges. They always had an idiot light instead.