The decade of the 1970s wasn’t kind to Chrysler Corporation, in general. Gas prices rose sharply at the same time the company was pushing bigger, thirstier automobiles. Until the K-Car of the 1980s came along, it looked as though Chrysler might go under. And then they introduced the Cordoba, a personal luxury car that the public took a liking to. This first-generation example from 1979 looks to be in stout condition and may need nothing more than a new owner. A tip brought to us by Barn Finder PRA4SNW, this Mopar is in Chesapeake, Virginia, and is available here on craigslist for $8,950.
Until the Cordoba debuted (built on the same B-body platform as the Dodge Charger SE), Chrysler-branded cars had always been large and well-equipped. While the Cordoba was certainly well-appointed, it would become the smallest Chrysler-badged car built for some time. Who doesn’t remember the TV sales pitches made by actor Ricardo Montalban when the automobiles were introduced in 1975? It seemed as though every personal luxury car built by Chrysler would have “rich Corinthian leathers” but there really wasn’t such a thing and it was optional.
The Cordoba dominated Chrysler Division sales for the balance of the 1970s. This ’79 edition appears to be in excellent condition, but its dark blue/light blue (or gray) paint combination might hide a few nicks accumulated over the years. The seller makes no reference to any sort of restoration, so what you see could all very well be original (except the tires). And if the odometer reading of 31,000 miles is to be believed, this Chrysler has seen little use over the past 44 years.
Chrysler chose to name the car after the Spanish city of Cordoba. This example has the smaller of the available V8s, a 318 cubic inch version which was a popular Chrysler powerplant. We’re told the vehicle drives well and you could hop in and go just about anywhere. The velour upholstery is typical of the 1970s and 1980s U.S. autos, and nothing appears to be out of place or needing attention. Unlike the Ford Mustang, Lee Iacocca couldn’t lay claim to the success of the early Cordobas — he didn’t join Chrysler until later in 1978.
Love the 318ci/727 automatic team.
Its probably a 904 automatic
If the mileage is accurate, and the car is as clean as it looks, this is the only one I would buy. I had a 78 with over 100,000 miles on it when I got it, it had the 400 eng with the thermobog carburetor, it was more than a bit rusty, and it was a huge PITA to keep going.
The trailer crash has me intrigued
Take the 8 off of 8950…let’s talk.
Sorry, it’s not 1990 anymore.
You’d spend 9k on this in 1990? Not me I’d pick up cars that were mainly from the south and rust free like this for 500 to 1k at a repo car lot for a dealer on Cicero ave. in Chicago and flip them back then. To each their own though.
i’m sure he’ll take 8942, maggy. lol
Very clean Chrysler Cordova. I was disappointed with the 318. If anyone drove this type of Cordova back in the day… It’s a real snail.. I drove many the 360 was a better choice or 400. I wonder if the Lean Burn still works. Many of us took off the Lean Burn setup and put in electronic ignition. This is a very low option Cordova. The price is right and the mileage should be correct as per pictures.. Good luck to the next owner.🐻🇺🇸
C-o-r-d-o-b-a.
It’s called a Cordoba.
As long as you use this Chrysler to putt putt down to the local cruise in? You’ll be fine. Anywhere else? And the guy in the Kia Optima will be cursing you out, for being too slow.
Had a ‘78, with rich red Corinthian “ Lather”. Ran fine with the 360 motor. Except, trouble with electronic modules.
so ? give him a brake job, total his car and drive off with nary a ding in your bumper !
I think the Kia was stolen.
Not mine my KIA Forte S is now equipped with a anti theft system and the fuel mileage is awesome
That era Mopars looked much better with single round headlights.
No Corithians were harmed in the building of this car.
I like the round headlights better, but this color combo with the cloth interior and wood on the dash works pretty well. This is a pretty good buy based on the condition.
I still prefer the same-generation Charger over the Cordoba.
add one more vote for the round headlamps.
but still a sweet looker. too bad i already have WAY too many projects.
Am interested in your 1979 Cordoba,,,live in Fredericksburg area own 2 Cordobas ,,,looking for another…Need your E-mail address or phone number so I can contact you…Thanks,,,,,,Ryland..
Ryland, the link to the Craigslist ad is in the article. Here it is: https://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/d/chesapeake-1979-chrysler-cordoba/7605339508.html
Best of luck! I really like this car, so let us know if you end up buying it.
I have tried and tried to locate the owner on the 1979 Chrysler Cordoba not getting anywhere..Typed in all the link address some kind person gave me,,it referred me to Craigslist with photos on there website..Then I found car on website with 2 different auto dealers and neither said they had car on there list..Tryed contact Russ Dixon owner of cordoba,,but no phone number or E-mail address..Am begining to believe it must be a scam…..Ryland..
Ryland, this is the email from the ad: 312eb089a0e933f48f2f7a305b17e479@sale.craigslist.org
If those do not work, then I’m afraid you are right, it’s a scam.
Too bad because it would have been great is someone here got this nice car.
Ok,,,thank you for your help,,,that`s one hell of an e-mail address,,,will try it and see what happens…Thanks again,,,,Ryland..
I typed in that way long e-mail address for craigslist for info on the 1979 chrysler cordoba located in Chesapeake,Va. and all I got was a bunch of videos/you tube about different scams..Then i scrolled down on the page and viewed cars and other things for sale and no photos of the Chrysler Cordoba..,,I f I had his address where the car is located I would drive down and see if it is for real as I am only 2 hours away.. Ryland..
Ryland, Did you type the email address in the To: box of an email client like Yahoo, Comcast, etc?
Typing it into a web browser might give the results that you are describing.
No,,,I did not try the to-box or yahoo or comcast but will try that,,,,thanks for your help…Ryland
Still cannot get any kind of reply on the 1979 Chrysler Cordoba located in Chesapeake/Norfolk….No one seems to have any info or contact numbers,,not even Craigslist…….Ryland..