Lee Iacocca enjoys a reputation as one of the giants in American automotive history. He championed sales successes like the First Generation Mustang and devised strategies that helped drag Chrysler back from the brink of bankruptcy. However, his bold and daring approach, which some considered cavalier, also resulted in a few disasters. He spent his entire life distancing himself from the Pinto fiasco, and the Chrysler TC by Maserati failed to meet sales expectations. This 1989 example is a tidy survivor with a mere 34,000 miles showing on its odometer. It is in excellent mechanical health, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Henry R for spotting this luxurious drop-top.
The TC represented a collaboration between Chrysler and Maserati, with Iacocca viewing the project as a means of recapturing the luxury and cachet enjoyed by the company’s iconic “Letter Series” models. The lead time on most new production models from approval to production is typically around forty months, but ongoing delays and differing opinions between the two companies saw that timeframe blow out to over five years. The problem was that by the time the TC finally hit the market, the Chrysler LeBaron had already been on sale for over a year, and was considerably cheaper than its Italian-built sibling. This TC is a first-year example finished in Light Yellow. Its presentation is extremely tidy for a classic of this vintage, with no evidence of significant paint or panel shortcomings. There are no signs of existing rust issues, although it is unclear whether this classic has undergone repairs or restoration. The factory hardtop is in good order, with the same true of the trim, plastic, glass, and wheels.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but we know that this classic features a turbocharged 2.2-liter four-cylinder powerplant. The sticking point for some is the fact that this car features a three-speed automatic transmission, meaning that with only 160hp and 171 ft/lbs of torque on tap, progress for this 3,197 lb luxury convertible was considered relatively sedate by the standards of the day. However, the TC was equally at home in stop/start city traffic or sitting with the needle hovering at 70mph on the open road. Highway fuel consumption figures were quite respectable, making the TC an excellent long-distance cruiser. The seller claims that this classic has a genuine 34,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. However, its overall condition makes the claim seem plausible. The TC runs and drives perfectly, and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
Chrysler dragged all its toys from the cupboard when it released the TC. The reality was that it needed to if it was to justify the extraordinary sticker price. Buyers received supple leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, power mirrors, cruise control, side window defoggers, a tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player. A CD player was optional, although it appears the entire factory stereo system has made way for an aftermarket unit. The interior is acceptable for a driver-grade classic, with no signs of abuse. Some of the leather has begun cracking and losing its color, detracting from the overall presentation. I would consult a leather specialist fairly quickly on the subject because if it splits or fails in any way, a retrim would be so expensive it would be hard to justify. Otherwise, the interior has no apparent needs.
In 1905, George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Lee Iacocca would have been wise to heed those words when he collaborated with Maserati for the Chrysler TC. Doing so brought him into contact with Alejandro de Tomaso, and the results bore eerie similarities to their involvement in the Pantera project. Both vehicles promised much, but they also failed to deliver the premium sales results that both men craved. For all that, the TC was not an inherently bad car, it was simply too expensive when it was new. This 1989 example is a tidy survivor that is listed here on Craigslist in Des Plaines, Illinois. The seller’s price of $11,500 sits at the top end of the market. The question of whether the figure is justified depends on whether a leather specialist can improve the presentation of the deteriorating trim items. I believe they are being slightly optimistic, but with only 7,300 of these classics emerging during the three-year production run, there might be someone out there who is willing to splash their cash on a car that combines rarity and luxury. Could you be that person?
Looks like really comfortable seats 💺
Always loved that opera window 🪟 roof, and apparently these were sent to Italy 🇮🇹 and back..
with no return address
Lol, good one Terry
My recollection is that the bodies were flown in from Italy, and final assembly of the mechanical components were done domestically.
Danno, that’s how the Allante was done, might be getting the TC mixed up with that?
TC bodies were stamped in Turin with final assembly in Milan at Innocenti, owned by Alejandro de Tomaso who also owned Maserati at the time.
Right, that was the Allante, thanks.
This was basically Chrysler’s version of the “Cimarron by Cadillac”. An overstuffed economy car. And if you asked Maserati people about it, they develop amnesia, for good reason. Just like Cadillac wanted to forget the Cimarron.
Not really. The Cimarron was literally just a tarted-up Chevy Cavalier, few differences between them aside from trim.
The TC may superficially resemble a LeBaron, but they don’t share any body panels nor even the floorpan in common (TC used a shortened Daytona pan), tho’ they do share some K-car derived running gear under the skin.
The original plan was for the TC to launch first, then a couple years later the LeBaron would appear with similar styling to inherit a bit of cachet from the tonier TC. Instead, development and production delays stalled the TC, so rather than the LeBaron seeming like a more accessible TC, the TC wound up seeming like a tarted-up LeBaron.
Do the windows roll down?
The windows are power. To directly answer your question is a question for the seller to answer.
I intended that comment to be funny…
Price was probably the biggest obstacle for most buyers. Maybe also the Maserati connection. IDK that these were such horrible cars but there were other choices for the same kind of money.
Like the article says, the TC was to come out first, then the LeBaron. The TCm was to have a year or two on it’s own without in store competition. Sounds like it has the Mits engine. As I understand it, in later years some exotic engines were options, and parts for those engines are not available at any price. I don’t care for the hard top. There is a built in cloth top fortunately.
Other way around about the “exotic” engines. The 16v cylinder head was only equipped in 500 of the first-year cars, and only available with a Getrag 5-speed manual. This one being a first-year but automatic must have the regular Chrysler 2.2L Turbo II, same as the Daytona but slightly detuned. Later TCs all got the Mitsubishi V6.
That 16v head was designed and cast by Cosworth with cams by Crane, but assembled and finished by Maserati in Modena. Those heads and the de Tomaso connection to Innocenti which stamped and assembled the bodies were the only things “Maserati” about these.
That car has 134k miles you don’t get that kind of ware and tare on the console and drivers seat with just 34k miles.
I think these are cool. Why? Because you can get a really nice one for half of what this seller is asking.