For sale, 1976 Chrysler New Yorker two-door. Yeah, yeah, yeah, big deal right? Well, it looks great with no fender skirts! So what? It has a 440 CI V8! Yeah, just like every other one. Did I mention that it has a four-speed manual transmission! What? Now you’ve got my attention! And that’s this Chrysler’s claim to fame. It is located in Ocala, Florida, and available here on craigslist for $10,500 so we have to check this one out. Thanks to JimJ for this most unique tip!
Pre-Transformation!
Can you see the face on a valet when you pull up to your private club, toss him the keys to your brand new, full-dude New Yorker, and ask, “You can drive a clutch, right?” A little research indicates that the last Chrysler branded model equipped with a four-speed manual transmission occurred in 1965 and was a very rarely seen option on the 300 and 300-L models. By the mid-70s, four-speed manual transmissions had been MIA on full-size cars for a number of years. Their province, the muscle car, was on the way out too and manuals were most often found in compact imports and sports cars. And Chrysler itself was starting to take on water with product and quality issues; Lee Iacocca’s arrival and resuscitation ideas were still two years away. Taking a meh model like a ’76 New Yorker Brougham and performing such a swap had to be quite an undertaking; it gets high marks for imagination and execution!
The listing gives virtually no details; so unfortunate. The 205 net HP, 440 CI V8 engine has been rebuilt but whether it has retained its stock specifications is unknown. As for the transmission, flywheel, pedals, clutch/linkage, shifter, driveshaft, etc. there is nary a peep as to what components were used and where they originated. There’s also no word on how the big “RB” engine runs.
The shifter is evidently a Hurst, no surprise there, and it appears to be a Competition/Plus unit that is designed for Mopar applications. There are kits for performing full automatic to manual transmission conversions for ’55-’57 Chevrolets, Camaros, etc., doubtful that such an item is available for a mid-’70s Chrysler “C” body. Mum is the word regarding how the shifting/gear changes actually work.
The interior is finished off in typical ’70s “Bordello Burgandy” velour upholstery which adorns a front split-bench seat. It appears to be in fine, non-worn, and clean condition though the interior could use a good vacuuming for sales presentation purposes. Other than the intrusion of the very obvious shifter, it appears as one would expect the interior of a ’76 New Yorker to appear. What’s not photographically evident is what was done to facilitate the removal of, and the coverup, of the original steering column-mounted shift selector.
The body of this New Yorker is pretty straight, and yes, I was serious about the removal of the fender-skirts, it knocks a bit of the” broughamness” out of this Brougham trimmed model. The opened-up rear wheel openings do wonders to improve this Chrysler’s outward appearance, at least in my humble estimation. I’m not positive but the hood scoops look to have been boosted from a 1970 Dodge Super Bee. They look just tacked on but that’s a subjective call too. The paint, chrome, and trim all present quite well though there are only two images of the exterior provided, a few more would help with the sale.
Well, this one certainly got my attention. I’d love to know how this New Yorker really drives and operates. Regardless, it can’t be a very complicated set-up in spite of the effort and expense that probably when into the conversion. This is one unusual, or downright odd, mechanical customization that would not make ownership the least bit concerning to me, how about you?
A few years ago, I read an article where a retired Mopar mechanic built a 4 speed New Yorker, utilizing all factory parts; the only thing he couldn’t source, was a proper OEM carpet to fit the 4 speed hump! It truly looked as though it came from the factory so equipped. The hood scoops don’t work (for me) on this one. The character lines on the hood and the placement of the scoops clash. As stated, there are questions that are not answered, but this is an intriguing prospect. GLWTS! :-)
Agree, hood scoops look hideous!
Some walk around and running thru the gears video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKsb9JqxU8s&t=430s
Great find Patrick, thx!
JO
No worries. Thanks!
There are lubes available which quiet down a squeaky clutch pedal, LOL
It reminds me of the Thunderbird driven by T-Bird in the cult classic movie “The Crow”. I like it but not for that price.
Really cool car. Something tells me I’ve seen it here before but that was like 2 years ago. The older I get the more I can appreciate comfort with performance lol.
I’d like to see the documentation verifying it’s a factory 4 speed.
Did you read the article? There were no 4 speed Chryslers made since 1965 and only a few then. There is no documentation, it is not factory.
how this was done is use all chrysler parts since this is a C body you get a 66 plymouth sport fury, or dodge monaco 4 speed car get the bell housing, flywheel etc,and 4 gear transmission, and cross member and clutch pedals its a straight bolt in, for a steering colomn you go back to a chrysler that had push button trans shift! don’t forget the brass pilot bushing for the back of the 440 crank I put a 4 speed in a 88 chrysler fifth avenue worked great sold it to a mopar nut like me, out came the 318 and a 340 six pack went in now he had a classy hot rod!
Oh well……at one time 44 years ago, this New Yorker WAS a great looking car. Then, some decades later Cooter & Zeke got ahold of it somehow…..SMH
Exactly.
I had a 76 New Yorker. NO lean burn removed converter. Ran well, great road car and the best leather interior. Bullet proof mechanicals. This would be something especially with a true dual wxhaust and no smog equipment register as anrique
The luxury hot rod!! Not many people would suspect this to be running though the gears!! Cool ride!!
The question is why? A luxury car with stick shift? The wheels! The scoops! This is a car that needs the skirts.
Hey, some of us old farts still like to row through the gears no matter the platform.
YUP
I’ve seen this thing listed for sale for years now. If the seller doesn’t drop the price, I could see it for another few more.
It’s got the mechanicals, the cool Hurst shifter, the scoops on the hood, even racy looking wheels, somehow they clash appearance wise. Really was a luxury liner of a car in every way even just looking at it.
The warm 440 is just fine and would be just fine with a shift kit torqueflight…and more in line with the floaty boat. Different.
440ci = 205hp? Ahh the 70’s.
Still a cool car once it’s up to speed.
Guys what kind of manual trans could this be? Im thinking this would make a perfect dual sport pimp/drag car but how durable is that 4 speed?
440 is a lot of engine and the car aint light either!
It’s a New Process A833. It’s plenty strong enough for this application.
I remember seeing an ad a few years back ( there can’t be two with scoops and a 4 speed in existence ) and it was well over 120,000 miles and about 2 grand.
Price has definitely gone up wonder if the mileage has come down?😜
I think it’s neat, but highly unusual. People generally, didn’t buy a car like this to row through the gears at every stoplight ( PITA, I did it for 35 years) This was a car you’d impress your future wifes dad, or some business associate, I doubt they want their necks snapped at every corner or a chattering clutch jiggling their guts, and all these big block clutches chattered. Nice car, and looking at auction cars, EVERYTHING today has a 4 speed. IDK, an automatic in a car like this , I’d think, would be a bigger seller. They were fantastic, comfortable cruisers.
Price has dropped 6k since the last time it was on here.
https://barnfinds.com/four-speed-floor-shifted-1976-chrysler-new-yorker/
In 1970, you could get a manual on a Sport Fury, so if you found that very rare linkage, it might fit a later model A body.
Nah, $4K to $5K tops maybe (just as a novelty)
Love it. Hood scoops don’t work and wheels are boring …
4spd is the way to go.
Love it.
Except the price.
This makes u wonder I had a 74 New Yorker I do not recall any 4 speed as an option
never was! but did you know up to 1970 if you ordered a chrysler and refused to pay for the extra priced automatic! you got a 3 speed standard on the tree! i saw a 1967 newport convertible at a cruise night 383, 4 barrel, 3 speed stick? the owner ordered this way!
I see some comments not liking this. The thing is, number one even if this car was in perfectly mint orignal condition with the factory window sticker still on the window and 5 miles on the odometer, it’s a $8,000 car. It’s not a collectible, despite what some of you nostalgic folks yearn for (it was made when Chrysler was the worst of all the car companies during the malaise era, and *this* close to complete collapse – there’s NOTHING great about a ’76 New Yorker)
A manual conversion is just for fun. I think it’s cool. People who love stick will love this car just for the fun of it. I’d love to drive it!
Note the date on the copy & pasted entry,
Stan Paralikis
Jul 18, 2018 at 10:19am
Since seeing this article, I felt it was finally time to step forward. I am the person who converted this New Yorker to a four speed transmission.
The car you see featured here is not the car I built. It has been modified.
When I sold the car it was 100% bone stock in appearance. The doodads, bling, appearance mods, etc, were done by a subsequent owner. Also, the heavily built 440 was bone stock in appearance. Again, I see modifications that make me feel that the engine is not the way I built it. Overall, the 4 speed conversion was as correct as it could be save for the hydraulic clutch required due to space limitations.
The reasoning for converting the New Yorker is complex but a lot of it had to do with when I came of age in the 60’s when a full size RWD 4 speed was the Ultimate. Think of the 4 speed BB, Impalas, Galaxies, Bonnevilles, Wildcats, etc. Most of you young’ns wouldn’t understand. Today, you have many late model Crown Vics with 5 and 6 speed conversions.
I am not happy with the current state of my New Yorker but I have only myself to blame because I made the decision to sell it. I shouldn’t have.
So, there’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Stan Paralikis
Sebring, FL.
I like it a lot but those scoops would be the first to hit the circular file !
Great job Moosie!! I’ve always done my own work and it’s always nice to hear someone tell you that you did a good job!! It looks like it belongs in there and those scoops Do not belong on this car!!
Thank you Stan. Nice to hear from the person who did the mods. Sorry your disappointed with the current status of your former ride but I’ll have to agree, the scoops just don’t jive. May the 4 speed live on!
I’ve noted before the wide reach of Barn Finds. A rare or obscure car shows up, something I’ve never even heard of, and usually someone will chime with “I had one” or “I know about these cars.” Here a reader has correspondence from the builder of this one-off Chrysler. My kudos to all you Barn Find readers and contributors.
My comment is concerning your “one-off” comment. What exactly does this term mean? Off what? I’ve also heard the term “frame off” used many times and a lot of them it was misused. To me this term means when a body is taken off a frame and both are completely redone. But I’ve heard it used many times in reference to unibody constructed cars, there is no frame.
So, back to the “one-off’ comment. Now please don’t get me wrong here, I’m not trying to point fingers, rather, maybe get educated. You’re not the first nor will you be the last that I’ve ever heard use this term. Now I’ve seen those Marti reports and Galen stuff and they all start by saying your car is 1 of how many thousand and continues down the options until the car is finally “one of one” built of thousands that came exactly like it. To me it’s a “one of” Chrysler, not “one off”. Never have I seen the term “off” used in any of those reports. Same thing for custom made one of a kind vehicles that are one of one ever made you’ll hear the term “one off” mentioned. These vehicles are the only “one on” the planet earth, but what are they “one off” of? I must be missing something here all these years? I’ve even seen the writers of these articles use the term, they’re college educated, maybe they can clue me in? LOL
You are over thinking this,,,and not all the writers are college educated, just regular folks that love cars. Think it’s so easy? I’m sure they could use another writer,,wouldn’t be so LOL when YOU make a mistake and folks like you jump all over you. I think the writers do a great job.
Merriam Webster defines it as” singular, happening one time, singular, unique. “one-off gig”, “one-off payment”, “a one-off design”. First use seen 1934. Origin may be British.
Good enough for you, “Doug F.”?
Thanks Paolo, figures the Brits would come up with something like this. I appreciate your effort!
I always assumed the term “one off” meant the only one made that came off the assembly line. Now I learned something too! Thank you Paolo.
Not my style of old Mopar but I can appreciate all the work done. 4 spd makes it a fun car. Hopefully goes to a good home.
With the skirts gone and lose the landau, you’ve got a Monte Carlo look that’s much better looking than a MC. Of course it already has the MC look, but without the landau even more so.
If you can’t tell, I do not like landau tops or vinyl tops in general.
I saw this car for sale a couple years ago at a monthly Sumter County Fairgrounds (Florida) swap meet. The seller insisted it was factory original, a “limited special run”, which I highly doubted at the time. Nice knowing that was all BS. That said, I do appreciate a quality automatic to manual conversion on a full-size car, which I’m currently undergoing on my 1972 Ford LTD convertible resto-mod project. There’s nothing boring about driving a powerful “stick” car regardless of its size, but I realize it’s not for everyone.
Is there any chance this thing is still for sale?