Update 08/31/2024: It isn’t unusual for a seller to take a second swing at selling their beloved classic when they don’t taste success the first time, and such is the case with this 1979 Chrysler Cordoba. We last saw this survivor around five weeks ago, but it has emerged as the seller makes a second attempt to find it a new home. However, they have chosen a slightly unusual strategy. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this Chrysler on both occasions.
07/27/2024: This two-owner 1979 Chrysler Cordoba graphically demonstrates why a new generation of enthusiasts is focusing on vehicles from the 1970s as an affordable entry point into the classic ownership experience. It presents impressively, has a healthy V8 under the hood, and its odometer has ticked over a mere 43,000 miles. That the entire package could be yours for a four-figure sum makes it extremely tempting.
The Cordoba was a sales hit when Chrysler introduced the badge in 1975 as the marque’s Personal Luxury Car. It continued to sell in respectable numbers in the following years, although higher fuel prices and the release of the smaller LeBaron resulted in a significant sales slump. From a high of 167,618 cars in 1976, the tally plunged to 88,015 when our feature car rolled off the line. The company introduced a smaller model in 1980 to address the problem, but sales volumes remained in the uncomfortable zone between not very many and none at all. This Codoba’s first owner ordered it in Spinnaker White, and its overall presentation is quite positive. There is an obvious color variation between the car’s nose and the rest of the exterior, which isn’t explained by the seller. It might be the result of a minor fender bender, although Chrysler’s quality control issues during the late 1970s make it possible that this is how it left the factory. The panels are straight, and there is no mention of rust problems. The trim and glass are in good order, and the Rallye wheels add a classy finishing touch.
If you aren’t a fan of Red trim and upholstery, you will probably take one look inside this Cordoba and head for the hills! However, if impressive presentation is more your cup of tea, this car ticks that box. There is slight wear visible on the outer driver’s seat backrest, and a dirty mark on the carpet near the driver’s left foot. Otherwise, this interior is spotless. It hasn’t been abused or mistreated, and the lack of pad cracks and crumbling plastic suggest it has been protected from the worst the sun can throw at it. The interior isn’t highly equipped by modern standards, but the buyer will undoubtedly welcome the air conditioning and AM/FM radio.
I previously mentioned a lack of rust issues, but the visible stains under the hood indicate problems may be developing. I always recommend an in-person inspection before any classic purchase, and this demonstrates why. There might be no genuine problems in this case beyond mild surface corrosion, but finding out once you have handed over the cash is too late. Malaise Era cars aren’t renowned for startling performance, but the 195hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque produced by this Cordoba’s 360ci V8 is better than many similar cars from the period. The rest of the major mechanical components include a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and power-assisted steering and brakes. The news for enthusiasts seeking a trunkey classic is positive because that’s what the new owner receives for their money. The seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence for the claimed odometer reading of 43,000 genuine miles, but they state that the Chrysler runs and drives extremely well.
The seller listed this 1979 Chrysler Cordoba here on Craigslist in Chesapeake, Virginia. Its presentation is extremely tidy for an unrestored survivor, and if the odometer reading is verifiable, it shows promise for those seeking an entry-level candidate into the world of classic car ownership. I mentioned the slightly unusual approach by the seller, and this involves their price. They didn’t taste success with the Chrysler advertised for $7,950, so have decided to raise the price to $8,950. That leaves me scratching my head, although they must feel the decision is justified. Do you agree?
As long as it’s not rotted underneath, it looks like a good deal. Seems to be a low mileage car in nice shape, and reasonably priced. Clean it up, fix what’s needed, preserve and enjoy.
It looks like a good deal. These are one of my favorite models of the 70s. (Though I prefer the years before the stacked rectangular headlights.) I always wonder what’s under one of those steering wheel covers when I see one. They are a bit of a warning sign like dash pad covers.
Those wheels are the Chrysler 15-inch “styled road wheel”, an option on Cordobas and similar cars, the best factory wheels for these cars. They are not rallye wheels. What a cool, great-riding beauty!
I could be wrong, but in the Mopar Parts catalog for that year they’re listed as ‘Rallye III wheels’. Regardless they’re a handsome wheel, probably the best offered that year. Even nicer than the wheels on my ‘79 300 I’ve owned since new
A small car lot in Moreno Valley CA in the mid-80s had four or five of these for sale any given day. The styling set them apart from the “boxy looking” anything else. AH yes….Corinthian Leather!
a very nice car at a very reasonable price if the mileage is correct wont last long in todays market
79 Chrysler Cordoba was two years late to the rodeo being dressed up like a 76/77 Monte Carlo. Nevertheless, a damn good looking automobile. Too bad it lacks leather buckets and all the optional power equipment including, but not limited to a moonroof or t-tops.
Chrysler May have had quality issues in the late 70’s but certainly not at the Windsor Assembly Plant where this fine car was built. The Canadians always had the best quality. That is why Windsor was chosen to build the minivan a few years later.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one sans vinyl top..I think it looks good! GLWTS!! :-)
@ JDC: Concerning the wheel cover, drive any distance with one of those 70’s HARD plastic steering wheels and you’d understand the WHY of a cover…not necessarily hiding anything, just trying to make it comfortable! :-)
I owned a ’79 Cordoba and it was the reason I never bought another Chrysler product. After one year, four computers, and almost as much time spent in the shop as it did on the road I traded it off. That Chrysler “lean burn” technology would erractically accelerate, then decelerate repeatedly causing the fuel mileage to drop to 6-8 mpg. There’s a reason this car has only 43k miles. Good luck buyer, hope you don’t get a lemon.
Wow Terry. Never heard about rapid acel or decel conditions. The lean burn/spark control computer advanced the timing electronically. So sometimes it wouldn’t advance correctly or retard incorrectly but it did not control the throttle.
If your battery or voltage regulator were not up to snuff, low voltage would drive the electronics crazy back then.
I fixed many a drivability issue by cleaning the top of the battery to reduce voltage drop.
I would like it better if it was powered by the venerable 400 rb/b which brings big block power to the table for those who yearn for Mopar! Just get rid of the lean burn & add a camshaft , heads & thermoquad and you might be thinking this is a better roadrunner than you thought!
Excellent suggestions BA. If not for the issues with the technology I would have kept my Cordoba for a long, long, time. It had gorgeous lines and when you climbed into the driver’s seat it was like sliding on a perfect fitting buckskin glove.
Except BA, in 1979, only the LA block engines were available. Cam, heads, and 4 barrel would wake this engine up nicely as well.
I’ll admit the Lean Burn system had its faults. The government was forcing fuel economy and cleaner running cars on the manufacturers at the same time. The manufacturers could easily do either, alone. So they all tried different tactics. I will say, in our shop, the Lean Burn diagnostic computer was rarely used and we usually had no unhappy customers.
I had that acceleration problem on my ‘84 Oldsmobile. Turns out it was water in the gasoline. I changed gas stations, and the problem went away. That gas station is now a used car lot.
IMO you raise the price to $8950 so that during negotiation you wind up at $7950, which is what you wanted in the first place.
At first glance I thought this was a 300 but quickly got my focus right. A nice low option Cordoba in good shape is quite a find. Great colors, no roof treatment, road wheels and that awesome red vinyl interior make this one a looker. I’d remove that tacky wrap and reclaim that lovely plastic steering wheel.
I wonder if it has the E58 Police pkg 360 with a 4 barrel carb?
I put a distributor in one out of a 318 with breaker points one wire hook up and unhooked the wires at the computer customer was happy. No more breakdowns and replace the points every 30 thousand miles
Bought a 1977 (I think) with the 400 four barrel lean-burn in 1983 to be a tow car for an old wooden Chris Craft. With a frame hitch that thing could pull anything and just rolled down the highway at about 85 mph. Just had to put in a quart of oil with every fill up. The old Chrysler two-stroke.
So does this car currently have the whitewalls as shown in the Barn Finds review, or the lettered tires in the Craigslist ad?