It was a car that brought together some of the greatest and most legendary names in automotive history, and the result should have been a car capable of having potential buyers lined up around the block in a bid to get their hands on it. Unfortunately, it was the Chrysler TC by Maserati, and while it was by no means a bad car, it had one fundamental failing; It was simply too expensive when it was new. Today it is possible to find these rare classics for a tiny fraction of their original sale price. This 1990 TC demonstrates this because you could drive it away by handing the owner $5,995. It is located in Delran, New Jersey, and has been listed for sale here on craigslist. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for referring the Chrysler to us.
The recipe was simple: Iacocca, Chrysler, De Tomaso, Maserati, and a dash of Mitsubishi. This collection should have been capable of producing a world-beater, but it was a case of history repeating itself for Iacocca. This wasn’t his first involvement with De Tomaso. Anyone who has studied the history of the Ford Motor Company will know that they became entwined in the Pantera, which was another car that promised so much, delivered so little, and cost vast sums of money. This Chrysler TC is a complete car, and it comes with both its original hardtop and its soft-top. It is finished in Monaco Red, and its presentation is quite respectable. There are no significant flaws or issues with the panels and paint and no evidence of any rust problems. The driver’s side opera window in the hardtop shows some fogging, but the rest of the glass is free from problems. The external trim and chrome present well, and there are no issues with the alloy wheels.
With the name Maserati attached to it, plenty of buyers expected the Chrysler TC to be either a potent sports car or an accomplished Grand Tourer. They expected a thoroughbred Italian engine under the hood for the asking price, but that was far from what they received. In this case, we find a 2,972cc V6 engine that sends its power to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. There was also a turbocharged 4-cylinder option available, but these were built in strictly limited numbers. The V6 motor was not an Italian powerhouse but could be traced back to Mitsubishi. Admittedly, this company could produce some potent engines, but the V6 wasn’t one of them. It offered up a modest 141hp, which was enough to send the TC through the ¼ mile in 17.9 seconds. In a 1990 context, that figure was nothing flash, and it fell a long way short of potential buyer expectations. The saving grace is that this V6 is remarkably smooth and refined, which was a claim that many similar engines couldn’t make. The news with this Chrysler is generally pretty positive. The owner claims that it has a genuine 44,000 miles showing on its odometer, but he doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this. He says that the vehicle runs and drives well and that it is very fast.
It was when you climbed aboard a Chrysler TC that you began to see where your money was going. There was no trim material choice, so if you didn’t like genuine Italian leather, you were out of luck. It was available in several colors, and this one is trimmed in a color called Ginger. All of the leather is hand-stitched and is soft and supple. The only real issue that I can spot is some wear on the driver’s seat. The leather on the outer edge has become chafed, and this probably should be addressed before it can deteriorate further. It will likely require a leather specialist’s services because locating new leather covers is now virtually impossible. I can’t see any modifications or aftermarket additions, but with a long list of standard features, there isn’t a lot to add. When buyers handed over their cash, they came away with a car fitted with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, 6-way power seats, a tilt wheel, cruise, a power trunk release, and a premium Infiniti sound system with an incredible ten speakers.
Many automotive historians have looked at Lee Iacocca through rose-colored glasses, and there is no doubt that he enjoyed considerable success during his years in the automotive industry. His championing of the original Mustang was a bold move, while the 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III was a brilliant piece of badge-engineering. He deserved credit for rescuing the financially beleaguered Chrysler from oblivion, but for all of that, he had his share of failures that have tended to be glossed over. As a concept, the Pinto was a sound one, and it deserved the sales success that it achieved. However, it also demonstrated the strength of this man’s ego and his presence. He was never willing to admit that the Pinto’s inherent design failures were his responsibility in any way. The engineering staff who developed the Pinto found themselves overwhelmed by his focus on the project objectives, and his complete disdain when it came to the question of engineering safety. The Chrysler TC by Maserati was another example because Iacocca pushed the project forward in the face of opposition from within Chrysler. The numbers graphically demonstrate the scale of the failure, because while it was possible to slip behind the wheel of a new TC in 1990 for around $38,000, each car was costing the company around $80,000 in development, engineering, production, and marketing. That is a loss of more than 50% on each car sold, and it was the main reason why the Chrysler TC by Maserati disappeared after a short production run. It isn’t clear how many of these classics have survived, but if you would like to slip behind the wheel of a car that could easily wear the badge of “Lee’s Folly,” this might be the perfect chance.
Funny how things happen in multiples. Cars you don’t see for years and then collectively they all come out of hiding. Like the 3 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 cars in the last week or these Chrysler TC’s. Sometimes accompanied buy buyers remorse when you see one snap it up and then later on another shows for about the same price but in better condition! I’m sure others can relate.
Cross some outside parts from Maserati with a gutless engine from Mitsubishi and plant it on a K-car platform, add leather and charge $40k in 1990 dollars, what could possibly go wrong!
I paid 29000 for mine brand new.The v6 had about 180hp and had been modified by Chry.Yes on the out side was a Mits motor but that is as far as it went.I have 5 from 89 to 91.One v6 with over 300 hp on a dino.Corvettes hate me.
It’s a shame it didn’t come from the factory with that amount of hp, I think it would’ve done a whole lot better in sales. Same with the Buick Reatta and last gen Thunderbird. People are talking about what about the car is Maserati, didn’t they supply suspension components for better cornering?
A turd in a top hat. I worked on these when they were brand new at the dealer.
This had a snowball’s chance in… when they were new, thanks to the concurrent Chrysler LeBaron convertible that looked somewhat similar, had the same engines, though admittedly a less sumptuous interior, and could be had for thousands less.
Looking at this car it would seem to be a bargain. I paid more for a slightly newer Mustang equipped somewhat similarly with similar mileage.
BTW, I am a bit puzzled by the Maserati part of this car, where exactly does that come In?
Chrysler became an investor in Maserati during that period… name recognition solely
The logo on the porthole window. LOL
The TC platform was made long before the Lebaron.The TC was supose to be released before the cheaper Lebaron but because of short falls between Chrysler and Maserati. Chrysler decider to release the Lebaron.The only part that is the same between the two cars is the windshield.There is a huge difference between the two cars.The Maserati Mfg made one more just for himself which was modified to meed the standards of Europe.Thus the end of the Chrysler -Maserati relationship.
Didn,t have the same engines.89 had a chry turbo 90 91 had the masaritl 16 valve 4 which the only the same was the block.The v6 was a modified version of the Mits.Higher compression,different pistons and rods to handle the higher compression.
You can polish a turd all you like. Complete junk, with nothing to recommend it. At all. Run, don’t walk away.
You just discribed a Corvette.I have a 69 Roadster biggest piece of junk I have ever owned.Lt1
Good Lord, these comments are rife with unmitigated hatred. What´s up with that? What on earth is so awful about this car, moreover how can anyone actually ¨hate¨ a car? This is especially strange when considering the totally uncalled for jubilation accorded to every Ferrari, Maserati or Jaguar which appears, despite the fact that THOSE cars represent piss-poor quality, legendary unreliability and sheer arrogance toward the consumer. I think this Chrysler is a gas, especially the interior and the fact that you don´t have to worry about things simply falling off, quasi instant deterioration of everything imaginable, overheating and frequent breakdowns.
Gerard –
I agree with your comments 100%, LOT’S of hatred & nit picking going on in the Barn Finds comment section in all the various vehicles offered. Very sad.
Hi Guys, Hope you came for the truth! I am the original owner of a fire engine red with ginger interior 1989 TC, 2.2 Turbo, Just 32 years old. One of the least expensive to maintain cars I have ever owned. It has 135,000 miles and runs like a bomb. It is one of my garage queens. I took it out today and hit 85 MPH on the express way. O’ for the day when new. 101 in California south of king city I would rev to 5000 RPM (about 145 mph) and she would go! SO much fun. I am now 80 years young!
Wilton, I believe it. I had the 2.2T in an ’86 GLH-T and that thing was fast and really fun to drive.
It’s anybody’s guess why a car with the linage this one has is so unpopular.
The first year had a Marserati engine, after that the Chrysler V6 or the Mitsubisi turbo 4 which Chrysler had been using since ’85. So the dealers could work on the latter two, but not the Marserati, combined with first year issues, made it not the one to buy.
What Mitsubishi turbo 4 did Chrysler use in the mid to late 80’s?
They had a the Chry 2.2 turbo which was used in like the Datona and other special cars.The Masarati 4 was a modified version of the 2.2 except it had stronger rods etc and a 16 valve head manufactured by masareti which boosted the hp to 210.The Crys engine was only used in the 89.I have one of each.Of coarse the 16 valve is my favorite.
All I know is You get the a good looking, easy to service,fun to drive, gets lots of attention, economical with the snob appeal of saying you own a Maserati!! The Maserati turbo 4 was the only way you could get the stick,500 built over the three years, it was a no cost option.The Chrysler turbo 4 was only available with the automatic and only available in 89. The V6 was available only with the automatic and only in 90-91..
Just to clarify, The Maserati turbo 4 had 16 valves the Chrysler turbo 4 had 8.
two different motors.Both reliable
Still available.
Boy, these are a hard sell, even in low mileage, low price guise.
I had one of each also, The 16 valve is the one to have as far as value goes. plus you get to shift! But as far as parts availability and cost of those parts my 8 valve will do just fine!
The auto in the 89 wasn’t electronic so i put it behind the 16 valve and it was ausom.The auto in the 90 91 was electronic and used a computor to shift.They also used the anti lock system in 90-91.Liked the old system in the 89 better a lot cheaper to repair.
Hello I just picked up a 89 cream puff tc 73,000 miles car rides nicer than gmas caddy curious what is a realistic price I could sell it for I got it dirt cheap with a complete extra motor tranny and front n rear suspensions