Some cars come under the heading of “seemed like a good idea at the time.” Such is the case with this 1991 Chrysler TC by Maserati. The brainchild of Lee Iacocca, it was designed to provide the company with a halo model that lifted the public’s perception of the marque. The reality was that ongoing delays meant that it competed head-to-head with the far cheaper LeBaron, meaning that the TC was doomed to failure. This vehicle is an exceptionally tidy survivor with 44,000 miles on the clock. It needs nothing and falls easily into the affordable category. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting the Chrysler listed here on Craigslist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The seller set their price at $8,900 for this turnkey survivor.
Originally conceived in 1983, Lee Iacocca signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alejandro de Tomaso at Maserati in 1984 to produce what would eventually become the TC. However, developmental delays and disputes between engineers within both companies meant that the first cars didn’t leave the line until late 1988 for the 1989 model year. Timing is often everything in the automotive world, and the TC hit the market after the much cheaper LeBaron had established itself. As a result, TC sales fell well below projected totals and fell short of the volume required to be cost-effective. The last cars left showroom floors in 1991, which is when the company decided to cancel the program that lost Chrysler almost $600 million. Buyers in 1991 could select from six paint shades, with this car wearing Light Yellow Clear Coat. Its presentation is first rate, and is consistent with the mileage claim for a garage-kept car that has been treated respectfully and protected from the worst that Mother Nature could potentially throw at it. The panels are straight, and there’s no evidence of rust. Its color-matched hardtop is intact, and the TC also features a folding soft-top that is hidden beneath a tonneau. The trim and glass are spotless, as are the unique 15″ alloy wheels.
This TC’s interior is as sumptuous as buyers rightly expected from a car that would have cost the equivalent of $87,500 today. There is hand-stitched leather on the seats, door trims, dash, and other upholstered surfaces. Standard equipment included air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, power mirrors, cruise control, lashings of walnut trim, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a ten-speaker Infinity AM/FM radio/cassette player. The only optional extra was a CD player, which this car features. Trimmed in Black, the interior is spotless. There is slight sagging on the driver’s seat outer edge, although it isn’t severe enough to cause concern. The woodgrain components aren’t cracked, and there is no wheel wear.
Although it wears a Chrysler badge, this TC’s 3.0-liter V6 came straight from Mitsubishi’s Parts Bin. It delivers a relatively modest 141hp and 171 ft/lbs of torque to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Unsurprisingly, standard equipment included power steering and four-wheel power disc brakes with an anti-lock system developed by Teves. The seller states that this classic has 44,000 genuine miles on its odometer, but since they don’t mention verifying evidence, we must take the claim at face value. They don’t indicate how the car runs or drives, but their emphasis on its “mint” condition suggests it should be a turnkey proposition with no faults or shortcomings.
Lee Iacocca proved that nature balances itself. He achieved considerable success with the First Generation Mustang and the Continental Mark III, but the Pinto was tarnished by its reputation for catastrophic fire, and the De Tomaso Pantera failed to deliver on its initial promise. His advocacy for Chrysler’s K-Car platform undoubtedly rescued the company from looming bankruptcy. However, the TC by Maserati was a financial disaster for which he refused to accept any blame. The company projected sales of 5,000 to 10,000 cars per year, but it never came close to the mark. The TC found 3,764 buyers in 1989, although the figure dropped by almost 50% the following year. The 1991 tally of 1,636 was the final nail in the TC’s coffin, with the company closing the curtain on its bold endeavor at the year’s end. This 1991 TC is an excellent survivor and is ideal for enthusiasts wishing to combine luxury with a wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. Does that combination sound irresistible to you?
This looks like one of the nicest ones we’ve seen here on Barnfinds. I always thought these were ( are) great looking cars. Unfortunately they just never took off. I think the price is very reasonable, and that mileage claim is probably legit. I don’t think anyone would spend huge amounts of money to restore one of these. It just looks like a good clean original TC.
Thanks Adam. I always enjoy your write ups.
I also like the look of these, but they are *so* close in appearance to a Le Baron of the same era, I think the extra money spent to stand out from the crowd, didn’t let you stand out from the crowd.
The original plan was for the TC to launch first as a “halo car”, then a couple years later the LeBaron would launch with similar styling to inherit a bit of cachet from the TC at a more affordable price.
Instead, development and production delays with the TC meant the LeBaron wound up launching first, leaving the TC to launch later seeming like a tarted-up LeBaron, despite no actual body panels shared in common between them.
Nice car the only trouble was the electronic 604 automatic transmission that caused a lot of problems for Chrysler
I had a couple of friends that owned the TC and I have to say the TC badge was 110% correct for them. Both of their car were in the shop more than they got to drive them, TC = Total Crap for them both.
No word from the seller on how it runs or if it has been driven / freshened up lately.
But for the money, if you lived close enough, this would be a unique drop top to have as fun toy, for credit card money.
I liked these cars as. However, the disdain for them is unmeasureable. The V6 was a solid motor with adequate power. The light yellow looks sharp.
I always liked the looks of these and this one looks like it was kept in primo shape it’s whole life. Unfortunately Chrysler did take a big bath on these but that late premiere really hurt it’s sales. The ultimate set-up to get on one was the Chrysler 2.2 turbo with the 5spd but they’re really hard to find.
The only ones with a 5-speed were a series of 500 for the first year ’89 only, all of which came with a turbo and the “Maserati” 16v head — really just finished and assembled at Maserati, but designed and cast by Cosworth with cams by Crane.
Those 16v heads were the only thing ever credibly Maserati about the TC; even the bodies were actually stamped and assembled at Innocenti, tho’ to be fair even Biturbos were built by Innocenti as well at the time, when De Tomaso controlled both companies.
The regular Chrysler 2.2L Turbo II engine came with the rest of the ’89s equipped with an automatic, then for ’90-91 all TCs got the Mitsubishi 3.0L V6 with an automatic.
As an owner of an 89 T. C. I can sympathize with the owner of this one. I have owned mine for over 30 years and unfortunately have to sell it too! They don’t ever bring the value we put on them.