500 what who?! 547 miles? I have more miles on a pair of slippers that I just got a month ago. This incredible time capsule 1979 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue has just 547 miles on it, you read that right. Did I read that right? The seller has it listed here on Hemmings in Wellsville, Ohio and they’re asking what seems like a reasonable $11,500 for this car. Thanks to markhagans for this tip!
I think that this era of Newport and New Yorker is by far the most unusual and interesting. Are they the best? No, I think that’s almost a universal answer, but they are really unique and even when they were sold for the three years that Chrysler made the tenth-generation cars, I barely saw any on the streets. This is an amazing car but I’m assuming that there will be little things to fix and many of the rubber and tune-up parts will need to be changed due to age rather than wear. A light two-tone beige was the only color offered on the Fifth Avenue version in 1979.
I cringe thinking of a 547-mile car being parked on dirt, or mud, or grass, or whatever combination this one is parked on, even for a minute. If this car is as nice in person as it appears to be in the photos and it truly has 547 miles on it, it belongs in a museum. Or in my garage, yeah, I like that idea much better. Chrysler made them for 1979, 1980, and 1981 as R-body four-door sedans. They weren’t available in a two-door or convertible or station wagon or anything other than a four-door sedan. Although, a two-door… hmm… (scratching gray whiskers)
The photos are all over the board with a few of them being verticals! AHHH!! (running, screaming into the darkness) There are basically no photos of the dash other than a couple of cropped, small detail photos, or the trunk or the underside or many other parts of this beauty, but maybe the seller would send photos to any serious parties. The beautiful leather seats look literally like new and I’m just assuming that everything works, at least the power equipment. This car was owned by one family and it’s incredibly sad that they never got a chance to enjoy it over the last 42 years. If you look at the photos, you’ll see some big gaps in things, I’m not sure if that’s from temperature change over the decades or just late-1970s Detroit build quality – or both?
The engine is Chrysler’s 360 cubic-inch V8 which came in three flavors with two-barrel or four-barrel and horsepower ratings from 150 to 170 or 195-hp. According to the VIN, this is the base engine, the 150-horsepower two-barrel 360. The seller says that it runs and drives and the family is losing their indoor storage which is why it’s for sale. How fantastic would it be to have basically a brand new 42-year-old New Yorker? Any thoughts on this one?
I’ll be the first to call BS on the mileage. 100547 is my guess. There is no way that the engine bay of a 500 mile car would look like that. There is wear on the steering column, wear on the driver door panel, and probably wear on the steering wheel, but it appears that they strategically took the picture to block that part out. IMO
As usual, the only “proof” offered by the seller to back up their claim of low mileage is a picture of the speedometer. It’s hard to believe this one family owner car wouldn’t have some paperwork, which a smart seller would prominently feature in the ad.
It’s a nice looking car, someone will buy so they can get attention at the local coffee and cars.
Steve R
We actually do have all the original paperwork and it was garage kept up until March of last year. Yes it has 550 original miles and original tires. We actually just sold it. It appraised at 19,500.
That must have been one mighty ugly 547 mile trip!
Is that overspray on the door rubber bumper? Might this be a repaint?
These are such awkward looking cars. The lines aren’t bad at the front but half way down the body the stylist seems to have lost interest. The quarter roof does nothing to enhance the appearance. Rear view says just get it over with. I love Chryslers but this begs to be driven at night.
I’m with James – some of those miles were accumulated driving to Maaco and back. They either have the documentation or not. Either way it’s a smooth specimen that you don’t see often. I would have never guessed a sub-400 cid motor powered these but then again I owned a full-sized ’78 Buick LeSabre with a 231 V6. They were lean times for the US auto industry, but I’d take this beige pillowsaurus over nearly any modern SUV for a long drive. I second your reaction to inexplicably vertical pictures. About 90% of all car pictures could be fixed by A. Turning the freaking phone 90 degrees and / or B. Taking two steps backwards. [rant over] Nice one, Scotty, and a perfect compliment to the ’78 I just wrote up. It’s New Yorker Day at Barnfinds!
A pillowsaurus lol. Still, that’s a pretty accurate description.
Looks a little more weathered under the hood than I’d expect for 547 miles, but then again, these things were built so poorly that I’d be surprised to find one this nice with 100,547 miles.
These were among the worst-built cars Chrysler ever built. The poor panel fit is just the tip of the iceberg. The early cars had door seals that didn’t contact the body, so when it rained, water poured in. I recall a Newport in the neighborhood that had a list of defects posted in the rear window. It started with “This car is such a lemon that….” and the page was filled with defects.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the odometer simply quit at 547 miles.
I derbied a few of these and they were a tough car, they could take much more abuse than any of the full size GM cars of this era. now against a 73-76 full size GM car , not so much……
It looks too good to be a 100k car as some say here. Look at the driver’s seat, hardly any indentation. Unless, it was driven by 90 lb weakling. But I also think a 9 digit to the left of the odometer is missing as well.
I don’t care if it has 547 miles or 500,547 miles. It’s an awful car.
This has the computerized carburetor “Lean Burn” system. If the thing starts and runs, that’s saying something. Also, 547 miles?? And the engine bay looks like that?? That odo has had some serious “turning back”. I’d guesstimate it’s actually got 60-70k miles.
These cars’ party trick is that because of the combination of frameless door glass with the landau top that wraps into and incorporates opera windows on the doors, the opera window “floats” (sticks up above the open rear door, unsupported by any real structural parts of the car) with the door open and window down.
Advertised with 547 actual miles and then picture 9 of 19 shows the odometer with 486. They can’t even keep their lies straight! Anyone have a 20 foot pole? I wouldn’t touch this one with a 10 foot pole.
547 Miles? Please don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining out. This thing’s been around the block. I know build quality wasn’t job #1 during these years, but c’mon, that drivers door to front fender gap?
These were very admiring, rare and special cars growing up as a young teen in New York City. I don’t recall knowing anyone who owned this particular model design as a personal car. They were mostly used as high class taxi vehicles known as “OJ’s” back then, especially in Manhattan where corporate executives, stock brokers etc. hated to travel in filthy yellow taxi cabs. Which set the course for the Lincoln Town Car to reign as the quintessential “Gypsy cab” during the late 80’s through the early 2000’s. The person who purchases this rare Chrysler truly has a gem.
Maybe the tire DOT manufacture date hints to a story ? Or did Aunt Ethel enjoy buying tires ever 80 miles and these are the latest “new” ones….
Wouldn’t give you A grand for this. Something doesn’t add up on the mileage. Engine compartment should look as new.
And by the way, whomever buys this classic automobile, be sure to replace the missing Chrysler hood ornament. This car deserves that much. (Ebay)
We actually do have all the original paperwork and it was garage kept up until March of last year. Yes it has 550 original miles and original tires. We actually just sold it. It appraised at 19,500. We do have the hood ornament.
Hi this is the wife of the owner. Yes the car has been in garage for 40 years until March of last year, it has original tires, plastic still on seat belts, visor and hood ornament is off but we have it and is drivable. There is no damage of any hits and never repainted or touch ups done. We have every paper and has stayed in my husbands family. We now do not have storage for it so it has now SOLD after being for sell since July. It appraised at $19,500. I have been to car shows and helped put them on all my life, my parents have 5 show cars and I got out of the shows as the years gone by. With having 3 kids busy life I don’t want to continue with shows. I took it to 1 show back in September about 2 miles down the road. The car now has 550 miles. This car is definitely one that no one in the world will ever see again with this many original miles. So not to be mean but I’m only going to comment this one time, SOLD with all original documents and miles. It’s actually NOT to good to be true. Hope everyone enjoys this beauty as I know the new owner will.
Sorry for all the jerks on here. With documentation and history of having five show cars I believe you. Glad you got it sold to another owner who will hopefully enjoy it as you have
Thank you Kimberly for stopping in and providing more information. I enjoyed seeing the car.
Tires are wrong, too. Would note of had wide white walls
Tires are absolutely factory correct and very rare to find. Look at the original brochure. The had a thin TAN band just around the rim and a wider white band outside that. Have never seen another one in modern times that still wore the original tires. I do believe the miles are correct. The car shows virtually no wear. As for the panel gaps, its a 1979 Chrysler, folks! Someone got a deal. I think these were great looking cars.
Apparently, we were all wrong on the actual mileage of this car. Just shows how bad the malaise era really was when it came to quality control.