In the late 1970s, Chrysler Corp. was in trouble. While its main competition had already begun to downsize its cars for better fuel economy, Chrysler was still selling land yachts. They somewhat joined the bandwagon in 1979 with the R-body New Yorkers, Newports, and a couple from Dodge and Plymouth, but they weren’t overly improved from the B and C-bodies before them. The seller has a 1979 Chrysler New Yorker that’s said to be in original and mint condition in Cocoa, Florida, and it’s available here on craigslist for $7,950.
Since the 1979-1981 New Yorker was a bit smaller (but looked just as large), smaller engines were used to move the cars around. A 318 cubic inch V8 was standard with an optional 360, which is what resides in the seller’s 62,000-mile example. The cars were now under 4,000 pounds, but not by much, and even a 360 V8 that was detuned didn’t exactly break land speed records. In the New Yorker, only a pillared hardtop was offered. The 1979 New Yorker sold reasonably well at nearly 55,000 units, but as Chrysler’s fortunes declined, so did these big car sales. By 1981, only 6,500 copies were ordered before that platform was dropped in favor of the smaller M-body.
This ’79 New Yorker looks well-preserved and should be considered a survivor, as most everything here seems original. There is no rust; the body and paint look fine, and the interior is still quite plush, though the leather upholstery looks like a 62k-mile car. Besides the 360 V8, it also has a TorqueFlite automatic transmission (of course) and all sorts of working power accessories, and a new air conditioning compressor. The headliner has been replaced.
We’re told this big Chrysler has been given a tune-up, and sports new brakes, tires, and new hydraulic struts for the trunk lid. If you still have 8-track and cassette tapes, the stereo here can accommodate them. While the ad looks and reads like it was placed by a dealer, the seller confirms this is a private sale. Do these Chrysler R-bodies rock your soul? Another tip from Barn Finder “Zen”.
The rear doors are very busy on this New Yorker, inside and out- I like them! Nice find, Zen, and great post, Russ!
Still on a quest for a nice beater, although this hardly qualifies as one. I think cars in general, went downhill from here. A great find, clearly from the condo of Auntie Pearl, who got it from Uncle Chuck upon his demise. You won’t find these any other way. Why? They are hidden away in garages, only to be seen on rare occasions. Not sure about an “8 track cassette”, usually it was one or the other, very few players played both. I have a paranoia about a cheapie car that will need a $4000 transmission, but those worries go away with this. Why, that Torqueflite will outlast most of us. These won’t come out of the woodwork forever, don’t dawdle on this one.
50 year old lean burn system could be sketchy, and the supply of sensors and other LB components for a V8 is probably pretty dried up by now if something failed. Beyond that, this is a fine, very comfortable car.
Plenty of options available to replace the Lean Burn system with an aftermarket intake manifold and carburetor, as most owners have done.
An upgraded manifold and a Sniper would be absolutely trouble free, and might actually be more efficient than the LB. Of course, that could be a $1600-$1800 upgrade all in.
Melton, even a new carb and intake will cost around $900, plus incidentals gaskets, bolts, thermostat or housing. This car then becomes a $9,000 car assuming it doesn’t need anything else. That makes it much less appealing to the average person who just wants an old car to drive around.
It’s got a Lincoln Town Car vibe going on in the lead shot.
I don’t mind the looks of the car and Chrysler did really nice seating in the 70s and 80s, but one thing that has always bugged me about these cars is the outside rearview mirrors…they seem awfully small.
Owned an identical low mileage one, twenty years ago. Very cool car, but it was an electrical nightmare.