Back in the day, any car with luxury or near-luxury aspirations got the “Brougham” designation. The problem is that those who were not familiar with the term often called it a “Brogum” and no one knew what in the world all these “brogums” were. Well, if the brogum concept is unbeknownst to you, here is a magnificent example in the form of a 1977 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham Coupe. Claiming 58K miles of use, this big coupe is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $8,875.
While GM was going through a big disappearing act in ’77 and cutting the girth of their B and C body cars, Chrysler was having none of that and still building behemoths like this New Yorker right along with its similar-sized but dowdier sibling known as the Newport. At 4,800 lbs. and 231″ in length (19′ 3″), this Brobdingnagian Brougham definitely gets the Whammer-jammer designation. And Chrysler held their own in ’77 pushing 399K units out the door, even besting Cadillac’s 358K copies.
Our seller mentions that his car has, “minor rust bubbling here and there but nothing severe!” The images aren’t too forthcoming and show an extremely clean exterior – the bubbling must be minimal. This coupe has the full-tilt late ’70s disco vibe going on with its reverse landau top, opera windows, stand-up hood ornament, and fender skirts. But I like it! It’s nowhere near as obtuse as Lincoln’s similar offerings from the era – the look and lines of this Chrysler are more refined IMO.
Under the hood is Mopar’s biggest powerplant, a 195 net HP, 440 CI “RB” V8 engine. This example has had the often troublesome “Lean Burn” system removed and has gone with a more conventional carburetion and spark delivery setup. It also appears to be wearing chrome-plated valve covers and an open-element air cleaner. The seller advises, “Runs and drives EXCELLENT!“. The working A/C and cruise control are noted too. Only one transmission would suffice in ’77 and that was Chrysler’s tried and true TorqueFlite automatic.
Being the late ’70s, it seems that everyone wanted red velour upholstery, or at least that’s what the big three thought because it was found on just about everything that rolled off of any assembly line back then. And the bigger and more exalted the model, the cushier the fabric. The New Yorker Brougham’s leather option was so outrageous that it looked like it could double for a therapist’s couch – it was one of those arrangements where falling asleep while driving was its biggest detraction. Our subject car has the more restrained standard version with “ribbed and crushed” (is this really upholstery that we’re talkin’ about?) velour. It’s a split-bench arrangement and is in fine nick without a trace of wear being evident. Those are some thick and cushy-looking seats! The entire interior is all color-matched i.e. the upholstery, door panels, dash, sail panels, and carpet.
As I have often said before, a big two-door coupe like this New Yorker will not come our way again. If this is a body style, and size, that you dig, here you go, this is one fine example! And that price is pretty reasonable too, wouldn’t you agree?
I have pictures showing the little bit of corrosion it has. It is not anything significant by any means. This car drives beautifully, everything functions properly, and I would not hesitate to drive this beast cross country, except for gas mileage lol.
The sheet metal still smacks of Elwood Engel’s ’61 Lincoln all those years later. And the Lincolns kept the slab sides for at least 5 or 6 more years beyond ’77.
Engel’s design paradigm literally defined (half of) American car design through the ’60s and 70s. Bill Mitchel at GM was the other half, arguably the best ever.
Dick Teague at AMC was no slouch either. Great designers all.
I love the looks of it, that’s why I bought it!
Sadly, I am selling off the rest of my collection because I found 2 cars I want bad, and I need the money and the cash. I am trying to downsize so when I move to Arizona in 3.5 years, I have less to take with.
But this is a hard one to liquidate for me!
This just screams pimp mobile. Forgive me for saying that if it is not politically correct, but it is what comes to mind from this old old man. The streets of Milwaukee were once filled with cars like these paid for via nefarious means.
I would not mind a return to Velour. Thin, pinky turn steering wheels as well.
We referred to these or any Brougham as “Bro-Ham’s”
This id a nice example of overindulgence; just look at the size of the quarter panels!
I need this car I had a 77 New Yorker Burgundy Red With a white top.
440 powered BIG white leather seat.Just a awesome car loved it . I sold with 125,000 miles on the clock
I like this car-a big, luxury two door land yacht. It reminds me of a high school classmate whose parents bought him a brand new car for graduation-a black vinyl over black leather in black ’69 Oldsmobile 98 two door hardtop. An earlier version of this type of land yacht.
These are really nice cars.
Well played!
Should be an easy sell with today’s $6/gallon gas, right?
What was the difference between a Chrysler Brougham and an Imperial?
Nothing really. The “Imperial” name was dropped after 75, and what had been the Imperial became the NY Brougham.
family member had one of these to pull his airstream he was a chrysler fan from the 50’s starting with the 50’s hemi to the big block to pull his mammoth airstream by this time he was having problem towing with these weak motors and overheating because of catalytic converter blocking the exhaust
I remember when the original owner of this car came to the Appleton WI. Car Show every year. It appears the large round driving lights were removed from the front bumper. I own a ’78 New Yorker St Regis Coupe and we would talk about our cars. I hope the new owner will have a twinkle in his eye when they talk about this car just like the original owner did.
I love this car, the kind of cars I grew up with. Looks like it has cornering lights that come on with the turn signals. I had an 82 Dodge Mirada that had those and I really liked them. Does any car have those now?
Mine was a ’78 4 door sedan and one of the best Yank tanks that I ever owned. I particularly liked the soft leather upholstery that was called something like Indian leather and was very comfortable.
Brogum…my new favorite word
awesome car….just awesome!!! the classic k40 cb antenna is a great touch too!!! a must have to hit the highway back in the day!!! everything about this car is way cool to me!!! i agree with your comment on this would be a tough sale….wish i had the extra $$ but i dont. i would fill it up with high $$ gas and grin ear to ear!!! nice write up too staff!! i am a big fan of barn finds.
A very nice looking –well made automobile. Something no automobile make can claim that now.
The Australian Brougham was often called Brogum too , except it the was ’68 – ’70 Holden Brogum GM
I am an Aussie from Melbourne and have never heard of the term Brogum until reading this article today,Always knew them as Brougham.Just goes to show you can learn something new each day.Love barn finds read it each day.
I’m in WA , it was very common term here (like Peanut Butter was Peanut Paste here & I think QLD )
The proper pronunciation rhymes with foam.
I enjoyed the article, Jim. A well written and light-hearted read. I always liked the lines and proportions of these Chryslers coupes and my eyes always go to that reverse vinyl top design. That Silver color compliments the styling well and those plush La-Z-Boy recliner velour seats look so inviting. People have been known to sink into those cushy seats and never be seen again…
Thx Ron!
JO
I had a 76 4-door New Yorker Brougham with the 440 engine. I also had a 77 2-door model exactly like this one except it was Burgundy Red and had the fluffy pillows. Two of the best automobiles I ever owned. I’d give anything to have my 76 back. Traded for the 77 in 1978 with only 50k on the 76.
It’s going across the pond………
When I was a teenager these could be had for $300- $500 in really really rough shape. Those huge doors would be sagging and the interiors would be destroyed by a stream of young drivers tracking mud, dirt and who knows what else into the upholstery. They were strong and reliable and it was always either the rust or a safety inspection (rust) that would do them in.
I love the style of these in both two and four door. They are now rare and getting rarer. That’s a lot of vintage luxury for the price.
I bought one brand new in 76, and it was only $8,800. The 77 when new was $9,600. Fantastic car, fairly good power and fantastic ride. Very comfortable seating also. Gas mileage was not good, best I ever got with either one was 16.2 mpg on a 1400 mile cross country trip.
So it is known, the “g” in Brougham is not pronounced. It is pronounced like “Bro Um”. I’m pointing that out since the pronunciation of this word was brought up early in the article. It’s a trim level – equivalent to the “Limited” designation that Buick (for example) used for more nicely equipped, higher trim level models. Beyond that – the interior in this car is especially nice! These cars also ride very well and surprisingly handle well. Due to the sharp creases on the fenders and quarter panels, and the tall windows, one can easily see out of them and can park them quite easily – despite the size of the car.