Wherever you live, it’s amazing to see the vehicles that survive from the home country. For example, it’s unlikely you’d go to the Ukraine and see someone keeping a 1978 Chrysler Cordoba in mint condition, but here in the states, it’s not much of a surprise at all. This Cordoba looks quite sharp with a black-over-red color combination, and the seller reports there’s a healthy 360 under the hood. Find it here on craigslist in Vermont for $6,500.
The interior is the first feature that got my attention – wow. It’s damn near mint condition, with near-perfect seating surfaces and deep red carpeting. The dash, door panels, steering wheel -all red! There are no apparent cracks in the dashboard and aside from the tacky aftermarket floor mats, this Cordoba’s interior is fantastic. If it was stored indoors in Vermont, it’s safe to say sun damage won’t be a problem with this one.
The bigger issue in a state like Vermont is rust, and plenty of it. The seller’s car doesn’t seem like the type of vehicle that is loaded with rot holes – it looks to be too well preserved – but you may find lots of surface rust on the components underneath. My daily driver came out of the same part of the state as this car, and while it doesn’t have any rot, the suspension components are loaded with surface corrosion. Fortunately, we don’t see any rust on the radiator support or other areas that tend to take the full brunt of road rash in the northern states.
The red vinyl half-roof and chrome bumpers are both in excellent condition, and while I’m sure there are some flat spots in the paint here and there, it presents very well in photos. The dual exhaust isn’t factory (I don’t think, at least), but it likely gives this otherwise subdued Cordoba some extra attitude. The turbine-style wheels may not be stock, either, but they look good here and are certainly period-correct. The tires are said to be new, and no issues are mentioned – is it just me, or is this a solid buy at $6,500?
But where is the Rich Corinthian Leather? LOL
This one is only equipped with the standard Red Bordello Velvet. What’d you expect for $6500??
That isnt funny…
Yes it is.
I have a black ’79 with red corinthian leather and only 25k miles and not for sale!!
The hubcaps were an option. Not sure on the dual exhaust, most promotional photos dont’ show any exhaust so I wonder if they were just tucked and spouted downward behind the bumper.
When I was working at a Chrysler dealership back in the late 70’s .. all the Cordoba came in rich leather interior. Power windows and seats. I never seen one stock like this except in a Volare or LeBaron. The 360 only came in single exhaust. I wonder where those moulding in the back seat are for. And the right side front fender lens is missing. Otherwise nice ride. 🐻🇺🇸
That isnt funny…
Never seen that roof w the 2 tone and landau like that, yes that velour interior is stock leather was not standard stephen my father had this very one in one of his. .
You say this car is in VT but it HAS ME plates on it.
Might it be a 1979 model? Steering wheel, sideview mirrors and two-tone paint would seem to indicate that.
Correct. My 79 was set up just like this. The 78’s had the round head lights.
77 was the last year for the two round headlights. 78 was the first year for the stacked quad headlights.
This is the steering wheel for the ones not equipped with tilt steering column, starting in 1976. The Sideview mirrors like this were an option in all years, I believe. That 2 tone paint? I never seen that on any year Cordoba before this. I suspect it is a red car painted black & the painter masked off the entire roof for some reason.
My grandfather bought a new 1979. Cloth interior mismatched door panels (one had velour insert one didn’t). By this point, Chrysler was just trying go get them out of the factory. Zero quality control. I never pointed out the car’s faults because he was over the moon with his only brand new car purchase.
The writer must not know much about these cars. First, there was not a two-tone package in 78, second, the wheel covers ARE factory called “Premier Wheel Covers”.
I knew a guy that bought the first edition Cordoba with the Lean Burning engine. After purchase he had to take the car back to the dealer due to the fact that the Lean Burning engine was not getting the gas milage that they advertised. In brief, the car was at the dealer so often that it is of no wonder to this Barn Finds commenter that we are still seeing almost mint condition 1978 Cordobas in 2021.
The 1978 Dodge RAM van was far better a buy back in 78.
The only Dodge worth buying is a 68 Charger.
The rest?
Meh.
Bob
“Only Dodge worth buying”!? I guess you’re entitled to your wrong opinion.
Bob White, I agree the 68 Charger is probably the best looking car ever produced by Dodge, a 70 Super Bee would be second. The Lean Burn system was a problem, we would give them the tap test where you rap the control box with your fist or a light mallet and if it started you put a new box on. Many were converted to a standard distributor.
I don’t care for the stacked headlights, the last nice Monte’s did the same thing, I preferred the round ones. Cordoba was a really nice ride, yes, Chrysler had QC problems, they always had build problems. They stood up very well against the Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, and Cutlass Supreme. The Tu-tone paint can go away, but it still is a nice car.
1978 Chrysler was on the edge of bankruptcy, no money to pay suppliers, no quality control,
this car was basically built with scrap parts.
Ugly then and ugly now 😝
Not really. But I still prefer the single round headlights from the earlier Cordobas.
Relax, and recline on your red colored , velvet covered seats. Quoting: Roscoe the Astronaut”, KGFJ Radio , Los Angeles. 1950’s.
I actually don’t believe this car is original.
A red landau vinyl top to match the interior with a black body – yes, that makes sense. But a red painted roof with a red landau top and a black body? I have never seen anything like that ever on a Cordoba. I actually don’t believe the car came like this from the factory. I think someone repainted that roof in red because it was their personal taste.
Bob White, I agree the 68 Charger is probably the best looking car ever produced by Dodge, a 70 Super Bee would be second. The Lean Burn system was a problem, we would give them the tap test where you rap the control box with your fist or a light mallet and if it started you put a new box on. Many were converted to a standard distributor.
What am I missing here about “the” Ukraine? That was the most random, irrelevant intro I’ve ever read.
Love Cordobas, but this one isn’t it.
Red cloth interior: Original, and standard (fine Corinthian leather available at extra cost)
Chrome wheel covers: Original (and plastic, for what it’s worth)
Tapestry Red painted roof over Formal Black: No first-gen Cordoba ever left Windsor Assembly in that or any other two-tone combination, but the red landau top is correct.
It’s true that this two-tone color combo (roof & body) was not offered by Chrysler.
This 1978 model is equipped with the fashionable 1979 plastic hubcaps. Also, this is a fairly stripped car: no A/C, no cruise, no tilt, no power windows (or seat), no tape player (just AM/FM), no bucket seats or leather.
It’s strange to see a 1979 personal luxury car leave the factory without A/C but it happened; I had a 1979 Dodge Magnum once that didn’t have it either.