Cheap Cruiser: 40k Mile 1977 Chrysler Cordoba

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Chrysler introduced the Cordoba in 1975 as a personal luxury car to compete against similar offerings from GM and Ford. In its first year, the Cordoba easily outsold everything else carrying Chrysler badging. The Cordoba soldiered on through 1983, when Chrysler began to move away from rear-wheel-drive platforms. This nice 1977 edition likely fits into the daily driver category, looking for a new place to call home. From Rockland, Maine, this Mopar survivor is available here on eBay for $4,500 OBO. Cheap wheels?

Nearly 50 years later, most folks remember Chrysler’s clever advertising campaign for the new automobile. They hired actor Ricardo Montalban, who professed the attributes of the car’s “rich Corinthian leathers.” But it was all marketing-speak, as there was no such thing. Whether that exposure helped him to land the later role of Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island (de plane, de plane; no, that was the little guy’s claim to fame) is supposition.

More than 163,000 Cordobas were sold in 1977 as the car continued to carry Chrysler through some of its darker days (they had mostly big cars when the OPEC oil embargo emerged in the mid-1970s). The overall condition of this vehicle suggests its 40,000 miles are actual, so the Chrysler has been well taken care of. It’s powered by a 400 cubic-inch V8 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor, which likely didn’t impress too many folks with its performance at the gas pump.

Though no history is shared, the seller believes all the sheet metal is solid, and the undercarriage photos show a clean chassis. The seller refers to rectangular headlights, but those wouldn’t come along for another year. The leather interior looks tidy, even if rich Corinthian upholstery was a fable. The car is well-equipped and may turn a few heads at Cars & Coffee by those wanting to know what it is. No title here, just a transferable Maine registration.

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Comments

  1. Scott H

    I believe this car used to belong to my old store manager at a grocery store in Rockland Maine in the 80’s He pampered that car.

    Like 1
  2. Stan StanMember

    Pleasent driving and effortless motoring in the Cordoba model.

    Like 5
    • Zen

      Yes, IF, and only IF, the Carter Thermoquad’s plastic body isn’t warped, then you have a “ThermoBOG” instead. My 78 was such a dog. My 77 Crowne Coupe, however, ran like a top.

      Like 1
    • Jeffrey

      I want of these and this one would be perfect except timing is wrong for now but I had an 80,,(the next body style) nice looking and comfortable and traded it to a person who had a Buick and a blown engine after I got the Buick running and drove it there was a world of difference in cars,,the Buick was quiter,more comfortable ,just a nicer car

      Like 0
  3. hat of pork

    This car just oozes class, screaming “I am very important and my interior smells of rich Corinthian leather”. I love it (so did Will Ferrell, I’m betting!). GLWA

    Like 2
  4. BA

    The last of the big blocks in a(not conting New Yorker) car for chrysler, makes me want to put a set of long tube headers on it !

    Like 1
  5. Don Sicura

    Interesting that the original buyer ticked all the options, except the $100 power window option

    Like 4
  6. Catbert

    I had an identical Cordoba, except with the base V8. It was a great ride, if you weren’t in a hurry. It was a better than average road car, and lived up to the claims of a great highway ride, but the 318 was a deal breaker. I’d like to have it back – I think I could fix the 318’s problems with modern intake technology.

    Like 0
  7. mainlymuscle

    If this ‘Doba had the burgundy Montalban interior (like my Dads in 76), it would already be on a truck headed north to my place .

    Like 1
  8. Greg G

    I liked this Cordoba the most because of the single head light’s classic looks. One of my favorite Chryslers. This one wears a beautiful color combination and it priced right. This could be a good deal for the money. Wish it was me.

    Like 1
  9. Harrison ReedMember

    Terrible gas-mileage on these!

    Like 0
  10. Harrison ReedMember

    Terrible gas-mileage on these!

    Like 0
  11. Jack Quantrill

    Why fret the gas mileage , when you can ride in sublime comfort? I had ‘78.

    Like 1
  12. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    This one almost makes me wish I still lived in NH.
    Rockland is a really nice coastal town.
    Can’t argue with that price.

    Like 0
  13. chuck

    I owned a 76 just like this one with the 400 in it and we bumped it up a bit with headers new intake and bigger 4 V carb, it was a beast but in the 2 exit ramp races I took down a couple of squealing chickens and even in the 120 mph from a 40 mph rolling start beat a very pretty 80 ish corvette . I pulled over at the next parking lot on the highway and the guy driving the vette just kept going , I guess he felt embarrassed !

    Like 1
  14. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    Ended with no buyer.
    I am kind of surprised.

    Like 0

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