I’m a big proponent of the 20-footer, the decent driver. If the starting cost is in the four-digit arena (not including spare change, of course), all the better. Since there’s a somewhat limited market for slightly-off-the-beaten path cruisers such as this ’68 Newport, guys like me can often score a good car at a nice price. This one is listed for $7500.
Actually, it might be unfair to label this Newport a 20-footer. The paint looks shiny in pictures, and the reflections from those vast concave quarter panels can play tricks with the eyes, so we’ll have to withhold judgment on the bodywork until it’s up close. Regardless, a running and driving ’60s convertible for $7500 means you’ll probably have to make some compromises on condition. For example, there are no pictures of the engine compartment in the listing, so it’s foolish to expect a clean and detailed engine compartment.
Under the hood is the stalwart big-block 383, probably topped by a two-barrel Carter BBD or something similar. If so, it has 290 horsepower and one of the most mellow sounds you’ll hear out of a V8. It’s backed by the equally robust 727 Torqueflite, and the seller says that everything works except the turn signals and the radio.
Only 2,847 Newport convertibles were built in 1968, which was the last year for the pre-Fuselage Big Chryslers. Elwood Engel’s styling department did a nice job on the squared-up Big Chryslers of 1965-1968. Something that’s always fascinated me about the interior of the ’68 is the oddly angled dashboard. It appears to come to a point somewhere in the middle – I guess you have to stand out somehow.
The seats have some sort of covers on them, so it’s hard to say what condition the upholstery’s in. Once again, for an inexpensive and fun cruiser, you’re going to be dealing with flaws, and probably a lot of them. Sometimes, one just has to live with some imperfections and get on with life, especially on a budget.
This Newport has been on Marketplace in Lorain, Ohio for about a week now. Since Ohio is a longstanding member of the rust belt, this convertible is probably not a sight-unseen buy. As long as the undercarriage is reasonably solid, however, it may be a good cheap cruiser for not-so-much money. Thanks to Ted for the link!
For some reason there seems to be a lot of vintage cars for sale in Ohio. I’m beginning to think the enthusiast market is so big here because of all the auto plants that were/are there. This Chrysler is tres cool. I don’t see any rust in the door jambs or along the sills so that’s encouraging. If the top goes up and down and it runs, steers, brakes, it’s worth a look IMO.
Cheap top down fun reminds me of my prom night. Seriously, this would be a fun cruiser to pack your friends in to head to the beach or for a cruise night
Well, it certainly seems like a much better deal than that blue Road Runner!!
It seats about 20 so come on and bring your juke box money!
Great reference!! 👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼
It’s as big as a whale, and it’s about to set sail…
Love the B-52’s
I would love to CONVERT and give it a NEW PORT! Hopefully someone will give this BIG boat 🚢 a NEW PORT of entry. 🤔 wasn’t this the final year for full size Chrysler converts?
When I got my ’67 Newport I, too, thought the angled dash was kinda quirky. Now I don’t even give it a thought. The new owner will absolutely love driving this car.
Here’s a shot of a ’70 New Yorker convertible.
Had a ’67 Newport. Got used to the quirky dash and restored several of the radios of that generation with the thumb-wheel controls. A very sleek ride!
300
Not a New Yorker, it’s a 300
OK OK, it’s a 300 already. Sor-REE! Huge difference, I know. The point is that 1968 was not the last of the full sized Chrysler converts.
I don’t know Chryslers at all, but one of my dream cars is a ’68 300 hardtop. This definitely IS NOT a 300!
What a difference between a 63 and this 68 Newport. Especially, the recessed headlights and front grill. A fair price for a driver quality drop top classic. Shame there are no engine pics, the 383s were great. I bet it’s gone soon.
I really like this Mopar looking color. I’m halfway, colorblind, so to me it’s a medium purple, blue and I can see it with a new white or black top. Damn shame that the seller didn’t include any engine bay pics. I’m glad it’s all the way in Ohio.
I just posted that I saw this car today. The owner said that he will post more pictures and maybe a video of it running.
I took two phots of the engine, but I am not able to post them in my comments.
The owner is a great guy!
Ted recently went to check out this car today! We spoke about me sending it in as a “tip”, and I suggested that he add more photos. So, hopefully soon he will post the car as it is running, the engine, and inside of the trunk. There is an extra radio to replace the one not working. It has 4 horns and one is activated from under the dash, that will surely announce, “Get the HELL outta my way! Convertible tops works. It had a patch, but no leaks. The seals need to be redone in the trunk.
There are no major scratches as what appears in one of the photos. The original car was black, the seats have very tight and nicely fitted vinyl custom coverings over the original.
Yeah, it has some blemishes and small spots to attend to, but on the whole, this is a sweet ride! Even if you kept it as a daily driver, you’d love it!
Is the car still for sale? I’m not on Facebook, but am really interested in that vehicle
Aaron, when I read the first sentence and looked at the opening photo for a second or two I thought you meant length! Then I did some quick mental math. Probably only about 18 feet.
My ’67 “Fastop” Newport (2 door) is about 18′ 2″. Strangely enough, it is in fact about 2″ longer than my ’65 New Yorker Town Sedan (4door).