From 1961 to 1981, the Newport was Chrysler’s entry-level full-size car. But because it was a Chrysler, it was far from a basic automobile. In 1962, the 361 cubic inch V8 was the standard engine, and we assume that’s what lies under the hood of this 4-door sedan. The example here seems to have been fading away in the desert along with several other old cars that the seller may be trying to liquidate. From Santa Clarita, California, this project or donor is available here on craigslist for $2,500.
The Newport was initially intended to be a replacement for the DeSoto brand, which was discontinued barely into the 1961 model year. For 1962, the cars had styling changes that resulted from the use of a 1961 Chrysler front clip and the rear body of a 1961 Dodge Polara, sans the tailfins. So that’s the easiest way to spot a ’62 from a ’61. This makeshift solution was to carry the big cars until 1963, when a new styling approach was rolled out. Chrysler found nearly 55,000 buyers for the 1962 Newport 4-door sedan, like this one.
No history is revealed about this Newport, and that may be because it’s not known. The car may be complete, including the 361 V8, a pushbutton automatic transmission, and somewhat rare factory air conditioning. The Chrysler does not run and hasn’t for a long time. The two-tone paint is well-faded, and the interior has been exposed to the Sun, so it’s not much better from what we can tell.
The open question becomes: is the car worth the asking price? If you wanted to restore one of these, wouldn’t a 2-door hardtop, New Yorker, or a 300 (Letter or non-Letter) be more desirable? But as a parts car, it may have workable sheet metal, though these were unibody cars that were prone to rust. Thanks for the tip, Jack M.!
COULD IT BECOME AN ENFORCER POLICE CLONE
This is one of those instances where a person can smell the pictures. I see the interior of that car and can just smell it.
Locally we never see the slant eyed Chryslers anymore. When I was really little, my mother got a new 62 Newport convertible. Med blue with a black top. I liked the front end and the dash fascinated me. The start of my interest in cars no doubt. Sorry to see that car go away, replaced by a 64 Mercury.
Yeah, I’d give it tumble if I had the
cash, the tools, and a young assistant to help me out. And if the 361 is toast, swing for the fences and drop a 440 Magnum in it. Both the tranny and the rear axle will take all the torque that beast of a 440 will put out.
It should be very easy to swap the Magnum into the engine bsy
with little or no trouble at all. Would love to see what Derrick
Bieri would do with this one. And
for the gentleman shouting about
these cars being used as police
cruisers? Yes, in a round about way it did happen when Dodge
built the 880. I saw one on Jay
Leno’s Garage on YouTube once.
And there was one being used in
a film called “This Is Not A Test”
that came out in 1962. The film is on YouTube if you want to watch it. But yeah, I like oddball
stuff and this is about as oddball
as you can get.