It’s no secret that Chrysler Corporation was in financial hot water in the 1970s. And it didn’t help that they were still building huge cars whose demand had slipped after the OPEC oil embargo of 1973. But the end would finally come for the full-size C-body Chryslers in 1978, like this sweet 440-powered Newport 2-door hardtop. According to the seller, fewer than 6,000 of them were built, so not that many are still floating around these days. But this automobile is available here on eBay from Sarasota, Florida where the bidding has reached $5,600, but the reserve has not. Our thanks to Barn Finder “jonny” for this “huge” find!
Gone for 1974-78 was the fuselage styling of cars like the Newport when a slab-sided look was adopted. Those redesigned C-bodies were unveiled about the same time that gas prices doubled. Since Chrysler had no small cars to sell under that brand, buyers soon became scarce across the lands. The company would muddle along with the Newport, New Yorker, and Dodge/Plymouth variants until ’78. Production of the Newport 2-door hardtop was just 25% of that of the 4-door hardtop (per the seller), so when was the last time you saw one, especially with a big 440 cubic inch V8 which was also being retired?
This Newport has seen a lot of upgrades in the past couple of years. The Mint Green metallic paint was redone and then attention was turned over to the mechanics. New parts include the exhaust, a radiator, tires, some brake components, rubber bits, and new turbine wheel covers which we’re told cost $550 alone. It’s a well-equipped car, including a stereo with an 8-track player which would be an interesting conversation piece unless you happen to have a working tape to put in it.
The vehicle is rust-free and was featured in Hemmings in 2009 (a copy of the magazine is included in the sale). A new vinyl top will be needed at some point, but not right away (in the seller’s opinion). The factory A/C still works with R-12 freon. At 68,000 miles, this large Chrysler looks to have a lot of life left in it, but how much traveling will you do in a thirsty car this size with gasoline at $4 per gallon? The relative cost of feeding one of these machines has yet to go away.
If it were me, I would ditch the “Lean Burn System”, change the distributor and add a true dual exhaust; those two “hot rod” tricks alone wold improve mileage, as this would NOT be a daily driver. Personally, I’d have spent the wheel cover money on a set of OEM Chrysler Road Wheels (see pix, I’m not fond of wheel covers) GLWTA!! :-)
Moparman.. I was just thinking the same thing. Those Lean Burn system was so bad. Working in the Chrysler parts department I replaced so many. Duals would be great to let the 440 breath better. I like those rims you have. It would look great on this Newport. So what are your thoughts on the reserve price? 🐻
Hmmm, IDK, maybe $15K; if not infected with “Barret-Jacksonitis”, LOL!! The prices I’ve seen range all over, from a lopw of 5.5K to a high of almost 30K. Your guess is as good as mine! :-)
Where do they sell the Mopar road wheels
Those were nice. Unlike 1978 when you could only get Magnums in 14 inchers, that is not a problem now. I would pop on some nice 1968 style full chrome ones in 15 inch style. A friend has a really nice restored Dodge Mirada that he might add those on for the retro look.
My grandmother had a 77 Newport 4dr….dark green metallic, green vinyl top and green paisley fabric. I got to drive it a few times…navigated using the hood ornament and fender repeaters.
A bonus this past weekend was to see a white 75 4dr Newport with the wild Navajo fabric.
IDK, I’m usually a fan of big coupes but the proportions look all wrong for this one. It al.ost looks like a four door with those big sides.
I always liked these big C-bodies from Mopar. The size of that quarter panel was always so cool. Looking at the pictures it definitely needs the vinyl top replaced soon. And Moparman, I agree with your choice of wheels. They were the ones on my mind when I saw the first picture.
That top looks to be in pretty bad condition, why is it so shiny?
Probably Armoral or some sort of protectant. I did upholstery repair with car dealers in the 80s and grew to hate Armoral. I heard at the time it dried up the vinyl it was supposed to protect.
I’m not a fan of vinyl seats but to each their own. Nice color combination.
it’s not armour all…it was painted with sem vinyl paint…should have used flat finish