While some auto manufacturers were focusing on and beginning to produce smaller, more fuel-efficient autos in the mid-seventies, Chrysler introduced an all-new and completely redesigned New Yorker in 1974. Unfortunately, the timing for a vehicle with such mass couldn’t have been much more off, as consumers were increasingly concerned about the oil embargo woes at the time. As impressive as the car appears, it’s hard to believe that this is one of the offerings that factored into nearly sinking the Chrysler Corporation. However, by today’s standards, this one’s a real treasure, so if you’re in the market for a luxury model that got it all right for the period, this 1976 New Yorker here on Facebook Marketplace might be an excellent choice. This one’s in Chicago, Illinois, with an asking price of $6,900. Sam61, thanks for finding this cool land yacht and sending us the tip!
During its decades of production, the New Yorker was always a top-tier model, and this one’s also from a time when marketing teams were still focused on providing 2-door offerings. I appreciate the convenience of a sedan, but for style, it’s hard to beat a coupe, and this Chrysler is attractive from every angle. It’s still in decent shape outside overall, with the seller describing the sheet metal as 95% rust-free. The paint is mentioned as not being perfect, but it seems good enough that I wouldn’t get in too much of a hurry to give the exterior a respray.
As elegantly as this New Yorker presents on the outside, the inside exhibits just as much bliss, with those padded seats about as chic as any from this luxury-focused period in automotive history. Nowadays, gray or black seem to be the most popular interior colors, but green was tasteful in the seventies, and it works well here and on the roof. The mileage is listed as 62,000, with the seller believing that’s accurate based on the condition. From what I’m seeing in the photos, there’s probably a good chance he’s correct.
The designers didn’t forget about the back passengers either, with the opulence continuing behind the driver here, and the rear seats every bit as plush as those up front. Another ill-timed decision was Chrysler increasing the standard engine size from a 400 V8 to a 440 in ’74, but that’s good news now, with the seller saying the big block runs great, though he didn’t provide an under-the-hood photo. This one might be a good fleet addition for Mopar fans with a nice-sized garage, and I’m sure this 1976 Chrysler New Yorker will turn heads everywhere you go. Any thoughts to share on this great personal luxury coupe from a gone but missed bygone era?
Large and In Charge. However the dash is wearing a toupee; wonder what it is hiding…
Good write-up Mike. In hindsight these huge two-door coupes of the era were really something. For comparison, AI told me its total length is 231 inches which is a few inches longer than a new Suburban. This one looks pretty good. The soft green interior is attractive. I spy faded upholstery and the seller says the paint isn’t perfect. But I’d just make sure it is running good and enjoy cruising with it as-is. As Mike says, you will be noticed.
I got me a Chrysler it’s as big as a whale and it’s about to set sailllllllllllll
And it seats about twenty! 😉
Chrysler couch on wheels. A veritable ‘luxo-barge!’
As I recall, the last year for the Imperial name at that point was 75. New Yorker was “upgraded” to that styling and interior in 76. It was Dad’s dream to own a nice Chrysler and we ordered and dk red 76 New Yorker. It was a pretty car. Quality at that time was a word not in Chrysler’s vocabulary. It was delivered without windshield wipers, 1 set of black seat belts and 5 sets of red. A headlight fell out. A baseball chuck of paint fell off a fender. That was all in one month. The stereo had terrible reception despite still having a button on the floor to change stations. Alas we put up with it for only two years before trading it for a new, trouble free Coupe de Ville.
440 and 231” at the wrong time might have almost sunk Chrysler. Sure. I fell in love with the silver over bordello red Imperial Crown Coupe at the 1975 Detroit Auto Show, but subsequent reviews of Chrysler fit and finish and build quality broke my heart. I have always thought that this generation design was really the only Detroit product that attempted to work with the new iron girder bumper standards decreed for 1974. Sad that the engineering didn’t live up.
I worked at a hand-wash carwash in 1976. I sure hated to see one of these dirty big boys come in!
Love these old Mopar coupes! Those seat look wicked comfy! Wonder if the front seat recline? Would make a nice place to snooze!
Snoozing in the car, back in the day, was my retreat when at the mall with my now ex-wife.
just like Grandmaw’s ‘parlour’ (1976).
She trapped U in those deep cushions of sticky velour fabric.
Once U sat down (well, disappeared mostly) never got up. Fly paper. Then the questions: “whats goin on in school?, still @ church? gota girl friend?”
I’d be afraida dis one. Cops’d B da same: “Where U coming from?, where U goin?, What’s that I smell” and I couldnt get away, trapped again…
Had 1, Mine was white with a red interior. Driving it was like sitting in your living room. I loved it, my wife did not. She’s short and when she got in and sank into the seat it was a little hard for her to see out.
The ride was great just as a land yacht should be.
Ad on ebay shows sale pending at $3700.00. Wow, they stole it!
I wonder if it still has the original anchor…
It’s on the starboard side.
The 440 was standard in the New Yorker from 1966, the year it was introduced.
After Chrysler dropped Imperial, New Yorker inherited most everything except the name and emblems. If I recall correctly this two door was officially *Saint Regis Edition *.It appears to be in great condition and the price makes it a true Bon Marche, worthy of membership in The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT PRESERVATION SOCIETY.