This 1983 Chrysler Cordoba is the final model year of a classic personal luxury coupe, now available for $2,000. As an original survivor with a low odometer reading of 79,000 miles, it presents a great opportunity for budget-minded enthusiasts looking for an accessible entry point into the world of classic Malaise-era cars. By 1983, the American land yacht was nearing its end, making this downsized coupe an interesting piece of automotive history. The seller claims it’s in good condition, running well, aside from ripped front seats, and they are willing to take it to Spokane for a serious buyer. You can find it here on Craigslist out of Soap Lake, Washington. Big thanks to Curvette for finding this one.
The exterior preserves its original factory setup, with the silver paint scheme which characterizes second-generation Cordoba platforms. While the first iterations were famous for their rounded headlight treatments, Chrysler updated the later models with a formal squared-off profile, some rectangular lighting, and a prominent upright grille. The seller also notes the car is completely original, meaning the factory body panels remain as intact as they were from the assembly floor. This is great, considering, finding an unchanged 1980s personal luxury coupe which hasn’t been significantly modified or stripped for parts is becoming increasingly difficult for collectors.
A look inside reveals the primary area requiring immediate attention: the front seating is currently ripped. While 1970s marketing famously used hooks like ‘rich Corinthian leather’, these later models provided a variety of plush cloth and vinyl options that were still great for passenger comfort. Beyond the torn upholstery in front, the seller describes a fair overall condition, suggesting the remaining cabin trim, dashboard, door panels, and rear seating are in a salvageable state. Sourcing matching replacement material from a contemporary Dodge Mirada or an Imperial could take some time, but it is a straightforward upholstery project.
Last but definitely not least, you’re probably looking at a 318-cubic-inch V-8 engine that was rated at 130 horsepower when new. This would be paired with a three-speed automatic and its rear-wheel drive. The seller also mentions a hydraulic suspension system, which is worth clarifying. Cordobas didn’t leave the factory with self-leveling hydraulic setups, but these cars did use hydraulic shock absorbers. So the description could be referring to the suspension working as intended. At $2,000, this Cordoba sits in a sweet spot between a parts car and a preservation project. If the floors and trunk are solid and the 318 fires up without any drama, it could be a low-cost ticket into Mopar ownership. Prospective buyers can ask for a cold start video and a clear explanation of the hydraulic suspension system before making the trip to Spokane. Are you a fan of these downsized, formal roofline, second-generation Cordobas, or do you think 1970s styling is the only way to go?
Had an ’76 with a 400 and the “aztec” interior. It was a nice ride with quality of interior appointments a lot more sumptuous than the succeding generation. Decontenting was the order of the day as the series wound down. Having said that, the ’83 on offer still has crisp lines, even with the gauze filter applied to all the photos on offer. If the representation is accurate, looks like a decent buy. I’d drive it.
My first car in highschool. It was amazing.
I wish it was closer to Hershey Pennsylvania I would snap that bad boy up.
I bought an ’83 Cordoba in 1993 just after high school when I was in College. It had a landau roof all the way to the front windshield and was a light beige. It had a console automatic shifter, white wall tires and power everything. Also, it had never seen winter and only had 69 000 kilometers on it. Beautiful ride.
If all the mechanical descriptions are accurate, and it will just need interior work and probably a new paint job, I think it’s going to sell pretty quick at $2,000
Ugly, compared to a Mirada. Esp with the toupee. A 1980 Mirada with a rare 360 interceptor engine is the way to go.
But where are you going to find one to buy? A 71 Hemi ‘Cuda is also the way to go but…….
Classic, your right. EPA shut down the 360 production after only about 200 mills so finding one might be hard. One can dream though. Of course, any Mirada would be prettier and you could plop in any small block of your choice. Might not be worth as much but would place a smile firmly on your face.
does not look too good from those pictures. i guess that’s what you get for 2k.
I had a ’76, my all time favorite car. It was Hunter green with a black half vinyl top. It had green velour upholstery and a fake walnut inlaid dash. With the 360, it was an awesome touring car. I only traded it because my 2 kids outgrew the small rear seat area. I recall spending Sunday afternoons washing and polishing that car and many hours polishing that huge chrome grill. It truly was a beautiful car in that color scheme. This was the last Cordoba that appealed to me.
Forgot to mention that my ’76 had round headlights that were the perfect touch.
These were well designed and executed vehicles. The Cordova was definitely my pick for the price point. Their imperial cost a lot more money and the Marada was a Dodge and not a Chrysler. I like the upscale near luxury Chrysler much better than the Dodge although they are virtual clones. But the Chrysler had that formal chrome grill. I like that.
Basically all shocks now days are hydraulic. (VS the old friction shocks) does the seller mean pneumatic rear shocks as in air shocks used in a self leveling system?
All the great bargains are all the way on the other side of the country..Bummer…