Will late ’70s American cars ever reach a point of enhanced value and collectibility? My crystal ball gets lousy reception so I can’t say with certainty but if gasoline-powered cars ever disappear, probably. Also, special editions of anything up the ante in terms of collectibility. Take this 1979 Chrysler Cordoba, for example, it’s a one-year-only “300” edition; will that designation help on the valuation and sales front? Let’s see. Located in Selma, California, this Ricardo Montalban favored coupe is available, here on craigslist for $17,500. Rocco B. gets the credit for surfacing this find!
According to “For B Bodies Only“, Chrysler produced 77,334 Cordobas in ’79 and 4,292 were bestowed with the “300” designation. A quick glance at Chrysler’s ’79 promotional material details the “300” package as including such features as, a Spinnaker White finish, “300” badging, fender gills, cross-hair grille, 360-4V V8 engine with dual exhaust, H.D. suspension, aluminum road wheels, white letter 60 series tires, body-color mirrors, red leather bucket seat interior with a center console, and other special items.
If you note that the first item on the 300’s list of features, a Spinnaker White finish is stated and that’s hardly the case here, it’s the opposite actually. The sales brochure specifically lists, “all other paint” as being not available – and that’s the same exclusion also applied to a vinyl roof covering – not available, though it is a feature that this car possesses. The seller tells us that his car is “all original” and has “mostly original paint” so something’s not clicking. I Initially thought maybe this 300 has seen a trip to the spray booth but the seller did state a mostly original finish, so I ruled that thought out. Our subject car also has T-Tops which was an allowed option but apparently, it’s a rare one. Of note, this coupe is projecting a gangsta vibe with its lowered stance and 20″ hoops. The seller mentions 300 badging and that would include quarter window decals, taillight medallions, and a steering wheel horn button.
A 195 net HP, 360 CI V8 engine, not pictured, provides power though there is no mention of this car’s running or driving aptitude. The sole transmission choice, as usual, was a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic gearbox. One of the features that the 300 package did provide was a “360-4V” air cleaner decal which research (looking for other original examples with raised hoods) indicates should look like the old-school version pictured above. The mileage recording is 25K miles with a noted odometer roll over so that’s a 125K mile matter to take into consideration.
The interior, if nothing else, looks quite comfortable. The leather upholstery, door panels, and dash pad are in fine shape – even the console lid shows no indication of an elbow dent. Another standard 300 feature is a tachometer occupying the slot to the right of the speedometer. The sales brochure also mentions an engine-turned instrument panel surface but the one in this car looks like a faux wood applique.
In its own right, a ’79 Cordoba 300 should have some enhanced collectibility value and that would apply to this car, a subject that shows well and appears to have been well maintained. I don’t know about the impact of slamming and adding 20″ wheels; regardless, those are two things that can be undone if the next owner so desires. The real issues are the no explanation for the Formal Black finish, the vinyl top, the difference in the instrument panel surface, and the lack of an engine image – all items for an inquiry. And why not, trust but verify, right?
Red flags galore, but darn nice looking Mopar…
That’s an off white paint on there, does that work? Sharp looking car.
Cordoba are such nice riding cars . I can only imagine that these old timey wagon wheels would have taken ride quality down a considerable amount with no air between rim and road . Similar to driving around with 4 flats or just on rims alone. I’ve no doubt it cost someone alot of money to take away what was best about this car . Looks so cool lol
Not normally a fan of the “rubber band ” tire look, but I have to admit this car looks killer from the side view. Also gotta love a red leather interior.
Awesome write up Jim, Awesome car from the USA
Nah, that’s not a 300. Has a rare 300 grill. Black vinyl? If it really was a 300, it would have been repainted in white for value and not had the ghetto wheels put on it. Plus, is that a fake wood on the dash? I don’t recall real 79 300s having that. Besides the ignorant tires and wheels, it is a good looking car. Why try and pass it off as something it is not? Oh yeah, “value”. Fraudsters need to be plopped on an island somewhere and forgotten. Them and the idiots who have driven the prices up that rob many of the pleasure of this hobby and encourage fraud. Even more rare was a 300 option package on the downsized 1980 model. I would like to see one of those before I die. Not holding my breath though. They are crazy rare, like the Mirada. A much more beautiful design.
Probably a wrecked standard Cordoba repaired with 300 parts.
“300” badges are probably really cheap, but do so much to increase the value of a 79 Cordoba.
Those hoopties gotta go
I never realized how much of a copy this is of the mid 70’s Monte Carlo
Those ghetto wheels are a deal breaker.
Ok, to be fair to the owner of this car and to call out the ignorant comments calling ignorance (pot calling kettle or something)
YES, tiny tires are a stupid choice, sure ignorant, and do compromise ride and reliability. However, theres a big diffence between ‘ghetto’ wheels and these. ‘Ghetto wheels are cheap and over the top bling typically bolted to a crap box. Id say these wheels are a quality and classy choice and look appropriate for this beautiful vehicle. They are retro fashioned.
One can simply unbolt thise wheels and bolt on wheels of preferrence, or even get tires with a taller side wall for these wheels.
As for the descrepency with the 300 formula, ill take black or white and Ttops over vinyl absolutely.
What a beautiful car, 9s interior, and ironically its the grill i dont like.
Lastly, yes, a Monty Carlo inspired body for sure.
Montalban, gave to meaning to the word “ Lather”!
Straight Outta Compton.
Bought one new. Sunroof, 175 made. T-Top, 160 made.
I got info from Chrysler when production stopped.
All were white. Red Interior. Serial for mine: SS22L9R164309.
The 300 package code: A74.
Richard Carpenter bought a new T-Top one of the Carpenters fame.
When I would visit him, noticed it outside.
Richard sold his to his secretary.
I had two problems with mine. Starter quit at 9,754 miles. They found it also had a broken alternator bracket.
Heard the 300 was a little faster than the new Vette. 133 top speed.
We put 17,000 miles on it in 2 1/2 years. 13 mph.
Man oh man!! Cool Joe Machado shows up again and reminds us all of what being a cool cat really means.
For many of you that aren’t aware, Cool Joe Machado is one if a kind. He’s purchased, often times new, every low production high value Mopar made over what seems to be a 30 year time span. Often more than one at a time. It’s always a treat to see a post from C.J.M. and his subtle way making a literary art form of humble bragging. And now he reveals his connection to the old Hollyweird elite!
Joe “You’re on top of the world!”
Hey cristina, Ya still committing fraud yet in your business and car flipping?
Or, are you writing from prison
No Cool Joe, not in the business of fraudulent car flipping. Just a straight shooter from the east coast calling you out on your douchebag posts. Hey maybe it was you that started Karen C. to quit eating? I know your B.S. is nauseating enough to read much Iess having to be anywhere near you listening to your blowhard drivel.
I am not trying to be rude or reading something into peoples comments that is not the intent. But, lt bothers me just the same. I have been a car guy my entire life. I have certainly formed allot of personal reasons why ,I like a car or I don’t and often times, I don’t hesitate to share my opinion. I think many of us do that, but it is important, that it is done in correct terms and relates to the car and the topic. I think describing cars in negative terms, that could also be used in racist remarks, should be avoided as much as possible. Even it is not the intent, it still can put a spin on thr remark when a better description could be used and achive a more positive reaction.
Is it the description of the wheels that bothers you? I am in my 60s and when I was young that was a common term, it had nothing to do with skin complexion. In fact, plenty of people with pastie pink skin also had no taste in wheels. Forgive me for not being 100% politically correct these days, but why are so many people walking on egg shells around certain topics? Words should not be outlawed in a free society. Actions need laws, but free expression is our nations heritage that we need to continue if we want to flourish. Live and let live guys, life is too short to be offended by everything.
Sorry to all the nay-sayers on the ‘Hooptie’ wheels. Yeah, the wheels dress it up for me, and I would leave them on it unless there was something better to put on it. Cragers?
Its custom…anything goes. And this big Cordo looks good
This is not a 300, period. The ad is complete BS. I could waste my time telling you all of the differences between the 300 and a car like this (a standard Cordoba) but, Google is your friend…so, have at it.
Technically, a “hooptie wheel” would be the original 45+yr old hub cap that would get lost if you hit a hole or curb just the right way. The custom wheel may not be your style but the the term “hooptie” means it’s very original…trust me.