The New Yorker has always been a swanky car. Its beginnings in 1938 as a sub model of the Imperial – Chrysler’s top-tier luxury offering – lasted only a couple of years before it emerged as a standalone brand in 1940. The New Yorker wheeled through several generations, synching with the styling of the day as the years passed. But in the mid-1960s, Elwood Engel, heading Chrysler’s design department, departed from convention, introducing the “fuselage” look: an airliner-like curve around the car. This survivor-quality 1971 New Yorker is a striking example of the idiom, with its green-on-green color scheme, long-term ownership (54 years), and hardtop body style. Find it here on craigslist for $12,000; it’s located in Hillsboro, Oregon. Thanks to Curvette for the great tip!
The only engine on offer was a 440 cu. in. V8 breathing through a four-barrel – good for 220 hp – paired with a three-speed automatic, front power disc brakes, and rear drums. Output was about to slide, which would make this kit look pretty good in a few years. These big cars were meant for cruising America’s long, relatively empty highways – not carving up the mountain lanes; handling was commensurate with that philosophy. The seller says the car was always garage-kept, and while it’s in overall good condition, I’d spend a couple of afternoons cleaning up this engine bay to bring it up a notch.
Other than slightly worn driver’s side upholstery, this interior is in fantastic condition. That brocade is special, especially on the seldom-used rear seats. Woodgrain accents are everywhere, and plush carpeting covers every inch of the floor and even part way up the back of the front seats. The luxury berth this car occupies means it came with a long list of options. This example has a tilt-tele wheel, power windows, and a power front seat.
The confluence of declining quality, controversial new styling, and emissions standards was particularly damaging for Chrysler. Sales slid – harming its finances for years. But that shouldn’t dent our appreciation of this fine survivor. The odometer reading of almost 163k might dissuade buyers, but if an inspection confirms the condition, the price is close to market.
That’s a big old boat of a four door. Two to many but these days any boat will do. This one isn’t too far away and had I the bucks I’d be driving it Monday the 19th by noon.
This is one clean Chrysler Land Barge here. Clean and I would cruise this one and be proud of it. Price seems right on too. The drive by windows are the coolest thing on these older 4 doors too.
How big is this? Big. I realize part if this is because of the camera perspective and angle, but you can see a reflection of an entire Corvair in just the front fender and front door.
They are huge, the term 3 body trunk originated here.
I had the two door that I bought dirt cheap in the late 70’s. The front end of the car arrived 5 minutes before I did.
To put the car size in perspective, its a foot longer than a 2026 Cadillac Escalade (224.6 inches vs 211.9 inches), its wheelbase was 4 inches longer while the Escalade is only 2 inches wider (according to Google).
The only car that was longer in 1974 was the Cadillac Fleetwood at 252.2 inches
440 will bring the torque 💪 👍
Big and floaty, a comfortable highway cruiser. Most horrible sounding starter ever devised.
The good thing about that starter was it fit every Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth from about 1962 to 1987 (rear wheel drive) cars or trucks. Town where I grew up had a Dodge dealer at one end and a Chrysler/Plymouth dealer at the other. In the 70’s I worked in a well stocked gas station in between the 2. We always kept one in stock.
Nah. Fords always sounded like an animal dying.
As I said about the LTD, here is proof that the car hobby has not gotten too expensive. You don’t need a Hemi Cuda to be cool. This boat would hold my attention at a local show, and the matching green interior is the chef’s kiss.
Livin’ Large
How big? I remember my dad pulling up with his bright white, blue faux velvet roof model. Me being almost 16, asked when I can drive it? “Never.”
yowzza. talk about your Yom Kippur Clipper’s! You could raise a family in that one.
Something this big should have an outboard engine or two, hanging off the rear bumper. 440 4bbl and it only has 220 hp???? I would think it would lay down more than that. 1972 is when the car industry went to net ratings.
I had a 71 and it had a 375hp 440, original engine. I think you’re right about the 220hp claim. The front would rise up a good 6 inches when you punched it!
I believe they were rated 350 bph until 1972.
GM and Chrysler were the first automakers to voluntarily advertise SAE net hp ratings in 1971. The SAE net rating for this engine was 220 hp. If you need to understand gross vs net, here’s a good explanation. It doesn’t really have anything to do with what the driver experienced, until later in the 1970s.
https://blog.butterclassics.com/blog/role-of-horsepower-ratings-vintage-cars
I think this is longer than my 59 4 door Bonneville.
this must weigh 5500 pounds so 6mpg?
Beautiful New Yorker! I hope the fender skirts are in the trunk!
Lovely old Chrysler from when cars were meant to be seen with you in them.
My first car of my own was this exact model – in 1981. It was immaculate in condition, but it drank heavy – I recall it getting about eight gallons to the mile. Being a college commuter in Michigan, it was just to hard to park and too expensive to fill up so I sold it (at a profit) and moved on to a series of much smaller, more efficient vehicles. Would love to have it back for fun, though.
Back in my high school days, I had a friend in the next neighborhood over. He was a few years older than me. His folks had a ’73 Imperial; 440 auto, all the bells & whistles. He took me out for a drive in it one afternoon. That car was like a flying carpet! You could hardly feel the road going under the wheels. The thing I remember most was watching the fuel gauge needle moving slowly but surely towards the big ‘E’. Quite the experience, for sure. With that being said, this is a nice specimen. GLWTS.
super clean for all those miles. looks like it was at the same show as the Corvair convert. if you could get this for less than 10k you be doing good.
’71 was still full HP. I believe 350 HP
Hard to port, ye matey! They were big boats!!
So what am I supposed to do now with my 11 Grand? Buy this 1971 or the black 1977 Chrysler New Yorker ??????
The 77
I had 4 or 5 fuselage Chryslers through my years and they are at home hustling down the highway
I have a 78 New Yorker Brougham 4 door.It’s 19.25 feet long and weighs 4850 lbs.
Give us your two cents about Chrysler’s Electronic Lean Burn (ELB) computer-controlled spark advance system (came standard with the 440 V8 [or the 400 V8 depending on specific sub-configurations] featuring a spark control computer – typically mounted near or on the air cleaner housing).
Is that system as bad as its reputation? I read about the early-generation analog/digital hybrid computers being prone to heat soak, internal component failure, and misfires, leading many owners to swap them out over the decades – doing in effect a “Lean Burn delete” (involves replacing the distributor and ignition module with a standard Mopar or aftermarket electronic ignition setup [such as MSD or PerTronix]).
I have a ’66 Bonneville, and have had a ’74 Fury.
The Chrysler fuselage cars were not only long, but *wide*. Wider than anything GM was producing except maybe the 70s Electra 225.
These are a good foot or more longer than my Fury. these cars are enormous.