The New Yorker was one of Chrysler’s longest-running nameplates, established just before World War II and in production through 1996. If you wanted a big, luxurious automobile, the New Yorker was your top choice unless you sprung for an Imperial, which was no longer branded as a Chrysler beginning in 1955. The seller has a sweet ’73 New Yorker that’s in excellent survivor condition, except it may have a few electric gremlins. Located in Littleton, Colorado, this land yacht is available here on Craigslist for $15,000.
Based on Chrysler’s C-body platform, the New Yorker and its siblings were redesigned in 1969, taking on a “fuselage” look. That styling would continue through 1973 with facelifts along the way. These automobiles weighed well over two tons, so a big engine was needed to push the cars along. That help would come in the form of a 440 cubic inch V8, though it was going through some detuning pains to keep the emissions people happy. Most buyers opted for the 4-door hardtop in 1973, but more than 9,000 folks still took delivery of a 2-door hardtop like this one.
Perhaps sales would have been higher in ’73, but that’s the year OPEC threw the oil market into a tailspin. And big, gas-guzzling boats like the New Yorker would begin to fall out of favor. From the side view, the trunk looks to be almost the same length as the hood, ideal for sneaking a bunch of friends into the drive-in movies. The seller bought this car about five years ago and has added only 500 miles to its current 47,000 tally. The vehicle is rust-free, and the paint and leather interior are original.
Issues include the following: the factory air conditioning doesn’t work, the power windows are sluggish to go up, and one of the motors is bad (a replacement is included). The radio won’t pick up anything but AM channels (Twilight Zone?). A new carpet set should be ordered, and the outside has 53 years of scratches, but it presents well. If you like these early 1970s Mopar barges, will this one fit in your garage? Maybe tipster Mike F. has room for it in his?
I know it’s the same car underneath, but I’d have to go with the ’72 Imperial.
Always been a sucker for hidden headlights!!
What the 59 Eldorado did for fins, this car did for overhangs. It’s like the designers all looked at each other and said “Is it possible we went too far?”
Please tell me how the carpet gets worn out in only 47k miles? Makes me a bit suspicious of that claimed mileage. Why would a seller not fix things like the windows and AC before going to market? The price is a little excessive for all its issues.
Chrysler fan here. For whatever reason, carpets in Chryslers deteriorate fairly fast. It’s just the passage of time, not foot falls, that cause them to fade. Agree that for the price one would assume that east fixes get fixed. But we all know the feeling that once you decide to sell, you loose interest.
These sellers are reasonably enthusiastic about selling their vehicles. Too bad that enthusiasm doesn’t extend far enough to FIX THE A/C! the most common malady on BF. Additionally, in this case, replace the carpet for cryin’ outloud.
Great article Mr. Russ Dixon!! Love the period colors!! Definitely an interstate cruiser!! The original purchaser may have been looking for a safe big luxurious car that was somewhat sporty!! I prefer the original carpet, as I believe it is a better representation as to the history and care of the automobile!! I hope the buyer will drive it across the country!! What fun that would be!!
?! for cryin out loud indeed !
its a used car on Barn Finds
YOU fix the AC
Not that your actually interested in buying it anyway.
Good point! I might add that many of these ads state, “AC does not work, probably just needs recharged.” Translation, “Be ready to spend a thousand dollars to get it working…”
It would never fit in my garage. I’ll take two of them. Great looking big two door from the early 70’s.
Based on the upholstery pattern and the location of the window switches, this is a New Yorker Brougham. The upholstery is vinyl. Leather was not available, which is odd, considering the market positioning for these cars. My dad had a 4-door hardtop in the same colors, but with a black interior. It was the first car we had with power windows. At the bank drive-through, all the windows would be going up and down as my mother struggled to find the right switch. My dog eventually learned how to lower the windows by stepping on the switches.
LOL. When I was in middle school my mom had a 64 Fleetwood. Eight power window switches. You never knew what window she was going to lower. Brought back memories.
Lots of room in the rear seat area. Every once in a while, Dad would catch my eye in the rear view mirror at a red light and give me “the signal.” I would lay down on the floor in the ample rear seat area and wait for the light to turn green. At just the right moment, I would reach up on the right side of the passenger seat, and pull the recliner. Mom screamed. Dad and I laughed.
I had a’73 New Yorker in 1979. I paid 400 bucks for it with only 40k on the clock. A big green 4 door sedan with crank windows and manual seat. Not really an optioned out car, and with gas headed toward a buck a gallon nobody wanted these. Mine was really rough on gas and had carb issues. Every couple of weeks I had to remove and clean the plugs. If you ever changed plugs on one of these you know its a pain the butt. And a lot of people never even bothered with the left rear plug, as everything was in the way. I got so good at it I could pull all eight of them out, clean and reinstall them in 35 minutes. With a long drive to work I ended up riding my motorcycle all winter that year, the gas issue was rough. I sold it and bought a Rambler with a six cyl. in it. Nice looking car here but it doesn’t bring back any fond memories.
Looks like the cruise control switch is from a later vintage Chrysler
My dad had to do the same with our 1973 Newport.
I think I once had a pickup the length of that quarter panel. 😂
A/C not fixed and worn carpet ? My speculation – Its being sold by a flipper who bought it from a older gentleman. Flippers don’t invest money in fixing things. On the carpet -my mother had one of those old period plastic carpet covering devices in her old 69 Plymouth.to protect the carpet. Well the bottom of that plastic carpet cover had millions of very pointed teeth to hold it in place, supposingly to keep it from sliding around. That ate up her carpet.. Looks like a very nice old car. Lots of room to put mobsters in the trunk for the last ride.
for cryin out loud indeed !
its BARN FINDS !
Not Mint cars for cheap and lazy tire kicker Finds.
Its a ’73, its not gonna be perfect,
even if this wasnt a barn find.
Why must this be explained over and over ??
This is in beautiful condition, a rare find. I really like the front end design.
If the owner died and wife or children are selling it, theyre not gonna fix or clean anything, its a used car for sale, the seller was good to disclose known issues.
Now a real man can buy it, fix it and have a vintage gem to enjoy.
Dad had a 72 NYB coupe (Demonstrator) he bought “new.”
I was in HS and did a lot of stoplight racing with that massive 440.
Unfortunately, I snapped the L rear shock one time and that was the end of Fun-fun-fun.
As for electrical gremlins, this car was a lemon. Automatic seatback lock release worked in reverse, trapping you in the rear seat. Apparently it was common to have a water leak by the right side floor vent where many solenoids reside.
In 1976, My Great Aunt took a ’73 Town & Country out on 41 in Sarasota, stopped in front of a semi pet foods truck, because my Grandmother said Marie, I don’t think this is the right direction……..I have photos of the baby buggy it became. They weren’t even hurt, just lost their hearing aids…..Aftermath, she said, I want another one, those are safe cars! They had stopped making them that large, so they found a ’75 that was never sold in Gainesville, shipped it to Sarasota. Headlines in the Sarasota Tribune then……
This guy is high. Period.
it is a nice cruiser. personally, if i were selling i would at least look into what it would take to fix it to give buyers a heads up on what the costs could be. it was mine the a/c would work. 53yrs old used car or not. most of the time if worn or broken items are fixed it is easier to sell the car.
As someone with experience investing too much money into C-Body Mopars, I think the seller’s asking price is in line with his investment, probably.
As someone with experience selling C-Body Mopars and losing his shirt, I hope the seller doesn’t lose too much money on this nice car.
All I have to say is very NICE land barge here!!
Pass on this pile of junk !
Some people should pass on commenting.
I agree Rex!! This is a very nice unmolested Land barge here and I would be proud to own it!
Even though Chrysler designed for an end of the 73 New Yorker, I believe Ford motor company had something to do with it as well. Chrysler took the beautiful 1972 models and it literally made them ugly in 1973. This front end is terrible. From a design standpoint, it certainly doesn’t match the fuselage styling the rest of the car has. Thank God 1974 was just around the corner. The 74 New Yorker was beautiful and the bumpers didn’t stick out like all of the competition. I graduated high school and 73, and 5 mile an hour bumper federal mandates ruined so many designs. I’m sick of the government involved in automobiles. All they do is destroy them. I think that is their goal.
Is it just my imagination or have Chrysler products been having electrical problems for years?
Pete, you’re thinking of Ford products.
This goes back a number of years but I associate Fords more with automatic transmissions that won’t stay in park. I know one guy who got killed when his Ford wagon rolled over him.
Damn this car is huge. Love these big C bodies though. I certainly would have taken the time to fix what needs to be fixed before posting it. It looks in beautiful shape, but with the few issues it has I’d knock a bit off that price.
That a/c just needs a recharge I’m betting because the fun factor goes way down when your hot and sweaty