1979 would be the fifth and final model year of the first-generation Cordoba, the Chrysler Corporation’s successful attempt of getting a piece of the personal luxury coupe pie which was dominated by GM. Cordobas would be downsized for the 1980 model year, but the sales slide that started in 1978 would continue, and Chrysler finally pulled the plug in 1983. Here’s a nice, two-toned first generation survivor with a reported 32,000 miles on the clock. Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, this 1979 Chrysler Cordoba is for sale here on craigslist for $8,950.
The Cordoba’s history and what it’s been doing the last 44 years to be this well preserved isn’t revealed in the ad. It’s obviously been garaged and kept away from the elements. Based on the photos, it looks straight and solid and I’m not spotting any rust. I can’t remember seeing two-toned Cordobas, but the ’79 Cordoba sales brochure introduced five two-toned color schemes with a Landau Roof and this one’s wearing an attractive Dove Gray and Nightwatch Blue. I think the two-toning design follows the Cordoba’s five-year-old body shape about as good as it can. The condition of the chrome, trim, badging, glass, lenses, and even the blue Landau Roof with opera lamps gets two thumbs up. Aftermarket splash guards which were very common on 70’s cars have been added but everything else looks bone stock.
I had to chuckle a bit at some of the seller’s photos. At least he knew not to advertise a dirty car, so he took it to a local car wash then took photos of the Cordoba before it dried (but in front of a dumpster with a Social Security Office in the background). The cleaning supplies and Diet Cokes are visible in the interior photos, but it’s no big deal, they don’t detract too much from a nicely preserved, plush, comfy-looking interior. Practically everybody knows that Cordobas could be ordered with a “distinctive” leather interior, but this one left the factory with a tasteful-looking patterned velour cloth in midnight blue.
Overall, the interior looks very good with minimal wear visible and the dash, instrument panel, deep-pile carpet, blue headliner, and long door panels (on those long doors) look great. As you’d expect, this luxury coupe is loaded and is listed with A/C, power windows, power seats, power steering, power brakes, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio. Nothing is mentioned about them all working, though.
The engine bay isn’t really dirty, but it’s not clean and tidy either. Under that long Dove Gray hood is the standard engine for ’79 Cordobas: Chrysler’s 318-cubic inch V8 that’s paired to a TorqueFlight automatic transmission. The seller states it only has 32,000 miles and doesn’t mention documentation, but based on the condition of the exterior and especially the interior, those miles could be original. The seller says the Cordoba runs and drives great, was just serviced, and also comes with lots of new parts. The success of the Cordoba helped Chrysler’s bottom line when they needed it the most, but 1979 was a different automotive environment than 1975 when their personal luxury coupe made its debut. In 1977, sales would peak at 183,146, but only 88,015 Cordobas were sold for the 1979 model year, making it the lowest sales year of the first generation 1975-1979 Cordobas. This is probably one of the nicest surviving ’79’s out there, though. What do you think?
Ron…. Good looking Cordoba but.. when you click on craigslist it’s not working.. thanks
Try this one.
https://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/d/chesapeake-1979-chrysler-cordoba/7624114100.html
D’Oh! Thank you for bringing that senior moment to my attention. The link has been added…
The cows of Corinth thank the original purchaser for sparing their lives….
It has the Voluptuous Verdi Velour, which my 1975 had (plus the 360).
beautiful but i would have to lose the 2 tone
Just not very luxurious without Corrrinthian Leather.
If I owned one of these, there would be a pic of Ricardo Montalban either on the dash or at least in the glove compartment.
And tattoo in the ashtray!!!
That’s a lot of car to move with a 318 V8.
actually they moved well with the 318. no hot rod, but spry enough off the light and 75-80 on the highway no problem.
I liked the looks of this car from the outside, but always felt like it was cramped inside. LOL on the Corinthian leather… that was quite a scam by Chrysler.
Not a scam , its just that they called the leather in their seats “Corinthian” , like the old Pontiacs interiors were upholstered in “Morrokide ” – what the heck is Morrokide ?
It was a very tough vinyl which wore like iron…. it had a very nicely grained pattern to it and really looked appealing in a dark blue or maroon color.
Maybe someone in interior design had a good vacation in Morocco that felt inspired enough to commemorate it ???
I love the interior seat fabric! Luxurious looking and patterned!
I love the Cordobas- this one too. 1979 Chrysler Cordoba was the last year of a big 2-door V-8 RWD Chryslers. The New Yorker was downsized in 1979 and they did a great job with it. Cordobas were definitely a really “ good buy “ when they came out in ‘75 and gave you a lot more for your money compared to the other “midsize “ personal luxury coupes. ANY ENGINE- works for me, just de- smog it and you’ll get a performance/ economy boost. After all, I can’t go down the street and buy a different one – there aren’t many out there. Decent price.
Herb Tarlek would be jealous!!!
What about Kent Hrbek?
Herb tarlek!!! Omg..right on the mark!! I love these cars..grew up with 78 magnum. Same interior and believe me..comfortable as it gets…nice ride to bad I’m broke.
Very nice and clean car. The 318 wasn’t bad in these cars. I had a 77 and a 78 with the 400, but the plastic carter thermoquad (aka thermobog) made the car a dog if it was warped and full of vacuum leaks. As long as there’s no rust or rot, these cars aren’t that hard to work on, although parts might be hard to find. This one looks really nice, I hope it finds a good home.
I like it. Well equipped for a 1979 Chrysler Cordova. A 318 will do a fine job of moving that car. Maybe not the most powerful engine, but they had gobs of low end torque. If I could, i would bid on it. Maybe upgrade the wheels and just enjoy it on nice weather days. Seems to be a fair price for such a nice car. I’ve seen some absolutely ridiculous prices for way more mediocre vehicles than this one. You could say that I’m a fan.
Great find! I love these cars in two tone. This is the first time I’ve seen a Cordoba in two tone. Must have been a custom order.
The two tones were mostly Dodges.
A lot of red flags on this one. The engine has been out, notice all the blue overspray. Is it even original or a junk yard special? 318’s generally last more than 32k miles. It’s lifted in the rear. Just airshocks, springs re-arched (again on 32k ?) or rusted out and repaired spring perches that these cars are notorious for? There’s also something going on under the rear vinyl roof, even with the low resolution photos. There’s no underside photos.
It would be a cool car, even with just a 318. The velour interiors were quite plush. I doubt this one really only has 32k or is as rust free as it looks.