Releasing an entirely new model is always risky, particularly if the manufacturer targets a niche market. Sometimes, the gamble pays off, but at other times, it doesn’t. Chrysler found this out the hard way with the TC by Maserati. Its production was a costly exercise, and the final sales total fell well short of the company’s expectations. This 1989 model is an original survivor that is in excellent condition. It recently emerged from an estate, and after servicing, it is a turnkey classic needing nothing but a new home. The seller has listed the TC here on Facebook Marketplace in Redmond, Washington. You could drive it away by handing the seller $5,995.
It would be fair to say that the TC was doomed before the first car graced a Chrysler showroom floor. Ongoing delays and engineering disputes saw its release delayed by two years, a significant period considering the development of most new models takes less than four years. It was intended as a “halo” model to draw wealthier buyers into showrooms. However, the high sticker price limited its appeal, and production costs meant the company still lost money on every sale. The original owner ordered this TC in Royal Cabernet, and its condition and presentation are impressive. The paint retains a mirror shine with no significant flaws or defects. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with gaps that are as tight and consistent as you might rightly expect to find on a handbuilt premium model. There is no evidence of rust, while the plastic and tinted glass are excellent. The car retains its color-coded hardtop with the distinctive beveled opera windows. The Black soft-top is present and rip-free, although its wrinkled appearance suggests it needs to spend time in the “raised” position to present at its best.
Powering this TC is a 2.2-liter turbocharged four producing what was considered, in 1989, a respectable 160hp and 171 ft/lbs of torque. The sticking point for motoring enthusiasts was the transmission. That power feeds to the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission, significantly reducing the performance potential. The ¼-mile journey takes 17.9 seconds, which is hardly earth-shattering for a vehicle of this type. The more desirable version featured an upgraded cylinder head and manual transmission, which slashed the ET to 15.5 seconds. However, with only 500 examples of that version rolling off the line, finding one today is almost impossible. This TC recently emerged from an enthusiast’s estate, and it seems it hadn’t seen much action. The seller performed a complete service, flushed the brake fluid, replaced the plugs, and installed a new battery. They supply no information on how the car runs and drives, but the suggestions are the news is positive.
Chrysler partly justified the high sticker price by emphasizing the TC’s luxury interior appointments. This car’s new owner receives acres of Bordeaux leather upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power trunk release, power seats, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a mind-blowing Infinity AM/FM radio/cassette player with ten speakers! Finding anything to criticize inside this Chrysler is almost impossible. There is no evidence of seat wear, the leather looks supple and inviting, and the carpet is spotless. There are no signs of abuse or neglect and no aftermarket additions.
Lee Iacocca’s vision for the Chrysler TC by Maserati was a premium model that would lure buyers into showrooms, with projected sales of between 5,000 and 10,000 cars per year. The eye-watering price virtually guaranteed that the target remained out of reach. The most successful year was 1989 when 3,764 buyers gave one a home. Sales dropped by 50% the following year, and as they dropped again in 1991, the plug was pulled on the failed venture. Many Chrysler executives later claimed they opposed the TC program but were driven forward by the legendary Iacocca iron will. The great man later denied all responsibility for the car and its failure, which many motoring historians find unsurprising. However, this car is a gem, and if luxurious drop-top motoring is high on your Wish List, pursuing it further might be worth the effort.
I’m sorry, but what a half baked idea if I ever saw’r one, and I come from a city that based their car sales on half baked ideas. That eye watering cost the author speaks of, was about $32,000. I had to check that twice, and even more astonishing, each car cost almost $80grand to make. I think someone( Iacocca) grossly misunderstood what Americans wanted next, and flush with cash from the minivan, what the heck. Don’t get me wrong, it’s probably a blessing it doesn’t have some exotic Italian power plant, but it’s really a gussied up Daytona( Iacocca was talked out of making a roadster on the Reliant platform) and went with this. It’s sharp looking, the hardtop a big plus, I think this would make a great 1st car for someones kid. I bet they’d love it.
I agree with Adam and Howard. As an exotic it is quite underwhelming; as a cute two-seater it isn’t half bad. Especially as a now-cheap used car.
Back in the 90’s I had a friend who had one; he got it because the small-town dealer had gotten it on trade and knew my friend, a Chrysler guy, was one of the few local people who might like to have it. I suspect he got a very good deal. I thought the interior was nice but otherwise, it was nothing special.
It’s a LeBaron with seats that look as if they are retaining fluids.
I knew it was a matter of time before someone would harp in saying it was a Lebaron. Actually, this car was shortened nine inches from a Lebaron, and no body panel from a Lebaron fits on this car. So no, it’s not a Lebaron, it’s far from it.
I think the designers would have been smart ( to avoid comparison, if they’d have given the grille, headlights, and taillights a unique treatment.
At this price though, if it was near me I’d snatch it up. It’s still a beautiful car.
The original plan was for the TC to launch first, then a couple years later the LeBaron coupe and convertible would launch with similar styling, to inherit some of the cachet established by the upscale TC.
Instead, TC development and production was so boondoggled that it wound up launching a couple years after the LeBaron, so rather than the LeBaron seeming like a bargain sibling to the tonier TC, the TC seemed like just a tarted-up LeBaron.
But it JUST looks like the much cheaper Le Baron, which was available with the more reliable 3.0 Mitsubishi engine. A great power train connected to a garbage transmission and a spiffy body. Overall a terrible, junky car. I foolishy bought a new, ’90 convertible. Cabernet with matching leather. Almost all have been mercifully sent to the crusher.
A cut LeBaron.
Exactly. It shares no parts with the LeBaron. The idea was to introduce this as a halo model, followed up in a year or so by the LeBaron convertible. Production delays ruined this idea. BTW, I recall that several engines were offered over the production period. From what I gather parts are simply unavailable for the top line exotic one.
Is that engine same as a Volkswagon GTI?
No, it’s a Chrysler engine. Before they had their own 2.2 they used a VW engine. It was a 1.7L with a carburetor.
My girlfriend had one of these. This is a beautiful car; fun to drive, nice to look at, very luxurious, easy and very cheap to maintain, and gets compliments at car shows.
My brother has one, not a TC. It is a pain to work on. If you need to replace the battery you have to take the drivers side tire to get to it.
Had a 98 Chrysler minivan with the Infinity acoustic 10 audio system. Nothing I’ve owned since even comes close.
A le baron with Maserati badges doesn’t make it an actual Maserati. These cars were junk.
Mama Mia, he’s a callin’ our cars a junk, yeah, but I bet it got attention around closing time, “You know, I have a Maserati”,,
Poor Chrysler. After the halcyon days of the 60’s and early 70’s, they were reduced to spending cash on these pigs. While Ford and GM were honing their rwd performance car platforms. Then, when they get it right, with the Challenger, in the last decade? Their latest life line, Stellantis, pulls the rug out from underneath them, by cancelling their hot rods, and replacing them with a tiny ‘lectric SUV.
Luxury? Thanks for the belly laugh of the day!
Why Chrysler didn’t use this larger trunk design (especially for the for the LeBaron Convertible is beyond me. That trunk was useless even with the top UP because of that “compartment” to house the top. I had the same issue with the re-designed Sebring/200; with the top up the trunk was very roomy. Top down it could hold a set of golf clubs and maybe a weekender bag.
Like the Lincoln Versaille/Ford Grenada this was a TC/LeBaron. The public was NOT fooled.
I’ve got to disagree with the nay-sayers. This is actually a cool ride. The little decammed Turbo, rated at 160 HP can easily be tuned up and it’s already got ALL of the GOOD stuff already in the engine (Forged Steel Crankshaft, HD Turbo II Con Rods, (Coolant) Cross Drilled Cylinder Head, with Cardioid Quench Chambers and Raised Intake Ports, Roller Follower Camshaft, Tuned 1-Piece Intake Manifold, Mitsubishi Turbocharger, TII Air-to-Air intercooler, T-2 Injectors, and Round Tooth Timing set. These were easily tuned up to 300 HP, “Super 60” level. And since the A-413 Transaxle is an Analog system, it easily accepts aftermarket computers. The Brakes are easily upgradable (find an older Minivan and take the rotors, calipers and caliper adapters for the fronts and LeBaron GTC solid rear discs and calipers). Finally, they are light and can easily be made to handle.
That this one was purchased through an estate sale and has 91,xxx miles on it means it was exercised enough, as not to have dried out oil seals, where it leaks motor oil or trans fluid. Estate cars, also seem to be better maintained, and usually haven’t abused when driven. As someone that owns 2 estate cars (1996 Olds Ninety-Eight Regency Elite and a 2001 Buick Century Custom), mine give very little trouble. It also has the best example of the Cabernet Paint, I’ve ever seen.
I’m not a Chrylser guy, at least not since about 1970, but I think I’d drive this. Would make a good little local “in season” ride around SWFL, and if it got stolen or run into, both highly probable around here lately, you’d not be out much.
Good deal especially if you want a nice little get around 2nd car in good condition. For the money l think you can’t go wrong plus it looks good. I’d love to have it.