During the 1960s, the Newport was Chrysler’s entry-level product but it was far from modest in its features. The interiors were quite comfortable and a 383 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel) was standard equipment for plenty of power. This seller offers a 4-door sedan from 1968 and it looks to be in very nice condition with under 40,000 miles on the odometer. If you like large forms of transportation and the vintage appeal, could this survivor be for you? Thanks, Dennis House, for this nifty tip!
For years and years, Chrysler was all about building big, spacious cars. The Cordoba in the mid-1970s would be its first venture into something “smaller” (but not small by today’s standards). With a 124-inch wheelbase, the 1968 Newport was more than 18 feet long and weighed the better part of 4,000 lbs. The cars were redesigned in 1967, so changes were minimal the next year. The easiest way to tell a ’68 apart from a ’67 is the small side marker lights on the former (new Federal safety mandate).
Chrysler sold more than 78,000 Newport 4-door sedans in 1968, with the majority being the “regular” Newport. 17,000 of them were “Customs” which came with a higher level of goodies, and we suspect that applies to the seller’s offering. We’re told this is a “mint original” Newport and it looks like it was only driven to church on Sundays. That would support its low mileage and well-kept appearance.
Everything is said to be in working order, including the factory air conditioning. Four new tires have been installed and no other work may be needed. Though located in Milford, Massachusetts, this car first spent time in Florida and then Maryland. If this auto isn’t the nicest of its kind left on Planet Earth, you haven’t looked hard enough. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,500.
The badging and trim would indicate base Newport, not Newport Custom, but no matter, it is nicely equipped with AC and power windows etc. And it looks to be in excellent turnkey condition. I love it.
As the owner of a 67 Newport Custom and a 65 New Yorker (all three basically the same car) I can tell you that the ride is excellent, the handling is excellent, power is excellent, and the build quality is superb. It’s no exaggeration to say that this year of Chrysler was as good as ANY Detroit car got in the 1960s. It is definitely the high-water mark for Chrysler…though the following “fusilage” cars were nearly as good. Then the oil crisis hit.
All that said, as a collector/classic car, it would take a certain type of enthusiast to appreciate it. I personally love them and enjoy driving mine almost daily. People on the street absolutely love to see these big C-body Chryslers and will take photos and ask questions at the gas station, give you thumbs-up and honk in approval as you go down the road. But if you pull one of these into a classic car cruise-in? Crickets.
Here again is a shot of my $1250 ’67 Newport Custom. Nice write-up Russ!
Wow Rex… i knew about your New Yorker. I didn’t know you had this 2 door Newport too. Its absolutely beautiful. And if I was at the same Classic Car Cruise ins as you were…. There wouldnt be any crickets from me. Absolutely beautiful. My Dad had a friend that bought a brand new (67 or 68) Can’t remember white 2 door Newport, just like yours. Nice solid car.
If people at the cruise ins want to stare at nothing but a sea of red tri-fives, Camaros and Mustangs, let them. As a young car kid, i was at a show when a guy pulled up in a 50s era 4-door. My curious self must have asked dozens of questions about that old ride. The guy ate it up and I learned a ton. You never know who might be attending an event.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I don’t even look at the Camaros and Mustangs when I go to a car show.
Nice ride!
I too am a bigger fan of these Engel inspired square bodies. I like them a lot better than the Fuselage style that followed.
Beautiful car. I remember my friend growing up his Dad was a mopar guy he had a 67 Chrysler 300 torquise blue with white top. Whenever I rode in you could tell it was a solid car especially when going over those bumpy pot hole Pennsylvania roads.
I’m aware of the misspelled turquoise I admit not being sure about the spelling but that’s a result of auto-correct.
Man am I glad I got that off my chest lol
Nice car with nice options in beautiful, original condition, and reasonably priced, too. I hope it finds a good home.
This car reminds me of a ’66 Dodge Polara I had back in the mid 70s, same mill and everything. Even the interior looks similar. I drove the heck out of that car, even across the country and back. I never had any trouble with it except one motor mount broke. It is definitely one of the many cars I wish I had back!
Thanks Driveinstile, I appreciate the kind words.
I didn’t set out to be a Chrysler guy. I was in the middle of resurrecting my newly-acquired ’63 Riviera in 2019, when I spotted the Newport sitting lonely on a Columbus street. I had seen it the year before, then when I returned in 2019, it was still there. So I left a note on the car and the guy called me right away. He was moving but the car wasn’t. So I gave him 1250 and got on the FCBO website (For C Bodies Only). I got a username and posted “No Juice At The Key”. In ten minutes I had 6 guys telling me the ammeter in the dash was defective. I fixed it, and the 383 fired right up. I’ve loved the car ever since.
Now I want a ’65 Imperial!
And a ’60 Olds 98, and a Citroen DS, and a Lincoln Mark lll, and…………..
Had One! (uh, not two).
HUUUUUGE!…and the trunk! Set up camp!
Float down the Interstate.
Very good days gone by.
Well I got me a Chrysler she’s as big as a whale…but I digress. I really like
this car! And yeah, my back would like it too. Almost bought a ’66 Newport 2-door hardtop from my Uncle, who was a semi pro bowler back then. His was copper with a black vinyl roof and interior. He needed a large comfortable car for
long road trips and the Newport delivered in spades. When he traded
it in ’72, it had 144K miles on it and was just getting broken in. I tried my
best to buy it from him but he wouldn’t sell it to me because I was family. I kept trying though and when
I saw him and Aunt Sandy again, they
pulled the trigger on a Mazda 808
rotary wagon, which spent more time
in the shop than it did their driveway.
Now, if I could only talk Sis into letting
me buy this one!
I’m a Chrysler Corporation fan and this Newport is really nice. I was surprised that it had power windows. That is so unusual as most cars did not have this option. I’m impressed with this Chrysler.
Dad had a 68 coupe and was pretty fast for a 2bbl. But this lowly sedan is optioned like a New Yorker! I doubt there’s a better one left on the planet!
In my younger days I had a 69 Newport coupe. It was big and black and looked pretty menacing with the E-T Black Spokes and wide 60 series tires. The most impressive thing to me was the highway gas mileage that 383 2-barrel would knock down. That huge boat got me over 20 miles per gallon on a road trip from eastern Washington to the LA area. Another plus was that I could deflate the air shocks and ratchet down the torsion bars and have an instant low rider to go cruising in while I was there.
Back in the day I wouldn’t have given this car a second look. However today I really think that it would be worth owning. My 3rd grade teacher had an avocado green 2door hardtop with the woodgrain sides. Now that would really be a find!
Also appears to have the Tilt/Tele. Steering column.
I acquired a 1968 Newport Custom four door sedan from the original owner in 1990. Powered by the 383 four barrel with dual exhausts and features the automatic temperature control. A very solid car which is going through a thorough redo to make it roadworthy again after too many inactive years. In the last membership directory of the Walter P Chrysler Club it was only one of 7 so it’s become rather rare.
I had a white 2 door with a black vynil top and all red inside, loved it!