Usually, when we run across a “roller,” the whole package needs a lot of work. Not so in the case of this 1970 Chrysler Newport, which looks quite tidy except for the hole in the engine compartment. Apparently, the perfectly good 383 cubic inch V8 was pulled to go in another car. Located in Butte, Montana, this big Mopar is ready for a second chance at cruising the highways and byways. And it can be had for $4,950 here on craigslist. Kudos to JackM for this cool tip!
The Newport was Chrysler’s “bread & butter” car for many moons, paving the way for buyers who didn’t have the budget or desire to spring for expensive models like the New Yorker. The cars got a redesign in 1968 that brought forth “fuselage” styling, so the 1970 models only received a light refresh. The end result was that Chrysler delivered more than 112,000 Newports in 1970, of which nearly 30,000 were 2-door hardtops like this one.
A 383 V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor was standard fare on the ’70 Newport. We assumed it was pulled at 79,000 miles for another use, but why not do that with a rusty mess rather than this documented near survivor? They left behind the TorqueFlite automatic, which we’re told works as it should. And the brakes and tires are practically new, so why disable what appears to be a quality vintage automobile? The body has no rust, and the single repaint in the car’s original color seems to be holding up well.
The interior is spotless except for one minor spot, and the Chrysler has bucket seats, kind of unusual for a grocery getter Newport. One window is stubborn in rolling up and down, but since power windows weren’t ordered, the repair shouldn’t be hard. The carpeting has an odor that perhaps shampooing may remove. To rectify the MIA engine, the seller can hook you up with someone who has a stash of 440s at $1,000 each, but at that price, maybe a rebuild is needed. Why not just source a 383 from the same era and at least stay period-correct?
Ouch! That’s like a surgeon removing a perfectly good appendix! Automotive mutilation!
You can still perform without independence… The heart was literally removed from this body.
… and independicitis can be life threatening, too.
That’s a lot of money for a roller, even if it’s a great design. How much demand is there for a $4,950 2 door C-body that’s been sitting long enough to have a mouse infestation? Shipping an inoperable car from Montana will be expensive. It’s priced too high for what it is, the seller would be better off by buying his friends 440 and installing it himself, then sell it as a running driving car.
Steve R
Agree Steve….it would sell for maybe half that as a roller…..
I’m scratching my head with this one. I’m with Russ. This was way too nice to yank the original 383 out of. It would be nice to see on the road again.
It breaks my heart to see that these cars are still being used as donors – especially one that presents as such a time capsule.
their are people that call themselves mopar guys, but the only ones they like are the B and E bodies all the rest are doners., They are not mopar guys at all.
It would be surprising if the engine was pulled recently, the value of a running car in good condition will far outweigh that of a 383, unless it was recently rebuilt.
The seller suggests it would make a good demolition derby car, C-body’s are great for that, but who is going to pay just shy of $5,000 for one without an engine. They would likely hold out for one that runs, they were made for a long time, in a semi rural area where there isn’t a lot of rust, beat up, running examples should be able to be found for far less than the asking price.
Steve R
What a pity. The two door pre 72 coupes were great because they looked so long.Also if the owner didn’t put one of his friends 440’s in it that’s strange.
That’s an optional interior and AM/8-track stereo. As often, no clock.
1969 was the first year for fuselage bodies.
Put a 383 Magnum in there, and with 3:23 gearing, you’ll have a great drivetrain.
Why? It’ll never be numbers-matching again so, who cares? Why would you not put a 440 in it? Bolts right in, way more desirable, same cost to build. No brainer.
Agree.
Did anyone notice that the interior dome light is working in picture #8?
I’ve seen this before, yank engine out of a perfectly nice car, sickening
why did the friend need the 383 if has a 440? 440 must need work. total shame what happened here. another 1 who needs their tools confiscated. i really does make you sick because the clean rides are drying up
I agree w/the premise of keeping a vehicle original, especially such a clean, unmolested example as this. However, w/the motor already removed, that leaves one w/the option of installing a 440 in place of its born-with-383…..w/half the work already completed.
Nows the time to pick up that motorhome sitting in the az desert and pull the motor for this one.
Seems like a pretty sweet deal and should sell quickly. With such a nice body, color and options who would even care if it isn’t the original big block. A powertrain is the only thing simple to source and restore for one of these. The body and trim are the unobtainium.
This was a perfectly nice 2 door Chrysler. What a shame. Could still be saved. I could see if it was beat up or even a 4 door. I agree with most comments. WHY!
Some people don’t have brains probably took it to put in a roadrunner
NO ENGINE NO SALE !
disagree for the right money you could find a engine and have a great driver.
Really love the looks of these year Chryslers.Gotta agree.Totally brainless to remove the original engine from such a beautiful, original looking car. I don’t know what goes through some people’s heads sometimes. I really hope someone takes it and gets it running again. This car is way too nice to scrap
In 1990, my oldest brother calls me and asks if I wanted a 70 Nova SS. I tell him I have no cash, but he tells me it’s free. His friend bought the car for the LT-1 and TH400 and doesn’t want the car, so I jumped on it. The car shows up and its gold with a black bucket seat center console interior and black landeau top, and immaculate! Who does that?!? He put a rod through the block of his 70 Z28 and couldn’t find another block or engine. THAT’S who does that.
Oh, and for this Fury? It’s a Gen 3 Hemi and a set of highway flyer gears for me. Road trip!
Could have been a 383 block that was properly date coded for another higher buck restoration, but we will never know.
Ya just can’t fix STUPID!
I e-mailed the owner see if I get a response as to why the engine was pulled., I doubt if I get a answer.
When it comes to Mopars, numbers-matching examples are rare 56 years later. Sad that this happened.
It happened on a regular basis back in the day to supply engines for Road Runners, Chargers, Challengers etc. Of course, the cars weren’t worth much then, and it was usually not a nice version of the donor car. My best guess is someone has a nice example of a B body or E body that the build date matched this one and the need for “matching numbers” made this donor car worth the $$$. Now they’re trying to recoup some of their investment.
Sorry he could have found a beat up doner, like I said some guys claim to be a mopar guy but they are a BorE body guy and everything else is junk to them. A perfect example is Graveyard Czars.
That the seller would even consider selling this beautiful car to a derby jerk sickens me.
First of all the demo guys would never give him what he wants for the car. Even they know what it is worth.
Until the seller gets a reality check and realizes he’ll never get his asking price and take the first offer he gets.
Good time to drop a hemi in, modern power plant. 5.7 or 6.4 Cool project, sleeper with mopar heart transplant!!
Let me leave another comment. It is a A/C car and I did notice the front exhaust pipes are gone to. WHY WHY WHY!! This is a very nice car.
Why a big block or modern crate motor? Nothing wrong with a 383 small block in a Newport, Road Runner, or Barracuda.
First of all the 383 is a big block so it would fit.
I’d say a “383 small block” would really get the Chrysler purists’ panties in a wad.