Automotive history demonstrates that while some collaborative efforts are successful, others fail to meet expectations. The Chrysler TC by Maserati is a perfect example of the latter, failing to sell in the expected numbers and costing Chrysler a pretty penny by the time the final cars left the line. This 1990 example is a tidy survivor that can be enjoyed immediately. It is ideal for enthusiasts wishing to combine luxury with top-down cruising. The seller has listed the TC here on eBay in Pacoima, California. Subdued action has pushed the price to a mere $540 in a No Reserve auction.
Chrysler released the TC by Maserati in 1989 as a collaboration with the Alejandro de Tomaso-owned Italian sports car and GT manufacturer. Its development schedule was repeatedly delayed due to disagreements about the engineering, and that was just the start of the trouble. The delays meant that it finally landed in showrooms two years after the LeBaron Convertible’s release, with the less expensive LeBaron syphoning sales from the company’s new “halo” model. This TC left the Italian factory in 1990, ordered by the first owner in a shade called Exotic Red. Its overall presentation is very tidy, with no evidence of significant panel or paint shortcomings. It retains its color-matched factory hardtop, although the seller doesn’t indicate whether there is a soft-top. I can’t spot any rust issues, the glass is clear, and the wheels are free from physical damage.
TC buyers in 1990 could choose from two engines to power their new purchase, with most buyers selecting the Mitsubishi-sourced 3.0-liter V6 found in this car. A four-speed automatic transmission was the only one available with that motor, although those buyers who selected the optional turbocharged four could hook it to a five-speed manual. This car’s V6 should generate 141hp and 171 ft/lbs of torque, according to the Sales Brochure. That means that performance will be competent, rather than electrifying. However, relaxed cruising with the top down shouldn’t present any obstacles. The other positive attribute of the V6 is the ready availability of parts, making long-term maintenance viable. The seller describes this TC as well-maintained, suggesting that it is in excellent mechanical health and a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.
Chrysler justified its high sticker price for the TC by emphasizing its interior luxury. Every upholstered surface features hand-stitched Italian leather, while buyers received climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power seats, power mirrors, a power trunk release, cruise control, and a tilt wheel. This car also would have featured a ten-speaker Infiniti II AM/FM radio/cassette player. However, this car’s factory stereo has made way for an aftermarket CD player as the only visible addition. There is little to criticize about the Red and Black leather, with no seat wear or other problems. The dash is clean, the carpet is excellent, and driving this classic with the hardtop removed won’t cause embarrassment.
Lee Iacocca enjoyed a reputation for success in the automotive industry, but not everything he touched turned to gold. He crossed paths with Alejandro de Tomaso twice during his career, and neither joint venture delivered on its promise. Chrysler had high hopes for the TC by Maserati, but pulled the plug on the project due to poor sales. Only 1,900 buyers handed over the cash for one in 1990, and once the contract minimum of 7,300 vehicles had been built, Chrysler canceled what proved to be an expensive project that lost the company millions of dollars. This 1990 example is tidy and has no apparent needs. The auction action has been extremely subdued, which may allow someone to become its new owner without spending a fortune. That might make the listing worth monitoring closely if you aspire to own one of these classics.
Are those factory rims ?
They are not. I like the chrome, though. Nice looking.
I’ve never seen a two tone interior either, but I like it.
Had one years ago and really enjoyed my time with it. Never gave a lick of trouble other than the power tie-downs for the hardtop/tonneau. There is a manual override accessed through the trunk.
Makes my bidding finger itchy.
this TC is far from being original.The seats ,wheels and many other things are not original.There is no mention of the soft top.The 90 had a lot of problems as the 91 a lot of the problems have been fixed.I havge a 90 with the 16 valve 5 speed.The thread used on the soft top rots away.the back window is glued to the top and will come loose.I could go on.I also have two others for parts
Interior colors were ginger, bordeaux, or black. Availability varied by year. Black and red was not a regular factory offering, so it’s either a retrim or a special order.
Whatever the case, it has not aged well, IMO.
I like the general design of these, and that drivetrain should be pretty dependable, but I’d be inclined to take a few sharpies to the seat cushioning LOL.
Buyers from the 1960s & ’70s would never stand for just splashes of color on the seating surfaces – a red interior back then meant almost everything inside was red.
The early Thunderbirds had the two tone seats in them.
Frog, if you google 1957 two tone thunderbird interiors & then click on images, you will see the two tones also got a colored steering wheel, carpet,& dash too – try finding that on today’s vehicles. I had a good laugh when motorweek went nuts over the colored STITCHING on the colorless seats of the new charger. lol
At this price, only the transporter makes money. Have my finger hovering, so if get it, will like to talk to TJ about the top. My ’89 Alpha gives me fits just doing it’s convertible top.
I agree with TJ and CC. Another noteworthy thing about the TC was the door jams were chrome plated. And if I’m not mistaken the cars didn’t rust out.
The red paint (seems like many of the ones I have seen are a soft yellow), the two-tone red/black interior, and the chrome wheels do spice it up. The condition doesn’t look like almost 100k miles to me. The write-up sounds AI. Might be a decent example of a “miss” in the halo car category.
I’ve asked the seller for photos of the soft top and also if the power pull down for the top works. It’s not an expensive fix. The motor used is the same as Cadillac used for their trunk pull down.
I’ll add on if I hear back.
Really like this car.
Pretty sure the 3.0L Mitsubishi V6 here was the only engine available for ’89-90, replacing both the “Maserati” 16v turbo (for the 500 manual-equipped cars) and the Turbo II (for the other autotragic cars) inline-4s offered for ’88 only.
That 16v engine was the only thing credibly “Maserati” about these, and even that was just the head finished and assembled at Maserati, but designed and cast by Cosworth with cams by Crane. The bodies and interiors were actually manufactured at the Innocenti plant, which to be fair was also doing the same for Biturbos at the time, as de Tomaso owned both Innocenti and Maserati.
I actually liked the look of these though Chrysler did take a bath on them. Never saw one with that two tone red and black interior before.
Very nice example, yes it’s a dressed up LeBaron but Chrysler did make some effort to differenciate it. Dig the interior and the fact that it’s a K-car derivative parts are still plentifull and cheap for everyday maintenance.
Despite the styling similarity, the TC shares no body panels with the LeBaron and is actually shorter in length and wheelbase, tho’ of course they both have K-car-derived mechanicals under the skin.
The original plan was that the TC would launch first as a “halo car”, then a couple-few years later the LeBaron would launch with similar styling to lend it some cachet from the TC, making it seem like a more affordable TC. Instead, development and production delays with the TC left the LeBaron to launch first, so the TC came out seeming like a tarted-up LeBaron.
If only it was closer, and the turbo with the manual, I would be interested. I’d hope it has a soft top, those porthole windows don’t look right.
The soft top is not removable. It stores under the hard shell canopy. The condition is another matter. I have a 1989 sitting here I purchased 12 years ago with light front end damage. I located the front sheet metal and fascia from a 1990 in Indiana 11 hours from me only to discover the core supports were different. So I lost interest and started disassembling the car to do a custom build similar to a Zimmer. Then I got old (Gee how did that happen?) and lost interest again.
Bidding up to $4,500 as of Thursday 7:51 AM Pacific time. These cars do nothing for me.
I’ve always wondered if I owned one of these and folks asked me what it was..what would I say? I cant imagine telling them its a Maserati..maybe if it was lovely Citroen SM but not this.Its not a bad car and they are so cheap now that I’d even be tempted..I think I’d just say “:Oh its a Chrysler”..and was does TC mean anyway?
The full official name was “Chrysler’s TC by Maserati”, with the first half of that (yes, including the ‘s possessive) printed on the left end of the trunklid stainless trim strip within the full-width reflector lens, and the last half printed on the right end. It’s interesting this (or a prior) owner has buffed off the label from the left end, leaving only the “by Maserati” at the right end.
The TC apparently stood for “Turbocharged Coupe”, which is strange as it’s not a coupe, but rather a convertible, so “Turbocharged Convertible” would have made more sense. Most just call them a Chrysler TC.
Love they cant even get the name right in the ad..CT..not TC
My Brother in Law is a retired NYFD Mechanic. He has a 1990 with the Mitsu V6 that he’s owned for decades. He’s really had very few issues maintaining and mildly modifying it. I only rode in it once and my impression was it rode much quieter and more comfortably than the my Plymouth Turismo 2.2 or my neighbors Le Barron convertible. It’s still a K-car at heart but about as nice a one as you will find.
What a shame that Chrysler and DeTomasso didn’t get their act together better on this car. If it had turned out to be the ‘halo” car it could have been, nobody would have cared if it had lost money.
Surprised it didnt get the 222hp or even 300hp turbo DOHC v6 in the 3000gt.
Forget its difficulties in the womb, what you have now is a very nice car top up, top down, unusual, you won’t see many others, parts are easy to get compared with foreign cars, reliability is great compared to a Jag, Mercedes, let alone Fiat, of the day. The same time Le Baron convertible is less expensive, seats 4, (sort of), and is the bargain in the collectible car market. The best of them has the V6, leather, and is a fine car – 1/10 the price of a Mustang or Camaro of the same vintage in equal condition. People complain about how much it costs to “get into the hobby”. Look at this one or a Le Baron.
The LeBarron convert. had terrible cowl shake. What about these? I never got the chance to drive on. Even though I was a parts and service director at a Chrysler store back then.
Commented earlier that was getting the sweats and bid finger was shaking, but got over it when contacted dealer. Looking for $6K, which is almost there and not outrageous, BUT when I asked for the alleged independent inspection the conversation stopped. If your in the area, make sure you see it, otherwise leaves a big ? into the equation.
SOLD for 6K.
this TC is far from being original.The seats ,wheels and many other things are not original.There is no mention of the soft top.The 90 had a lot of problems as the 91 a lot of the problems have been fixed.I havge a 90 with the 16 valve 5 speed.The thread used on the soft top rots away.the back window is glued to the top and will come loose.I could go on.I also have two others for parts