The late seventies and early eighties were a tough time to be in the car biz. It seemed as if it was one thing after another with tightening clean air regulations, an oil embargo followed by rapidly rising fuel prices (twice!), ever-increasing safety regulations, and a punk economy. What to do? Well, you just have to keep on keeping on, and as a result, some of Detroit’s products from that period were derided, or downright shunned. Was this 1983 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition one that got a thumbs up or thumbs down? I really don’t know, let’s examine it and form an opinion. Staten Island, New York, is where you’ll find this appropriately named New Yorker, and it’s available here on craigslist for $4,200. Thanks are due to Mitchell G. for this tip!
First up, I have to apologize for the images; there are only a few in the listing and they were not well taken. Now, with that out of the way, Chrysler’s New Yorker name plate had been around quite a while, actually dating to the late 1930s – long before this “M” body version was introduced in 1982. To confuse matters, Chrysler moved the New Yorker badge to the new “E” body platform in ’83, and the M body car, such as our subject, was now known as the “New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition”. Production continued through 1989 with a healthy 83K copies originating from Chrysler’s Windsor, Ontario assembly plant in ’83. Our subject has 130K miles of experience, and assuming that it’s a long-term New York New Yorker, it looks pretty good. The finish is sound, the landau padded top isn’t flayed, and there’s no indication of rust, tarnish, bumper friction, or parking mayhem.
“It’s like sitting on a couch…” is how the seller describes the interior, and it looks it. I’d put the red velour button-tufted upholstery in the garish category, but it is in nice condition considering this car’s mileage and 42 years of life experience. Whatever one’s preference, this kind of upholstery getup was all the rage in this era and could be commonly found in other marques’ luxury models. I do appreciate ChryCo’s instrument panels from this time period; the gauges are numerous and easy to read. The radio is said to work, though the power antenna is missing, but good news! The seller has a replacement. It’s also stated that the A/C needs a recharge. I contend that if that’s all it really needed, it would have been done – it’s a lot easier to make the case for your price and a resulting sale, with a working unit.
Power comes about at a rate of 130 net HP, provided by Mopar’s venerable 5.2-liter (318 CI) V8 engine. A tried and true TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission is backing up “Old Reliable”. The seller adds, “Runs and drives very well. It starts every time. It’s a fun cruiser.”
How these New Yorkers were viewed 42 years ago really doesn’t matter today. Considering how there’s nothing made like this Chrysler now, and its reasonable price (it’s negotiable), I imagine finding a buyer won’t be too tough a task. What do you think, any interest in a trip down the eighties’ memory lane?
Billy Joel reference from J.O 🎶 🗽 🎹
I fell asleep just looking at those seats lol!!!
They did have some nice leather and cloth seats in these 5th Avenues for sure.
The real sweet spot in the lineup I think Driveinstile. Underpinnings of the tough cop car Diplomat, and most of the luxuries of the top shelf New Yorker. 👌
I had a detail shop late 70’s -81 and I used to pick up this guys 1980 New Yorker with seats like this one only in leather. When I tell you that car smelled like a new pair of tennis shoes I never wanted to get out of it. Beautiful car
My father in law and I each bought one of these on the same day,
Made for one happy salesman! His was white like this on, mine was blue. They were very good cars. We both drove them well over 100k with no major issues. I’d love to have this just for traveling.
That really looks like a nice car for short money. Normally I wouldn’t consider a “classic” car newer than 1973, but this one looks so good that I’d cruise it.
I’m pretty sure New York State of Mind is a reference to Billy Joel, but I’ll be bumping Nas in this Fifth Avenue thank you very much
Nearly a month on the market (26 days) in New York City, with millions of people within an hours drive at what appears to be a reasonable price suggests there is little to no interest.
Good deals don’t last.
Steve R
Good point Steve.
As I think about it, with parking space at a premium there in the Big Apple, maybe only Jerry Seinfeld would be interested in this car. Maybe not.
We love New York City. Our daughter lives there on the Upper East Side, and has an apartment in a nice neighborhood. There is a guy there in her neighborhood who has two old 80s-era Mercedes 240D cars parked on the street. I can’t imagine the effort it takes to keep moving them around to avoid towing, and to keep them tagged etc. Somehow the guy does it!
In 1982, there was an M-body New Yorker, and a plusher M-body New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition.
In 1983, there was an E-body New Yorker and an M-body New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition.
From 1984-1987, there was an E-body New Yorker and an M-body Fifth Avenue.
In 1988, there was a C-body New Yorker, an E-body New Yorker Turbo, and an M-body Fifth Avenue.
In 1989, there was a C-body New Yorker and an M-body Fifth Avenue.
In 1990, there was a C-body New Yorker and a stretched C-body New Yorker Fifth Avenue.
I have always wanted to take one of these and put a real hot 360 or a new hemi turbo maybe 500 hundred hp Possibly a 5speed and leave the outside stock hubcaps and all
Grandpa had the 84 model, but other than it having a blue interior, it looks nearly identical. Wouldn’t mind having this just for cruising around
I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t want this. I remember these cars being around in the 80s and being impressed by them at the time. They were rivaling Cadillac and Lincoln with the luxury features. They are quiet and ride well. The car must have been garaged or it wouldn’t look this good. The 318 and TorqueFlite transmission are solid units. Personally i love velour interiors. The bright red is attractive. Someone mentioned these cars have gauges – that’s a big plus. From my perspective there’s nothing not to like. At only $4200 (what other decent used car can you find for that money now?) I can’t imagine why no one has bought it in 27 days – unless the entire used car market has moved away from Craigslist and over to Facebook marketplace so hardly anyone saw this. I would certainly go look at this if I lived close enough.
A kid at our local high school drives one of these to school every day….pretty gold color and outstanding condition. Really stands out in the sea of suv’s and pick up trucks.
Looking at the picture of the rear of the car. The trunk key lock is missing the Chrysler cover. This seemed to be quite a problem in the 90’s. I had a Firebird Formula, was living in an apartment complex. Was constantly finding my hood emblem missing. I was always able to order one from the Pontiac dealer. After ordering the 3rd or 4th one, the parts man commented to me that I wasn’t the only one with this problem. Of course I’m sure that’s not a problem these days. Who would want to collect a Kia or Hyundia badge? 🤣
For a NY vehicle it looks really nice, at least from the photos shown. That 318ci and torqueflite combo is a durable and solid pairing. Love these era interiors and those comfy seats could cure any insomnia. If he’s hard pressed to sell, $3500 cash in hand would probably get you the title. Hard to believe nobody has scooped it up after a month. Seems like a great deal.
My parents had an ’82 which I purchased in ’93 after graduating university. Dark brown with same dark brown tufted velour interior. My girlfriend at the time, (now my wife) called it the floating coach. Drove it for several years until a driver ran a light, t-boned me & it was written off. Sweet car, perfect condition, too old to fix. Man, I miss that car. Had over 400,000km about 250,000 miles on it. Ran excellent.
Buy it. Well worth the money. My wife and I bought a 1986 new and when loaned to the wife of a new surgeon (USArmy, retired) in town she said ‘name your price but you’re not getting it back.’
I want a better look at the dwelling behind the car. That is some crazy design work with those windows. Or maybe they are gunports? Tough neighborhood.