Looking partially sunburned but otherwise solid and straight, this 1968 Chrysler Newport appears to be in nice shape. Although as almost always in craigslist ads, the photos are lacking in quantity as we only get five of them. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in West Covina, California, and they’re asking $14,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!
We know that the power windows all go down and back up again, which is no small thing in a decades-old vehicle as most of us know with our own decades-old vehicles. The top also appears to work and the seller says that it’s new. The fourth-generation Newport was made from 1964 for the 1965 model year, until the end of 1968 and they were based on Chrysler’s C-body platform. You can see that the aqua/turquoise paint is faded from the hot California sun.
The Newport of this era came in a two-door convertible, two-door hardtop, four-door station wagon, and both a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan body style, and in a base model and higher trim-level Newport Custom. The C-body was shared with other Chrysler models as well as the Plymouth Fury and the Dodge Monaco and Polara. The ’68s had slightly-revised tail lights and grilles from the previous cars and I don’t see any glaring flaws in this example other than the paint, do you?
Here’s where I wish the photos would have been better, and more plentiful. This is the only photo showing the front seat, but it sure looks like the split-back bench seat is in nice condition. The small window crank is for the vent windows as this car has optional power windows. Power vent windows would have been an option, as were power door locks and a power seat. The seller says that it has “full power”, but I believe there would have been a tiny square badge below the door locks if it had power locks? Rex? Anyone?
The back seat looks great other than some fading on the top-center portion, and I wonder if the stuffed Wimpy (from Popeye) doll goes with the car? Sadly, the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood so we could see what is apparently the standard 383-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been factory-rated at 290 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque when new. They say that they have owned this car for over 25 years and if I’m reading the ad correctly, it has a rebuilt engine and transmission, and they just went through the cooling system. Hagerty is at $12,400 for a #3 good condition car, how much would you pay for this droptop?
Nice boat! I’ll take bad paint over rust any day. Drive as is to the Love Shack!
You should wear a captains hat while driving with the top down, and take it to the beach and tow skateboarders like they’re skiers.
Power windows to be sure, with crank vent windows. Not sure about power door locks. I wonder if it has the 6-way power bench seat like my ’65 New Yorker!
Power windows on a Newport is rare. It will have power steering and power brakes. AC is a option found 50%. A power seat and cornering lights and upper level radios will be found on New Yorkers often. I am the owner of both models and know the cars well. Newports of this era will have a 383 cu in. engine, New Yorkers will have a 440 cu in. engine
Hey Tom, are you in Florida?
Rex,
Nice to meet you. I am in central California. Iam 1/2 way between the top and the bottom of California and also 1/2 way between east and west. It never freezes here and we have totally rust free cars if it has always been in this area. I enjoy finding old classic and old luxury cars. Just made the discovery of a 1936 Packard 4 door conv. Looks like I am going to buy this one for myself and willing to sell of my Chryslers and Lincolns. Grew up in Michigan and went to Univ. of Detroit, was one step brelow Mahogany Row at Kelsey Hayes. I then went to the oil field industry in Texas and now I have been in the wine business for 25 years. Tastes much better than oil.
Hey Tom, you wouldn’t by any chance reside in the city which has the biggest winery in the world, do you? I’ve been here for 40+ years.
You are correct, there would be a small square with, “Lock” and a triangle pointing down.
That looks like a 6 way seat. Up, down, front, back, twist to tilt.
With that big old boat I’m reminded of the song Love shack
Once again, my ’65 New Yorker
Don’t remember, clear tail lights?
WAY COOL, Rex! I even play “Love Shack” over the sound system in my 1987 Fifth Avenue when I give friends a ride in it for the first time!
Would you like another ’65 new yorker 2drHT ?mostly original 70k mi. 20″ Incubus rims, flipped axle needs interior, shocks, registered, insured on road, some records original plates $7k 530 776 8958 kevin
Some of the ’65s did have clear tail lights, but not all of them. Mine are red. The ’65 in the Love Shack video had red tail light as well. Classic.
Ya, before January ’65 clear, after red.
Think it was a Newport in the video.
’65’s are so cool, always liked my Uncle’s better than our ’67.
Take care.
Chrysler Corp. made a production change after just three months production. The clear ltail light lenses were glass and there was excessive damage occuring. This caused Chrysler to change to a red plastic tail light lens.
I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday, for this Chrysler convertible today.
David,
I have 12 wineries less than an hour away that are very large production wineries. They all crush 10 tons of grapes at once. Each of these wineries will have 150,000 to 300,000 gallons on hand. We have a new warehouse where highway tractor trailers are loaded by robots. There are 40 shipping docks and trucks are all loaded by robots. They do not even turn on the lights inside. I am the grower list and get 50% discounts when I visit.