Red Leather Brougham! 1978 Chrysler New Yorker

Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.

Soon before similar dinosaurs vanished from the Earth, this 1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham represented “traditional” luxury including some good and bad elements that accompany that moniker. Finding a more perfect specimen that you could enjoy driving would be difficult. After accumulating fewer than 10 miles in the last year, this Ballwin, Missouri specimen convinced its owner to post it here on eBay, where at least 12 bidders have run its market value to $6000, less than its original $7831 MSRP. The waterfall grille and hidden highlights telegraph luxury from a mile away.

Excuse me while I curl up on the sumptuous tufted red leather like a spoiled spaniel. Real six-passenger comfort is hard to come by these days without one of your passengers awkwardly scrambling into a third-row seat, but three across is easily accomplished in the front and back of this New Yorker. Power everything keeps driver effort to a minimum, and even the 8-track player works; Sinatra anyone?

The elegant tail lights recall the previous generation Imperial. Dove gray paint gleams along with the chrome. Fresh tires have covered only five miles, according to the seller. As long as collectors typically prefer the pre-smog classics, these later ’70s rollers will remain a bargain.

The 400 cid (6.6L) runs well, according to the listing. Sound insulation here and everywhere promises calm travels near and far. Stay away from the autocross or anything like it, and you can enjoy every minute of driving this Broughamosaurus. I’ve piloted similar behemoths and they’ll handle a typical two-lane blacktop secondary road with few complaints as long as you don’t ask too much from the brakes or handling. Do your acceleration and deceleration mostly in a straight line and enjoy the lost art of person-to-person conversation with your relaxed passengers. How does this New Yorker rate on your list of ’70s luxury barges?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. flmikey

    Because of the 2 extra doors, this one could be a bargain…

    Like 7
    • Jasper

      One of the few exceptions to that rule here. These just look best as a four door hardtop. The two doors have that funky padded top, opera windows and pillars.

      Like 7
      • nlpnt

        For that matter, this was the last 4-door hardtop not only from Detroit but on the US market at all.

        Like 0
  2. Bick Banter

    Peak Brougham.

    Like 13
    • John S Dressler

      Drove one of these once. That front seat is like sitting on the overstuffed couch in your living room. Nice car.

      Like 15
  3. KC JohnMember

    Man, that thing is pretty. Love the steering wheel. Heck, who am I kidding. I love this car. This land yacht from the same company that birthed the K car. Lol.

    Like 21
  4. Pete R

    The perfect car for a trailer park supervisor, or a weekend trailer park supervisor…

    Like 10
    • FireAxeGXP

      So did you buy it yet??

      Like 6
    • FireAxeGXP

      So then did you buy it yet???

      Like 4
  5. David Sebben

    If I had the cash, it would be in my garage. What a beauty!

    Like 6
  6. Keruth

    Sold these. ’79 was last year before downsizing.
    My demo was a Newport, same body, brocade covers, land yacht for sure!
    Oh, and “Nash seats” Took my eventual ex-wife to prom in it, 12 mpg on a good day IIRC, lol.
    Always loved this in the Dove Gray, but the inn is full!

    Like 5
    • Ignatius J. Reilly

      ’79 was the first year for downsized R-bodies. I once owned 3 of those, one from each year 1979-1981.

      Like 3
  7. mrshred

    As Jack Jones sang it: “What a beautiful New Yorker”
    https://youtu.be/ZTjXMrlaIk4

    Like 2
  8. Scotty GilbertsonStaff

    Huuu, that interior! It’s at $6,000 with six hours left, this thing is beautiful. Nice one, Todd!

    Like 8
    • Scott

      Vent windows in the front doors, too!

      Like 2
      • Scotty GilbertsonStaff

        I miss those little vent windows.

        Like 2
  9. Solosolo UK SolosoloMember

    The best American car that I ever owned. Mine was maroon and my 4 year old grandson would stand on the centre armrest and stick his head out of the sun roof! On a 1200 mile classic car outing I once jammed 9 adults and the grandson into the car for a trip down to the local Dairy Queen equivalent. It was eventually sold to a funeral director who used it as a “family” car. That beautiful leather was known as Corinthian I think, and was softer than Connolly Hide in a Rolls Royce.

    Like 6
  10. StanMember

    Ray going to rip around the trailer park bombed 🥃 run into a few trees, rip off a door.

    Way she goes 🤷‍♂️

    Like 2
  11. George Mattar

    Is there anything better than red leather? NO. Todays boring cars offer black or tan. That’s it.

    Like 3
  12. Keith D.

    Last of the American automobile with original slide out vent windows. Beautiful car

    Like 1
  13. Mr. Lahey

    I like it!

    Like 2
  14. md

    She’s a beauty, but the “shimmy” the seller describes about the idle might be more than a carburetor issue – I owned a chrysler 400 that had a shimmy and it turned out to be a worn cam…

    Like 1
  15. Bob S

    My dad had a ‘76, light blue with a white vinyl top and white leather. I would never ask to borrow it, but he offered it to me for my prom night. It was pretty much like driving your living room down the highway. The only let down was the 360 with the lean burn system. This 78 is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful color combination.

    Like 0
  16. NHDave

    Auction just ended with a winning bid of $7500.00.

    Like 3
  17. AnthonyD

    Great buy! Especially with shipping included! Beautiful car.

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Barn Finds