27,340 Miles! 1982 Chrysler Cordoba

UPDATE 1/3/19 – This one got bid up to to $6,100 the first time around, but has been relisted here on eBay again. The seller doesn’t mention why it didn’t sell, but lets hope they are honoring that whole “no reserve” thing…

FROM 12/17/18 – This second-generation 1982 Chrysler Cordoba almost looks like a vintage ad for the series. The photos are great and plentiful, maybe things will end on a high note this year after all! This gorgeous golden car can be found here on eBay in Alberta, Canada. The current bid is just over $2,500 and do my eyes deceive me? There is no reserve on this one?

What a great looking car, wow! One thing is a bit of a noggin-scratcher if you don’t read the description or know that the car is actually in Alberta, Canada. The seller says that it has “27,340 actual miles” but the photo of the odometer shows 44,113. Of course, those are kilometers so once the conversion is done you’re at 27,340. It doesn’t look like even has that many miles on it to me, this thing is gorgeous. I really like the 1975 to 1977 first-generation cars with round headlights. When they switched to square headlights for 1978 and 1979 they lost me a bit, but then the 1980 cars came out and won me over again.

I’m so used to seeing a handful of off-set or cutoff photos and no engine or interior photos that I’m in awe of this seller’s documentation of this golden jewel. I think it could bring about world peace if every seller put forth this much effort to show a vehicle online – well done! It helps to have a drop-dead beautiful car in unbelievable condition, too. The second-gen Cordobas were downsized about 5-inches so not that much but they really look crisp and clean compared to the curvy first-generation cars.

This is Corinthian velour.. hey, wait a minute.. Ok, so the famous puffy leather would have been great here but there’s nothing wrong with fabric seats. They look as perfect as everything else does and the back seat also looks fantastic. The seller says that everything works down to the clock, but being a Canadian car it’s a metric clock and it runs 1.6-times faster. No, I’m kidding, of course, it keeps perfect time and all power equipment works great, right down to the cruise control.

Here’s where I often say how fun it would be to spend a weekend or two detailing an engine. You just gained some free time, two or three Q-Tips and you’ll be done with this already clean engine. This is Chrysler’s 318 cubic-inch fuel-injected V8. They say that “when we opened the hood we couldnt believe the condition! All the original warranty decals and chalk marks are incredibly still in place. Every component in tact and in good order.” Are there any fans of these later Cordobas out there?

Comments

  1. Avatar Big_Fun Member

    Every time I see a nice Cordoba I think of Herb Tarlek from the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” . I’m paraphrasing here, the line I seem to remember was “Okay, Big Guy, the Cordoba is downstairs warmed up and ready to go!” As Herb and his boss Author Carlson were going on a trip. Herb may have had leather in his example, although if the ’77 Bonneville’s Valencia interior (see it recently featured here on BF) was available in a Cordoba, Herb may have reconsidered!

    Like 6
    • Avatar King Al

      Looks like electrical tape in several places on the steering wheel. Realy classy.

      Like 2
    • Avatar WKRPerfect

      Ah yes, Vicki Von Vicki and the Dayton strangler. “Hey Big Guy, come on, let’s go. The Cordoba is warmed up and ready to cruise.”

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Fordguy1972 Member

    Now that is a good-looking automobile! The color suits it very well and that imposing grill with the landau roof treatment really give this car a formal, high-end look. Low miles, well-optioned and a plush interior checks all the boxes. The dark brown interior seems an unusual color choice but it compliments the exterior nicely. The rich wood dash is a beautiful touch. This is a car anyone would love to have and I’m sure it will see spirited bidding. The new owner should be very pleased with this gem.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar CCFisher

    Were Canadian versions fuel-injected? US Cordobas used a 2bbl carb on the 5.2L engine.

    Like 3
    • Avatar r s

      I only see any sort of fuel injection on the 318 in the “Imperial”.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar P.Melvin

    Looks like standard Chrysler fare of the period-just a bigger, plusher K-car.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Robert S

    P.Melvin, K-cars didn’t come out till 82 or 83, they were front wheel drive, this is the last of the old school rear wheel drive.

    Like 14
    • Avatar P.Melvin

      Oh, okay. Still, pretty unmistakable as Chrysler product. Perhaps this inspired the look of the K-car. Kind of a meh-mobile typical of domestic vehicles of the time. I wonder if any of the K-car DNA still lives in Chrysler minivans?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Fordfan

        More like a Lincoln mk 5 the styling came from a former Ford designer that came over to Chrysler

        Like 5
    • Avatar Miguel

      K-cars were first introduced for the 1981 model year.

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Billy007

    Ahh, that is a J car. Several inches longer wheel base than a Volare. I know, I have a fairly pristine and by far rarer 1983 Dodge Mirada.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Sidney

      Is it you that has that awesome car? Didn’t you post a picture of it a while back? Blue, right? I have always loved these. Too bad Chrysler was in such bad financial straights then and didn’t sell many of these, they are really beautiful.

      Like 2
  7. Avatar Tom Member

    Hey Ricardo……where is the Fine Corinthian Leather ? I think I hear Tattoo yelling…..Boss….The plain, the plain !!! The plain interior !!!!

    I like and prefer that dark brown velour…..nice.

    Like 13
  8. Avatar hat of pork

    I imagine myself driving this all the way to…..Corinth, and when I get there, Claude Rains inquires of me-“Why did you come to Corinth, Mr. Blaine?” “I came for the leather”. “But there IS no leather in Corinth, Mr. Blaine”. “I was misinformed”.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Mike H.

    “. . . being a Canadian car it’s a metric clock and it runs 1.6-times faster.”

    That’s just plain funny, period. Well played, Scotty!

    Like 20
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      Ha, thanks, Mike! I didn’t know if anyone really read every word of these posts, especially mine. Watch for hidden Powerball hints coming soon! (kidding, again)

      Like 8
      • Avatar Mach1joe

        I thought to convert you doubled it and added 32. . . or is that a metric 6-pack?

        Like 0
  10. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    Beautiful looking Chrysler Cordoba. I remember this generation of Chrysler cars. While it may not have been very popular (why that is, damned if I know), I find them more attractive than the much larger version that came before it.

    Like 2
    • Avatar r s

      I would trade one of these in a heartbeat for a Cordoba or Magnum of the prior larger generation. In fact I originally wanted a 79 Magnum, midnight blue with black leather and fully loaded, but ended up getting a 1980 Mirada – same basic car as this gold one, and it was the single biggest steaming pile I have ever owned.

      Like 1
  11. Avatar Pete Phillips

    Beautiful automobile, but I see the Lean Burn box on the side of the air cleaner, so I will have to run the other way. Been there, done that, not going to do it again.

    Like 9
  12. Avatar Bob

    I am so glad there are people that actually think these were good looking cars. Hopefully this one will find a good home. But to me… can you say ugly?

    Like 3
  13. Avatar Del

    Hey Scotty

    Your write up is wrong.

    No Cordobas were injected.

    You can see the Electronic Spark Control in the engine picture.

    Like 4
  14. Avatar Del

    Oh. I see the auction company lists it as Fuel Injected. They should know better too.

    Two wrongs do not make a right 😁🤣

    Like 4
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      You’re right, Del, I was wrong. Unfortunately, it won’t be the last time that I’m wrong. Thanks for catching that and pointing it out, twice.

      Like 9
      • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

        *snort* *giggle* *guffaw*!!

        Heh, thanks for the laugh, Scotty!

        Like 3
  15. Avatar Steve

    I needed a beater back in 2001. I found one of these in the back of a buy here pay here lot with 15k miles on it and some front-end damage. It was looked exactly the same as this one but mine had buckets and fine corinthian leather. When I saw it I thought it would be cool to have a V8 rear-drive coupe to cruise around in. So I repaired the body damage, tuned it up and threw on some new tires. The cool factor wore off when the lean burn would act up and I didn’t know if I’d be pushing or driving home. I regret not just yanking off the lean burn and throwing a regular intake and carb on it. Instead I dumped it and bought a mint 1990 Z24 as my beater……that was a different nightmare.

    Like 9
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      DD/SOS, eh?

      (loosely translated as Different Day/Same Old S***)

      Like 0
      • Avatar span ky

        Sick cars for a sick planet

        Like 0
  16. Avatar glenn

    Yes this is a beautiful car! The steering wheel in all the 81 – 83 Chrysler products like this one are cracked, usually down by the horn pad. Im looking for a light blue on for my 81 Imp.

    Like 1
    • Avatar r s

      The steering wheels cracked, the top of the door trim cracked, the A-pillar plastic trim cracked, the trim around the interior side windows cracked, it was made out of Turkish Taffy. Garbage.Chrysler replaced all of it on my 80 Mirada and in two months it all cracked again. (This, supposedly after they figured out the cause of the problem.) Up to 1/8″ gaps between the segments where the cracking happened.

      Like 5
  17. Avatar Del

    Contacted Auction House.

    They are not concerned about advert saying Fuel Injected. It is a Misprint

    Gues we should not care either

    Like 2
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      Close enough for horse shoes and hand grenades….

      Like 0
  18. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Nice car, love the colour combination on this one as well…this body style for me looks more luxurious than the previous design, and I like it! Sadly the oil industry is in rough shape in Alberta, and I’m afraid we’re going to see more classics up for sale in that great province.

    Like 1
  19. Avatar G.W.Gilmore

    No one gonna mention they covered the cracks in the steering wheel with what looks like black electrical tape? To me would have looked better without it?

    Like 1
  20. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    I remember cars like this. I found them more attractive than their predecessors in the 70s. I found them to be the best looking cars since the 1969 “fuselage” styling. Since then, things went south as far as styling and weight. This was a nice change in size, styling and weight. It may have still been front-engine, rear-wheel drive, but it wasn’t quite as big and heavy as its predecessor. Why it wasn’t popular is beyond me.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar Maestro1

    The first thing I would do is get rid of the lean burn and convert to anything that made sense, like fuel injection, or a decent Carb, something. Get a look at the suspension, make sure all the rubber parts are present and fresh, fix all the toys where necessary and then drive it for 600 miles. These cars have little upside in the market but they are there to enjoy and own. So do it. I would but I have no room.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Bryan

    I would agree that the 1980-83 J-cars are elegantly styled, thoughI do prefer the 81-83 Imperial bustle back coupes.

    Like 1
  23. Avatar Glenn

    I agree!! Here is my 81 Frank with one year only sunroof!! One of approximately 50 produced in 81 with the only two options available!!

    Like 5
  24. Avatar Del

    I thought the first auction was an Unreserved one ?

    Strange it would be relisted.

    And it is not going up 😁😂

    Like 0

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