The Chrysler Cordoba is famous for commercials featuring Ricardo Montalbán, crooning over “rich Corinthian leather”. That’s what most of us remember about the car. But the Cordoba was a stalwart entry in the personal luxury niche, credited with saving Chrysler (along with several other cars over the years, depending upon which of the many moments the company faced financial disasters) – thanks to 150k units sold in year one. The Cordoba is a handsome car with a square, upright radiator grille offset by graceful fuselage headlamp housings, flanked by those sharp-edged front fenders. Some might find these styling cues jarring, but I love the mix of shapes. Here at lowmilesnomiles (LMNM) is this survivor-quality 1977 Cordoba with only 5800 miles on the clock, aching for a new home. The car is located in Shenandoah, Iowa, and the seller is asking $21,000. Thanks, Mitchell G, for the great tip!
Herein lies a 400 cu. in. V8 from smack in the midst of the Malaise Era, by now generating 175 hp and equipped with Chrysler’s electronic lean-burn system. Two smaller V8s were on offer; all three were backed by a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. Decent torque of 300 ft-lb rescued the performance. This example still retains all its original belts and hoses, with clear factory markings. The tires are new, however. The seller notes that he recently took the car on a 400-mile road trip with no problems. The window sticker, original registration paperwork, books, and manuals are still present.
The interior is pristine, but is somewhat disappointingly upholstered in velour rather than “fine Corinthian leather”. As befits a luxury car, this Cordoba has power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, and an optional AM/FM radio. The windows operate off a crank, however.
All Cordobas were two-door coupes. A vinyl roof was optional – either a landau or, like this one. a halo style. This color is Caramel Tan Metallic, one of eighteen available shades. The Cordoba was a “small” Chrysler on a 115″ wheelbase, but the overhangs were substantial at 100″ for a total length of 215″. Production ran from 1975 through 1983; over that period, more than 750,000 units were sold. The Cordoba is the classic “little old lady on Sundays” type of car, so while this example has travelled impressively few miles, it has plenty of competition. This 2700-mile ’75 sold for $20k a year ago, supporting our seller’s asking price. What do you think of this pristine Cordoba?
Trying to get through a Cordoba post without mentioning the “fine Corinthian leather’, is like a Corvair post and not mentioning,,,um, funny thing, there is no such thing, and the seat covers, while leather, came from New Jersey, not Corinth, Greece. Merely a marketing ploy for comparison. It worked. I tend to disagree, this was no little old ladies car. These cars were for the aging gearhead that got a good job, and the GTX went up for sale at the corner gas station. Riddled with issues complying with emission problems, but the car itself was probably the last of the great RWD Chrysler cars. While the 400 was choked off pretty much, it still was a 400, and had some clout. They are nice cars, comfy high speed cruisers, but tis’ not for an old lady. Not until the author gets old, that is. :)
Can you imagine if you sold a 1968-69 GTX to get a down payment for this? You would have post traumatic stress disorder and a lifetime of regret!!
Now I understand why “the wrath of khan”.
When I took my ’77 Toyota pickup in for some warranty work
at the Toyota/Dodge dealer in Medford,Oregon that I bought it new
at,they gave me a White ’78 Cordoba loaner.
It was a comfortable car,had decent power,& I loved flooring it
& listening to the carbarator fully opening.
As I was driving up I5 towards Grants Pass,I passed Savage Rapids
State Park,& noticed the Oregon State Troopers on the side of the road,waiting for involuntary donations to the state.I figured that they
had me,but slowed down quickly anyway.Just then,a Bright Red Corvette
passed me at speed,& the Trooper immediately pulled them over!
I went to the Grants Pass area to find a girl that I used to work with
in Eureka,& felt like a hit man driving that thing.
When I took my ’77 Toyota pickup in for some warranty work
at the Toyota/Dodge dealer in Medford,Oregon that I bought it new
at,they gave me a White ’78 Cordoba loaner.
It was a comfortable car,had decent power,& I loved flooring it
& listening to the carbarator fully opening.
As I was driving up I5 towards Grants Pass,I passed Savage Rapids
State Park,& noticed the Oregon State Troopers on the side of the road,waiting for involuntary donations to the state.I figured that they
had me,but slowed down quickly anyway.Just then,a Bright Red Corvette
passed me at speed,& the Trooper immediately pulled them over!
I went to the Grants Pass area to find a girl that I used to work with
in Eureka,& felt like a hit man driving that thing.
Nice Cordoba. They were (and still are) credible and attractive cars, which fit perfectly into a market segment which was popular at the time. It’s not surprising that they sold well. I like this example’s period-correct colors. Its sticker price of $7,293 is $44,000 in today’s dollars. The recent 400-mile drive is a good piece of info.
Thanks Michelle.
For the record, as a 75 owner. Thats the Verdi velour interior!
You definitely want the velour or cloth interior over the horrendously cheap New Jersey made leather.Also referring to the description text,i too always liked the front end style,but only the round eyes,when they switched to square headlights it ruined the front completely.
Definitely, rectangular headlights never looked right on most cars of the mid to late 70s. The Monte Carlo suffered the same fate.
“Lean burn system”. Yes, because it wouldn’t run half the time and that’s as lean as you can get.. Those systems were removed by the thousands and replaced with a regular carb and ignition setup. That’s what I’d do with this car if I had intentions of driving it. It’s so nice though, I’d probably garage it just to look at it.
I’m guessing that the 400 mile road trip was the trip back home from buying this gem from the widow of the original owner for a fraction of it’s true value.