Talk about a car that gets no respect. Chrysler’s Turbo Convertible by Maserati is near the top of that list. But every car has its fans, and if ever you were to be swayed into the TC’s court, this is the example that will do it. Nearly pristine, under single-family ownership all its days, driven only 420 miles from new, and resplendent in Exotic Red… Find it for sale on facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $20,000. T.J., we always appreciate your tips!
The TC owes its existence to a friendship between Lee Iacocca and Alejandro de Tomaso, nutured when Iacocca was at Ford and de Tomaso was running his own company, producing the Pantera. By the mid 1980s, de Tomaso was controlling Maserati while Iacocca headed Chrysler. The two conspired to bring an Italian-bodied luxury roadster to American buyers. Infighting between the two sets of styling and engineering departments contributed to years’ worth of delays. Upon arrival – well after the similar and reasonably-priced third-gen LeBaron convertible – the TC cost the equivalent of $85,000 today. Its 2.2-liter, four cylinder turbocharged engine was good for 160 hp – barely acceptable as it stood, but made worse by turbo lag. The din of complaints led Chrysler to replace the offending engine with a Mitsubishi-sourced V6 in 1990. Anti-lock brakes and a sophisticated suspension provided a modicum of redemption.
While the seller has a gem of a car here, the photos undersell it. We are assured the interior is in excellent condition, showing off hand-sewn Ginger leather upholstery, but this is the best view in the listing. Both the opera-windowed hardtop and a black cloth top are with the car. In typical ’80s Chrysler fashion, the soft top operated manually. The seller notes that the hydraulic struts for the trunk are not working. On the other hand, the seller replaced the gas tank and fuel pump to ready this car for sale.
The TC was a confused car, carrying two badges, plenty of technology but a so-so power plant, and rather undistinguished styling. Thanks to the cross-Atlantic manufacturing process, every copy lost tens of thosands of dollars for Chrysler. Only 7300 were made, and though production ceased in 1990, sales were so slow that many of the last cars made were sold for model year 1991. No matter the model, we can all appreciate a survivor like this, as one of the best of its kind.
Sharp looking cars w nice interior.
There is a backstory provided by the seller: a family member bought this car in 1989 (MSRP was around $33,000), drove it for a few months and then decided to park it in the garage for her retirement. The family is now asking $20,000 for it. At the risk of being “that guy,” I figured out that if they had invested $33,000 in an S&P 500 index fund in 1989, that would have turned into about $1.1 million by now. I’m not saying I was smart enough to make that play (I didn’t have a spare $33K lying around in 1989 anyway), but it is another good example of the pitfall of considering a car as an “investment.”
I’m with you. It’s a rare car that produces a return over and above purchase price, improvements, and maintenance. I’d love to know how many guys bought what cars with like 112 miles, then never drove them hoping for appreciation. When I bought my 2002 Firebird, I found a number of low mileage examples, mine had 11k on it and I adored it. But prices really didn’t go anywhere. They may, but it’s been a long that you could have socked the money away in stocks and benefitted from an historic bull market.
Fast car you got there Michelle.
Usually only certain cars from certain manufacturers (Ferrari, Porsche, Labo, Mazer etc) can be considered at the same time a financial and an emotional (fun) investment. Yet because YOLO you should not underestimate the emotional (fun) side of it even if its financial development is not of what it was expected.
I went to college with Lee Iacocca’s daughter at that time she was driving a Maserati, and then this came out 😊
420 miles, and that car got that dirty under the hood?
son if you think that’s dirty…you must be obsessive compulsive lol
The seller is doing it no favors by ignoring the need to detail under the hood. It doesn’t present as a 420 mile car. Also, the huge ding in the front fender could mean bodywork and paint if a PDR guy can’t fix it.
Yes Dad, I must be. For $20,000? Grab a rag.
yes mr c at 20 k i don’t disagree, but for the mileage i just could not resist
I’m wondering if this has turned over already? Do they have paperwork proving their claim?
Six-digit odo shown in the FB ad, so can’t be a rolled-over 100,420 mileage.
These are popping like Studebakers.
Nice looking car, under the hood looks kinda crappy for 420 miles but I guess without any attention since around 1990 it just sat and got filthy. For anyone that has never dealt with a vehicle that has set this long no matter how low the mileage you need to be prepared to spend a chunk of money. To be able to drive it safely and enjoy it you will need to change all fluids, hoses,belts, new tires, rebuild brake pistons flush brake system and anything else you may uncover while doing this work. I would need to see the hard top to make sure of no damage or deterioration such as headliner and better interior and body pictures. I’m not wanting to be hard on this car but just realistic. I would go around 15 – k on it knowing what I will need to spend to make it a drivable car!
Hagerty has recently valued these cars at $12,500. I have owned mine for 30+ years and am only asking $10,000
Seller should have cleaned up the engine compartment. Then it would be pristine.
Looks like the “remains” of the under hood insulation that is hanging there. If the seller wants top dollar, that item should have been replaced for aesthetic purposes.
I didn’t notice the remains of hood insulation that you pointed out, but I did what just looks like dust from traveling on an unpaved road. Yes, they both should have been addressed. But that does not mean the milage is not correct.
The headlight housing is broken on the passenger side. The car appears to have had an abusive 420 miles. Or was one of the owners 420 friendly?