There’s something about the appearance of triple-black cars that allows them to be both classy and menacing at the same time. That is the case with this 1969 Chrysler Newport Convertible. Its black paint and soft-top combine perfectly with a matching interior to make a bold visual statement. It is a two-owner classic that has a genuine 70,000 miles on the clock and presents well as a survivor. However, it would take little money and effort to lift its overall presentation to a stunning level. If you feel that you could be up to that challenge, you will find the Newport located in Upper Arlington, Ohio, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could drive away in this classic by handing the owner $8,500. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for referring this beauty to us.
This Chrysler rolled off the production line wearing Formal Black paint with a Black soft-top. The seller admits that his mother treated the car to a repaint in its original shade around eight years ago, while the current soft-top is a recent addition. The overall presentation is reasonably good, with only a few minor marks and flaws in the paint. It holds an impressive shine and covers panels that appear to be laser straight. There are no significant dents or marks and no evidence of rust. The seller indicates that the car has been garage-kept for its entire life, which has undoubtedly helped its cause. The tinted glass is in good order, but some of the trim and chrome could handle a refresh. There’s nothing horrendous, and the buyer may choose to retain the car as-is. However, a bit of attention in this area would make a massive difference to the vehicle’s presentation. Given how nice the rest of the exterior looks, it should be worth the cost and effort.
The interior shot that the seller supplies is pretty inconclusive. The Newport is upholstered in black vinyl, and this remains serviceable. He identifies a tear in the back seat and some trouble with the driver’s door trim but doesn’t mention any other issues. It appears that the vinyl has lifted away from that door trim in the lower corner, but it may be able to be stretched and glued back into place. It would take an in-person inspection to determine whether the rear seat is repairable. Given the quality of the supplied photo, that’s really as much as we can determine. However, it is a lot better than what we see of the engine. We received no photos, although we know that the car is equipped with a 383ci V8 that should be producing 330hp. That power finds its way to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. This Convertible also features power steering and power brakes. If the owner pointed this classic at a ¼ mile, it would cover the journey in around 16 seconds. That number doesn’t look bad for a giant that tips the scales at 4,270lbs. The seller doesn’t indicate how well this Newport runs or drives, but he says it is numbers-matching. It has a genuine 70,000 miles showing on the clock, and if it has been treated with respect throughout its life, it should be in sound mechanical health.
Even though the 1969 model year marked a major update for Chrysler’s Newport, sales dropped significantly. This was especially true of the Convertible variant, with only 2,169 buyers slapping down the cash to park one in their garage. That makes these a relatively rare classic, meaning they don’t come on the market that often. However, as is often the case with classic cars, rarity does not necessarily equate to a high value. Even a spotless example is unlikely to climb far beyond $20,000. Our feature car looks like it could be a beauty, and if it is rust-free, lifting its overall presentation to a high level should not be difficult or expensive. That makes the owner’s sale price look pretty competitive, and I won’t be surprised if he finds a buyer reasonably quickly.
I wonder how many of these were actually “parked in a garage”? Me thinks she won’t fit. I’d be interested to see what Counts Kustoms would do with this.
The only problem with that idea is you’d have to sit through an hour watching those idiots prior to unveiling, at which point there is a 50/50 chance the car looks like a 12 year old with no taste designed it.
Steve R
@SteveR
As I read your response I cringed at the thought of hearing “Ryan! Roll out that beeaauutiful Chrysler Newport!!” As the doomsday gates are opening.
So, uh… what’s the name of YOUR car show?
I wouldn’t even doo that to a Ford!
nice car. ditch the wheels!
Are those 8 lug wheels? I didn’t know Chrysler had them! Maybe if they were cleaned up they would look better.
Those are Hub Caps…..
Dumb photos.
There must be things they don’t want seen.
How you feeling?
Hot, Hot, Hot!
Is it my poor eyes or is the right rear side marker light still covered with masking from being painted?
69 Chrysler products had reflectors as side markers and it appears that the plastic lens has fallen off, not unusual as they get brittle with age.
Clean survivor, but a shame there are so few photos especially of the engine compartment. I’d lose and update the rims and tires asap if it were mine.That alone would make it present much better. Good find
Needs Cragars.
Looks like a Mercury Marauder fighter.
I got me a “Chrysler” as big as a whale
Yuuup Chris and it seats about 20!
https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs
So, uh… what’s the name of YOUR car show?
no pics of the driver’s side, no engine pics, been repainted, Ohio car, our ODOT loves the road salt….take a magnet.
The 69 Chryslers had a large chrome molding that ran down the sides of the car – these weren’t glued on , so someone must have ground off all the rivets that held the mounting clips – It looks really odd for a land yacht to have no trim!
It’s a 69? Not a big deal, however looking at the passenger side interior photo I noticed no headrests. Weren’t seat headrests in American cars implemented after 1968?
Standard as of 1/1/69. For 69s produced early in the model year (prior to 12/31/68), the headrests were still just an option.
Oh okay I wasn’t sure, thanks for that piece of information
That paint looks a lot newer then Mom having it repainted years ago, something fishy going on here , It needs a up close and personal inspection before any money changes hands.
Looks like single exhaust so no doubt is a 383 , 2 barrel engine. I had one like this only red with white interior, it worked well with that engine.
I think bone’s comment about it having no trim explains alot. Whoever painted the car removed the trim and didn’t know how to reattach the trim back with metal clips when they were done. The car looks very bare with no trim on the sides.
It is a W1 white car from the factory according to the fender tag and the remaining original paint on the firewall. Looks like it had been painted red before it turned black. The car is cheap enough if lower portions of the car are still steel (original or not) it would make a fun cruiser for someone. I’d have to put Cragars on it immediately.
I noticed the red too, didn’t even look for the paint code. Jambs are all black so I assumed originally a black car. Good catch Mopar Mike!