White is an interesting color for a top-of-the-line luxury car, but the 1980s was the era of white cars with white wheels, and that’s what this 1983 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue is dressed in. I think of it as a white tuxedo rather than a black tuxedo; either one is probably welcome at a formal event. The seller has this car listed here on eBay in Troy, Michigan, and they have a $7,700 buy-it-now price listed, or you can make an offer.
If this car had a white interior, I’d be worried. Either that, or I’d applaud the original purchaser for carrying out a theme to the end. The seller says this Pearl White beauty was owned by one family since it was new, and it has 76,553 miles showing on the odometer. The M-body New Yorkers were made for the 1982 model year through 1989 and came in a base trim and Fifth Avenue for the ultimate in luxury.
This car looks about as perfect as it gets, other than some normal wear on things like the dual pinstripe around the perimeter, but I don’t see anything else. I looked at a similar car in brown in 1984 and even test drove it; it was quite a ride compared to my rusty Dodge van. The seller has taken dozens of great photos, including many underside photos, and this car looks rock solid.
I was hoping for the legendary wine red leather interior, but dark blue “Kimberley velour” seats work nicely. As expected, the interior looks like it’s right out of a 1983 Fifth Avenue brochure. The trunk area is about the only portion of this car that’s missing in the photos, but everything else looks fantastic to me. I know a new Bentley would draw a crowd in some gas stations, but this car may have it beat as far as the number of gawkers around it.
The only engine available if a buyer checked the box for the Fifth Avenue version would be Chrysler’s 318-cu.in. OHV V8. It would have had 130 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque when new. A couple of hours of detailing the engine compartment would have it looking perfect. A legendary three-speed TorqueFlite sends power to the rear wheels (unlike the K-car-based New Yorker), and they say the mechanical condition is excellent. Any thoughts on this crisp, formal Fifth Avenue?
Thoughts ?…. Look at those lazy boy front seats 💺 😍. Sensible dash arrangement, nice thin steering wheel. All the creature comforts, on the rugged cop car chasis and powertrain. 👍
Agree w you Scotty looks great.
Same thoughts as Stan above. I have had the opportunity to be in a few Fifth Aves over the years. Their leather was unbelievable, very comfortable, I never rode in one with velour, but they sure look just as comfortable. There isn’t a ton of these things in this kind of condition around anymore. ( It seemed like, at least to me these used to be very plentiful back in the day). I personally think its a very reasonable price considering what we all see for sale here. This is a great write up Scotty thank you I enjoyed it.
👍
From back when luxury car meant a comfortable car, rather than something that feels, handles and rides like a go-cart.
My Grandpa had 84 that had the same paint scheme and interior. I got to drive it a few times. Man, I loved that car.
That blue interior is on point.
I owned a 1987. Brother had a matching one to this car. Other brother had a silver gray one. Needless to say we liked them. I put a trailer hitch on mine. Pulled the boat fine. A nice car for 1/8th the price of a new car. Another if I win the lottery car.
Did any of these come in a two door or have a 360 I always liked these great ride and comfoort but not a huge boat
1980flh1200, the only two-door I know of is this one I made in Photoshop a couple of months ago.
Thanks for the great comments, folks! I agree, you can’t get much in this category today for $7k.
Nice smaller luxury car. The background I see a 1966 Dodge Polara which could be interesting.
A kid at our local high school drives one of these to school every day….his is a pretty bronze color and in outstanding condition. Really stands out in a sea of monochromatic suv’s and Jeep Rubicons. I smile every time I drive by.
I can hear the sound of that starter now! Also, the carpet seems to have held up very well for the deep shag it is! Nice car!
As I’ve stated on other Barn Finds, having owned 83 and 85 Fifth Avenues, they compare favorably with other upscale vehicles I’ve owned. IMO the best revision of an existing platform. Formal styling, sumptuous luxury exemplified by the attention to detail, standard equipment, and those plush tufted velour seats. Although in TROY, the durability is strong as a Trojan, a luxurious workhorse. The last of the REAL Chryslers before Iacoca went loca with Kcars. My only caveats are the wheels, which are not original, and the unfortunate tendency for the cloth covering the center post to tear, which happened to mine and most. Otherwise, This is a Formal Beauty well worth the price. I’d love to buy it. Will I? I’m taking the Fifth ✋.
Hi Rick W, I knew you’d be chiming in.
My late, great friend owned a 5th Ave. when he lived in Poulsbo, Wa.
He picked me up at the ferry dock as I rode that across the bay from Edmonds to Kingston.
As you know, I’m a luxury guy so the velour pillowed interior seats were enough to cushion a person with hemmorhoids! LOL! And sooo quiet.
I actually like the 2-door photoshopped version posted by our Mr. Gilbertson. Seem to recall another car on BF a few months ago that was done with a similar change.
I’ll go along with the painted rims, too because they’re different.
Lovely car and reasonably priced.
Hey, Scotty, wouldn’t this look good parked under lights at a symphony concert at the DECC in Duluth? ( Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center for those of you non Minnesotans) Nice venue on the harbor.
These 5th Avenues look some luxurious. It must have not been a hard upsell from a Gran Fury at your local Chrysler / Plymouth dealership.
PRA4SNW… and a tough upsell to anything else on the lot. These WERE the sweet spot cars.
“If you can find a better car, BUY IT!”
just like the general ‘music’ one hears on the radio can B grouped by ‘sounds’ or phases or style (the ‘A&R man’ controlled that) another industry (auto) has
it’s phases. This one really looks like mine own (’83/6 ford fox platform) esp the frnt end. Almost an exact match grill/hdlghts, etc.
I remember as a kid bein able to ID Y/M/M of just bout anything streaming by even at 60, 70 MPH. Now all I see is ‘rocket ships’ (well I can tell the kia/hyundais from the rest, not each other) as it passes from “they-all-looked-like-coke-bottles” phase.
Wow, this is a beauty and that plush blue interior looks as comfy as the interior of my dad’s old ‘81 Lincoln Town Car!
I had an ‘82 5th Ave as a teen and loved it. Was dark charcoal with a leather interior. Very restricted with the 2 barrel carb so I added a Weiand dual plane intake and a Holley 4 barrel carb which really helped the top end. I later switched to a Rochester Quadrajet carb. Smaller primaries helped off the line. Had side exit exhaust and driving lights. Looked like a sleeper especially with the wire wheel covers but it sounded like a raspy 80’s IROC-Z. Added full length hrear helper springs to help the handling. Had a Holley/Weiand stickers on the front fenders but other than that it looked all stock. Was a nice car and loved driving it.