Amazing Survivor: 1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham
Just look at this huge beauty Pat L found here on craigslist. I also found it listed on eBay in Hamburg, New York. Bidding is under $2,000 at this time. The Chrysler New Yorker was introduced in 1940 and by the ninth generation had grown into a large luxury barge weighing in close to 5,000 pounds and almost 20 feet long. After 1978 they began to shrink with the end of the big slab-sided C body Chryslers. The tenth generation introduced in 1979 was over one thousand pounds lighter and almost a foot shorter. These big luxury cars were often owned by retired folk and not used for commuting or for hauling the family. This New Yorker is said to have only been driven 45,000 miles and appears to have been very well maintained. It runs and drives well and everything works except the AC. The $5,950 asking price may seem high for this New Yorker unless you are considering the price per pound.
The interior looks really nice in the pictures. There’s no sign of wear anywhere. Even the carpet looks great.
It looks nice underneath. Hopefully, the undercoating isn’t hiding any rust. Clean off the cobwebs and it might look pretty good under here.
It’s not often you see cars from this era with intact fender extensions. Usually, they are faded and cracked or even gone completely. This Chrysler appears to be an amazing survivor. Unfortunately, the market for cars like this is limited and they are not rare. This will make a nice driver for someone who enjoys driving cars like these.
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Comments
Never realized how much the front end looks like a Lincoln
Chrysler products used better fender extensions than general motors which were the worst . Ford’s weren’t that bad either .general motors just disintegrated
I almost bought a twin of this car in the late 80s from a retired gentleman I knew. My 71 Electra 225 coupe was starting to need a lot of repairs, a guy offered me a grand for it, and this pampered cruiser was available for $950. But in the end, I kept my Buick, because I was 19 yrs old, and the Chrysler just seemed like too much of a Grandpa Cruiser.
Mr. Lahey!
Good one! Trailer Park Boys tribute to recently deceased Mr. Lahey (pronounced: Lay-hee).
rip
This is my 80 New Yorker! and No its Not for Sale!
It’s a beauty! But it’s not a boat like the 78 was.
What else are you going to buy for $5,950? I take particular notice of the build date sticker – February of 1978 and, more importantly, “Made in the USA”. This was the pinnacle of what we were really good at – making huge luxurious cars loaded with options. Chryslers, Imperials, Oldsmobile 98s, Buick Electra 225s, Lincolns, Mercurys, Pontiac Bonnevilles, and the Standard of the World – Cadillac.
I was born in Pontiac and grew up in Lansing. American automobiles are my heritage and the ’50’s, ’60’s & ’70’s are the epitome of the industry’s accomplishments. Nothing will ever come close to that time in the evolution of the automobile from the sheer emotional attachment it has to my soul. This Chrysler is the affirmation of everything that was good in the world in 1978.
Yes, I know, sappy sentimentalism aside, cars are much better now. My wife’s new Cherokee is perfect for her and I still love my C6 a year into our relationship. But the Dream Car Garage is as real as a winning lottery ticket and it’s filled with Detroit Iron from the days of my youth. I’d bet that Barn Finds readers of a certain age can easily come up with well over a hundred candidates for their own fantasy collections. And a car like this Chrysler would fit as a classy daily driver or a double-date night chariot.
Let’s all take time to thank the great dudes who bring us Barn Finds every day, even those cars that make you say, “WTF?” It’s addictive, in a good way.
Perfect comments 100% USA Car
Nothing can compare old American engineering – done by professional engineers and designers.
Today – computer “brain” design and….. last 5 years in US sold close 80 millions vehicles and……. we have over 360 millions recalls
Wow- wow- wow
Last of the great land yachts!
Good buying for someone who loves and can afford to feed a dinosaur of that size.
A buddy of mine had a ’73 New Yorker that he bought new. Very thirsty and very comfortable to ride in, although parking was a mission, even in 1970s Los Angeles.
My ’73 N.Y. Brougham with a 440 4bbl, with the A/C on, driving from the far north ‘burbs of Chicago to Terre Haute, Indiana used just a shade over 1/2 tank of fuel. I figured about 25 MPG. Not bad for a luxo barge. I also had a ’77. It had a button on the floor, next to the dimmer switch. that changed the radio station ! That leather interior is second to NONE ! A wonderful automobile !
They don’t do leather like that, at least not typically anymore. I’m sure that old NY’er’s leather was beautiful and thick. The ‘Corinthian leather’ in my 80 Dodge Mirada on the other hand was about as thick as the rubber in a Playtex glove. It didn’t speak much of likely durability. (My 2005 Lexus ES however has a leather interior that’s likely the equal of the one on the old NY’er. Thick, durable, impressive.)
Agreed ! Really enjoy all the fresh submissions everytime i ckeck in. Dont appreciate the ones who complain about “not a true barn find” . There wouldn’t much content. All about cars you don’t see often anymore. Not like we’re talking about Hyundai, but i would read a submission of a 1988.
Love the American Steel ! Grandparents baby blue ’77 newport was a great car. Very luxurious, same car overall, but not as Iconic as New Yorker…Believe there was an Imperial the too…Good stuff !
Look at those pillow-top seats, so comfortable looking! Why can’t you get such plush comfort in a car today?
How many tug boats do you need to park this barge?
Besides the 1951 Buick Super that I owned, this 1978 New Yorker was my favourite Yank Tank. It was maroon with maroon Corinthian leather and was the most luxurious car that I have ever owned. The grille was also painted maroon when I purchased the car, but there was a local guy that could chrome plate plastic, who offered to try and chrome my grille, which he did to great effect. On a cruise night while on a classic car rally, ten adults squeezed into the Chrysler without too much effort. Great car, and unbelievably comfortable. Mine also had a sun roof which my young grandson used to poke his head through while driving around town by standing on the centre arm rest.
Perfect ride for a Trailer Park Supervisor.
“I’ve got me a Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale and it’s about to set sail…..” Also, about 15 minutes from me. Heck, it wouldn’t even fit in my garage with the door shut.
Anyone else find it odd that it’s listed on Maryland CL, but the eBay listing is Buffalo?
Maryland plate on the back too. Way to green for Hamburg/Buffalo for pictures to be recent. Believe me, I know.
This New Yorker would make an excellent companion to my ’79 Continental Town Car! That, and a 1976 Cadillac Sedan deVille or Fleetwood Brougham. Can’t get enough of these luxury barges. Like was said, America (and only America) produced excellent cars such as these.
Beautiful car, in just the right color.
Talk about forgotten memories! I was a teenager working at a Sunoco station. The boss had the same yellow New Yorker he let me (and other Super-responsible workers😬😬 like me) use it on the weekends! The god-awful tan interior just as plush as the sofa in the living room mom wouldn’t let you sit on. Smelled like the inside of a Jiffy-Lube and I’d hate to think of the biohazard in the back seat after the fast paced summer of ‘88. THIS is why Barn Finds is a regular part of my afternoon routine. I don’t know if I’d ever recall that yellow boat otherwise. (sigh)
Good cars, always wanted one after the Town car and the Fleetwood of the same era. And Hamburg NY is upstate. Maybe a few hours from my home in Brooklyn.
chrysler never really had a problem with the extenders rotting that was only a gm problem
It’s pretty much the same car as my 75 Imperial 4DHT. The low compression, smogged 440 does remarkably well, performance-wise, and the 4 wheel disc brakes (on my Imperial) haul it to a stop quite nicely. These are great road trip cars. Around town? Not so much.
Is that a “K-40” mount on the trunk?
Like eight. Hamburg is just south of Buffalo, but I’ll bet the car’s not there.
If I had the money I’d snag this NY’er in a heartbeat. I detailed one much like it long ago when I was barely out of my teens and got to drive it… turning the car, it felt more like the car was standing still and the horizon was sliding off to the side. The hood was like the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. What a truly luxurious car, and this one is a beauty.
Buy these while they’re cheap because they’re the Duesenbergs of tomorrow. In about 1950 you could buy a RESTORABLE Duesy for $1000; now they’re nearly priceless.