Many people seeking a classic to park in their garage view a long-term ownership history favorably. This 1962 Chrysler Newport Hardtop ticks that box, with the seller confirming that the previous owner became its custodian in 1967. The seller recently purchased the car, planning on returning it to active service, but with too many projects on the go, they have decided it needs a new home. The Newport is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Roanoke, Virginia. They set their price at $9,800, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this fantastic classic.

Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” philosophy markedly impacted vehicle design during the 1950s. Cars were suddenly longer, lower, and wider than the buying public had ever seen, and other manufacturers clamored to match the appearance of cars produced by Chrysler. This saw the advent of the finned era, but nothing lasts forever. Unfounded rumors circulated in the late 1950s that General Motors planned an overall downsizing of its various offerings, and Chrysler management decided to follow suit. Exner strongly disagreed with the approach, and the cars that rolled off the line in 1962 were the last Chrysler vehicles that could be truly considered Exner products. The seller confirms they recently purchased this 1962 Newport from an enthusiast who had been its custodian since 1967. Its history is slightly unclear, but it appears it has spent a few years hibernating. They confirm it received a repaint in its original Light Green Metallic in the 1970s or 1980s, but it is otherwise original and untouched. The paint holds a respectable shine, and preserving the car as a survivor-grade classic is viable. However, the straight panels and the Chrysler’s rust-free status would make a light cosmetic restoration straightforward. Its cause is helped by the trim and glass, which show no signs of significant flaws or defects.

The muscle car era was a few years away when this Newport rolled off the line. However, the 265hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque developed by the car’s 361ci V8 provide surprising performance. The first owner sought a relaxed driving experience, teaming the V8 with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The surprise with the ’62 Newport was its weight. Throwing a tape measure over this car would confirm it is slightly less than eighteen feet in overall length. However, the curb weight of 3,960 lbs is relatively modest and helps account for the Newport’s sparkling performance. The seller admits this car hasn’t seen active service for a while, but it runs and drives. They say it requires the typical TLC to the brakes and fuel system, but hitting the road for some summer fun is a realistic expectation.

I will go out on a limb and state that I believe that Chrysler created some of the best gauge clusters of any American manufacturer during the 1960s. The First Generation Charger’s gauges and its Electroluminescence stands out, as does the “AstraDome” adopted in the 1962 Newport. It sets the tone for a bold dash that combines flashes of bright trim with areas of dark paint and upholstery. I suspect someone recovered the dashpad, but the rest of the interior is believed to be as it left the factory. Its condition is impressive, with no significant wear or signs of problems with the cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces. The carpet is clean, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. This Newport might not feature items like power windows, but the new owner will welcome the air conditioning and AM radio.

This 1962 Chrysler Newport Hardtop is a gentle giant that is a promising restoration candidate. However, preservation is viable, and with the car seemingly in sound mechanical health, returning it to active service should be relatively easy and won’t break the bank. The seller’s price looks competitive compared to recent sales results, which is why I think it will find a new home fairly quickly.