10,299 Mile Time Capsule: 1978 Chrysler Newport Coupe
Through both mismanagement and misreading the marketplace, Chrysler found itself on the ropes in the late seventies. While the public was looking for vehicles that were more fuel efficient due to turmoil in the Middle East and at the pumps, Chrysler filled its lots with large, well-built cars that were anything but gas misers. Those cars, however, were solid and luxurious. If you are looking for a vehicle that you can enjoy that needs almost nothing as it sits, then Dennis H. has found for you an absolute malaise-era gem. Feast your eyes upon this 1978 Chrysler Newport coupe for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Bayport, New York. This time capsule car has just 10,299 miles on the odometer and presents as a car that just rolled off the floor of a Chrysler dealer when Jimmy Carter was still calling the shots in the White House. Is this big Chrysler priced right at the $14,995 asking price? Thanks to Dennis H. for this fabulous find!
As you look through the pictures of this magnificent Chrysler, it is hard not to reflect upon just how many wonderful cars are still out there waiting to be discovered. It is easy to get tunnel vision when just looking at what is available in our locale. The beauty of Barn Finds is that readers can submit finds from all over, and we get to enjoy them from the comfort of wherever we peruse the internet. There are a few of us still running around who remember the days when the news of collector cars hitting the marketplace was limited to a handful of printed words in the super thin pages of Hemmings Motor News. We have come a long way from being excited to see a thick brown newsprint-covered magazine when we opened the mailbox and tossing aside the rest of the day to carefully turn those magnificent pages. We couldn’t see anything more than a grainy picture if the seller paid extra for the privilege, and special cars were often sold to someone who got their magazine a day earlier. We are living in good times, though it is often hard to recognize.
While this beautiful 1978 Chrysler Newport coupe would have still smelled like a new car when the glory days of Hemmings mentioned above happened, it is wonderful to see such a car in an ad today. The seller tells us that this stately Chrysler has just 10,299 miles on the odometer. Given that it is being sold out of New Jersey, it is reasonable to assume that this car has been pampered and kept out of the elements. We are told that it has been garaged its whole life, and the car still bears some of the factory chalk marks made during its assembly.
A peek inside reveals nylon-swathed seats with vinyl trim in a style that was quite common for luxury cars of that era. We often see low mileage cars with some wear on the driver’s side seat but almost no wear anywhere else. This one is pristine as evidenced by a close look at the picture above. You can also see the premium put on comfort and style for such a car back then. The expansive interior is decked out with premium carpet, simulated wood trim, and chrome accenting. It is also nice to see the huge armrest, but it is a bit odd to see the hand-crank windows in such a nice car. Armrests of this type are pretty much extinct in cars today (as are hand-crank windows), but they were awfully nice to lean on back in the day. Interiors were much more like your living room than the sterile environments we currently tolerate in cars.
Whoever ordered this Chrysler probably didn’t have a whole lot of options to choose from. Likely, the usual big items like power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning were standard, but we do see that the car came equipped with a CB radio. This option is a reflection of how popular CB radios had become during that period. Movies like “Convoy,” “White Line Fever,” and “Smokey and the Bandit” (the undisputed greatest movie of all time) all helped fuel this communication craze, and Detroit began offering them as integrated options with regular AM/FM radios. You could even get a CB for your Corvette or Cadillac back then. Different times.
The condition of the trunk is also noteworthy. With its full-size spare tire looking puny in this cavernous storage area, one can see why cars like this were popular. Road trips were a thing back then, and Americans were still used to having plenty of room in their cars for luggage and the occasional box of fruit from Florida to bring back to Aunt Hortense. What is surprising in this car is that the whole trunk wasn’t carpeted, or that it wasn’t equipped with a proper soft rubber mat to line the whole trunk. Regardless, the seller tells us that the jack is still there, and the trunk light still works as it should. Also interesting to note is the little square area in the middle of the taillights. I am pretty sure the gas cap hid under this panel but hoping that a reader can verify that in the comments.
The 400 cubic inch V-8 found under the hood of this Chrysler is a seldom-seen option for this model year. Sadly, this engine, which was an enlarged version of Chrysler’s 383, was on its way out by 1978. In its final year, this stout engine put out 190 horsepower and its torque rating was somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 ft-lbs. of low-end grunt. While the car is relatively heavy even for its time, this powerplant combined with a Torque Flight three-speed automatic transmission surely provided turbine-like power for this coupe. Once again, cars like this were a pleasure to own and drive if you could afford to feed them.
One final note concerns the dark brown substance you see on the bottom of the hood and the firewall. A previous owner had the car rust proofed by Ziebart. This was a popular aftermarket service, especially for cars north of the snow belt. Holes would be drilled in the unibody to inject this thick, protective substance in areas where rust might take root. It was also liberally sprayed all over the car’s underside. While it helped cars that fought the elements, its use in and on this garaged and seldom-driven Chrysler probably didn’t help or hurt. One does have to wonder if its presence has an effect on the value of the car as a collectible.
A car like this presents the new owner with a unique dilemma. It has survived for 46 years and accumulated only a handful of miles. Do you park it in your garage and stare at it, or do you drive it? The attributes of size, power, and luxuriousness still apply today if you are going to use it for a road trip. However, any use would degrade it as a time capsule of an interesting era for domestic automobiles. What would you do if you purchased this amazingly well-kept Chrysler? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Comments
I think
Wouldn’t take my post yesterday for some reason.
Interesting option with the VB radio combo.
Nice interior compared to today’s cloth interiors which are as exciting as a grocery bag.
Change all the fluids, put some whitewalls on it, change the fuel pump, possibly the tank, maybe the lines, and drive it weekends.
CB radio.
This one is fairly loaded except for the crank windows. Interesting that it has a 100 amp alternator – but it also has a heated rear window. It would be a fun car to drive, and probably the right size to tame the roads around Boston that seem to no longer have pavement.
Nice to see one in nice shape, but it’s not a desirable car at all. I had a 78 Cordoba with that engine, the plastic thermobog carburetor was crap. If you had a good one, the engine was powerful. Mine was obviously bad. This car is a 20-25 minute ride due south from me, but I wouldn’t pay more than $6,000 for it.
The collectibility of these has definitely gone up over the years. These were very well built and handled well for their size (thanks to the torsion bar suspension.) Every part for this car is available from a collector/enthusiast by the name of Murray Park in Tiffin, Ohio FYI (just Google.) They ran well with a well tuned Carter Thermoquad carb (the plastic was a Phenelic resin bowl that was used as a experiment against the potential for vapor locking in hot weather (back in the day.)
My thermobog vapor locked on me a few times. It was a shame, because I had a 77 Cordoba, 400 4bbl thermoquad that ran beautifully, didn’t bog at all. But I only bought that car to flip it, the 78 was my daily driver. I probably should’ve switched them. There were some minor differences.
Zen, you are right, cool car, not desirable enough for someone to shell out the asking price, which is backed up by the 16 weeks it’s been listed on Facebook.
This is one of those cars that’s main appeal is that it will draw attention at Coffee and Cars, that can be said about almost any 1970’s-1980’s generic car in similar condition. Those sort of cars are featured on those site regularly in the range of $7,000-$10,000. If this was someone’s dream car, that might justify the price, to them, unfortunately that person either don’t exist or they are still waiting for their tax return. Cars that are a good value sell quickly, rose that aren’t languish for 4 months.
Steve R
7 to 10 k with 90 k plus miles. with 10k miles it’s worth what someone will pay. I guess 15k is to much or it would have sold by now.
The kind of car that should be preserved for preservations sake. Not a high volume car for Chrysler nor the industry. Looks to be in great condition through general lack of use. I wish people could understand how vehicles were marketed and manufactured in the sixties and seventies. Dispite its size and pretense the Newport was an entry level car. Power windows, locks and seat were optional as was the speed control, tilt column and air conditioning. I would love to drive it with the smoothness of suspension and drivetrain and the feel of that molded steering wheel attached to the effortless power steering. Just be careful stepping on the brake pedal, it’s well boosted too.
YES! This should be lovingly preserved as a MONUMENT to the days when even entry level luxury cars were fully equipped, which will never be built again. This is clearly a Bon Marche, especially when you can’t even touch any new vehicle for the price. If I were younger…. And try to even find a luxury sedan with this much CLASS. SUVS, crossovers and melted jelly beans often masquerading as Luxury vehicles! 🤮
I’m sure 10k in cash would drive her home and I would love to own it. Prob only take it to get ice cream and keep the miles low. glwta
We had a 77 Newport just like it except ours was blue on blue and no fender skirts. Same crappy lean burn 400. First couple of years it was driven daily then my parents got a new Plymouth Horizon and the Chrysler sat in the garage and was only used on longer road trips and vacations. Only had about 60k on it when they traded it in around 1990. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to drive a car like that again.
Absolutely magnificent! Always have driven cars often called Land YACHTS. Currently driving a 2007 Town Car Signature Limited. Like driving your Living room. Last gasp of traditional American Luxury.
Quality? Nope. Chrysler was not know for well built quality vehicles in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s etc.. a nice car, but there is a reason old Chrysler products are rarely seen.
My friend used to work at a Dodge dealer. He told me they had to put them together or back together at the dealer! Lol!
And who can forget the fender rust through on the Aspen & Volares?
Poor quality was one reason Iacocca asked for the bailout. Sales were poor.
I used to install upgraded stereos in new cars. Sometimes the Chryslers and Dodges would literally fall apart on the trip from the dealer to the shop. Wheels would fall off, batteries would fail. Chryslers from the late 70s were NOT well built!
You are absolutely correct. I had a 1979 Dodge Omni 024 with a 4 cylinder 4 speed 65 horse power Electronic Lean Burn Volkswagen engine which ran great bur slow as a snail. Every couple of months I had to Crazy Glue the body side moldings back on that would fall off without warning. Plastic speedometer covet also would fall off and had to be glued back on. Loose screws were common with squeaks rattles etc.
I also had one of these with the 1.7 vw. Mine liked to eat head gaskets.
And GM and Ford cars were ? There’s a reason you dont many 70s 80s 90s cars today of any kind – How many 1981 – 1985 Escorts you see driving around.. How about Citations ?
I would gladly give a Citation and Escort and ANY similar POS to the nearest salvage yards! Got to go! On to VERSAILLES 🏰. 😉 I am not, nor have I ever been an April (or any other month) Fool. 😅 🤣 😂
The Citation…. 🤮Lol…exactly Karl. No Cavaliers or it’s rich cousin…the Cimarron either. Not to mention the Fiero 🔥🧯.
Sadly in 75 dropped Imperial. But the Imperial body was given to New Yorker. New Yorker body went to Newport. The subsequent New Yorkers had a much different look, but were even less successful. Then, in desperation, Chrysler pulled the rabbit 🐇 out of the hat with 82 downsized New Yorker and Fifth Avenue. One of the best revisions ever on an existing platform. Had 83 and 85 Fifth Avenues, great cars with formal roof treatment, plush velvet interior, comfortable, reliable, and Unfortunately, IMO, the last real Chryslers. This Newport deserves to be cared for as a MONUMENT to an era never to be seen again.
Now we know what REALLY happened to the Easter bunny! 😆
How ya doing, buddy?
Rick W. Fully agree with your comments. 1976 I bought a 1975 Imperial that was still in dealer inventory. It was gold, 2 door with the LA Baron package, (special top) also has so many options the window sticker was two pages. Drove the car for about 8 years and sold it to my doctor outside Houston, Texas. It weighed 5,200 pounds. I have yet to see another one of these cars in my driving around these days. .
nice car. should have spent the extra money and put white walls on it. really could use them. good luck to the seller.
I almost bought a 64 Crown Coupe and 75 LeBaron. In both cases, from different dealers, I spotted them at closing time. Made offers, but was told would have to come back next day. When I returned first thing the next day, in both cases they had been SOLD! Maybe that kind of dealing was another factor in the demise of Imperial. Guess this is a real sob (definitely not SAAB 🤮) story.
You should’ve ditched the Versailles cap before you walked in! LOL!
Jon… Didn’t have a VERSAILLES cap! Wore the one with the 🐰 🐇! AND I said Let’s have some cake and Ice cream 🍦! I even had the BREAD $$$.Stupid Pesants! 😠
John…I now have a cap with Lincoln logo. Perfect color match for my Town Car color CASHMERE. LOL. Still haven’t gotten to VERSAILLES!
A/C was still an option on the 1974 Chrysler Newport!
My first car was a 1978 Chrysler Newport! But mine was a four door and light gray. You could fit 7 people in the car and another 10 people in the trunk.
I got me a car 🎵 as big as a whale! 🎶 I got me a Chrysler 🎵 It seats about twenty ! Another classic.
My Dad bought a new 1974 Chrysler Newport sedan in this same exact color. He called it a lemon. This car changed very little during this generation. Our neighbor, three houses away, had a new 1974 Imperial. It was towed to the dealer numerous times. These were not the best Chryslers ever built, but, they were nice enough looking, especially the Imperial.
BS, during the 70’s Chrysler Corp. offered a full compliment of cars. In the 70’s you could by large luxury, full-size, personal luxury, midsize, compact and sub compact globally manufactured Chrysler products
I had a 74 New Yorker broham with a 440.it was a 4 door.
That’s pure comfort
Brings back memories. My father bought a new ’74 white New Yorker coupe that we owned until 1980-81. No vinyl top and a black cloth interior. I remember our many road trips in that beauty!
Very nice looking ’78 Newport. Yes, the little door between the tail lights flipped up, to reveal the gas cap, and filler neck, which was ALWAYS at the ready, to guzzle down endless gallons of fuel… for the 400 c.i. big block. With the 15″ tires, and torsion bar front suspension, this car will float down the road with ease. Add the couch like front bench seat, and it is comfortable driving. As Beretta would say:
“You can take that to da bank”!! This Newport looks good, but not $15k good.
The low mileage is a huge plus, but I think it is worth about $8-10k at most. But the seller could have this Chrysler highly detailed, then take it to a Mecum auction…who knows, he might get his price, maybe more?? Good luck to him.
As I’ve frequently said,It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! I LOVE ❤ it! Devine Decadence!
Still available, but seller has not lowered the price at all.