22k Original Miles: 1980 Chrysler Cordoba LS
A redesigned and downsized Chrysler Cordoba emerged in 1980 to begin the model’s second generation, but by this time demand for personal luxury was dwindling and sales fell by nearly half over the previous year’s offering, from just over 88,000 in 1979 to only 46,406 for ’80, with numbers continuing to go south every year until it was finally dropped in 1983. That’s a shame, because even with the smaller body the car still looked sleek on the outside and featured plenty of luxury inside, and you sure don’t see many of these running around nowadays. If you’d like to own a nicely preserved example, this 1980 Chrysler Cordoba LS here on Facebook Marketplace is probably worth checking out. It’s in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, with an asking price of $5,200.
Barn Finds reader Rocco B. sent us the tip here, and for that, we’d like to say thanks! Upgrading to the LS model got you a sportier front end which at least appeared more aerodynamic, though I don’t know that it actually cut through the wind any better than the standard Cordoba. The seller tells us he obtained the Chrysler from its initial owner and that it’s an all-original example, with no rust to be found anywhere. Outside, things remain overall nicely preserved, with some fading and light damage to the plastic piece surrounding the rear bumper perhaps the biggest exterior eyesore, but even this seems relatively minor.
The 225 CI slant six became the standard powerplant for the 1980 model, but this one’s got the optional 318 which by now was only producing around 130 horsepower. The good news is it was paired with the tried and true TorqueFlite transmission, plus the combo here is said to have only a little more than 22k miles, so if it’s been maintained properly there’s likely some good life remaining in the drivetrain. The seller also points out that his car is still running well.
That’s an inviting interior in my opinion, with those buckets exhibiting a sporty appearance and looking like they’d provide hours of comfortable travel during longer drives. Everything inside seems to be nicely preserved, but I was a bit surprised to see manual window cranks instead of power buttons on the door panels. The owner also throws out the possibility of trades, so if you’re envisioning this Cordoba in your future maybe he’s open to the idea of a swap. The best offer consideration is also mentioned, but considering the low mileage and condition somewhere near the $5k range sounds reasonable if you ask me. What do you think?
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Comments
This LS looks to modeled after the previous generation Cordoba 300 with the cross hair grill and red-white-blue emblems on the b pillar. Research shows this LS was an enrty level ‘sporty’ Cordoba – with dual sport mirrors standard – to potentially grab a Mirada prospect from the Dodge dealer down the street…
…or any personal luxury coupe buyer, for that matter
The first generation Cordoba focused on plush luxury image from chrome trim to classic style and OTT interiors. This second generation is perfect example of why it was a sales flop. People who bought Personal Luxury vehicles wanted OTT LUXURY!
I’d lose the white lettered tires and go with whitewalls.
Yup.
I almost hate to say it, but I have always like this look.
Seems like a reasonable price.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have the god-awful lean burn system.
But I’d still keep a spare ballast resistor in the glove box.
Loved my 81 Cordoba LS. Had the rear carrier bearing lock up at 70 mph. What a wild ride. I had the same drive train as this one.
No fine coreenthian lather. Forget it.
Or fine colinthian leathah😁😆
more pics ?? bottom side ?
Personally, love it more than a Monte, Cutlass, Regal or Grand Prix of the same era.
Facebook Marketplace listing is unavailable.
Must have sold fast?
My step mom had a white Cordoba with dark vinyl roof a couple years older than this one.
The speedometer went to 130mph and I ran 127 on the way home from school trying to bury the needle.
Got home and found the new wobble came from the right front tire lugs working loose.
Almost buried myself that day but still loved driving it. 😊
What kind of hick put white letter tires on this car. Dear Lord
Too funny, and you’re right.
In 1980 I ordered a Cordoba from a Washington NJ dealership. Black, grey landeau roof with opera lights, grey leather bucket seats, all power, wire wheel hub caps. 318 engine. Loved the car and wish I never got rid of it.
No photos of the front, so what’s going on there? The drivetrain is proven technology, and the 318 has more potential, but the bodies were a petri dish for rust, thus the rarity. If truly rust free, a decent purchase.
Beautiful car, so rare. I think I like the Miradas better, but this “sporty look” with a pointed front end versus the typical flat is a plus. I also like the fake metal dash look over the fake plastic wood. I saw a restored dark blue colored Mirada last year at the Iola, Wisconsin mega car show, I was in thrall. I was looking at it and more then one person came up to me and asked what it was, that is how rare these are. One of the cars I wish I had bought new, but at the time, I was quite concerned that Chrysler would die and leave me orphaned.