Whilst we in the UK were driving about in the uninspiring Austin Allegro and Morris Marina, across the pond American marques were producing space shuttles in comparison. The Chrysler New Yorker was one of these cars.
At just under 6 metres long and powered by a 7.2l V8 there is nothing that quite screams Americana as much as this car does. This car has been in the UK since 1996 and has always caught the eye of every passer-by and, with a little bit of TLC, it could be an excellent example.
The History and Paperwork
Hitting the roads in 1978, this Chrysler spent the first half of its life in the USA
It was then found by the current owner back in the 1990s and this is where the ownership history gets interesting
The current owner would end up owning this car not once, nor twice, but three times
So, although the V5 documents 9 owners, it has really only had 6
It was them who bought this car in the UK and started its life this side of the pond
Throughout its years here it has been owned by a few enthusiastic owners and even a wedding car company
Within the cars paperwork folder, you’ll find quite a bit of history
From Chrysler's original handbooks to even a repair book for the air conditioning system
There are also old V5s and catalogues
Amongst the literature, you’ll also find the up to date V5 and lots of MOT certificates
There are also a lot of old tax discs present
Digging a bit deeper you’ll find a few invoices for work carried out through the years
Opening the boot, you’ll find a multitude of spares
Spread across a few boxes there are mechanical spares, a replacement steering wheel, and also a kit to replace the vinyl roof
The Interior
Well, the interior of this Chrysler is very much how you’d expect it to be
Filled with button leather seats that look more like Chesterfield sofas than car seats, and lots of American style wood
The rear bench seat is huge, with enough space to live in you shouldn’t have an issue putting your passengers back there
It is also nice to see that the leather condition across this bench is also rather good when you consider the age
Up front, the two seats are both electrically operated, but then so is everything else inside
The passenger side is in good condition with no nasty cracks to the leather, but it does present with the expected age-related wear
The drives seat does show a little bit more wear around the bolster, but this does not take away from its comfort
In front of the driver, you’ll notice a chain steering wheel; this was put on by the current owner during their second term with the car
A more traditional steering wheel is also provided
Behind the wheel is the very American dash
Finished in some ‘of the era’ faux wood it is in good condition
Not all of the electrical items could be tested
The dials behind show all of the relevant and vital driving information
There is one slight crack to the dash just to the right of the steering wheel
It is a wonderful interior that really shows off what the Americans were building at the time
The Exterior
It is the exterior where this Chrysler captivates the most
Sitting at just shy of 6 metres it will take you about five minutes to walk from front to back
Although lengthy, it makes up for this in pure character
With wheel spats, hideaway headlights, and chrome 22” rims no one can miss you arriving
On the whole, the exterior is in good condition
Everything you need is still there, but some areas might need some more work than others
Dotted around the exterior are some areas of paint bubbling so you may want to address these
The vinyl roof will also need some work
There is a kit to do this within the spares pile so this should take some of the difficulty out of the operation
You may also wish to see to the chrome wheels with a wire brush just to knock off some of the surface corrosion
Underneath, however, looks to be in very good condition
Finished with underseal it appears to be okay from a quick look
If these wheels don’t do it for you, then don’t worry, a set of the more traditional style will come with the car as well
You may also wish to spend an afternoon with a polisher just to bring back some of the shine to the car
With this job complete it will look like a different car
As there are only two of these cars in the UK right now you will probably never see someone with the same car as you
Although this car could benefit from a little bit of TLC you’ll be rewarded with an excellent classic
The Mechanics
Laid out in a footprint large enough for a 3-bed detached house the engine bay is filled with American muscle
Under the hood, you’ll find a relatively small 7.2l V8!
All jokes aside, this Detroit engine is in good condition
It started up on the day of the photo shoot and idled with ease
It did however pull off of its drive and turn around without complaint
As the current owner has had the pleasure of owning the car three times, they know it mechanically
This means that they would be the best authority to ask about how the car runs and drives
Overall, the mechanicals appear to be in good condition
Getting out on the road with this land yacht will be a memorable experience
Wafting along in immense comfort it will be a great road tripper
Summary
What a car this is, an interior filled with leather, an exterior with huge character, and an engine bay that has a huge engine shoehorned in. With all of these elements combined this has the potential to be a real asset to your collection.
Can you imagine this car after just a little bit of work, it will bring traffic to a standstill as you roll on past.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham
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