72 Chrysler Newport - should I do it? (NGC)

[Xlratr]

Hi all.

Haven't been here for a while due to trying to be a little less online.
The Stelvio (my second one) continues to run great and the T3 got electronic ignition this year which was a good investment. Other than that it's pretty quiet on the bike front, but I'm interested in maybe getting something with 4 wheels.

Over the last week I keep going back to an ad I've seen for a 72 Newport (400cid). It looks very solid in the pictures and has had the same owner since 1976 (in the US). It was recently imported here ito Germany.

I know the 72 doesn't have the same performance as the 70 and 71 cars, but in my opinion it's the last of the model years with good looks and I'm not going racing anyway.

Rationally it's obviously a stupid thing to do. It'll cost money and take up (a lot!) of space, but I've always liked that era Chrysler cars. The famous B and E body cars are now way too expensive but the C body is still reasonable and I'm thinking why not just do it.

This site is a mine of information on everything so I thought I'd ask here if there is anything particular to look out for? Any of you guys owned a C Body? I'm planning on going looking at it tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[sign216]

Growing up in St Louis, Missouri, the family car was a Chrysler Newport.  I think it was the '69-72 vintage, but it may have been the prior model.  The thing was a tank.  Big and heavy, but had amazing room.  I have fond memories of it, unlike the economy car (Pontiac Tempest) that was our next vehicle.

I say go for it!

Joe

[antmanbee]

Hop in my chrysler, it's as big as a whale
And it's about to set sail
I got me a car, it seats about twenty, so come on
And bring your jukebox money

Why not? It's for fun if you can afford it.

[Cam3512]

How about a photo!

[Gliderjohn]

Don't forget it will be a thirsty thing and at German gas prices that could get expensive in a hurry. If it is mainly going to be a "parade" car then that may not be a big deal. I would guess about four kilometers a liter.
GliderJohn

[Xlratr]

How about a photo!

This is the car

https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/i0r47V

[delrod]

When I was about sixteen the school bus driver had one of those. He asked one morning if I thought we could tune it up in the school shop since it would only make about forty miles an hour. Long story short I spent the next three days hauling all my buddies to school with the gas pedal mashed to the firewall. After dumping all the old gas out (through the twin exhaust pipes I returned it and he pronounced me a miracle worker

[Xlratr]

Don't forget it will be a thirsty thing and at German gas prices that could get expensive in a hurry. If it is mainly going to be a "parade" car then that may not be a big deal. I would guess about four kilometers a liter.
GliderJohn

It'll just be for weekend tours so that isn't a killer criteria.
It's a two barrel model so I'm calculating with an "economical" 20l/100km 😁

[Cam3512]

This is the car

https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/i0r47V

Looks very clean!  Same owner for the last 40+ years,  go for it.  You won't find many over there.

[Two Checks]

Lots of info at forcbodiesonly.com.
Look for rust between the rear window and trunk lid. Water gets under the vinyl roof.
I have had three Cs. A 65 Sport Fury and a 72 Polara and Monaco. The 400s are thirsty beasts where the 383 4 barrel in the 65 could get 20 mpg.
They ride and drive great.
If the price is right do it.

[Tusayan]

In Germany, I would think the biggest issue would be storage space.  I know an old guy in Bayern with an old Cadillac.  His street cars have a tough life because the Caddy takes up the whole garage... and he can barely climb in and out.  That's a big compromise but he loves the thing.

[exiledrebel]

I'd definitely do it. That looks like a great car. How many chances will you have to buy and enjoy something like that? Nice ones aren't that common in the US any longer.

[fotoguzzi]

that looks really cool!

[sign216]

Okay, this is a little personal, but what's the ballpark price for that beast in Germany?

I wonder if it's higher/lower than the USA price.  They are more common here, but perhaps less desirable. 

Joe

[bad Chad]

Yes, of course you should do it!  One day, not very far from now in the greater picture you'll be dead, like the rest of us.  When that happens, it will be to late.   

Over all, we regret what we didn't do far more than what we did.  It's a magnificent car.

[John Ulrich]

Looks like the 1969 Chryler 300 my father had.  Bucket seats and big inside and out!

[LeRoy]

Get it.

Then, get this song on an 8-track tape and play it every time you drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbP7uzu8XNY

(Fred Eaglesmith: That's a Mighty Big Car)

[canuck750]

My dad had a 68 Newport Custom, 383 4bl, beautiful car, it just floated down the road, first car I was ever in that had power windows and air conditioning, my siblings and I were in awe with it.

I clearly remember taking it on a family road trip to Disneyland.

My parents bought my kid brother a pedal car that looked like a sand rail in LA , the pedal car was propped up between the front and back seats with my six year old brother sitting in it wearing his mickey mouse hat while we cruised the interstate back to Canada, my 15 year old sister was so embarrassed she wouldn't show her face or speak to the rest of us the whole way home.

Seat belts, booster seat, nope, different times.

[Xlratr]

Thanks all for the nice anecdotes, links and technical advice.
No voices of reason to be found here which is of course exactly what I was hoping for :-)

Regarding the price, I feel sure that those in the US will think it's ridiculous. He's asking just over Euro 15,000. That's probably twice what they cost in the states, but keep in mind the transport across the Atlantic, technical updates and documentation for the registration. It all adds up. For German standards it's in line with the market.

Off to see it this afternoon. I'll let you know!

[sign216]

Get it.

Then, get this song on an 8-track tape and play it every time you drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbP7uzu8XNY

(Fred Eaglesmith: That's a Mighty Big Car)

The best part of that clip are the "Ginn Sisters" shimmying on stage with him.  (and yes, that's their stage name/working name).

Xlrater, keep us posted.

[John Ulrich]

A 1968 (old body style) 4 door brought $450 at an estate auction here yesterday.

[Xlratr]

Well I guess my next purchase needs to be a set of furry dice!
I'm now the proud owner of a big block chrysler!  :-)

[Tusayan]

I think you need a leisure suit more than fuzzy dice for weekends in that one. Thats an upmarket car, not a hot rod.  Enjoy the drive!

[Roebling3]

Youse guys are a serious hoot! Trying to tell your stories to my SO I went from convulsive laughter to tears running down my face.

BTW: I've worked for a few idiots in my day. I know. Not a new concept. On the way to a big trade show where we exhibited (4 X 8 booth island), The boss insisted on using his new 68 Chrysler wagon. 'I've room for everyone. Get in the F'g car'. A family business. The spawn of fools? As a junior member I caught the middle front seat. I immediately began wining about it, - being the tallest person. The marketing mgr. insisted on swapping, putting me next to the right door. I then learned the boss, already w/4small children (hence the wagon), had cut off all the seat belts! He cited the children's refusal to use them. We were @ 'his' mercy. On a Sunday morning, @ ~75 m/h I screamed; Ezra, look out. A guy purposely ran a what he confessed was a long red light he never needed to wait for. His teaching moment resulted in the death of his GF's unborn. My former boss ejected right out the door, unhurt!. The guy who took my seat nearly had the rear view mirror buried in his skull.  Be careful out there.  Good fortune,  R3~ 
 

[Green1000S]

As useful as a pet elephant, but you should definitely get it.
I love the big Chrysler’s!

[JJ]

My late father LOVED big cars, and favored Cadillac's. Oldsmobile's, and Buick's.   This 1975 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was one of the largest he owned.    It was so big, it would not fit in our garage!   500 cubic inches, 8.2 liters of front wheel drive momentum. It was a beast, to say the least!!

[Markcarovilli]

Congrats John!

My mantra when I’m driving is don’t f&#k with mass - I’m guessing most people will give you room when they see you coming down the road.....

Mark

[John Ulrich]

This was a boat with only two doors.  Taking my father for what we all knew was his last ride.  He loved that car like we love our Guzzi's

[Bulldog9]

Land Yacht!

If it speaks to you go for it...... My grandfather had a 68 Newport 4 door. Mint Green and all..... terrible brakes on that thing...... Old American Iron is special stuff, but you have to love it...... The only 70's Mopar I'd own is a Challenger, but  have at it!

[Cam3512]

Well I guess my next purchase needs to be a set of furry dice!
I'm now the proud owner of a big block chrysler!  :-)

I’ve got the dice.  Send me your address!