1983 Chrysler Cordoba Hardtop
"Pride. The very cornerstone of a new automobile. Cordoba, the new small Chrysler. Here is the warmth of thickly cushioned contour seats, available even in fine Corinthian leather. So very luxurious yet surprisingly affordable. Cordoba is engineered with great pride, via Chrysler". Those were the immortal words of Ricardo Montalban whose Mexican accent sent the car world ablaze with this ad for a car named after a city in Spain. The mid 70's saw big success for Cordoba with sales of over 150,000 units for several years in a row.
For consignment, a 1983 Chrysler Cordoba hardtop with a title verified 40,758 actual miles and numbers matching drivetrain. The second generation Cordoba lasted from 1980 to 1983 after which it was discontinued as Chrysler focused on compact front wheel drive cars. Over four years, just 95,068 Cordobas were sold, bottoming out with 13,471 in 1983.
Exterior
Beige Crystal Coat is the name for the champagne paint that adorns this boxy remnant of the 80's and it has been repainted at some point. The Cordoba went from their original round headlights with complementary round marker lights in their first gen, to a first gen facelift that added stacked square headlights, to this the single headlight design in chrome bezels of the second gen, markers to the inside all flanking a vertical ribbed grille and Chrysler crystal hood ornament on. In profile, a slight bump out creates some character lines on the panels and a brown pinstripe rides the top of that detail. The vinyl top is in fantastic condition, rimmed in polished trim, and the wire wheel covers on the 15-inch wheels add even more class, wrapped in white wall tires. There's also polished trim around the wheel openings and along the rocker panel while the three part horizontal tail lights are framed by body colored assemblies. Paint and metal are in fantastic shape and we could not find any exterior imperfections.
Interior
These were marketed as luxury cars and the array of materials used on the door panels would not be found in this level of variety on your average commuter. You've got simulated burlwood headers and trim, brushed nickel switchgear, beige vinyl and plastic inserts and components, and a carpeted kick panel. The driver's side is showing a bit of age with some warping and discoloration but overall in nice shape. The bucket seats are cushion topped and yes, wrapped in fine Corinthian leather, albeit somewhat wrinkled with patina and in need of some detailing. But the tufting is as plump as the Stay Puft marshmallow man and both front and back are inviting. Chocolate brown leather wraps the steering wheel and leads to the faux burlwood plastic frame of the instrument cluster with eight circles behind individual plexiglass covers and silver rims. The center stack contains the AM/FM/Cassette radio and push button A/C panel and plush brown carpet sweeps over the floor in clean condition. The foam backed headliner also looks excellent, accompanied by visors with a touch of sagging. Gray carpet completely finishes the trunk which holds a covered spare.
Drivetrain
Clean, driver quality condition prevails under the hood where we find the numbers matching 318ci V8 rated at 130 horsepower and fueled by a 2-barrel carburetor and tied to an A904 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to the 7 inch rear with 2.43 gears. Power brakes are onboard as front discs and rear drums.
Undercarriage
Surface rust abounds underneath where nearly every piece of metal is affected. The floor pans, however, are clean. We note some residual fluid on the transmission pan. The single exhaust meets a stock style muffler then exits through a clean steel tail pipe behind the rear bumper. Suspension consists of transverse torsion bars up front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
This stately ride is one we couldn't wait to try, those seats with more folds than a Shar Pei are the epitome of early 80's luxury and they wrap occupants in soft leather as the 318 rolls the car smoothly throughout test loop. With 130 horsepower, Foghat's Slow Ride might be appropriate, but it's not unbearably underpowered and delivers consistent acceleration, straight tracking, and the 205/75R15's handle minor bumps with ease. Your body might not function as it did in 1983, but all the equipment provided on this car does! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
"Compromise will never be a part of the lifestyle of people who are going places. They know that when they step out of a Chrysler Cordoba, they step out in style. They tell the world that individuality and common sense still exist". Hiring the silky Ricardo Montalban was a genius move, and Chrysler rode that air of class and distinction all the way to the end of production in 1983 as the above quote from the brochure attests to. There are simply not many around in the condition of this example and this one would be a welcome entrant at any car show. Now put down the paella and give us a call on this one!
2C3BS52P1DR165016
2-Mexico
C-Chrysler
3-Passenger Car
B-Manual Belts
S-Cordoba
5-Premium Price Class
2-2 Door Hardtop
P-318ci 2bbl V8
1-Check Digit
D-1983
R-Windsor, Ontario, Canada Assy Plant
165016-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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