Vehicle Description
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.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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