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Also kinda interesting in how it's equipped. 360 V-8, which is a nice option to have. Standard was just a slant six 2bbl with 110 hp. Most of them had the 135 hp 318-2bbl; I had a '79 Newport with that engine. The 360-2bbl had 150 hp and was standard in the New Yorker, optional on the Newport. Despite only 15 more hp, it makes a world of difference in performance, probably because of the torque. I dunno how much torque the 360-2bbl has, but I'd guess around 280 ft-lb? The 318 has 245 ft-lb@2400 rpm I think.
But in other regards, the car's a stripper. standard skinny wheels (probably 6" wide, but maybe only 5.5") basic hubcaps, no vinyl roof (which I prefer). That's also the basic interior...vinyl was an option! Then the next step up was a split bench seat in a corduroy pattern that resembled that base interior, but seemed thicker. But, kinda interesting that it was equipped with an 8-track. I'm sure that wasn't a cheap option in those days.
And yeah, I only paid $500 for my second NYer, the blue one. So using that as a benchmark, I dunno what I'd be willing to pay for this one. I'd almost be tempted to try saving it, if it meant that it just got junked otherwise. But that still means the hassle of going to the DMV and getting gouged by them, then $51 every two years for tags, and $300 per year for insurance, all for the privilege of having an R-body sitting around in my yard, getting in the way. Heck, my blue New Yorker already fills that bill!
Plus, it's September now...and I swore to myself that in September I'd get serious about getting my DeSoto off to the mechanic to get it roadworthy again. I really should focus on that.
Actually you never know. Back in 2001 when I bought my '79 5th Ave, the buy-it-now was $1900. Bidding stalled out at $703, with me being the highest bidder. I contacted the seller and we agreed on $900.
I think the seller of this Newport might be a bit delusional though, judging from this line...
"This is a great car for someone who appreciates it for what it is and who wants to fix it up. From what I have been told, this model was only made for 3 years. Don't buy it if you are just looking for a cheap everyday car. This is a classic car for an enthusiast who will give it the TLC it needs."
Umm, hate to say it, as much as I like these cars, but prospective buyers aren't exactly banging each other over the head with a shovel for the chance to buy an R-body Mopar. It actually WOULD make a nice beater car. The drivetrains on these things were pretty reliable, although the lockup on the torque converter will get kind of funny sometimes, and Lean Burn is a toss of the dice...you can hit the jackpot or you can crap out.
"I ran out of steam, money and time for this project"
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1350678058.html
1970 Superbird numbers matching - $80000
...fender tag missing" on registry. Bodywork on new rear quarters needs to be completed. trunk floor has been replaced, driver's side floor has been repaired...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1331995153.html
1971 Plymouth Barracuda - $49500
The first Plymouth Barracuda Hardtop Built
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ctd/1329360538.html
64 IMPALA SS, 327, PS, PB, Air - $29900
needed no repair panels when repainted earlier this year
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/1353419489.html
1971 BOSS 351 Mustang $52K obo
The 1971 Boss 351 Mustang was the last of the true muscle cars of the era.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1325463015.html
Not a 6
"one of the nicest vehicles in the country"...but what about the paint on the inside lower doors?
Looks like it held up well enough
Matching numbers, so what?
Burn gas like there's no tomorrow
Goat
Clean later mullet
Red
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That guy is still hating on me over there giving me negative reputation points multiple times. Of course he is also someone who wants Texas to secede from the union so he is insane.
What is it about big states and secession? Alaska has its share of Secede! whackos as well. :sick:
"This is a great car for someone who appreciates it for what it is and who wants to fix it up. From what I have been told, this model was only made for 3 years. Don't buy it if you are just looking for a cheap everyday car. This is a classic car for an enthusiast who will give it the TLC it needs. (Andre - this means YOU!)"
What is it about big states and secession? Alaska has its share of Secede! whackos as well.
I don't think it has anything to do with big state or not just think it is part of the independent nature of the people who live in those states. Of course your five year old is trying to be independent when she wants to walk across the street on her own but that doesn't make it a good idea. Texas was also the only state to ever be its own independent country for a limited time and I am sure that had some influence.
Key west tried to Secede, The Conch Republic I have a t-shirt of that, in the 80s after Regan ordered US 1 blockaded by the border patrol. There are secessionist movements in Long Island, to secede from the state of NY not the union, in Hawaii and Vermont now too.
They are all nuts though leaving the union would be beyond dumb. Sure you can leave but you have to pay back all your state highway funds ever given now and all Federal land must be paid for at a fair market rate.
Don't confuse Texan
sucessionistssecessionists with mullet wearing Camaro drivers. I've never worn a mullet, nor owned a Camaro.Ahem you have to spell secessionists right or you don't get to call yourself one. :P
BR tell your 'hater' that you found him a bargain.
maybe he will be your best friend (could be worse than him hating on you).
sounds like a decent deal
if you can turn it into this:
Fintail
Rare but not running - collectible?
Never heard of a Caballero
Could be a cheap beater for hauling stuff
LS6 with claimed 24k kms (16k miles) and price to match
Never seen one of these in 2 doors, most are the 3 door suburbans - pricey too @ $35k
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
1986 Grand Prix 2+2 -- doesn't help that it's coyote ugly.
70 LS6 -- he'd better have documentation for that price, or he'd better cut the price in half.
79 Toyota Wagon -- good deal if it runs well. Look at those miles---(kilos) and the car's not finished yet. The body may vaporize but the drivetrain goes forever.
Fintail is odd, being a 220b - highline front, lowline back. I am always leery of cars slathered with fresh paint, and the floor repairs make me uneasy.
For the rest, the beater Corolla is probably the only halfway decent deal.
jdm 2
AE 86
BUT... it doesn't feel right. Only 35k kms?? $9k???
And I can't say I am too familiar with these, but it doesn't LOOK right, either. Looks like another car dressed up like a GTR?
And, lastly, why is a company in Canada advertising on the CT craigs? With a US phone number, no less. (is that a CT area code?)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Those Grand Prix 2+2's seemed doomed from the start. First off, like you said, they were ugly as sin. They used a different rear window than the Monte SS Aerocoupe, which I think was clunkier looking (although I never liked the SS Aerocoupe either). And the way they did the raked-back nose on the GP just didn't work, IMO.
Second, they didn't even bother with a high-performance engine. Whereas the Monte SS had a 180 hp 305 and the 442 had the 180 hp 307, and I think the Grand National's turbo was up to around 245 by then, the Grand Prix just used the same 150 hp 305 that went into a regular GP, Monte Carlo, or Bonneville G. A 1986 Caprice or Parisienne 305, or my '85 Silverado is actually more powerful, with 165 hp. I think it's because of a less restrictive intake or exhaust or something like that.
Third problem was that the GP 2+2 was very expensive. According to my auto encyclopedia, they MSRP'ed for something like $18,000! I think they came fully optioned, although I could've sworn I've seen some with crank windows and some with T-tops, so either I'm losing my memory again, or there were some options. But anyway, that MSRP was much more than the base price of a Monte SS, Cutlass 442, or even a Grand National, cars that actually gave you some performance to go with the looks. Although I'm sure by the time you added a/c, a nice stereo, power windows, etc, those others weren't exactly cheap, either.
I always liked the '81-87 Grand Prix, so I thought that 2+2 was kind of a slap in the face. Here, Pontiac was supposed to be GM's performance division, and the Grand Prix had plenty of performance history behind it, yet they just squandered it in this era.
Its funny how those cars really all had a different personality. I would take the Regal over the others everytime. They still look good to me even today. I see a nice 85 - 86 around town once in a while in a grey color.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I liked them all, in their own way. I think the main reason I prefer the GP is probably just tradition, since I've usually had a preference for Pontiacs. I do like the style, though. I also liked the interiors of them for the most part, although there were some minor details I didn't like. For instance, the dashboard just had too many round cutouts on it. Two big ones for the speedo and gas gauge, four small ones for idiot lights (or extra-cost gauges). And then where you'd normally have four a/c ducts, they put in 8 small round ones.
Another reason that I might like the Grand Prix is that by '81-87, it wasn't as common as the others. I think the GP moved about 145,000 units in 1981, but it was all downhill from there, and by 1987 they were down to something like 16,000 units. In contrast, you saw Monte Carlos, Regals, and especially Cutlass Supremes all over the place, so the Grand Prix was a comparatively rare sight.
Honestly though, I'd be happy with any of them, as long as it had the 305 or 307 V-8. I guess the models with the Chevy 262 V-6 wouldn't be too bad though. That was the standard engine in the Monte Carlo starting in 1985, but one thing I recently discovered is that also in 1985, the Regal offered it as an option above the 231, and then for 1986-87, the Grand Prix offered it as an option. The Regal dumped the 262 for 1986 though, probably because that year it started offering the Olds 307 (all this is from looking at fueleconomy.gov, so take it with a grain of salt)
I also liked how back then, they made each of the cars seem like a slight step up...even if looking back, it was all just a marketing sleight-of-hand. Still, I thought a Grand Prix felt like a step up from a Monte Carlo, while a Cutlass seemed another step up and a Regal a bit moreso. But over at Ford, I didn't get the same feeling with the Cougar vs the T-bird. Or the Cordoba vs the Mirada.
That was always my problem with Pontiac. Too much of everything. More A/C ducts, more cladding, too much red lighting (90s). Even through the 90s I always liked what Buick/Olds did with a certain model than Pontiac. Of, course this coming from someone who has owned Olds 88s, Town Cars and Grand Marquis!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I think the first Pontiac that really turned me off, when it came to interiors, was the 1985 Grand Am. It just seemed too cheap, plasticky, ill-fitting, and with too many parts. It had sort of a Playskool/snap-together look about it. But then the Somerset Regal and the Calais seemed to have really nice interiors for the time.
I really didn't like the interior on the 1987 Bonneville or 1988 Grand Prix, either. And I'm with ya on that red lighting!
I started developing a preference for Oldsmobiles, just before they pulled the plug. It seemed like they struck a good balance between the wanna-be sportiness of the Pontiac, and the Buicks which were staring to get a bit old-fogey. Plus, Pontiacs still had those interior issues that bothered me.
Me too. Back in 97 when I was car shopping I knew I wanted a full size sedan. So... I first thought of the Bonneville. However, I didn't like it for the reasons we are talking about. Then I went over to the LeSebre and while I liked the way it drove there was something not quite right for me in the styling. Third I went and drove the Olds 88. I really liked the interior (didn't look GM to me) and the overall package. Of, course that car was a total lemon, but that's another story
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I hear ya. When I graduated college in '85 and moved back to CA, I needed to buy a car. I stopped at the Pontiac dealer and looked at the Grand Am. Seemed totally cheap on the interior to me. Plus, IIRC, they had styled steel wheels that didn't look all that great, either.
I felt the same way about the Mustang I looked at, as well.
Ended up buying a Honda Accord.
I know that sounds hypocritical, complaining about the Grand Am and then buying a K-car, but that LeBaron actually had a pretty nice interior.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
There was a mid-80's FWD New Yorker at the Mopar show in Carlisle PA. It was blue with a dark blue velour interior. While on the outside, that car looked like a big step down from the mastodons of days gone by, and didn't seem worthy to wear the New Yorker badge, it did have a really nice interior. The seats looked thicker and plusher than what's in my '79 New Yorker.
One of my relatives used to have a Dodge 600 sedan, a 1986 or so. She let me drive it once. I thought it was a pretty nice car. Fairly roomy inside too, especially for only being on something like a 103.3" wheelbase.
Even by 2000, one of the reasons I picked an Intrepid over a Taurus or an Impala was that I thought the Intrepid had a nicer interior. Seems like things have changed in more recent years, though. Ford and even GM have gotten on the ball and started putting more effort into their interiors, but Chrysler seemed to really start cutting corners. I think I first really noticed it with the 2001 Sebring/Stratus sedans, which didn't seem as nice inside as the Breeze/Stratus/Cirrus that came before. Then for 2002, they stripped a little off the Intrepid. On the base model they took the cloth and carpeting off the door panels, ditched the rear sway bar, changed the cupholder in the console to something cheaper, and took the tint off the top of the windshield, replacing it with little black dots. I think they also took that slighter tint off the side and rear windows.
One little cost-cutting move I noticed on my uncle's '88 LeBaron (which he sold to me when I got married) was that in the door panels, there were these little round plastic emblems that had the pentastar in them. They were easy to pop out. They were merely plugs that hid the whole where the window crank would go on cheaper models. I guess it was actually a good idea, but just seemed kinda cheap at the time.
That was probably the worst car I ever had, considering it was the only car I ever had where I lost both the engine and transmission. But I still liked it. Good, comfy car, decent handling, and just the right size, inside and out. It wasn't so hot from 0-60, but out on the highway, it seemed to do better than its 110 hp rating would suggest.
there were these little round plastic emblems that had the pentastar in them
My Dad's '87 Shadow had those as well. Funny that they never changed it over the years, as my Aunt't '94 Shadow had them too!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Yep, our LeBaron had that, too! I thought the little joystick was way cool. The LeBaron also had a digital dash display and trip computer. I still have the radio from that car. I kept it, thinking I'd be able to put it in my '79 Newport. Unfortunately, while it was the same size, the wiring in back was all different, so I just put it in a milk crate with some other parts.
Now that I think about it, my '89 Gran Fury had the little joystick too. It also had twenty pre-sets (10 AM, 10 FM). It didn't say "Infinity" on it like the LeBaron did, but it still had an awesome sound system...for an ex-police car!
I wonder how hard it would be to wire that LeBaron's radio up in one of my '79 NY'ers? I'm sure that somebody who knew what they were doing could figure it out. Probably not a good idea in the long run though. I'm sure radio technology has come a long way in the past 21 years...plus, for all I know, that radio doesn't even work anymore.
It could be done (the mounts are probably the same, lower left -- upper right) but like you said probably not worth the effort. More modern radios use two wires per speaker. Those older factory systems use one wire and then a common ground. So... at the minimum you would have to get a harness from a donor late 80s Mopar (or did you cut it out of your car?) and then get an adapter to convert the common ground system to the modern two wire system, or run new wires from each speaker to up and behind the radio. How do I know this you ask? Remember the 94 Shadow I mentioned? I tried to put the radio from that into my stepfather's 83 E-class! Great minds think alike!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Me too. I thought the Intrigue was actually a nicely styled car. I think they got lost with marketing, not sure who to market to, which kinda messed them up.
When I was looking for a car for my 19 year old sister she said "I don't want an oldsmobile cause it sounds like they're for old people"
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Ahhh, yes, I remember that from when I tried to put better speakers in my '79 Newport. The front speakers actually did use two wires, so the speakers I had fit right in. But the rear 6x9 speakers were only the 1-wire type. So for the speakers I put in, I think I ended up running speaker wire from the second connector and just attaching it to the metal of the car, and it worked pretty well.
And unfortunately, I didn't think to cut the harness out of the LeBaron.
A woman at the office here has one and even though its ten years old it doesn't look "old". I guess you could say that of many cars but the design aged well.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
was a nice cutlass
when olds was still on top of their game
THE REAL 1903 OLDS
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/1318540428.html
1975 Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino - $12500
Guess it's not an antique
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1342550889.html
As for that Bel Air, it base priced for $1820 in 1953, but by the time you add on for automatic and other stuff we take for granted these days, it could easily have pushed $2500. Well, $1820 in 1953 comes out to $14,491 in 2008 dollars. $2500 would be $19,908.
What would a pristine condition '53 Bel Air 2-door sedan go for these days? Maybe $10-12K? I could see the hardtop or the convertible especially bringing in some nice money, but I think the only way you're gonna make much money on something like this is if you found a really nice one for $100 or so back in the late 60's or 70's and just held onto it all these years. Of course, then there's maintenance, repairs, insurance, storage, etc...
75 Ferrari 308GT4 -- the Ferrari nobody wants. Bad paint, engine rebuilt and not run for 18 years? This is a parts car, no question. Sell to the breakers. Value? Maybe half of what he's asking.
i would like to get their wheels out of the driveway while they are away and it won't be driven.
outside storage will be perfectly fine. it stays outside anyway.
there is a self storage place near me, so went over the other day to see how much.
found the owner. he looked where I parked and said you can leave it right there for $75 a month!
i told him i would have to check to see how much i could save on insurance.
after that he gave me his card and cell phone number, so i guess the rate is negotiable.
when i walked back to leave, i took notice of a 70's cadillac and a lincoln parked next to me that looked like they hadn't moved in 10 years. i'll bet they weren't paying $75 a month! :surprise: