1968 Chrysler Newport Hardtop
For consignment, a 1968 Chrysler Newport hardtop. This one will stop you in your tracks with angular highlights that present a striking profile. This is a lot of car for the money, 219 inches in fact of sleek, cruising blueness.
Exterior
The massive horizontal grille, slightly facelifted for 1968, has inset dual headlights that linger in a cove like a moray eel, while the nose of the grille comes forward, like a cattle prod on a locomotive. And speaking of coves, let's head to the back where the rectangle back lights have appeal augmented by their position in a sculpted fascia that provides rounded depressions, like tear ducts, as they lurk within a deep cove created by the deck lid and bumper. And oh the profile! Long flat panels and wide horizontal surfaces, all in repainted Sky Blue Metallic, sends shadows to accentuate every body fold or panel bend. The long hood line slopes with the aid of wide C-pillars and fender skirts sandwich a narrow quarter panel that flows to a protruding rear section, and it's all bookended by wrap-around chrome bumpers. 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels are a nice addition here and give this straight car round points of interest. Some of the metal work would benefit from restoration including door handle, emblems, and vent window frame. The other imperfection includes quite a bit of bubbling on the lower edge of bottom panels.
Interior
Our consignor states the interior is original, so let's get into it! Blue vinyl door panels are full of horizontal lines and metal hardware and accents and appear in good condition with some patina on the armrest and some separation on the hinge side of the panel. The split bench seats are in great shape and just like the brochure says, combines vinyl outers with Jacquard fabric in light blue and this pattern is repeated on the immaculate rear bench. While back here, we note some fraying on the cloth lining at the door jamb on both sides. The blue steering wheel and horn ring show some patina, and the wonderfully simple horizontal dash looks good with a ridge trimmed lower accent that extends end to end. In the middle are an AM radio and push button vent controls. Under the fitted dash cover, the dash pad is cracked in several places and generally faded, but the blue looped carpet on the floor is in good condition. The massive trunk is mostly barren with the exception of a plaid mat and two spare, steel wheeled tires.
Drivetrain
Under the hood resides a remarkably clean and date-correct 440ci V8 with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor on top. An A727 3-speed automatic transmission sends power to the 8 3/4 inch rear and 2.76 gears. Power brakes are onboard with discs in front and drums in the back. The engine bay is clean and although the 440 is a big engine, there's still lots of room underneath due to the width of the car.
Undercarriage
More clean goodness underneath that really lacks any notable surface rust, grease, dirt, or errant liquids. We see some residual oil on the rear differential, possibly from the pinion seal, but even that is minimal. This car has been pampered and the underside is evidence of that. The dual exhaust is gleaming and enters two stock style mufflers before exiting discreetly on either side of the shiny gas tank. Torsion bar suspension is found in front and leaf springs on the back.
Drive-Ability
Is there a tugboat around to push us out the door? This is a seriously large car but we turn the key and start the 440 and roll this mother ship onto the test loop. We're sure it sounds good, but the tailpipes are in the next county and hard to hear. Anyway, this car floats along with wide smoothness and adequate power, good tracking, decent visibility except for that blind spot created by a C-pillar that hides backseat occupants like a limousine. We don't know what this car gets for MPG, but we don't really care. It's a sweet ride! On our short trip, we noticed the radio does not work, the clock is not ticking, and there must be a loose wire in the column because the horn honks occasionally when you turn the wheel. All other functions on this blue beauty work as they should.
Make room in the garage Ethel, we've got a blue baby coming home and she's a big one! We're not sure how many 1968 2 door Newports are still on the road, but we don't see them often at all. This one could be brought up to concours level in short order, if that's the avenue the next owner takes. As it is, it stands as a wonderful show car with long panels and angular points of interest that must have been fun to design back in the day!
CE23G8B183434
C-Chrysler Newport
E-Economy Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
G-383ci 2bbl V8
8-1968
F-Newark, DE Assy Plant
183434-Sequential Unit Number
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