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1968 Chrysler Newport Base Convertible 2-door 6.3l on 2040-cars

Year:1968 Mileage:227135
Location:

Costa Mesa, California, United States

Costa Mesa, California, United States
Advertising:

I had this car listed a few weeks ago, but the buyer flaked out.  So here it is, relisted.


I have owned this Newport since 1984, and part of me hates to sell it.  But practicality sometimes takes precedence.  This Newport is in overall good condition for a 46 year old car.  My reserve price is reasonable.  


BODY:
This is one of 176 Convertible Newports that had the wood grain option.  The stainless trim on the side used to surround the wood grain, but I chose not to install the vinyl siding to avoid the maintenance.  If you restore the car with wood-grain, it will definitely be a unique cruiser.  I painted the car in 1986 with Centari paint, with hardener.  The color is the factory correct yellow color, which matches its original color.  The body is solid, but has a rust through spot on the right rear of the trunk lid, and some rust forming around the rim of the trunk gutter, visible once you open the lid.  The bottom of the trunk has a few rust holes, but I had undercoated the rest of it to prevent them from growing.  All the glass in this car is good, but see note below on the rear window on the convertible top.  The rear bumper is dented as you might see in the photos.  I have a replacement bumper (undented) that I will give to you if you buy the car.

The paint still shines after a good rubbing and wax job.


TOP:
I bought the top from Robbins Top, and bought the best sun-fast fabric available.  The top was installed in 1994, and unbelievably, is still OK-looking on the outside.  The top does "seep" through a few cracks when it rains, however.  The rear glass window just started to de-bond from the fabric, and is now completely separated.  So, bottom line, this will need a new top unless you want to go top down all the time.  A couple of the rubber seals are missing which seal the top to the roll-up windows.  The top mechanism and the hydraulics are still 100% operational and have never given me trouble.  The top boot is still good on its top side.  There is one tear, which I have sewn up.  All the snaps are present and "working".


ENGINE:
The car had 120,000 miles on it when I bought it in 1983.  The previous owner had the engine rebuilt at 80K miles.  The car has 227K miles on it now.  I have replaced the oil pump, and the normal water pump, alternator, etc.  But the basic engine parts haven't been touched since 80K.  It is a 383 with 2bbl carb, and starts reliably.  The engine runs a bit rough - it probably needs a carb rebuild, new plug wires and plugs to make it a daily driver.  Windshield washer reservoir is cracked - you'll need a new one.  The muffler is OK - sounds a bit throaty; it would need replacement if you want a quiet ride.  Transmission is still good - never had a problem with it.  There are a few leaks under the car - but nothing major.


BRAKES:
It has drum brakes all around.  I have had the brake booster rebuilt 10+ years ago.  The master cylinder and the 4 drum brake wheel cylinders were re-sleeved with stainless sleeves in the early 1990's, and haven't given me trouble since.  While you may think you want the disk brakes on this car, be glad it is drum... the Budd disk brakes of 1968 are rare and very expensive to work on.  The calipers are $300 each if you can find them, and the pads are pricey too.


INTERIOR:
The vinyl upholstery was redone in the late 1980's and is still in decent shape.  The seat back of the driver seat was redone again in about 2010.  There is one hole in the back seat bottom, about 1/2" diameter.  The carpet was replaced in the late 1980's.  It has a few wrinkles in it, but reasonably good shape.  There are a few tears near the driver's foot area.  The dashboard is cracked, which you can see in the pictures.  All the controls work (lights, horn, turn signal, etc).  The gas gauge quit a few years ago.  The A/C components are under the hood, but I have never tried to get it to blow cold air.  The heater controls are there, but the heater core started to leak about 15 years ago, so I just disconnected the hoses going into the cab.  So the fan works, but no heat.  


TIRES:
The tires are 10+ years old, and have about 1/4 of their tread left.  Right Rear tire has a slow leak.  


REGISTRATION/PLATES:
This car is currently registered in CA, paid through Sept 2014.  I have the pink slip.  The license plates are old style California plates; black with yellow text, which are becoming sought after.  I have blocked out the plates in the pictures.  They are a little rusty, but no holes.  Rear plate is dented.


With a little work, you can get this car workable and comfortable as a beach cruiser; It will definitely turn heads as a retro car.

I will cooperate however possible to get this shipped to you.  Please ask any questions you may have before bidding.  Good luck!

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