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Chrysler Cordoba |
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Chrysler Cordoba
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1975 - 1983 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
Slant 6 and V8 |
Capacity: |
318 - 400ci. |
Power: |
n/a |
Transmission: |
3 spd. "TorqueFlite" auto |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number
Built: |
n/a |
Collectability: |
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The Chrysler Cordoba first appeared in 1975, a twin of the
detuned, depowered Dodge Charger. Amusingly, it was originally
meant to be a Plymouth, rather than a Chrysler; that was
a last-minute change.
The Cordoba was then a B-body, one step in size above
the entry-level Valiant A-body, but below the C and
D bodies that usually wore the Chrysler badge. Styling
was clearly GM-inspired.
Over half of the Chryslers
built in that first year were Cordobas, and for good
reason: like the Cadillac Catera or Lexus ES300, the
Cordoba had a luxury name and a luxury feel, along
with "normal car"
price.
For just over $5,000, a buyer could say with pride that
they owned a Chrysler, back in the days when Chrysler
ranked with Lincoln and Cadillac (or, at least, with Oldsmobile).
As one would expect, the Cordoba had many engine options
- pretty much every contemporary V8 was available, from
the 318 up to the 400.
The base engine was the 318 V8 with "Lean Burn"
system coupled with a TorqueFlite automatic, which
did not exactly make the 3,895 lb car a hot performer.
Like the nearly-identical Charger SE, it could also
be ordered with a four-barrel 360 or 400ci. V8 (with
two or four barrel carburetors).
Performance wasn't bad for the time, but would be frowned
on today - the 400 did 0-100 in roughly 12 seconds. On
the lighter side, strong torque meant instant acceleration
once at speed.
The suspension incorporated longitudinal
front torsion bars with lower trailing links and an anti-sway
bar, coupled with semi-elliptical rear springs and a rear
anti-sway bar. This provided the large, heavy car with
surprisingly good handling. A standard lockup torque converter
appeared in 1979 on most vehicles.
Despite annual styling and option changes, the early Cordobas
remained similar in appearance and substance through 1979.
They were joined in 1977 by the Dodge Magnum XE and XS,
and in 1980 by the virtually identical Dodge Mirada. Cordoba
in 1978 saw many changes under the skin in the name of
saving weight, and a power sunroof was made optional;
only a single model, a two door hardtop, was available.
The base engine was a new 318 with four barrel carb
and Lean Burn system, with the 360 optional (in both
two and four barrel carb versions) as well as the 400
V8. The wheelbase was a modest 115 inches, not much
more than the "compacts." Cordoba was popular for a
Chrysler in 1978 with 112,000 sales. In 1980, the Cordoba
shifted platforms, joining the LeBaron and Dodge Mirada
on a shorter wheelbase. This new "J-body"
(E had been taken by the Barracuda, F by the Volare
and Aspen) was decontented, part of the slow decline
of the Chrysler label.
No longer was a V8 standard, though the slant six could
hardly be said to provide luxury-style acceleration on
this heavy car. The appearance changed completely, moving
from the rounded look of the first models to a more contemporary,
square look, complete with front fins. This second incarnation
carried through to 1983. |
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