Chrysler Corporation had a rough couple of years in the early 1960s, but the Chrysler brand didn’t have it as rough as its cheaper siblings. When the 1965 C-bodies debuted, the Chrysler Corporation was able to move forward with optimism in ways it hadn’t been able to for eight years. Our Pick of the Day, a 1965 Chrysler Newport Convertible, is one of those shiny models. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Farmingdale, New York. (Click the link to view the listing)
Chryslers from 1957 were great, thanks to fine styling and engineering. Put one next to a Buick and the General Motors car clearly looked dowdy in comparison. However, quality issues plagued the entire Chrysler Corporation, with the reputation and a recession tanking sales for 1958. The restyled 1959s were alright, but they paled in comparison to the all-new vehicles from GM.
Chrysler tried to rectify things with the 1960 models thanks to Unibody construction and fine styling, but for 1961 absolute weirdness crept in across the board at the corporation, though Chrysler itself was less weird than the “It came from Japan” Plymouth or the sleepy-looking Dodge. The 1962 B-body Plymouth and Dodge models made things worse by being smaller than their competition (though, in retrospect, they were sized right) and were completely unconventional in looks. With redesigned, handsome Chryslers for 1963, the brand was able to ditch the baggage of its cheaper siblings.
With the advent of the C-body in 1965, the Chrysler Corporation was on its way to being “normal” once again. Chryslers in particular were quite dashing, from the Newport, 300, and New Yorker, each model featuring a particular set of charms that competed toe-to-toe with Buick aside of the 300-L, which was unique all its own.
The entry-level model continued to be the Newport, with seven body styles available including a Town Sedan featuring a greenhouse that would even make Phillip Johnson envious. Though the least fancy of the Chryslers, the Newport was still a Chrysler, so you got deep-pile carpeting and a padded dashboard plus a new blend-air heater that adjust instantly when you change the setting. Bucket seats were available too. Standard power was the FirePower 270, which was a 383 two-barrel with 270 horsepower; optional was a FirePower 315. Standard transmission was a three-speed on the column, with a four-speed or TorqueFlite automatic being optional.
This 66,000-mile 1965 Chrysler Newport Convertible nicely demonstrates the strength of Chrysler’s styling and presence for the new C-body. Painted Persian White with a black top and red interior, this Newport features the original AM radio, power steering and brakes, power windows, electric clock, and driver-side remote mirror, among others. Powering this Chrysler is the standard 383 backed by the famous TorqueFlite.
If you recall, the B-52s sang a song about a Chrysler that was as big as a whale, with the video showing a 1965 300. This Newport convertible is just as big, and almost identical. This is the classic American convertible for a reasonable $26,900, which leaves enough jukebox money left to set sail to your love getaway with 20 of your friends.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
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