My parents owned a 1981 Chrysler New Yorker. They bought it off the showroom floor and they kept it for about 12 years. It was immaculate condition when they sold it. I miss that car
The fact that it was the final R-Body New Yorker has to make it very valuable. I can see it being in a museum of some sort in the future when late 70s and early 80s cars will be more respected.
I think it's a gem! Two tone paintwork, the rear door half frame & half frameless windows, the hidden gas filler panel behind the full width tail lights/reflectors and of course the sumptuous interior, a unique body style from the time. What luck!
I read years ago that the problem with low sales was very simple. The designers were told to shrink the car but make it appear large. They succeeded very well and used all kinds of clever visual tricks to accomplish this. These cars are actually fairly small by the standards of that period. However, the public perveived them as being very large and shied away. The rule of unintended consequences.
That was part of the problem. Poor quality control on the early ones and Chrysler's financial condition at the time were the big causes. It didn't help that GM also had a two year head start on it's downsized big cars.
I love this car. Ive lusted after these since about 12 or 13. I was fortune enough to live in the era when these were in the junkyard. I’d see one there and oggle the interior. Ive owned a couple of Imperials over the years, those digital radios are literally unicorn rare. I have a couple ay home that ive owned for over 20 years. I love tge dash in your car and in the Imperial. Warm and friendly. Take care
I've always been a geek for big American sedans. Large American sedans were the pinacol of what American automobile makers did best. I especially love the Mopar's, but especially the Newport, Fury and the St. Regis, Monaco, Polara. My Dad gave me his 1971 Plymouth Fury Gran Salon back in 1981when I got my license. My sister had to drive it to work a few times before I got it and drove it without checking the coolant or the oil. Hence the 360 froze up! I got a job at McDonald's to get money for repairs, but it was going to be too expensive, so I sold it and got a 1980 Monza! These are such beautiful cars and the end of an era! Thanks for sharing!
This is easily the best video I've ever seen on an R-Body. These might not have been that remarkable when new, but they're incredibly special cars today- rare, and a fascinating development in the Chrysler story of the late 70s/early 80s.
Thank you for showing this car! This absolutely needs to be cherished and preserved as its the last one off the line! Love the build plate on the car, very unique! I know the build quality on these were terrible in the first couple of years, but I've always really liked the looks of these cars. Very interesting to see this one. There just isn't alot of content on these vehicles from any Chrysler division. Thanks again!
I always cheer the underdog, and darn it - if there ever was an automotive example in the late 70s, it was the Chrysler R-Body. LOVE them. I would adore a dark blue 360-powered New Yorker 5th Avenue of that generation!!
Great video ! These R body cars sure are rare these days and a lot of them were mainly used for police and taxi service back in the day . My parents owned a 1976 Dodge Aspen for many years and lol it held up pretty well over the years . CHEERS
After this, Chrysler moved the New Yorker to the K-Car by 1983. It was the K-Cars and minivans that Lee Iacoca rescued Chrysler. After the 1983-87 version, the redesigned into a FWD replica of this version from 1988-93. My childhood friends parents had a 1980 & 1993 Chrysler New Yorker.
Awesome car man! Born during a very hard and strange time for Chrysler...I've always liked these rare R bodies as well as the 70s Magnum and the Mirada
You prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me.
@Finley Quinton I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im trying it out atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I know the R-body cars were poorly made, but I really liked them. My dad bought an '80 St. Regis police car in 1983. It had the 360 4bbl V8 and the A38 package. The suspension would loosen your fillings. He didn't like it, but I thought it was cool. Great instrument panel. You can tweak that two-barrel to make it a lot more responsive. Or you could put on a new manifold and 4bbl, and put a stock looking air cleaner to maintain an original appearance. The 318 was a good engine, just strangled by emissions. Glad this car went to an owner who really appreciates it.
The 1981 is the rarest of them all at 5,497 built...so glad you care about this car and want to keep her on the road...my name is Brett Goddard...I am on FB...contact me if you wish!
Love your New Yorker! It’s wonderful you have the very last one. I’m sure it’s in good hands. I had two’ 79 models: a two toned cream and tan Fifth Avenue and a navy blue New Yorker. I have always preferred the 81 for its appearance tweaks and especially for its improved quality. My Fifth Avenue was built in Sept ‘78 and had abysmal quality-many items literally would fall onto the floor. The blue one was much better having been built in early ‘79. I had 360’s in both, but the cream one had an economy differential and was very slow but got surprisingly good gas mileage. Both engines were showing a lot of wear by 80,000 miles-rough running and start up smoke. I feel sure Iacocca had all these matters fixed by 81. I agree with you on everything you said, and I feel Iacocca’s one mistake with the R bodies was discontinuing them. Ford made the 79 LTD’s and Grand Marquis through 1989 and Chevy the same with the Impala/Caprice. He wanted Chrysler Corporation to be the first all 4 cylinder US car company and really didn’t want to continue the M bodies. The R body would have sold well as the economy picked up and interest rates went down. It makes me sad, too, that Walter P’s great company is no longer American owned. Anyway, Harry, congratulations on a wonderful car. I look forward to seeing more about it in the future on CZcams. David Port
Sales of the R bodies dropped so low in the civilian market. By 1981 Chrysler had only sold a few thousand of those cars, mostly to fleets. That's why they were dropped from the lineup. Meanwhile, Ford's squarish panther cars continued through 1989 for Lincoln and 1991 for the Ford and Mercury ,after which they were redesigned to more modern design.
A Classic & rare beast for realz! Hey bud if you ever wanna try the hand modeling carrer you would be great at it! Especially with all that Italian hair you have 😉
I personally think that cars from the late 70s and early 80s are more worth saving than people realize. This may have not been the best era for cars but it didn't mean there was wasn't any decent or interesting cars. More of the R body's should've been saved.
I love the R body cars. I had the opportunity to buy an 81 with the 5th Ave package in Night Watch blue on blue leather, with the 318 4 bbl and ultra rare open road handling package back in 91. Before I could get the $ together, the owner suffered a stroke and his son sold it for scrap. The car only had 76k on it and was a documented Chrysler executive owned special ordered unit, with every option including moon roof.
It seems that the R body New Yorkers have a lot of haters, but I think they were very attractive, much more so than the M body New Yorkers to follow, which only looked like warmed-over Valiants, Volares and Aspens. The best looking LeBarons were probably the many years of Imperial LeBarons, which had a gorgeous C-body finale in 1975.
HUH? that is not a Big block the 1986 had the same door pulls this was interesting there were some other options and there was a bigger motor available in the same body
I believe 1978 was the last four size Chrysler you could buy the car that you have was the first downsized attempt of a full-size car And then the 1982 m body fifth Avenue diplomat and grand fury were the newest for size luxury cars. You need to tell us more about the 1981 special edition Chrysler New Yorker I bet you there are none left with this option package
Love it! I have a 1979...join other R body folks on Facebook!...R body New Yorkers ect.. WELCOME to the fold Harryez!By the way Harry I have two vids of my 79 New Yorker on CZcams(part 1 and part 2)under Brett Goddard channel...the vids are a few years ago..I have made many changes and improvements to 'Doris' since then..
I have the same car, 1979 360 2bbl . mine is white leather interior and a yellowish white exterior paint. My 79 is a 5th avenue. The headlight dimmer switch is incorporated into the turn signal switch, but there is still a footswitch button on the top, left corner of the driver side floorboard. I can not figure out what it is suppose to do! I can not find any indication in the owners manual.
My guess it is to activate the "search" function for the radio. Chrysler used that feature in the 60's and 70's. Odd that it's not listed in the manual though.
I've made a video on a '79 Fifth Avenue model 2 years ago at a Malaise era car show. The owner's grandparents bought it brand new off the showroom floor. Here's the video of the car czcams.com/video/GtchHFY09HU/video.html
Truthfully honestly sir I'd rather choose these cars over the cars they make it now between Chrysler Ford and GM most of their cars are mostly garbage and they are so small that a semi can hit them and they not really cars with no frame they're all way too small
The fit and Finnish on these things was truly atrocious, this is what you get when you try to build a heavyweight American car to the same bodywork standards of a K car, this thing didn't have body panels more like tectonic plates they moved and squirmed and creeked so unlike the big chrysler of the generation before, they where built like tanks
My parents owned a 1981 Chrysler New Yorker. They bought it off the showroom floor and they kept it for about 12 years. It was immaculate condition when they sold it. I miss that car
The fact that it was the final R-Body New Yorker has to make it very valuable. I can see it being in a museum of some sort in the future when late 70s and early 80s cars will be more respected.
Well said
Seen video July 2024.
Had new in 1979. I kept car till 1984 and traded. When new, most didn't think to keep it. Enjoy yours. 🇺🇸
I think it's a gem! Two tone paintwork, the rear door half frame & half frameless windows, the hidden gas filler panel behind the full width tail lights/reflectors and of course the sumptuous interior, a unique body style from the time. What luck!
They kind of remind me of that era Buick
I read years ago that the problem with low sales was very simple. The designers were told to shrink the car but make it appear large. They succeeded very well and used all kinds of clever visual tricks to accomplish this. These cars are actually fairly small by the standards of that period. However, the public perveived them as being very large and shied away. The rule of unintended consequences.
Those things were huge. PERIOD!
They were pretty cars, just the same.
That was part of the problem. Poor quality control on the early ones and Chrysler's financial condition at the time were the big causes. It didn't help that GM also had a two year head start on it's downsized big cars.
I love this car. Ive lusted after these since about 12 or 13. I was fortune enough to live in the era when these were in the junkyard. I’d see one there and oggle the interior. Ive owned a couple of Imperials over the years, those digital radios are literally unicorn rare. I have a couple ay home that ive owned for over 20 years. I love tge dash in your car and in the Imperial. Warm and friendly. Take care
I want to see those rear windows light up!!
I've always been a geek for big American sedans. Large American sedans were the pinacol of what American automobile makers did best. I especially love the Mopar's, but especially the Newport, Fury and the St. Regis, Monaco, Polara. My Dad gave me his 1971 Plymouth Fury Gran Salon back in 1981when I got my license. My sister had to drive it to work a few times before I got it and drove it without checking the coolant or the oil. Hence the 360 froze up! I got a job at McDonald's to get money for repairs, but it was going to be too expensive, so I sold it and got a 1980 Monza! These are such beautiful cars and the end of an era! Thanks for sharing!
My grandmother almost bought a white/white New Yorker. She regretted not getting it, and so did I. It was beautiful.
I think this is one of the nicest examples I’ve seen. I was on the showroom floor when these were brand new.
This is easily the best video I've ever seen on an R-Body. These might not have been that remarkable when new, but they're incredibly special cars today- rare, and a fascinating development in the Chrysler story of the late 70s/early 80s.
The R-body might have had some success in the police fleet market had the big block continued in production.
Glad you love that car the way these cars are supposed to be appreciated. That is rare..
Love those door lights💪
That car is a gem
Thank you for showing this car! This absolutely needs to be cherished and preserved as its the last one off the line! Love the build plate on the car, very unique! I know the build quality on these were terrible in the first couple of years, but I've always really liked the looks of these cars. Very interesting to see this one. There just isn't alot of content on these vehicles from any Chrysler division. Thanks again!
Our neighbours had one in light gray with matching interior. It was nicer than a Caddy or Lincoln. Understated luxury.
I always cheer the underdog, and darn it - if there ever was an automotive example in the late 70s, it was the Chrysler R-Body. LOVE them. I would adore a dark blue 360-powered New Yorker 5th Avenue of that generation!!
Our neighbours had one in triple gray. It was a beautiful car that sat on his manicured property. It looked awesome.
Great video ! These R body cars sure are rare these days and a lot of them were mainly used for police and taxi service back in the day . My parents owned a 1976 Dodge Aspen for many years and lol it held up pretty well over the years . CHEERS
Even then, it was still a big sedan...just slimmed down somewhat!
I was in sixth grade in 81. My parents test drove this car for two weeks. This was the nicest car we rode in it had everything in it.
Love your car. Hope you got it all fixed up. Enjoy this beautiful car
After this, Chrysler moved the New Yorker to the K-Car by 1983. It was the K-Cars and minivans that Lee Iacoca rescued Chrysler. After the 1983-87 version, the redesigned into a FWD replica of this version from 1988-93. My childhood friends parents had a 1980 & 1993 Chrysler New Yorker.
Awesome car man! Born during a very hard and strange time for Chrysler...I've always liked these rare R bodies as well as the 70s Magnum and the Mirada
For the age it held up pretty good I'd say look at the masses of 10 year old or younger cars that look like holy hell
I love the way these look, thanks for uploading this.
You prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any tips you can offer me.
@Leon Kayson instablaster =)
@Finley Quinton I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and im trying it out atm.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Finley Quinton It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thank you so much you saved my ass !
@Leon Kayson glad I could help =)
THE LAST! WHAT A FIND! Don't let that one go!
I know the R-body cars were poorly made, but I really liked them. My dad bought an '80 St. Regis police car in 1983. It had the 360 4bbl V8 and the A38 package. The suspension would loosen your fillings. He didn't like it, but I thought it was cool. Great instrument panel.
You can tweak that two-barrel to make it a lot more responsive. Or you could put on a new manifold and 4bbl, and put a stock looking air cleaner to maintain an original appearance. The 318 was a good engine, just strangled by emissions. Glad this car went to an owner who really appreciates it.
There solid
Love these cars and my Imperials also. Chryslers big 4dr luxo barges are butter smooth rides
Owned an '81 black New Yorker back in 1993.... Ran great, but had a few electrical issues
The 1981 is the rarest of them all at 5,497 built...so glad you care about this car and want to keep her on the road...my name is Brett Goddard...I am on FB...contact me if you wish!
I love them big mopars. They ride smooth and draw attention wherever I go in them just cause they're so few of them left
That's a beautiful car. Thanks for the video!
Love your New Yorker! It’s wonderful you have the very last one. I’m sure it’s in good hands. I had two’ 79 models: a two toned cream and tan Fifth Avenue and a navy blue New Yorker. I have always preferred the 81 for its appearance tweaks and especially for its improved quality. My Fifth Avenue was built in Sept ‘78 and had abysmal quality-many items literally would fall onto the floor. The blue one was much better having been built in early ‘79. I had 360’s in both, but the cream one had an economy differential and was very slow but got surprisingly good gas mileage. Both engines were showing a lot of wear by 80,000 miles-rough running and start up smoke. I feel sure Iacocca had all these matters fixed by 81. I agree with you on everything you said, and I feel Iacocca’s one mistake with the R bodies was discontinuing them. Ford made the 79 LTD’s and Grand Marquis through 1989 and Chevy the same with the Impala/Caprice. He wanted Chrysler Corporation to be the first all 4 cylinder US car company and really didn’t want to continue the M bodies. The R body would have sold well as the economy picked up and interest rates went down. It makes me sad, too, that Walter P’s great company is no longer American owned. Anyway, Harry, congratulations on a wonderful car. I look forward to seeing more about it in the future on CZcams.
David Port
Sales of the R bodies dropped so low in the civilian market. By 1981
Chrysler had only sold a few thousand of those cars, mostly to
fleets. That's why they were dropped
from the lineup.
Meanwhile, Ford's squarish panther
cars continued through 1989 for
Lincoln and 1991 for the Ford and
Mercury ,after which they were
redesigned to more modern design.
I have the same car 1979 5th ave. New Yorker sunroof white leather interior. White ish paint. 360 2 bbl carb.
no way that has 17000 miles..
Those R-bodies are intriguing.
A Classic & rare beast for realz! Hey bud if you ever wanna try the hand modeling carrer you would be great at it! Especially with all that Italian hair you have 😉
The hidden features. Lit up quarter windows!
I personally think that cars from the late 70s and early 80s are more worth saving than people realize. This may have not been the best era for cars but it didn't mean there was wasn't any decent or interesting cars. More of the R body's should've been saved.
A real man's car!!
Beautiful car.
I love the R body cars. I had the opportunity to buy an 81 with the 5th Ave package in Night Watch blue on blue leather, with the 318 4 bbl and ultra rare open road handling package back in 91. Before I could get the $ together, the owner suffered a stroke and his son sold it for scrap. The car only had 76k on it and was a documented Chrysler executive owned special ordered unit, with every option including moon roof.
What a dumb son 😂😂
Beutiful luxury cars. I bet its almost impossible to find body panels,trim and glass etc for these.
It seems that the R body New Yorkers have a lot of haters, but I think they were very attractive, much more so than the M body New Yorkers to follow, which only looked like warmed-over Valiants, Volares and Aspens. The best looking LeBarons were probably the many years of Imperial LeBarons, which had a gorgeous C-body finale in 1975.
Nice car
Still a nice car!
i love these cars if you ever want to sell let me know thanks
HUH? that is not a Big block the 1986 had the same door pulls this was interesting there were some other options and there was a bigger motor available in the same body
Had a Newport and a St. Regis, hated the lean burn!
This car has all the looks for the era. Way more appealing than the '77 GM offerings and '79 Ford. The interior looks nice.
Nice car that sadly missed the mark expected at that time
3yrs but the m body is nice to
Admittedly the only time I noticed these cars was after one had an unfortunate appearance in the 1981 John Travolta movie Blowout.
I can’t believe you didn’t take the time to clean the car up before reviewing it.
I believe 1978 was the last four size Chrysler you could buy the car that you have was the first downsized attempt of a full-size car And then the 1982 m body fifth Avenue diplomat and grand fury were the newest for size luxury cars. You need to tell us more about the 1981 special edition Chrysler New Yorker I bet you there are none left with this option package
There out there they made a lot pl kept
Nice 😀
There is not many of those left and hard to find. The body had very thin metal. I knew a guy who had one.
Those wheels look like they are from a Lincoln.
Those are lavaliere straps.
Love it! I have a 1979...join other R body folks on Facebook!...R body New Yorkers ect.. WELCOME to the fold Harryez!By the way Harry I have two vids of my 79 New Yorker on CZcams(part 1 and part 2)under Brett Goddard channel...the vids are a few years ago..I have made many changes and improvements to 'Doris' since then..
I have the same car, 1979 360 2bbl . mine is white leather interior and a yellowish white exterior paint. My 79 is a 5th avenue. The headlight dimmer switch is incorporated into the turn signal switch, but there is still a footswitch button on the top, left corner of the driver side floorboard. I can not figure out what it is suppose to do! I can not find any indication in the owners manual.
My guess it is to activate the "search" function for the radio. Chrysler used that feature in the 60's and 70's. Odd that it's not listed in the manual though.
Have you posted a video in a while ago
not recently no
Because you had work
I've made a video on a '79 Fifth Avenue model 2 years ago at a Malaise era car show. The owner's grandparents bought it brand new off the showroom floor. Here's the video of the car czcams.com/video/GtchHFY09HU/video.html
Looks like it sharez alot uv stuff with the Imperial. Thoze went to 83, so the NY iznt exactly the last big Chrysler.
Niiice!
Clean?
Truthfully honestly sir I'd rather choose these cars over the cars they make it now between Chrysler Ford and GM most of their cars are mostly garbage and they are so small that a semi can hit them and they not really cars with no frame they're all way too small
100% the new cars suck. Aside for a handful but GM especially has really fallen off. Chrysler isn’t much better .
Did you sell it?
No, this one I’m keeping. I have a 79 though that I’m trying to sell
That's a awfully thin radiator. My 6 cyl Dart's was twice as think.
Set of 360 heads nice cam headers and four barrel carburetor will bring that Imperial to life.
No, it won't. Lower compression doesn't help.
It needs a 360.
The fit and Finnish on these things was truly atrocious, this is what you get when you try to build a heavyweight American car to the same bodywork standards of a K car, this thing didn't have body panels more like tectonic plates they moved and squirmed and creeked so unlike the big chrysler of the generation before, they where built like tanks
Nice but clean it before you show it ///////////////
8:29 hahahaha off course
in a such bad state…
I know these cars had a lot of quality issues, but they were very nice looking. I always liked the styling of the traditional American luxury car.
I love this car, also those color combinations are awesome. Just like my house I love all the junk, looks lived-in🤗🤗