Chrysler Cordoba

Chrysler Cordoba
1978 Chrysler Cordoba
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler (Chrysler Corporation)
Model years	1970, 1975–1983
Assembly	('75-up) Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Class	Personal luxury car
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Related	Chrysler Newport
Powertrain
Transmission	3-speed automatic
Chronology
Predecessor	Chrysler 300 (1971)
Successor	Chrysler Laser

First generation
1976 Chrysler Cordoba
Overview
Production	1974–1979
Model years	1975–1979
Body and chassis
Platform	B-body
Related	Chrysler 300 Dodge Charger Dodge Magnum Plymouth Fury
Powertrain
Engine	318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) B V8
Transmission	3-speed A727 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115 in (2,921 mm)
Length	215.3 in (5,469 mm)
Width	77.1 in (1,958 mm)
Height	52.6 in (1,336 mm)

Second generation
1980 Chrysler Cordoba
Overview
Production	1979–1983
Model years	1980–1983
Body and chassis
Platform	J-body
Related	Dodge Mirada Imperial
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 V8 360 cu in (5.9 L) (Mexico Only)
Transmission	3-speed A904 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.7 in (2,863 mm)
Length	209.8 in (5,329 mm) (1980) 210.1 in (5,337 mm) (1981) 209.6 in (5,324 mm) (LS)
Width	72.7 in (1,847 mm)
Height	53.3 in (1,354 mm) (1980–81) 53.2 in (1,351 mm) (1982–83)
Curb weight	3,446 lb (1,563 kg) (1980–81) 3,460 lb (1,569 kg) (1982) 3,467 lb (1,573 kg) (1983) 3,389 lb (1,537 kg) (LS 1981–82) 3,404 lb (1,544 kg) (LS 1983)

The Chrysler Cordoba was an intermediate personal luxury coupe sold by Chrysler in North America from 1975–1983. It was the company's first model produced specifically for the personal luxury market and the first Chrysler-branded vehicle that was smaller than full-size.

In the early 1960s, when other upmarket brands were expanding into smaller cars with such models as the Mercury Comet and Buick Skylark, Chrysler very publicly declared that there would "never" be a smaller Chrysler. Indeed, the 1963 Chrysler deluxe catalog says of the New Yorker, "This is no jr. edition car." The 1962 deluxe catalog goes even further, proclaiming on the rear cover: "there's not a jr. edition in the whole family!".

The Cordoba name was used in the spring of 1970 on a special trim package version of a Chrysler Newport hardtop (two-door and four-door). This full-size model was a "limited edition luxury car, designed to introduce you to Chrysler" and consisted of an exclusive "Cordoba Gold" paint with matching wheels, wheel covers, and side molding with vinyl inserts. Chrysler described this model's textured antique gold all-vinyl interior, matching vinyl roof cover, and the hood ornament with an Aztec eagle as "quiet Spanish motif". Included in the $4,241.65 price was the 383 cu in (6.3 L) 290 bhp (220 kW) two-barrel carburetor V8 engine, automatic transmission, power steering, H78x15 fiberglass-belted whitewall tires, and a "golden tone" AM radio.

Originally designed by Chrysler to be the all new Plymouth Sebring for 1975 which was to share bodies with the Dodge Charger SE, a decision was made to introduce this car as the first small Chrysler. The smaller Cordoba was introduced as a contender in the personal luxury market that was powered by smaller, more economical engines than other Chryslers, and riding on a 115 in (2,921 mm) wheelbase, 9 in (229 mm) less than the traditional models at the time. This single body style coupe was one of Chrysler's few genuine hits of the 1970s. At a time when the automaker was teetering on bankruptcy, demand for Cordobas actually exceeded supply for its first couple of years, with production of over 150,000 units for the inaugural 1975 models, and the most built in 1977, with 183,000 units. Half of Chrysler division production during this period (and occasionally more) was composed of Cordobas, and they helped to revive the division. All Cordobas were built in Windsor, Ontario.