Pclancy
Active Member
I purchased my 1977 Chrysler Newport in from a Canadian gentleman in a Bringatrailer auction in March 2016. $5700. Here’s the link to the auction: 1977 Chrysler Newport Coupe. She had about 78,000 kilometers on the clock when I bought her. She now has about 98,000 kilometers. That’s about 60,000 miles.
I drove her back to Washington DC from Canada, a trip without any issues save for the fact that the engine consumed far more oil than the PO had led me to believe it would. I don’t think the PO was dishonest; the car had previously not been driven for long periods for many years and so perhaps the oil consumption was not as noticeable.
When I returned home, I began to attack every mechanical issue that arose. I used the car almost every week when I was at home (I travel overseas frequently for work). Many issues arose over the following years. Suffice to say that my mechanics and I are on first name terms. Owning a 41 year old Chrysler is not for the faint of heart (or wallet unless you do the work yourself).
Major work performed included (in no particular order):
1) Removal of the lean burn system. Involved installing a Mopar Electronic Ignition conversion kit; and then subsequently rebuilding original TQ carb, replacing spark plug wires and plugs, ignition module, distributor cap, rotor button, ignition cables, resistor, etc. In some cases, parts were replaced more than once due to poor quality parts being purchased and installed. This was a frustrating period.
2) Replaced brake master cylinder
3) Replaced all 4 shocks with KYB gas shock absorbers
4) Replaced transmission oil pan gasket and filter
5) Differential oil replaced and cover overhauled
6) Replaced worn transmission mount
7) Replaced inner and outer tie rod ends
8) Replaced upper and lower ball joints
9) Repacked/replaced wheel bearings
10) Installed new battery
11) Front end alignment
12) Applied Krown Rust proofing treatment (Canadian rust proofing for a Canadian car!)
13) Installed catalytic convertor (in a successful effort to get her to pass DC emissions; but she now has historical plates which makes her exempt from emissions and inspections)
14) Replaced original spare tire
15) Front brake rotors repaired/resurfaced; calipers replaced
16) Valve cover gaskets replaced
17) Replaced valve seals, rocker shafts and springs (Engine now does not burn oil)
18) Clock (chronometer) and AM/FM/8-track tape professionally rebuilt/repaired
19) New rear deck and front dash speakers installed
20) AC compressor re-oiled and AC recharged
21) Finally gave up on the TQ carb and installed a new Edelbrock 1406
22) Doors adjusted to improve alignment with body and latches
23) New tires installed in September 2018
24) Steering slack adjusted
25) Front end alignment adjusted again
26) Rear spring shackle bushings replaced
27) Electronic door locks repaired
28) Windshield wiper arc adjusted
I find the car a blast to drive and I like the way she looks. She steers and stops straight; she’s quiet, and she has a fantastic ride quality. Her motor is powerful enough to propel her at 70 MPH+ all day long, and she loves the open road. She is not known for fuel economy—maybe 10 in town and 12-13 on the road. Her body and interior are in excellent condition—no rust anywhere; original paint that shines up nicely; fantastic upholstery and carpets; fantastic dash and dash pad; and the vinyl top is in great shape. My family doesn’t like her, finding her way too big and weird. But that’s their problem. Literally everything on the car works. I pray that my ATC II system does not break, but so far the heating and cooling work well.
Issues that she still has include a very livable trembling at idle with the AC on. I notice sometimes a micro hesitation in throttle response from a dead start---but I am tired of messing with the carb and it’s hardly noticeable. She far prefers the cooler weather to the DC summer, but she never overheats, even in the dead of summer stuck in urban traffic. Her motor mounts are still good, but will need to be replaced in another 5 years or so. Her right hand mirror remote adjustment works with difficulty. I need to replace her roof rail seals, which are becoming frayed and rotted with old age. I am having a front seat cover custom made by a local upholstery shop to protect the pristine brocade cloth seats (my dog loves to travel in her). No one ever sits in the back seat, so I just throw a blanket down.
Economically, she has been a disaster, and I have invested far more than I will ever get back. But that’s not the point. I have a car I like; she’s rare and unusual, and she’s fun to drive. I’m happy with my Newport, and plan to keep her a long time.
I drove her back to Washington DC from Canada, a trip without any issues save for the fact that the engine consumed far more oil than the PO had led me to believe it would. I don’t think the PO was dishonest; the car had previously not been driven for long periods for many years and so perhaps the oil consumption was not as noticeable.
When I returned home, I began to attack every mechanical issue that arose. I used the car almost every week when I was at home (I travel overseas frequently for work). Many issues arose over the following years. Suffice to say that my mechanics and I are on first name terms. Owning a 41 year old Chrysler is not for the faint of heart (or wallet unless you do the work yourself).
Major work performed included (in no particular order):
1) Removal of the lean burn system. Involved installing a Mopar Electronic Ignition conversion kit; and then subsequently rebuilding original TQ carb, replacing spark plug wires and plugs, ignition module, distributor cap, rotor button, ignition cables, resistor, etc. In some cases, parts were replaced more than once due to poor quality parts being purchased and installed. This was a frustrating period.
2) Replaced brake master cylinder
3) Replaced all 4 shocks with KYB gas shock absorbers
4) Replaced transmission oil pan gasket and filter
5) Differential oil replaced and cover overhauled
6) Replaced worn transmission mount
7) Replaced inner and outer tie rod ends
8) Replaced upper and lower ball joints
9) Repacked/replaced wheel bearings
10) Installed new battery
11) Front end alignment
12) Applied Krown Rust proofing treatment (Canadian rust proofing for a Canadian car!)
13) Installed catalytic convertor (in a successful effort to get her to pass DC emissions; but she now has historical plates which makes her exempt from emissions and inspections)
14) Replaced original spare tire
15) Front brake rotors repaired/resurfaced; calipers replaced
16) Valve cover gaskets replaced
17) Replaced valve seals, rocker shafts and springs (Engine now does not burn oil)
18) Clock (chronometer) and AM/FM/8-track tape professionally rebuilt/repaired
19) New rear deck and front dash speakers installed
20) AC compressor re-oiled and AC recharged
21) Finally gave up on the TQ carb and installed a new Edelbrock 1406
22) Doors adjusted to improve alignment with body and latches
23) New tires installed in September 2018
24) Steering slack adjusted
25) Front end alignment adjusted again
26) Rear spring shackle bushings replaced
27) Electronic door locks repaired
28) Windshield wiper arc adjusted
I find the car a blast to drive and I like the way she looks. She steers and stops straight; she’s quiet, and she has a fantastic ride quality. Her motor is powerful enough to propel her at 70 MPH+ all day long, and she loves the open road. She is not known for fuel economy—maybe 10 in town and 12-13 on the road. Her body and interior are in excellent condition—no rust anywhere; original paint that shines up nicely; fantastic upholstery and carpets; fantastic dash and dash pad; and the vinyl top is in great shape. My family doesn’t like her, finding her way too big and weird. But that’s their problem. Literally everything on the car works. I pray that my ATC II system does not break, but so far the heating and cooling work well.
Issues that she still has include a very livable trembling at idle with the AC on. I notice sometimes a micro hesitation in throttle response from a dead start---but I am tired of messing with the carb and it’s hardly noticeable. She far prefers the cooler weather to the DC summer, but she never overheats, even in the dead of summer stuck in urban traffic. Her motor mounts are still good, but will need to be replaced in another 5 years or so. Her right hand mirror remote adjustment works with difficulty. I need to replace her roof rail seals, which are becoming frayed and rotted with old age. I am having a front seat cover custom made by a local upholstery shop to protect the pristine brocade cloth seats (my dog loves to travel in her). No one ever sits in the back seat, so I just throw a blanket down.
Economically, she has been a disaster, and I have invested far more than I will ever get back. But that’s not the point. I have a car I like; she’s rare and unusual, and she’s fun to drive. I’m happy with my Newport, and plan to keep her a long time.
