goodneighbour
Well-Known Member
Found this today and I could not resist,`78 Newport Coupe! Needs a little TLC but I can deal with that, plane jane with manual A.C.,power steering and power brakes. That`s it.
Not so plain jane. Coupe with upgrade interior and fender skirts with a 400. Nice!
I was thoroughly disappointed when fender skirts became optional in '78. When I asked, I was told that because the formals were such big, heavy looking cars, they wanted to try and make the car appear somewhat lighter and put wheel opening mouldings on, and make the skirts optional. It was considered a `place-holder' type move until the "real" smaller Newport/NY came out in '79. All because GM was their role model in the industry and GM had had their `full size' downsized "B" body cars out since '77 and caught Chrysler napping. Another reason the "R" body cars were such questionable quality. It was like 1957 all over again. Rushed the cars and brought them out a year too soon.
Was there any talk ever about making a Formal convertible?
Was there any talk ever about making a Formal convertible?
I was thoroughly disappointed when fender skirts became optional in '78. When I asked, I was told that because the formals were such big, heavy looking cars, they wanted to try and make the car appear somewhat lighter and put wheel opening mouldings on, and make the skirts optional. It was considered a `place-holder' type move until the "real" smaller Newport/NY came out in '79. All because GM was their role model in the industry and GM had had their `full size' downsized "B" body cars out since '77 and caught Chrysler napping. Another reason the "R" body cars were such questionable quality. It was like 1957 all over again. Rushed the cars and brought them out a year too soon.
Nope...not from the factory...remember convertibles were in disfavour at the time and they had been dead in the C body since 70 and for the Corporation since 71.
Convertibles were left to the coach builders of the time. I know of only one C body conversion and the low production Cordobas. Here's an article about them from 1977 and a pic of the best of the survivors (apparently 7 were made in 77). I have also seen 79 300 verts.
One day I hope to make my own Formal convertible, because I think it'd be beautiful.
Nope...not from the factory...remember convertibles were in disfavour at the time and they had been dead in the C body since 70 and for the Corporation since 71.
Convertibles were left to the coach builders of the time. I know of only one C body conversion and the low production Cordobas. Here's an article about them from 1977 and a pic of the best of the survivors (apparently 7 were made in 77). I have also seen 79 300 verts.
One day I hope to make my own Formal convertible, because I think it'd be beautiful.