The 1973 Chrysler Thread

[ayilar]

As a number of you know, I acquired a 1973 New Yorker Brougham this past March. Ming will soon be going through a mechanical go-over ahead of the Waupun car show, where I hope to drive her to.

The present thread is not about Ming, though. It is about all the 1973 Chryslers, with the idea of its becoming an informal repository for questions/answers and information regarding the last of the fuselage Chryslers.

There are a number of '73 Chrysler owners on the board. I am sure that I am missing many (please chime in!) with the following list:

(i) NYer / NYB: @73Coupe, @Onslo, @Bigboy, and @Olaf Seiler (the latter in Germany) on the 2-dr side; and @Caper and @Calgary Mike (both in Canada), @yabadaba and @sidsnot (both in the UK), and @Straight eight, @bigmoparjeff and myself on the 4-dr side. @HercarNY owns a NYB too.

(ii) Newport: @DeMopuar and @Scott own 2dr 1973 Newport Navajos. So does @chry73luv, who also owns another 2dr. @monaco75 owns a sunroof '73 Newport with a cool history. @Goose owns a 4dr Newport. @ma_mopar saved and then sold a 4dr Navajo last year.

(iii) Past/future owners: @71Polara383, @traintech55, and @Kevin Carpenter have plenty of past experience with the 1973's as well. @polara71 and @shooter65 are also fans of the 1973's.​

To get the thread going, I'll start with:

1. links to articles in the St Louis Dispatch (2013) and Autoweek (2001) about 1973 NYBs. Neither article is very informative, but each has a couple of useful tidbits. Of course, we all know about the illustrated Hagerty article re: @Caper's NYB from this discussion.

2. a question: from the dealership data book (thanks to the Hamtramck Registry for the link!), I gather that the '73 NYer and Brougham were equipped as standard with a body side moulding including a filigree insert -- but that they could be optioned out instead with a protective colored vinyl insert. Is there a fender code for the filigree insert? Are are two photos of the inserts, courtesy of @Onslo and @shooter65 (for P/N 3744058).

PS: There are links to NOS parts 3744 038 (RH upper front fender) and 3744 058 (RH front door) as well as 3744 061 (LF rear door) and 3744 067 (LH rear quarter) on eBay. From Section 23-214 of the 1973 Parts Manual (Sept. 1973 edition), the P/N for the complete set are 3744 038/039, 042/043, 058/059, 060/061 and 066/067.

 

[Marv]

First follower

 

[Mr C]

What about wagons? 73 T&C has a beauty...

I have a soft spot for 73s. My uncle Joe had a Newport Custom that I remember fondly.

 

[ayilar]

What about wagons? 73 T&C has a beauty...

I have a soft spot for 73s. My uncle Joe had a Newport Custom that I remember fondly.

Of course! Current and past 1973 T&C owners include @dh23t, @DodgeMaxx, @73 T&C -- again, I am sure that I am forgetting some. I am editing the original post to reflect the addition.

 

[amazinblue82]

Love the 73's Chryslers .. yes, "teets" and all. Alas I do not have, probably won't get have a Chrysler-branded 1973 ride.

My only '73 Mopar is my other WSP Polara Custom - lemme sneak this poor Chrysler cousin in and maybe y'all will let it stay.

If not, seriously, I will gladly delete it and put it in a '73 Dodge thread

 

[ayilar]

Thanks! Yes, this thread is for Chryslers only (i.e., not P/D/Y) but... How can we resist welcoming your WSP Dodge? What could be more stylish than a contemporary Polara police cruiser to escort the cars throughout this thread?

 

[73 T&C]

I’m in. I also have a 73 Plymouth Road Runner..... Does that count?

 

[shooter65]

As is usual it seems, the more I research this stuff, the more confusing it becomes. I found this on Hamtramck-Historical which seems to contradict the other document you referenced above. This one indicates that the H5 vinyl insert molding was not available on the NY & NYB.

https://www.hamtramck-historical.co...973/73_Chrysler_Tops_Stripes_Accents_0004.jpg

But looking at this thread, the Black NYB seems to have it.
Hagerty: 1973 Chrysler New Yorker, was the final fuselage article

What’s further confusing to me is this looks like a white vinyl insert but there is no V5W option in the document above.

 

[commando1]

What’s further confusing to me is this looks like a white vinyl insert but there is no V5W option in the document above

Looks like the light is bouncing off the insert makes it appear white.

 

[ayilar]

Looks like the light is bouncing off the insert makes it appear white.

Yes, that is my guess as well. In addition, the vinyl fades over time, which reinforces the reflective effect. This can be seen in the photo of Ming's insert below (it is greatly magnified: apologies for what appears to be imperfections but are computer artifacts due to the magnification).

I am not aware that the filigree inserts are being reproduced: @Onslo started a thread but got no lead except for a suggestion by @LeBaron1973 to contact 3M. @shooter65 has suggested that vinyl printing of the original pattern might be a solution. Others may be interested in chiming in -- would be, for Ming.

 

[73 T&C]

Yes, that is my guess as well. In addition, the vinyl fades over time, which reinforces the reflective effect. This can be seen in the photo of Ming's insert below (it is greatly magnified: apologies for what appears to be imperfections but are computer artifacts due to the magnification).

I am not aware that the filigree inserts are being reproduced: @Onslo started a thread but got no lead except for a suggestion by @LeBaron1973 to contact 3M. @shooter65 has suggested that vinyl printing of the original pattern might be a solution. Others may be interested in chiming in -- would be, for Ming.

View attachment 380298

I think you mean 3D printing.

I’m thinking you can produce a good sample, make a mold, cast it in resin and then paint it any color you want.

As I recall, those moldings were vinyl and the pattern was raised quite a bit. It was a bit garish but... hey,.... it was the 70’s. I thought they actually looked pretty good. That bit of detail along the sculptures smooth sides of the ‘73 was an interesting contrast. But that’s the designer in me talking.

 

[shooter65]

No, Vinyl sticker printing. You can print an image on vinyl media, either adhesive or non-adhesive to recreate the original vinyl tape. I don't believe the vinyl filigree tape had any texture to it. Notice how it wraps around the end of the molding in this picture posted earlier by @ayilar. Other then the long lengths, it should be very similar to printing any other image on vinyl other then how to get the image to repeat for the long rear quarter lengths. Probably have to be a commercial printing job.

 

[shooter65]

I think my OCD will allow me to sleep tonight now .

IMO, I like the filigree vinyl tape better then the optional thick vinyl insert and because your car came with the filigree and is so nice and original, mostly, I'd try to get it back to original or leave it as is until you, or a future care taker can.

I looked up the moldings in the 73 Parts book and it almost makes sense. The part numbers in the book don't seem to correspond with the filigree moldings for sale and printed on the package but maybe the ones on ebay are newer moldings and the old part number was superseeded.

Parts book info:

Here is the ebay part for sale that matches the item 26 from the diagram. This one is a black insert.

NOS MOPAR LH FENDER UPPER TRIM 3744703 1973 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER KS18-9R8 | eBay

And here's the one that we've seen pics of before but the part number doesn't match the 73 parts book.


Mopar NOS 1973 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham 4DR Right Rear DR Upper MLDG 3680578 | eBay

 

[ayilar]

I think my OCD will allow me to sleep tonight now

I am afraid that I cannot let you sleep yet...

The list of part numbers that I posted (obtained from the same document as you did) is indeed for the parts "w/o inserts" -- yet I have found three different eBay vendors selling NOS filigree parts with packages that show the numbers. The question, then, is whether the filigree was treated by Chrysler as an optional insert or, instead, as the default. If the latter, then it might stand to reason that the NOS units for sale on eBay have the numbers that I listed. In that case, the question then becomes: what is the optional insert, and what color is it?

IMO, I like the filigree vinyl tape better than the optional thick vinyl insert and because your car came with the filigree and is so nice and original, mostly, I'd try to get it back to original or leave it as is until you, or a future care taker car. ]

Here is the ebay part for sale that matches the item 26 from the diagram. This one is a black insert.

NOS MOPAR LH FENDER UPPER TRIM 3744703 1973 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER KS18-9R8 | eBay

Black, then? But still -- why the different numbers?

 

[Samplingman]

My ‘73 NYB coupe is unfortunately no more, although parts have been shipped as far as Germany, and have helped several members here. In case you are interested, here is the broadcast sheet and fender tag. I also have hundreds of photos of parts, let me know if you would like to see anything specific for reference.

 

[ayilar]

My ‘73 NYB coupe is unfortunately no more(...) In case you are interested, here is the broadcast sheet and fender tag.View attachment 380454

Thanks a lot! In neither the tag nor the build sheet do I see any V5 reference. This fact (assuming I am not blind) suggests that the filigree was indeed standard and not coded.

 

[shooter65]

I agree, it seems the Filigree was the standard, anything else would have been optional.

I don't see any additional Moulding codes on the Build sheet.

And I also don't see any V5 codes

 

[Straight eight]

...by the way.....the filigree moldings of my 1973 Chrysler New Yorker are in mint condition
Here are some pictures of my unmolested, incredible clean survivor Chrysler New Yorker. Hard to believe it is nearly 50 years old. Everything works...even all the ashtrays are in mint unused condition. The spare tire seems to be never used and has its factory chalk markings. I have all the paperwork of the car. Also included was the original vehicle invoice (sold new in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the sum of $4588 ). This car is a blast to drive.
Greets, Marco

 

[shooter65]

I'm jealous, that's a beautiful car. Original accessory floor mats too.

 

[ayilar]

that's a beautiful car

Indeed, and a great color scheme -- very 1970's. It'd be great if you could post the fender tag and more shots of the interior! What did you do to the A/C?