Chrysler's Luxury Classic Car: the Cordoba
The Chrysler Cordoba is now an affordable ‘70s classic that was both comfortable and luxurious.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Owning the Chrysler Cordoba in the mid-70s was equivalent to having the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach. The vehicle chronicled prestige and comfort, especially after it gained popularity from commercials by Star Trek's popular villain, Ricardo Montalban.
It ranks as one of the top
classic cars
of the ‘70s and ‘80s, featuring exquisite Corinthian leather, a stylish front end, shiny chrome accents, and a top-tier performance V8 engine for a classic car of the ‘70s.Distinct features of the Chrysler Cordoba
Like the modern luxury cars the Roll-Royce Maybach, the Chrysler Cordoba featured an extended runway hood, which enclosed a standard V8 engine that delivered 175 BHP and 300 pound-feet of torque. The engine was coupled with a TorqueFlite 3-speed auto transmission for smooth gear shifts.
Assembled in Ontario, Canada, the Cordoba was also a stylish car to drive.
As highlighted on
Motor Trend
, the two-door coupe had a sparkling chrome grille with round headlights and fog lights on either side. Of course, it didn't miss the Chrysler Cordoba coin with its pentagonal perimeter as the crowning jewel on the hood. The coupe also came with wire-spoke chrome "road wheels" to match the grille. By 1977 owners could choose from a gamut of 18 exterior colors, including six variations of brown: Coffee Sunfire, Spanish Gold, Carmel Tan, Inca Gold, Light Chestnut, and Golden Fawn.
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What about the Chrysler Cordoba's specs and model years?
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Chrysler released the Cordoba from 1975 to 1983. The original model had style and performance that superseded the Dodge Charger SE and came hot on the heels of the Oldsmobile Cutlass and Mercury Cougar. The first-generation models were rolled out between 1975 and 1979.
One clear-cut difference between the debut and subsequent models was that the 1975 coupe had a dashboard and door panels with burled elm trim and metal accentuations, while the 1976-1979 models boasted rosewood trims.
The second-generation line began rolling out in 1980. Chrysler downsized the Cordoba, having used a J-platform. It was an era of widespread industry downsizing cars, and the smaller second-generation collection slightly hurt the model's luxury character.
Eventually, production of the Cordoba stopped in 1983.
The first-generation Chrysler Cordoba rode on a wheelbase measuring 115 inches, a length of between 215.3 inches, 52.6 inches (height), and 72.7 inches (width). Following the model's downsizing, the wheelbase was reduced by 2.3 inches, while the length was shortened by about 6.0 inches.
According to
Classic
, the average market worth of the Chrysler Cordoba first-generation vehicle is about $12,900. However, if you'd wish to purchase one of the second-generation models, you can expect to pay anything from $5,300 to $6,600. The Chrysler Cordoba vs other cars
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One of the top rivals of the Chrysler Cordoba was the Dodge Charger SE. The Charger SE somewhat borrowed most of its features from the Chrysler Cordoba after sales of the 1967 original model plummeted as the muscle-car era wound up.
While the 1st Gen Cordoba came with three options of the standard V8 engine (5.2L, 5.9L, and 6.6L), the Charger SE came with a V8 engine that cranked out 180 HP. It also came with optional upgrades like the $153 carburetor for an extra 20 HP and a 318 V8 that delivered 150 HP for those looking for improved mileage.
Another personal luxury car of the 1970s was the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, whose market price came close to the Cordoba's. Nonetheless, the base 350-ci V8 engine had lower power than the Chrysler's, delivering 145 HP. Still, owners could upgrade to a 400-ci V8 for 175 HP or the 454-ci V8 to get 235 HP.
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