Well! I started off this morning planning on writing up a friend’s simply fantastic 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. But then, I logged onto The American Brougham Society today at lunch and saw that the proprietor of the Broughamiest FB group around had posted pictures of this simply sensational 1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham. I love these cars, a lot. Wrote one up on the old site some years back, and fully intend to do a full writeup here on RG eventually. But just look at the color combination! Holy moly! I had to share this immediately!
Of course, I love these cars. This particular body style started off as the Imperial in autumn of 1973 as the redesigned 1974 Imperial LeBaron. Available in two- and four-door hardtops, it was Mopar’s answer to the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and Lincoln Continental Town Car and Town Coupé.
But Imperial as a separate luxury marque from Chrysler was in its final days, due to sinking sales and cost considerations. 1975 was the last year for the Imperial LeBaron. The LeBaron name itself would be moved to the new Aspen-based, Seville-like Chrysler LeBaron in 1977. But that was not the end of this car.
In a nutshell, the 1975 Imperial LeBaron became the 1975 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham. As with its predecessor, it was luxurious and available with nearly all of the luxury features of the outgoing Imperial, though several items became options. And some things, such as the four-wheel disc brakes, disappeared completely. But it was still about 90% the same car.
Enough history. This particular NYB is just stunning in black with white interior, and green trim. It was the Brougham Age, and colors, trim and options meant that you could see very different looking cars, due to the long list of interior and exterior trim choices.
I’ve always had a thing for black cars with white leather. It’s not often seen, but I’ve always found it stunning. And I also have a jones for green cars. So this car, its colors, and the fact that it’s Brougham to the max means I simply adore it.
This was the top of the line Chrysler, and you can tell in nearly every aspect of it-size, amenities, and all those ‘little touches’ that are largely absent from modern cars. Like all the woodgrained trim, the lavaliere straps, and courtesy/reading lamps in back. And everything is color-keyed, none of that red seats with black dash/carpet/everything else nonsense!
What price Broughamance? Well, as of this writing (8/1) this New Yorker is currently running at about $5,000. According to the ad, the paint and trim are all original. That is a plus and a minus depending on how you may see it, due to 1970s Chrysler paint and assembly quality. But it sure is a beautiful example.
I love the optional ‘roulette wheel’ wheel covers too! And with the bulletproof 440 CID V8 and Torqueflite automatic transmission, she will pass everything but your local Phillips 66 station. It still has a week to go, so if you are intrigued by this full-size land-based Chris-Craft, go check it out on the electronic bay.
As the Chrysler commercials of the time promised, you’ll be the talk of the town. And have the Broughamiest car on the block!
Note: The car had a high bid on ebay of $7474.75 at the end of the auction.