1977 Chrysler Newport

Chrysler affixed a Newport badge to a dual-cowl Dream Car in 1940 and later, it was used to denote a series of two-door hardtops during the 1950s. In 1961, it was a full-size entry-level model selling alongside the more luxurious New Yorker stablemate. The Newport grew in size and power throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s. The 'Sixth Generation' of the Newport arrived in 1974 and was based on the full-size C-body platform which it shared with other Mopar cars, wearing all-new squared-off sheet metal. Due to the impact the Oil Crisis was having on the American automobile industry during the early 1970s, the Newport was several inches shorter than its predecessor, but its 124-inch wheelbase frame remained very generous.

The Newport received regular, annual facelifts and for 1977, its penultimate year, received a new grille and minor changes to the sheet metal. Body styles included a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, and one of the industry's last true four-door hardtops. The standard engine was a 400 cubic-inch V8 with a 440 CID V8 offered as optional equipment, featuring Chrysler's electronic Lean Burn technology for greater efficiency. The standard engine offered 190 horsepower at a low 3,600 RPM, with an 8.2:1 compression ratio, and was paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The optional 440 cubic-inch (7.2 liter) V8 engine had overhead valves, a four-barrel Carter carburetor, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, 8.2:1 compression, and delivered 195 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM. Power brakes and power steering were standard. Disc brakes were at the front and drums were at the rear. The steering was via a power-assisted recirculating ball system.

The interior was luxurious and comfortable with a cloth/vinyl split-back bench seat or optional Williamsburg cloth.

The two-door hardtop coupe with seating for six had a base price of $5,375 and 10,566 examples were built. The sedan listed at $5,280 and 32,506 examples were built. The most expensive body style was the four-door hardtop sedan which listed at $5,435 and 14,808 examples were built. The two-door hardtop could be purchased with the optional St. Regis decor package which added a padded Seneca grain vinyl canopy roof and formal opera windows.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2023