The 1979 Chrysler Cordoba doesn’t always get the spotlight in Mopar circles, but every now and then, one pops up that reminds you why these cars built a reputation in their day. This 32,000-mile example—now listed on BringATrailer.com with bidding ending Friday, November 28 at 2:18 p.m. EDT—is one of those survivors that instantly grabs your attention. Sold new at Bill Brown Chrysler in Spokane, Washington, it hasn’t wandered far from home in its 46 years.
Finished in its original Chianti Red paint with a White vinyl partial landau roof, the car captures that late-’70s personal-luxury vibe without looking overdone. The bright trim, opera lamps, hood ornament, and white pinstriping work together to give it the classy-but-subtle look Chrysler was aiming for. Steel 15-inch wheels with styled covers and narrow-whitewall Uniroyals complete the period-correct presentation.
Inside, you’re greeted with a White 60/40 split front bench and matching rear bench. The interior brings back the days when comfort mattered as much as horsepower, with features like a folding center armrest, AM/FM radio, digital clock, air conditioning, and a rear defroster. A two-spoke leather-wrapped wheel sits on a tilt column and frames simple, easy-to-read gauges, including an 85-mph speedometer. The odometer shows just 32,000 miles—believed original—and the cabin condition backs it up.
Under the hood, the 5.2-liter (318 cubic-inch) LA V8 has been upgraded with an Edelbrock intake manifold and four-barrel carburetor. Recent electronic-ignition components keep it running smoothly. Power routes through Chrysler’s dependable TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. For a personal-luxury cruiser of its era, this setup delivers exactly what buyers expected: smooth torque, decent response, and long-term reliability.
The car comes with great documentation, including the original window sticker, owner’s manual, and initial purchase paperwork—something collectors always appreciate.
For Mopar enthusiasts, the first-generation Cordoba remains an interesting chapter. Originally intended to debut as a Plymouth, it instead launched as Chrysler’s first “smaller” luxury coupe, complete with baroque styling cues and memorable marketing—with Ricardo Montalbán famously praising its “Corinthian leather.” While this particular example wears cloth and simulated rosewood trim, the charm remains unmistakable.
With low mileage, strong originality, and a clean Washington title, this Chianti Red Cordoba should get plenty of attention as bidding wraps up on BringATrailer.
1979 Chrysler Cordoba Image Gallery:
