Encyclopedia:
Chrysler Newport,
Image:Chrysler Newport 1977.jpg
Newport was a name used by the Chrysler division of the
Chrysler Corporation used as both a hardtop body designation and for its entry level model between
1961 and
1981. Chrysler first used the Newport name on a
1940 showcar of which five actual vehicles were produced.
1940s
right|thumb|250px|1940 Chrysler Newport PhaetonThe first Newport, known as the
Chrysler Newport Phaeton, was produced from
1940 to
1941, and was a low-production
roadster that used an
I8 engine coupled to a 3-speed
manual transmission. The Newport was based upon the
Chrysler New Yorker of the time, and designed by Chrysler designer
Ralph Roberts. Only 5 were built. Actress
Lana Turner owned a Newport Phaeton, as did Chrysler founder
Walter P. Chrysler, who used it as a personal car.
The Newport Phaeton served as the
pace car for the 1941
Indianapolis 500 race.
1950s
The
Newport name was used in the
1950s to designate the 2-door hardtop body style in Chrysler's lineup. Each Chrysler series, the
Windsor,
Saratoga and the New Yorker received a hardtop Newport model. The redesigned
1949 Chrysler Town and Country was first proposed as a hardtop, however the body style only appeared in the model's final year in
1950.
1961–1964
thumb|200px|1963 Chrysler Newport sedanChrysler revived the Newport name for their new, full-size entry-level model for
1961. At a base price of
US$2,964, the Newport was intended to fill the price gap between Chrysler and Dodge that was created when
DeSoto was discontinued. While the Newport was very successful and comprised the bulk of Chrysler production, the base Newport sedans were detrimmed versions of Chrysler's traditional upmarket models, featuring hubcaps unstead of full-wheel covers, plain interiors and a minimal amount of exterior trim. The perception of an inexpensive Chrysler hurt the marque in the long run by cheapening the brand's caché.
In 1961, the Newport was available as a 2-door
convertible, 2-door
hardtop, 4-door
sedan, 4-door
hardtop and 4-door
station wagon. The base engine for the Newport was the 361 in³
V8 engine rated at 265 hp, although most were equipped with the 305 hp 383 in³ V8.
1962 Chryslers continued to use the 1961 body, but were shorn of their trademark fins.
The Newport was restyled alongside the New Yorker and
Chrysler 300 for
1963, with this body style continuing for
1964.
1965–1978
[[Image:Chrysler Newport 1977.jpg|250px|thumb|left|1977 Chrysler Newport coupe
speedy-image-c|
1.12.2006 +7
For 1965, the Newport was redesigned on the then-new
Chrysler C platform. Also for 1965, the Newport station wagon was renamed the
Chrysler Town and Country. The Newport was redesigned again for
1969, and featured the "Fuselage Styling" that would become symbolic of Chrysler's full-size cars during the
1970s. Newport convertibles were discontinued after
1971. Production of the C-body Newport ended in
1978 along with the
Chrysler New Yorker. Related
Dodge and
Plymouth C-body cars had been dropped the previous year. The
1978 Newport offered the
American car industry's last true two-door and four-door
hardtops.
1979–1981
In
1979, a new downsized Newport appeared on the
Chrysler R platform, a derivative of the circa 1962
Chrysler B platform. Initial 1979 sales were strong, but Chrysler's unsteady financial condition, combined with tightening oil and gasoline supplies hurt sales of the redesigned vehicle, and all of the R-body models were discontinued after a short run of
1981 models, as Chrysler began its shift toward smaller
front-wheel drive cars. The Newport was replaced by the
1983 Chrysler Fifth Avenue.
External links
*
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1941/phaetons/ Information on the Newport Phaeton*
http://www.allpar.com/model/chrysler-c.html Allpar.com page on the Chrysler C-body*
http://www.fuselage.de/ 1969–1973 Chrysler Newport at Fuselage.de siteNewportCategory:Rear wheel drive vehiclesCategory:Full-size vehiclesCategory:ConvertiblesCategory:CoupesCategory:SedansCategory:Station wagonsCategory:1960s automobilesCategory:1970s automobilesCategory:1980s automobiles
