Design and Features
The Chrysler New Yorker was a proper icon of American luxury in its heyday. Picture a long, sleek ride wrapped in chrome, vinyl, and all the glitz you could want—a real showstopper on the boulevard.
Its exterior boasted razor-sharp lines and a waterfall grille that looked straight out of a car enthusiast's dream. Chrome was plastered all over, from bumpers to moldings, sparkling in the sunlight. The stippled vinyl top and pop-up headlights added to its charm, almost like the New Yorker was giving you a little wink as you strolled by.
Inside, this beauty was all about cocooning you in luxury. Plush, tufted velour seats felt like lounging at a swanky party. The faux wood trim was there to remind you that you'd made it. The dashboard featured full gauges (minus a tachometer), catering to a driving style where speed was more about statement than stats.
For its time, the New Yorker packed some neat tech. The advanced sound system had audiophiles drooling, even if the radio's reception was a bit sketchy. Power steering made even the stickiest park jobs a breeze, and the ride was smooth enough to glide over potholes like they weren't even there.
Of course, it wasn't all roses. The New Yorker's thirst for gas was legendary, especially with that hefty V8 under the hood. And those electrical gremlins? They'd throw a wrench in the works now and then, just to keep things interesting.
Performance and Reliability
Let's talk about what really made the Chrysler New Yorker tick (or sometimes cough). Under that vast hood sat a 360 cubic inch V8 that, at first glance, sounded ready to roar. Reality? It purred more like a lion who'd had a few too many.
When you laid into that gas pedal, you could feel the torque kicking in, pushing all that metal forward with some gusto. The 150 horsepower might sound weak today, but back then, it was enough to get your heart racing… in a Sunday driver's kind of way. Just be ready to make friends with your local gas station attendant—12 miles per gallon was par for the course.
Handling this beast was like taming a graceful whale. The highway suspension gobbled up bumps like candy, making for a smooth cruise at speed. Tight corners? Not its forte. This baby preferred the open road.
Reliability was a roll of the dice. You might end up with a gem or a gremlin-infested contraption. Electrical quirks were part of the charm, keeping drivers perpetually entertained—or frustrated, depending on your outlook.
And then there was Mr. Lean Burn—the notorious emissions control system that could turn your dream ride into a sputtering nightmare. Owners often wished for simpler carbureted times when a quick fix could work miracles.
Still, the New Yorker had presence. When it wasn't trying to self-sabotage, it offered a plush, joyful jaunt down memory lane. It whispered tales of class and swagger, even if they were punctuated by the odd groan from under the hood.
Market Position and Competition
In the '70s and '80s American luxury car scene, the Chrysler New Yorker held its own against heavyweights like the Cadillac Brougham and Lincoln Town Car. It wasn't the prom king, but it had charm to spare. With a lower price tag than its glamorous peers, it was Chrysler's contender in the full-sized luxury sedan arena.
The New Yorker's strengths? Lush interiors and a feathery ride quality. It let you cruise the streets like a movie star, chasing that old-time luxury dream. Plus, its warranty terms showed some serious confidence—a standout when reliability often felt like a gamble.
But it wasn't all sunshine and roses. Power wasn't its strong suit, especially compared to GM's beefy V8s. The New Yorker was more about steady cruising than lightning-fast getaways. And let's not forget those infamous Lean Burn system quirks. Electrical gremlins were like loyal sidekicks, ensuring a unique ownership experience that kept tow trucks in business.
Yet despite its challenges, the New Yorker carved out its niche. It offered a mix of affordability, charisma, and apparent luxury that hit the spot for plenty of buyers. As the industry barreled into the digital age, the New Yorker remained a vivid picture of a time when America thought bigger, dreamed in chrome, and drove with all the flair of a cinematic epic on wheels.
Ownership Experience
Owning a Chrysler New Yorker was like starring in your own two-act play. Act One: all about the glitz and glamour. Act Two: where things got interesting.
Many owners will tell you about sliding into those plush seats and feeling like royalty. The dashboard, though not perfect, was a constant reminder of the era's charm. It had the allure of a gentleman's lounge on wheels, where dreams of the open road came to life.
For many, the initial ownership chapter was filled with pride and joy. The New Yorker's ability to smooth out even the roughest roads made long drives a pleasure. And those admiring glances from fellow car enthusiasts? Just icing on the cake.
But then came the quirks. Power windows with a mind of their own, especially when rain threatened. One owner joked about the heater fan only working at 50 mph during winter—talk about a warm-up run!
These weren't just cars; they were companions on life's journey. Owners cherished the sense of simplified grandeur, recounting cross-country adventures and iconic moments cruising down highways as the sun set. Sure, it might need extra TLC and the occasional prayer to the automotive gods, but its heart was in the right place.
Every New Yorker told a story about its owner as much as itself—a full-blown embrace of a classic American dream, defined not just by horsepower or chrome, but by shared experiences, perseverance, and some eternally cherished memories.
The Chrysler New Yorker was more than just a car; it was a rolling time capsule of American automotive history. Despite its quirks and challenges, it offered a journey filled with stories and nostalgia, capturing the essence of an era when style and grandeur ruled the road.
- Popular Science. 4-Way Shootout: Chrysler Imperial, Lincoln Town Car, Buick Park Avenue Ultra, and Cadillac Brougham. Popular Science. 1990.
- Popular Mechanics. Review: Chrysler New Yorker. Popular Mechanics. 1979.
- MotorWeek. Review: 1990 Chrysler Imperial. PBS. 1990.