“We’ve Re-Engineered The American Luxury Car”
Chrysler’s Cordoba changed little in its final model year. The lower-priced LS version was no more. Some options were also gone—there was no more four-spoke steering wheel.
The spectacular success of the Cordoba in the mid-seventies—and all the hope it brought to Chrysler—was long gone by 1983. The first-generation’s mid-life refresh in 1978 was far from a success, but the results of the 1980 downsizing were even worse.
The Cordoba’s standard powertrain was the Slant Six 90 bhp 3.7 liter/225 ci inline six with a one-barrel carburetor mated to a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Fuel economy ratings with the Slant Six were 18 city/24 highway by the day’s standards—not really competitive with GM’s intermediate coupes and showing the strain of a smaller engine in a relatively heavy (3,380 pound) car. With an 18-gallon gas tank, a Cordoba owner could expect a range of 280 to 305 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
The optional engine was an LA 130 bhp 5.2 liter/318 ci V8 with a two-barrel carburetor. Fuel economy ratings with the V8 were 17 city/26 highway by 1983 standards, making the V8 a good choice if you could afford the extra $225.
The 1983 Cordoba’s base price was $9,580—about $30,800 in today’s dollars. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included a Special Edition landau roof, power steering, power front disc/rear drum brakes, and P195/75R15 glass belted radial white sidewall tires (a size now generally only available from specialty companies such as Coker Tire) on 15-inch wheels with Sport wheel covers. Inside, a cloth and vinyl front 60/40 seat with a folding center armrest and a passenger recliner, a two-spoke Luxury steering wheel, and an AM radio were included.
Packages, Options, & Production Numbers
Chrysler offered four packages for the 1983 Cordoba:
- The $1,121 Basic Group included semi-automatic air conditioning, Deluxe wipers with intermittent wipe, and Light Group
- The $114 Protection Group included color-keyed front and rear accessory floor mats and a litter container
- The $143 Light Group included an underhood light, a door-ajar warning light, a map light, a glove box light, and a trunk light
- The $587 Convertible Roof Package included a vinyl simulated convertible roof with simulated roof bows and a simulated rear convertible window
Individual exterior and mechanical options included wire wheel covers ($244), forged aluminum wheels ($107), and a power antenna ($60). Inside, leather and vinyl bucket seats ($529), a console ($75), a leather-wrapped steering wheel ($60), a tilt steering wheel ($99), semi-automatic air conditioning ($877), Deluxe wipers with intermittent wipe ($52), power windows ($180), and power door locks ($120). Three optional radios ranging up to an Electronic Search-Tune AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player with Dolby system were available, with all including four speakers.
Chrysler sold 13,471 1983 Cordobas—less than one-tenth as many as were sold in each of the first three model years. Given those sale numbers—and those of the related Imperial and Mirada—it’s easy to see why all of these mid-size coupes would be gone in the 1984 model year.
The View From 2025
These Cordobas don’t seem to have made it as collectible cars. They’re seldom seen in either the Hemmings Motor News classifieds or on eBay Motors. Bring a Trailer has yet to auction a second-generation Cordoba.
Make mine Silver Crystal Coat, please.
Other real-wheel-drive eighties Chryslers I have written about include the 1980 Cordoba coupe, the 1981 New Yorker sedan, the 1983 Imperial coupe, and the 1987 Fifth Avenue sedan.
Eighties Cars 