White Whale: 1977 Chrysler Cordoba 40K Survivor – SOLD!

November 28, 2022, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect it may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

November 4, 2022 Update – A seller proactively deleting their Craigslist ad usually indicates the seller likely sold their ride.  That was what we assumed was the case in September however, we just came across a fresh listing for this all-white 1977 Chrysler Cordoba. This time around, however, the seller lowered their asking price from $14,500 to $10,500.

September 19, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!”

It takes a brave consumer to purchase an all-white car.  You either need to be prepared to constantly clean the interior or plan not to drive the car much. With just under 40K original miles, it appears the original owner of this all-white 1977 Chrysler Cordoba, originally listed in August 2002 on Craigslist near Hartford, Connecticut, planned on the low-mileage route.  If desired, the seller reports they can provide a detailed video confirming the condition of the undercarriage and lower body panels.  Regarding first-generation Chrysler Cordobas, we prefer the round single headlight design used through 1977.  This example in all-white with rare Corinthian Leather covered bucket seats is a real treat, especially considering how original and clean the interior appears.

Once offered for $10,500 (the original ask was $14,500), Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the seller’s ask is right at the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for first-generation Cordobas produced between 1975 and 1979.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the personal luxury car featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $10,200 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $15,000 before factoring in a ten percent premium for the more desirable 400 cubic inch V8 and the Corinthian leather bucket seats and center console.

Originally designed by Chrysler to be the all-new Plymouth Sebring for 1975 which was to share bodies with the Dodge Charger SE, a decision was made to introduce this car as the first small Chrysler. The smaller Cordoba was introduced as a contender in the personal luxury market that was powered by smaller, more economical engines than other Chryslers, and riding on a 115 in (2,921 mm) wheelbase, 9 in (229 mm) less than the traditional models at the time.  This single-body style coupe was one of Chrysler’s few genuine hits of the 1970s. At a time when the automaker was teetering on bankruptcy, demand for Cordobas actually exceeded supply for its first several years, with the production of over 150,000 units for the inaugural 1975 models, and the most built in 1977, with 183,000 units. Half of Chrysler’s division production during this period (and occasionally more) was composed of Cordobas, and they helped to revive the division.  All Cordobas were built in Windsor, Ontario.

Although Córdoba is the name of a city in Spain, the car’s emblem was actually a stylized version of the Argentine cordoba coin. Either way, the implication was Hispanic, and this theme was carried out with somewhat baroque trim inside the vehicle. Chrysler famously secured movie and television actor Ricardo Montalbán as the car’s advertising spokesman through its entire production run in which he pitched the optional Rich Corinthian Leather, which was just a marketing ploy as the hides we supplied by a company based in New Jersey.

The Memory Museum YouTube Channel features this classic 1977 Chrysler Cordoba commercial narrated by Ricardo Montalban:

With just under 40K original miles and the notorious Chrysler Lean Burn system swapped out for a more reliable Eldebrock intake and MSD ignition, this 1977 Chrysler Cordoba will keep its next caretaker busy maintaining the cleanliness of this all-white whale.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1977 Chrysler Cordoba survivor?  Please comment below and let us know!