I didn't know about this car, it's very unusual, I was surprised to learn it was a Maserati. Well done Ray, it's good looking, very stylish, luxurious, excellent quality and I like it.
I had a 1988 or 1989 Chrysler LeBaron 2 door hardtop coupe with retractable headlights, in metallic ‘puce’. It was a beautiful car and it seemed to have its act together. The only concern I had with it was that it came with a 4 cylinder and was underpowered. But other than that, I absolutely loved it! The TC is not the most glamorous, but it certainly is interesting. I never minded their looks or styling and I love the fact it’s a convertible! A nice find Lou!
Ah, the glory era of small production runs of badge engineered or cooperation vehicles. TC by Maserati, Cadillac Allante, Rover Sterling, Chevy Nova/Corolla, Toyota Cavalier... All less than the sum of the parts. Thanks to the owner for keeping this one around and for Lou to bring it to us!
A real hybrid ! I’d never heard of this car until today. Maseratis of this era were never my cup of tea and crossing one with a Chrysler does nothing to improve the appeal. But I’m glad the owner treasures it for his own pleasure and the delight of others. I’m fairly sure Maserati never built a 2.2 liter 16 valve engine, perhaps somebody can tell me otherwise.
Hi Andrew Graham, Enjoy sharing this unique car in amazingly good condition. You don't see them around so wonderful that Ray has done such a good job keeping this one well maintained, Lou
Hi Andrew, Ray wanted you to know, "The TC was the only car with this engine and they only made 501. The Wikipedia article has good information if interested."
Thanks for the heads up, Lou. It would appear Cosworth in the UK cast the cylinder head, the assembly of which was completed by Maserati. Happy to bow to Ray’s superior knowledge. He knows this model like the “pocket in his waistcoat”, as they say here in Germany.
I knew someone who had one with the Maserati engine, 2 little trivias about this car is the Maserati engine was actually made by Lotus is the same one used in the Lotus Esprit. The reason they used this engine was and this problem is the 2nd part and was the real reason why the car failed. As you know its front wheel drive and originally it was to be rear driven but because it was front driven Maserati nor Chrysler had an engine for the car, so cars ordered with a manual trans got a Lotus engine while the autos got the lousy engines. The lotus engine was mid rear mount so with a few changes it was adapted for the front wheel drive set up. This car would have been so much better if they stayed with the original idea of it being rear drive.
Aye here another trivia about this car, the original prototype for this car debut in 85/86, but in was scrapped because it looked too much like a Mercedes SL, I actually seen a picture and a story on it way back in one of the car magazines I use to read, too bad this car never came with the Biturbo engine it was intending on having, not that the lotus engine was bad, but it would have been nice to see the SM idea come back. The SM had a similar problem where the original Maserati engine would not fit so another was made, but the engine was still Maserati.
Hi 2 Steak Sandwiches, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Lou Costabile I like your channel man. I like how you let the owners talk about their cars and you just kind of facilitate the discussion. Sometimes too many of these reviewers get stuck on what every feature of the car does. The background history of the car and the owners passion is awesome. Subscribed
Hi A. Suarez, Happy to read you appreciate the interior on this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I drove past an identical one in north central Montana last summer. It had a for sale sign on it so spun around and checked it out. Never heard or seen one before and we were expecting a daughter and I informed the seller of that. He asked what I was going to do with the car. I told him i was going to go through it, put it in my quonset and save it for my daughter. He said he was selling all of his belongings, moving to Oregon and didn't want any baggage. As I was looking at it he said he'd sell it for what I had in my pockets. I told him I only had $300. He left and came back with the notarized title and said my girl will love it. Pretty sure she will. :)
Hi nuclearruffneck, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car you saw in central Montana :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
6:48 Very tastefully added boost gauge, befitting the car. These cars "dump themselves into my lap." In the late-90's a guy was moving from 'East to West' coast and I got one of the rare 501 with the Lotus/Maserati head and 5spd manual for a *fire-sale price.* I had a 3" cat-less, turbo-back mandrel-bent exhaust custom-fabricated which really allowed the stock turbo to spool with the slightest RPMs. That gave the car 'flexability' and changed the entire nature of the beast. Before that the lag was horrific. It was wait... wait... wait... *Colonel Stapp's rocket sled!* *PART 2:* Last year my neighbor had two of these offloaded from a flat bed truck onto his driveway. His wife had told him, *"Find me a convertible that I like."* They were looking at another car when 'wifey' spied a TC sitting on the showroom floor of a Chrysler dealer. It belonged to the dealership owner and my neighbor's wife said, *_"That's the car I want."_* Well the mint one (48K) on the showroom-floor came with a still-running parts car and that's how 2 of them got dumped across the street from me last year!!! Please... please help me get away from these cars!
Nice! I do remember these cars. I've only seen 2-3 of them. I didn't know there was no back seat. If I'm not mistaken they were only available in a few colors. I've seen them in this yellow and red only. Thank you Ray and Lou!
Hi John, Happy to read you love your car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
How about doing a video on the 5 speed Lebaron GTCs, or GTs. I have a one of a kind factory special order Lebaron GT. Also have a 91 GTC black 5 speed, along with my other GTCs. Ever see an 84 Dodge 600 ES, 2.2 turbo, Shelby suspension and rims, digital dash, high back bucket seats, 5 speed, SEDAN. Was told 4 were made.
It's in remarkable condition, it's unique, and he's proud of it. That's all that matters. Not every potential collector car was a sales success. In fact, some are sought after because they aren't your typical GTO, Mustang, Camaro production rock star that's seen at every car show. Although I like the overall design, I've always thought Chrysler could have given the hidden headlights to the TC instead of using them on the Le Baron to dress up the front end and instead of using a circular porthole on the hardtop, ala Thunderbird, they could have cut their pentastar into the sail panels of the aux hardtop with the Maserati trident etched inside the glass. That said, they didn't ask me and it's still a nice looking ride.
Hi Joseph, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hi John Coelli, Thank you for viewing and sharing. It's ok if this car was not amazing you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou
Hi Jason, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Aunts car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Awesome Lou《☆》I was hoping the Maserati had a V12 but it's still cool. Reminds me of a girl in college who drove a Lebaron conv, black with wood sides. She made that Kcar lookclassy🤠☻🤠
Nice showcase! Thanks Lou. I own one of these cars and it is a joy to drive. It is great on the highway. I've also owned a '93 Allante with the Northstar V8 (also built in Italy and flown to the US for completion), Truimph TR-7's, SVO Mustang, LT-1 Corvette, Porsche 928 and many other unusual and quirky cars. The TC was to be a halo car for Chrysler and the Lebaron was to come out after with similar styling and capitalize on that image. The biggest downfall of the TC was that it hit the market too late - it took Maserati two or three years longer than originally planned to to get them to market. So, unfortunately, they both hit the market at roughly the same time. In the mind of buyers, rather than seeing the LeBaron as a TC anyone could afford the TC just looked like an overpriced mini- LeBaron.. The hand crafted in Italy TC with genuine stitched Italian leather dash, door panels, etc with custom tuned suspension couldn't compete with the mass produced Lebaron that copied it's styling at half the price. However, if you sit in both and look at the build quality and materials it is easy to see that the TC was indeed a no expense spared image car and the Lebaron, though still a nice car, was a mass produced low cost copy.
Hi Kevin Lancaster, Thank you for viewing and sharing your 1st hand experience with a car like this, and sharing the story of some of your cars too :-) You're welcome, Lou
Hi Kevin. Thanks for the very detailed explanation of the sales and acceptance issues of the TC. The only way to really appreciate the car is to see it in person.
Hey Lou. Lovely looking Chrysler TC. I remember when it was first introduced to the market. At the time, I found it more attractive than the LeBaron from which it was based. :)
Hi Jason, thanks for the interest. Actually the LeBaron GT was based on the TC that was supposed to come out in 1987 but due to production delays it did not come out until 1989. Since Chrysler had the GT ready they released it in to all the dealerships in 1988. In an attempt to make it exclusive the TC was only released to 300 "special" Chrysler/Plymouth dealerships.
I like it! I was a teenager when this beauty came out... It didn't quite measure up to the show car version...(NONE of them do!) But it still was a beaut. Couldn't figure out the strange array of engines or why in the hell Chrysler developed the Lebaron at the same time. LOL. The Lebaron looked a little better and was way cheaper! I'd still take a TC tho
Very nice car and I have always liked these TC's especially with the 16 valve engine and 5 speed.....BUT lets not get it twisted, this is a modified Chrysler Le Baron that Maserati had involvement with. A high end Le Baron if you will.
It strikes me as odd how many times big automakers have built an exotic "halo car" just to lose massive amounts of money and prestige: Hudson Italia, Studebaker Avanti, Lancia Montecarlo/Scorpion, Chrysler TC, Cadillac Allanté, Subaru SVX... Great cars, no doubt about it, but huge financial flops.
Hi Alex Lopez, Might be the Designers got there way to "try something" regardless of cost :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hi Eric, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
My biggest Beef with The TCs is many of the owners not Ray in the video liked to call them my Maserati and i used to laugh Saying omg tou mean your K car with the Maserati Stickers and Badges on it ? Which is exactly what that car sounded like when you focused on the exhaust note in the video which ironically my Grandmother owned and drove a 1983 K car 4 door 4 cylinder that could barely get out. Of its own way getting on to a major Freeway and i got stuck driving once in a while Shuffling Grand ma around on errands
Someone could probably adapt that type of power brake booster to classic cars and make a good living because it would look simpler and less bulky in the engine compartment then one of those gigantic vacuum power brake adapter unit's that take up half the engine compartment.
One is sitting here on Runge's Tires lot here in Rogers Park, right now Same yellow paint. Automatic. Could well be the same IL car. Decent shape... BTW- The Maserati 2.2 4 had a head from Cosworth. Machined by Maserati Some few came with a Getrag 5 speed The wheels are from a F-1 wheel manufacturer EACH CAR COST $80,000 to produce A $600M disaster for Chrysler Motors Lee IaIacoco in the coco.. ASSlandero deTomazzole Today Chrysler and Miseriti are owned by........... FIAT! As is Ferrari... Stranger things.... Yropean (-8D J.C.
The old man called it a piece of CRAP! As nice looking as it was... I remember Maserati B-Turbo sedans Another disaster! Maserati's last good car was the 3500GT George Lucas's favorite... HE judges them at concours... J.C.
This is a very unique car but you either absolutely love it or you don't at all. It's a K car with a Maserati badge so it was neither fooling people that it wasn't a K car, nor was it impressing LeBaron customers being twice the price of a loaded LeBaron. Other than the leather in every corner of the interior, the climate control, door switches, steering column and ignition switch, radio, and chassis were all out of a $12,000 LeBaron.
My dad put in 25 years at Chrysler so I always wanted to see success. This was not one of the successes. I too believe the car was not different enough to call it part Maserati. It was too close to the LeBaron convertible to make it worth paying the extra cash.
I own a 1991 Maserati. Mint condition ,the back break light I'd not coming on, can anyone PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU GET TO IT TO MAKE IT WORK. TY IN ADVANCE
Hi Gloria P, Hmmm, not sure how to fix your light, and hoping a Viewer can help. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I give Lou and the owner a thumbs up, but the car gets the opposite. Did Iacocca really think buyers would believe this K car derivation was a Maserati? And at $35k, no wonder Chrysler had to title 3500 unsold ‘90 cars as ‘91s. How ‘bout that easy access spare tire placement? Oh, that’s right - if you can afford a Maserati, you can hire someone to change your flat tire!
Hi Dr Akbar, Thank you for viewing and sharing the details you enjoy :-) And well...not so much :-( Stay tuned and hope the next car gets thumbs up from you :-) Lou
Hi RICHARD MILLER , When this car was new in the Chrysler Dealership most people will just assume what's under the hood is what's suppose to be under the hood, and not ask any questions. That's my guess to your question. Lou
Although that's a nice example, let's face it, that was a glorified K-car (which had no prestige). I remember seeing a new one on my block (in Brooklyn, NY) at the time and was wondering why Chrysler bothered with this. Sorry, this will never be collectible. (I wonder what happens if you need to stop 5 times?).
After seeing it, its no wonder it did not sell. The interior design of the buttons and dash and steering column is mid 80's at best. in fact an 87 Nissan or Mazda or even Toyota had better interior ergonomics.
Hi Happy Hands, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Clearly this one is not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars you enjoy on this RUclips Channel :-) Lou
Hi Debra, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I didn't know about this car, it's very unusual, I was surprised to learn it was a Maserati.
Well done Ray, it's good looking, very stylish, luxurious, excellent quality and I like it.
Hi Marten Trudeau, Glad to read you like it, and learned something too :-) Lou
That Lou is a busy man, I've always been a fan of that small rear window seen it on some Tbirds.
Hi Mo Garcia, Glad to read the detail you enjoy on this car :-) Lou
thanks Lou smooth sounds great thanks for your service GS
Hi George Shadrick, Glad to read you enjoy the sounds of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
I had a 1988 or 1989 Chrysler LeBaron 2 door hardtop coupe with retractable headlights, in metallic ‘puce’. It was a beautiful car and it seemed to have its act together. The only concern I had with it was that it came with a 4 cylinder and was underpowered. But other than that, I absolutely loved it! The TC is not the most glamorous, but it certainly is interesting. I never minded their looks or styling and I love the fact it’s a convertible! A nice find Lou!
Hi Rusty, Thank you for sharing details on your LeBaron :-) Glad you enjoy this find, Lou
Tanks Lou Lovely car. Never see one before.
You're welcome Olle Haggman :-)
Ah, the glory era of small production runs of badge engineered or cooperation vehicles.
TC by Maserati, Cadillac Allante, Rover Sterling, Chevy Nova/Corolla, Toyota Cavalier...
All less than the sum of the parts.
Thanks to the owner for keeping this one around and for Lou to bring it to us!
Hi Jeff King, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts on this now unique piece of automotive collaboration :-) You're welcome, Lou
A real hybrid ! I’d never heard of this car until today. Maseratis of this era were never my cup of tea and crossing one with a Chrysler does nothing to improve the appeal. But I’m glad the owner treasures it for his own pleasure and the delight of others. I’m fairly sure Maserati never built a 2.2 liter 16 valve engine, perhaps somebody can tell me otherwise.
Hi Andrew Graham, Enjoy sharing this unique car in amazingly good condition. You don't see them around so wonderful that Ray has done such a good job keeping this one well maintained, Lou
Hi Andrew, Ray wanted you to know, "The TC was the only car with this engine and they only made 501. The Wikipedia article has good information if interested."
Thanks for the heads up, Lou. It would appear Cosworth in the UK cast the cylinder head, the assembly of which was completed by Maserati.
Happy to bow to Ray’s superior knowledge. He knows this model like the “pocket in his waistcoat”, as they say here in Germany.
Cosworth head, see above!
J.C.
I knew someone who had one with the Maserati engine, 2 little trivias about this car is the Maserati engine was actually made by Lotus is the same one used in the Lotus Esprit. The reason they used this engine was and this problem is the 2nd part and was the real reason why the car failed. As you know its front wheel drive and originally it was to be rear driven but because it was front driven Maserati nor Chrysler had an engine for the car, so cars ordered with a manual trans got a Lotus engine while the autos got the lousy engines. The lotus engine was mid rear mount so with a few changes it was adapted for the front wheel drive set up. This car would have been so much better if they stayed with the original idea of it being rear drive.
Hi Elizabeth Cherry, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
Aye here another trivia about this car, the original prototype for this car debut in 85/86, but in was scrapped because it looked too much like a Mercedes SL, I actually seen a picture and a story on it way back in one of the car magazines I use to read, too bad this car never came with the Biturbo engine it was intending on having, not that the lotus engine was bad, but it would have been nice to see the SM idea come back. The SM had a similar problem where the original Maserati engine would not fit so another was made, but the engine was still Maserati.
That's the pimpinest Lebaron I've ever seen . Thanks for posting .
Hi Bud Lee, Ok :-) You're welcome, Lou
Everybody's talkin' at me, I can't hear a word they're sayin', I'm just drivin' around in Jon Voight's car!
Hi SMUG, :-) Lou
@@loucostabile Howdy
I have one. It is the same color inside and out with the same engine too. My TC is still brand new and only has 6,000 miles on it.
Hi Mike, Happy to read you have one too :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I respect the owners passion and knowledge
Hi 2 Steak Sandwiches, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Lou Costabile I like your channel man. I like how you let the owners talk about their cars and you just kind of facilitate the discussion. Sometimes too many of these reviewers get stuck on what every feature of the car does. The background history of the car and the owners passion is awesome. Subscribed
The interior is more luxurious than most luxury cars today!
Hi A. Suarez, Happy to read you appreciate the interior on this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I drove past an identical one in north central Montana last summer. It had a for sale sign on it so spun around and checked it out. Never heard or seen one before and we were expecting a daughter and I informed the seller of that. He asked what I was going to do with the car. I told him i was going to go through it, put it in my quonset and save it for my daughter. He said he was selling all of his belongings, moving to Oregon and didn't want any baggage. As I was looking at it he said he'd sell it for what I had in my pockets. I told him I only had $300. He left and came back with the notarized title and said my girl will love it. Pretty sure she will. :)
Hi nuclearruffneck, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car you saw in central Montana :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
6:48 Very tastefully added boost gauge, befitting the car.
These cars "dump themselves into my lap." In the late-90's a guy was moving from 'East to West' coast and I got one of the rare 501 with the Lotus/Maserati head and 5spd manual for a *fire-sale price.* I had a 3" cat-less, turbo-back mandrel-bent exhaust custom-fabricated which really allowed the stock turbo to spool with the slightest RPMs. That gave the car 'flexability' and changed the entire nature of the beast. Before that the lag was horrific. It was wait... wait... wait... *Colonel Stapp's rocket sled!*
*PART 2:*
Last year my neighbor had two of these offloaded from a flat bed truck onto his driveway. His wife had told him, *"Find me a convertible that I like."* They were looking at another car when 'wifey' spied a TC sitting on the showroom floor of a Chrysler dealer. It belonged to the dealership owner and my neighbor's wife said, *_"That's the car I want."_* Well the mint one (48K) on the showroom-floor came with a still-running parts car and that's how 2 of them got dumped across the street from me last year!!! Please... please help me get away from these cars!
Hi Matt from Florida, Thank you for sharing how they keep finding you :-) Lou
Nice! I do remember these cars. I've only seen 2-3 of them. I didn't know there was no back seat. If I'm not mistaken they were only available in a few colors. I've seen them in this yellow and red only. Thank you Ray and Lou!
Hi David Kastin, Glad to bring back memories of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
I love my TCs, all 9. The triple black one is the eye catcher.
Hi John, Happy to read you love your car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
How about doing a video on the 5 speed Lebaron GTCs, or GTs. I have a one of a kind factory special order Lebaron GT. Also have a 91 GTC black 5 speed, along with my other GTCs. Ever see an 84 Dodge 600 ES, 2.2 turbo, Shelby suspension and rims, digital dash, high back bucket seats, 5 speed, SEDAN. Was told 4 were made.
It's in remarkable condition, it's unique, and he's proud of it. That's all that matters.
Not every potential collector car was a sales success. In fact, some are sought after because they aren't your typical GTO, Mustang, Camaro production rock star that's seen at every car show.
Although I like the overall design, I've always thought Chrysler could have given the hidden headlights to the TC instead of using them on the Le Baron to dress up the front end and instead of using a circular porthole on the hardtop, ala Thunderbird, they could have cut their pentastar into the sail panels of the aux hardtop with the Maserati trident etched inside the glass.
That said, they didn't ask me and it's still a nice looking ride.
"He's proud of it. That's all that matters." Well said.
Lou Costabile :-)
Woah, a Chrysler turbo 2.2L! That’s a first for a TC that I’ve seen. Most had the 3.0L V6
Hi Joseph, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
You don’t see these cars often Lou. Pretty rare. Interesting story.
Hi Joseph Romano, Glad to read you enjoy the uniqueness of seeing this car today :-) Lou
I love old American cars a lot, but this car doesn't seem to amaze me as much as I thought it would, just to be honest.
Hi John Coelli, Thank you for viewing and sharing. It's ok if this car was not amazing you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou
My Aunt had one, it was a 1990 with a V6 I think. It was really nice.
Hi Jason, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Aunts car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Awesome Lou《☆》I was hoping the Maserati had a V12 but it's still cool. Reminds me of a girl in college who drove a Lebaron conv, black with wood sides. She made that Kcar lookclassy🤠☻🤠
Hi BDOG JR, Sounds like good memories from college :-) Lou
A Front drive V-12.....
Right!
Idiot!
J.C.
I'm currently drooling over one on Craigslist for $1500!
Hope it works out well for you :-)
@@loucostabile yeah it needs brakes but it's otherwise in pretty decent shape
Nice showcase! Thanks Lou. I own one of these cars and it is a joy to drive. It is great on the highway. I've also owned a '93 Allante with the Northstar V8 (also built in Italy and flown to the US for completion), Truimph TR-7's, SVO Mustang, LT-1 Corvette, Porsche 928 and many other unusual and quirky cars. The TC was to be a halo car for Chrysler and the Lebaron was to come out after with similar styling and capitalize on that image. The biggest downfall of the TC was that it hit the market too late - it took Maserati two or three years longer than originally planned to to get them to market. So, unfortunately, they both hit the market at roughly the same time. In the mind of buyers, rather than seeing the LeBaron as a TC anyone could afford the TC just looked like an overpriced mini- LeBaron.. The hand crafted in Italy TC with genuine stitched Italian leather dash, door panels, etc with custom tuned suspension couldn't compete with the mass produced Lebaron that copied it's styling at half the price. However, if you sit in both and look at the build quality and materials it is easy to see that the TC was indeed a no expense spared image car and the Lebaron, though still a nice car, was a mass produced low cost copy.
Hi Kevin Lancaster, Thank you for viewing and sharing your 1st hand experience with a car like this, and sharing the story of some of your cars too :-) You're welcome, Lou
Hi Kevin. Thanks for the very detailed explanation of the sales and acceptance issues of the TC. The only way to really appreciate the car is to see it in person.
Saw mine earlier today
Lemon yellow
Says it ALL!
J.C.
That translates into $74,000 in today's dollars 😳. Still a pretty ride!
Hi Terry M, Thanks for viewing & sharing, Lou
Delicious interior.
Happy to read you enjoy the interior :-)
Hey Lou. Lovely looking Chrysler TC. I remember when it was first introduced to the market. At the time, I found it more attractive than the LeBaron from which it was based. :)
Hey Jason, Thank you for viewing and sharing your memories of this car :-) Lou
@@loucostabile You're welcome. :)
My pleasure.
Hi Jason, thanks for the interest. Actually the LeBaron GT was based on the TC that was supposed to come out in 1987 but due to production delays it did not come out until 1989. Since Chrysler had the GT ready they released it in to all the dealerships in 1988. In an attempt to make it exclusive the TC was only released to 300 "special" Chrysler/Plymouth dealerships.
@@raymcbride7383 I agree. At the time, I found the LeBaron more attractive than the TC. But today, I find them both attractive. :)
There's probably less than a handful of those cars on the planet that are in that good of condition.
Hi Bill Barry, Glad to read you enjoy the uniqueness of this car in this condition :-) Lou
I like it! I was a teenager when this beauty came out... It didn't quite measure up to the show car version...(NONE of them do!) But it still was a beaut. Couldn't figure out the strange array of engines or why in the hell Chrysler developed the Lebaron at the same time. LOL. The Lebaron looked a little better and was way cheaper! I'd still take a TC tho
Hi Keith Jackson, Glad to read you like this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your memories of this car, Lou
Very nice car and I have always liked these TC's especially with the 16 valve engine and 5 speed.....BUT lets not get it twisted, this is a modified Chrysler Le Baron that Maserati had involvement with. A high end Le Baron if you will.
Hi watzonda2b, Thank you for viewing and sharing you appreciate this car :-) Lou
@@loucostabile thanks for the reply Lou!
I see one everyday at this mechanic shop
Nice :-)
It strikes me as odd how many times big automakers have built an exotic "halo car" just to lose massive amounts of money and prestige: Hudson Italia, Studebaker Avanti, Lancia Montecarlo/Scorpion, Chrysler TC, Cadillac Allanté, Subaru SVX... Great cars, no doubt about it, but huge financial flops.
Hi Alex Lopez, Might be the Designers got there way to "try something" regardless of cost :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
My parents had one, but though theres was like an 86.i remember it being brown and looked like a k car .
Hi Eric, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I was a fan of these over the top K car's
Hi C Moore, Glad to read you enjoy this car :-) Lou
Couldn't you get a Maserati bi turbo for the same amount?
Hi AskJeeves Cosby, Hmmm, not sure. Hoping a Viewer with knowledge can share, Lou
My biggest Beef with The TCs is many of the owners not Ray in the video liked to call them my Maserati and i used to laugh Saying omg tou mean your K car with the Maserati Stickers and Badges on it ? Which is exactly what that car sounded like when you focused on the exhaust note in the video which ironically my Grandmother owned and drove a 1983 K car 4 door 4 cylinder that could barely get out. Of its own way getting on to a major Freeway and i got stuck driving once in a while Shuffling Grand ma around on errands
Thank you for viewing and sharing.
Someone could probably adapt that type of power brake booster to classic cars and make a good living because it would look simpler and less bulky in the engine compartment then one of those gigantic vacuum power brake adapter unit's that take up half the engine compartment.
Good idea Bill Barry
One is sitting here on Runge's Tires lot here in Rogers Park, right now
Same yellow paint.
Automatic.
Could well be the same IL car.
Decent shape...
BTW- The Maserati 2.2 4 had a head from Cosworth.
Machined by Maserati
Some few came with a Getrag 5 speed
The wheels are from a F-1 wheel manufacturer
EACH CAR COST $80,000 to produce
A $600M disaster for Chrysler Motors
Lee IaIacoco in the coco..
ASSlandero deTomazzole
Today Chrysler and Miseriti are owned by...........
FIAT!
As is Ferrari...
Stranger things....
Yropean
(-8D
J.C.
Hi 375GTB, Thanks for viewing and sharing the details of the car @ Runge's Tires. Lou
The old man called it a piece of CRAP!
As nice looking as it was...
I remember Maserati B-Turbo sedans
Another disaster!
Maserati's last good car was the 3500GT
George Lucas's favorite...
HE judges them at concours...
J.C.
Address: 7478 N Rogers Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: (773) 764-9360
Hours: Closed · Opens tomorrow 9 AM
This is a very unique car but you either absolutely love it or you don't at all. It's a K car with a Maserati badge so it was neither fooling people that it wasn't a K car, nor was it impressing LeBaron customers being twice the price of a loaded LeBaron.
Other than the leather in every corner of the interior, the climate control, door switches, steering column and ignition switch, radio, and chassis were all out of a $12,000 LeBaron.
Hi Joey D, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts on this car :-) Lou
That's a good looking car though the price was I can see they make many. The interior is very nice too.
Hi Pete Medina, Glad to read you enjoy this one :-) Lou
dynamic duo chrysler y maserati ...... holy batleather robin who has the penguin's umbrella??
NICE :-)
Ok who would not just take a basic 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, 383 4-Spd, we can also get that in a pale piss yellow if you want that too!
Thanks James Kish for making me laugh out loud :-)
I thought they had bigger motor but. It's cool for a 89
Hi larry borkstrom, You would think for the price, however not the case. Lou
Nice 😀
Glad you enjoy this car :-)
@@loucostabile 😀
My dad put in 25 years at Chrysler so I always wanted to see success. This was not one of the successes. I too believe the car was not different enough to call it part Maserati. It was too close to the LeBaron convertible to make it worth paying the extra cash.
Hi Kirk, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this car, Lou
@@loucostabile You're Welcome!
I just bought one with the Mitsubishi v6
Congrats
That should live longer!
Same engine as in the 3000GT!
J.C.
Nice car rare like me Peugeot in USA
Happy to read you enjoy this one :-)
@@loucostabile thank i like Italian and French cars and saab
I own a 1991 Maserati. Mint condition ,the back break light I'd not coming on, can anyone PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU GET TO IT TO MAKE IT WORK. TY IN ADVANCE
Hi Gloria P, Hmmm, not sure how to fix your light, and hoping a Viewer can help. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I give Lou and the owner a thumbs up, but the car gets the opposite. Did Iacocca really think buyers would believe this K car derivation was a Maserati? And at $35k, no wonder Chrysler had to title 3500 unsold ‘90 cars as ‘91s. How ‘bout that easy access spare tire placement? Oh, that’s right - if you can afford a Maserati, you can hire someone to change your flat tire!
Hi Dr Akbar, Thank you for viewing and sharing the details you enjoy :-) And well...not so much :-( Stay tuned and hope the next car gets thumbs up from you :-) Lou
What was the point of buying these if they were not equipped with the Maserati motor! Why would anyone get one without that?
Hi RICHARD MILLER
, When this car was new in the Chrysler Dealership most people will just assume what's under the hood is what's suppose to be under the hood, and not ask any questions. That's my guess to your question. Lou
Toss in a 340 6pack & rwd and it might have sold. Better yet HEMI HELLCAT.
:-)
Looks like a buick reatta?
I can see why you'd say that.
Nice LeBaron
:-)
👍👍👍👍😎😎😎
:-)
Although that's a nice example, let's face it, that was a glorified K-car (which had no prestige). I remember seeing a new one on my block (in Brooklyn, NY) at the time and was wondering why Chrysler bothered with this. Sorry, this will never be collectible. (I wonder what happens if you need to stop 5 times?).
Hi mitchlu, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts on this car. Lou
After seeing it, its no wonder it did not sell. The interior design of the buttons and dash and steering column is mid 80's at best. in fact an 87 Nissan or Mazda or even Toyota had better interior ergonomics.
Hi Happy Hands, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Clearly this one is not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars you enjoy on this RUclips Channel :-) Lou
Take the worst American car brand and the worst European sports car manufacturer, and let them build a car together. Beautiful!
Hi Lexx1976, Fun comment :-) Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy, Lou
Interesting car not l would have bought one at that price new with a Lebaron sitting next to it.
That would be a factor Buyers would have to decide between which car.
My second cars a Citroen SM Maserati, my third is a BiTurbo.....
NOT!!
(-8D
Thank you for viewing and sharing.
They are not exactly 3500GT's
Maserati's BEST ever road car.
George Lucas's favorite..
Lebaron was the cheappie
Hi Debra, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Looks too much like a Chrysler
Same Italian designer, it should...
Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts.