Chrysler Cordoba (2nd gen) 1980-1983

The Cordoba was downsized for the 1980 model year. The new, smaller, second-generation model used the J-platform that dated back to the 1976 F-body Plymouth Volaré and was twinned up with the newly named but very similar Dodge Mirada. Chrysler also revived the Imperial for 1981 as a third variant of the J-platform.

The Cordoba and Mirada now had a standard six-cylinder engine (the 225 Slant Six) that, while very reliable, did not seem to be suitable power for these slightly upmarket coupes. The much-detuned 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 was an option (standard on the Imperial, with EFI), as was the 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8, though it would be dropped off the option list for 1981 and on.

The 1980 and 1981 LS model (which was originally intended to be the "300") featured an aerodynamic-appearing nosecone (nearly identical to that on the Mirada) with a "crosshair" grille. Other features of this model were the deletion of the vinyl roof cover and a monotone color exterior.

The second-generation Cordoba's styling did not attract the praise of the original, and sales were off substantially. The industry downsizing of vehicles also affected the personal luxury models. Both the Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 1978 and the 1980 Ford Thunderbird shrank in size and sales simultaneously. However, those models eventually recovered as their makers moved to correct their cars' flaws, while the smaller Cordoba never did. Chrysler was increasingly concentrating on its compact, front wheel drive models with four and six-cylinder engines, and management stopped producing the Cordoba in 1983.

[SIZE="1"]Source: wikipedia.org[/SIZE]

Chrysler Cordoba (2nd Gen) #2

Chrysler Cordoba (2nd gen) 1980-1983 #3

Chrysler Cordoba (2nd gen) 1980-1983 #4

This is downsizing in the 80s! Lol
It looks huge. I kind of like it.

Man, strange that the few posters we have left on the forum are malaise era American car fans. :D

To each their own then haha.

I’m from the 80s. And it intrigues me. I can’t help it :) :)

[quote=NSXType-R;1018853]Man, strange that the few posters we have left on the forum are malaise era American car fans. :D

To each their own then haha.[/quote]

You are welcome, and I have a lot more. I love old US cars, even from this era. So be prepared :D

[quote=Duell;1018854]I’m from the 80s. And it intrigues me. I can’t help it :) :)[/quote]

Hell yeah! I am from the same era. Happy to post some more obscurities soon

[quote=Duell;1018854]I’m from the 80s. And it intrigues me. I can’t help it :) :)[/quote]

Not a problem, haha. Post as you see fit.

[quote=Man of Steel;1018856]You are welcome, and I have a lot more. I love old US cars, even from this era. So be prepared :D[/quote]

The funny thing is that these aren't even from the USA, one of them is from Barcelona and the other is from the Netherlands.

Old American cars are hilarious, they tried so hard and also failed so hard. Just curious, do you guys even see these cars Europe? I'm from New York, so the salt is quite inhospitable to cars in general and I literally see none of these cars you guys post about. I've seen older model Toyota Camry (Camries? plurals are confusing), even older Mitsubishi Diamante, Subaru Leones. But never malaise era American cars.

Just as an edit, 80s marketing was so weird.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0eLwrrTBlc"]Oh What a Feeling. Toyota! 1982 - YouTube[/ame]

What a strange catchphrase. Might I ask, Toyota, what exactly am I supposed to feel about your cars? Maybe it's a strange fizzing sensation. I wonder what Toyota salesmen would feel if they knew the garbage RWD Corollas would be so highly revered almost 40 years down.

Basically all the malaise care are gone. In the summer, you'll see 50 and 60s American metal. The 80s stuff all rusted away. I vaguely recall seeing boats driving around in the early 90s when I was a kid, but they uh, didn't have the same appeal as the Boomer favourites.

There were a lot of them when I was growing up. Even with Californians' penchant for foreign cars, the climate was so benign that these old hulks hadn't rotted away. They outlived their planned obsolescence into rust long enough for a dropped valve or a smog failure to see them off. These days the only remnants are trucks and the odd GM B-Body actually being used to haul the six passengers it was designed for. Amazing what a small-block can do if you keep forcing oil down its gullet... There are plenty of cars from the '80s, but they tend to be Japanese.

But you see the different now, in the Northeast right? Way less old stuff. The climate is a huge factor for car culture.

I stumbled upon a lowrider/hydraulics meet the other day, and it was so surprising to see those kinda cars here. I imagine they're common sight in LA.

[quote=Kitdy;1018861]Basically all the malaise care are gone. In the summer, you'll see 50 and 60s American metal. The 80s stuff all rusted away. I vaguely recall seeing boats driving around in the early 90s when I was a kid, but they uh, didn't have the same appeal as the Boomer favourites.[/quote]

I occasionally see a Fox body Mustang, but if it's an 80's American car it's usually a large sedan, none of the smaller cars. It's usually going to be a Chevy Caprice or a Cadillac Deville, both of which were built like tanks anyway.

[quote=Kitdy;1018863]But you see the different now, in the Northeast right? Way less old stuff. The climate is a huge factor for car culture.

I stumbled upon a lowrider/hydraulics meet the other day, and it was so surprising to see those kinda cars here. I imagine they're common sight in LA.[/quote]

The thing I hate the most about the Northeast is that there's no Japaanese car culture here. It's so much of a bigger thing in California. And we get potholes, salt and traffic. I guess the one good thing is that gas is cheap here.

There is a Japanese car culture, just by dint of there being so many people in the Tri-State area. You just have to seek it out.

Imports were always slightly less derided in Canada and there is a big scene here. Unfortunately, the weather doesn't agree for 4 months here in Toronto.

[quote=NSXType-R;1018858]Not a problem, haha. Post as you see fit.
The funny thing is that these aren't even from the USA, one of them is from Barcelona and the other is from the Netherlands.

Old American cars are hilarious, they tried so hard and also failed so hard. Just curious, do you guys even see these cars Europe? I'm from New York, so the salt is quite inhospitable to cars in general and I literally see none of these cars you guys post about. I've seen older model Toyota Camry (Camries? plurals are confusing), even older Mitsubishi Diamante, Subaru Leones. But never malaise era American cars.
[/quote]

I have never seen these cars in real life either. But I also think not many came across the pond. Because they were gas guzzlers in general.
We do see the occasional Eldorado or Caprice also form the malaise era. :) (nice word: malaise)

But the styling of these land yachts are intriguing me.
Speaking about it, last week we came across one in a parkinglot. I had to take a picture. My kids had there own thoughts about it. ;) :D

[quote=Kitdy;1018863]But you see the different now, in the Northeast right? Way less old stuff. The climate is a huge factor for car culture.[/quote]

Certainly. Add in New Englander's antipathy towards cars and you have generally cheaper cars because they're cheaper to replace and less-durable goods than they are at home. That and access to subprime credit which gives people the illusion that they can afford a boat; for which, of course they need a truck. Also, Subarus... Down on the Sound there is a vein of Anglophilia which means that nice XJ8s and [URL="https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/newington-1996-jaguar-xj12/6948924970.html"]XJ12s[/URL] are temptingly-cheap. (So far, I have somehow proven smart enough not to pull the trigger) There's more money down there, so the cars' owners can afford to be a bit more whimsical.

[quote]I stumbled upon a lowrider/hydraulics meet the other day, and it was so surprising to see those kinda cars here. I imagine they're common sight in LA.[/quote]

They were certainly around when I were a lad. Lowriders were the first cars that made me understand that performance wasn't everything. Back before I could drive, I was a fairly numbers-driven guy, but seeing lowriders glide down the street and dance helped me learn that there's more to cars than numbers. Throw in a growing appreciation of Chicano culture and some homesickness and they're one of my favorite genres of custom.

[quote=Duell;1018868]I have never seen these cars in real life either. But I also think not many came across the pond. Because they were gas guzzlers in general.
We do see the occasional Eldorado or Caprice also form the malaise era. :) (nice word: malaise)

But the styling of these land yachts are intriguing me.
Speaking about it, last week we came across one in a parkinglot. I had to take a picture. My kids had there own thoughts about it. ;) :D[/quote]

Malaise era is a real thing haha, it even has a Wikipedia page on it.

I remember seeing a Lincoln Continental parked in a lot once and being gobsmacked at how cool it looked. It had so much presence and it was wonderful to see how well it was preserved. No wonder this car was used in the Matrix. It also has suicide doors.