Chrysler New Yorker Brougham 1978

Always overshadowed by their Imperial predecessors, he 1976-1978 Chrysler New Yorker Broughams were still the epitome of 1970s luxury. Loaded to the hilt, New Yorker Brougham could cost well over $10,000 new, hile the base price was in the modest $7,000 range. The main difference between the 1974-1975 Imperial LeBarons, nd the 1976-1978 New Yorker Broughams was not styling it was the standard equipment.

Imperial ended production in 1975 after a complete restyle had failed to spark sales. Chrysler then put the New Yorker Brougham model into "imperial skin" for 1976. That is, he New Yorker Brougham was an Imperial with most of the standard equipment optional. The New Yorker Brougham brought back the styling of an earlier time, nstead of adopting opera windows and coach lights; and had a chrome-plated zinc grille while Cadillac had a chrome-plated plastic grille. Items such as lighted vanity mirrors, ower antenna, ower trunk release, tc., ere now all options, o make the New Yorker Brougham's price less than the Imperial's of 1974-1975. Most of the New Yorker Broughams sold, owever, ere loaded with all the options. That is why most people consider the New Yorker Broughams of 1976 through 1978 to be "Imperials in all but name."

Although there were minor styling differences such as a larger rear window andsquaresidelights, he luxuries remained. An interior with incredible tufted (buttoned) "Corinthian Leather" was available at extra cost, hile tufted velour upholstery, ith a beautiful "royal" appearance, as standard. Interiors with red velour were especially luxurious. A dashboard of handsome simulated "Brazilian Rosewood", ith silver accents, as another highlight of the ritzy interior.

"Ritzy" is definitely the best way to describe the 1976-1978 New Yorker Broughams. Styled to extremes, t was clear that Chrysler wanted to sell something that would run the compact cars off the road, hen more and more people were buying smallereconomy cars. At a gigantic 232.7 inches long, he New Yorker Broughams were up there with the Cadillac Fleetwood Broughams and Lincoln Continental Town Cars.

It was also clear that, hen fully loaded, New Yorker Brougham was a strong competitor with Lincoln and Cadillac. Sales were better for this true Imperial, ow that the fancy Imperial nametags had been replaced with "New Yorker Brougham" emblems. Also, ith the magnificent "hardtop" styling (something Lincoln and Cadillac lacked) and a gorgeous formal roofline, ew Yorker brougham was in a market of its own. It was bringing back the styling of an earlier time, nstead of adopting opera windows and coach lights.

There will always be something truly special about these awesome, uge American luxury cars. It is quite easy to see that everything about these cars reflects the past, rom the rear seat lavaliere straps, o the tufted leather and foldingarmrests.

In the details like individual interior reading lamps and glamour lights, oor-mountedcigarettelightersandashtrays(in all doors, xcept driver's), ear headrest pillows, nd a full vinyl-covered roof, hese cars should never be forgotten. In a time where Chrysler was losing business, oney, nd creativity, hey still managed to make their top-of-the-line model a true Imperial. It was the last Imperial, ut it was worthy of the name; it reflected all the great elements of the past in one final farewell. Someday, eople will remember, nd these cars will finally be collected and admired.

The 1976Chryslerbrochurestated, You'd want this New Yorker Brougham for its looks alone. Regal. Resplendent. Dedicated to luxury in every aspect of fine motoring...considerate of your desire for total comfort. And, s never before, ew Yorker brougham represents a concept of worth that demands comparison with others in its class. A close examination of fine features and equipment will reveal that there simply is no comparison. Step into the extraordinary richness of New Yorker brougham's interior. Experience the softness of velour, r the finely crafted opulence of Corinthian Leather that indulge your taste for textures and colors. Thickly woven shag carpeting covers layer on layer ofsoundinsulationpadding. But to begin with, our choice of a New Yorker Brougham says you have uncompromising taste."

New Yorker Broughams came with the440 V8as standard equipment, hile the 400 V8 was optional. In high altitudes, he360 V8was standard, ith the 440 V8 optional. In California, he 360 V8 was standard, nd the 440 V8 optional. Most New Yorker Broughams came with the"LeanBurn"system standard.

The reason the New Yorker Brougham didn't sell as well as some other models could have been the lack of advertising. Chrysler needed to sell more cars, ndcompact cars were selling best. While competitors were advertising their flagship models with individual brochures and expensive commercials, he New Yorker brougham was restricted to four pages in theChrysler brochure. The company was busy promoting the Chrysler Cordoba, ntroduced in 1975, ith expensive commercials with Ricardo Montalban. Unfortunately, hen most people hear of "Corinthian Leather", hey think of the Chrysler Cordoba. In fact, he 1974 Imperial was the first to have rich "Corinthian Leather," something manyChrysler Cordobaowners aren't aware of.

The New Yorker Brougham had a huge list of luxury options, ncluding power door locks, ower antenna, ower trunk release, -way power seats, ear window defroster, M/FM stereo with 8-track player, ilt/telescope steering,windowlocks, utomatic climate control, nd many others. The stereo with the 8-track player came with a special Chrysler "Sound Of Stereo" tape. It featured many hit songs from the 1970s, eaturing Henry Mancini and other orchestras.

Chrysler went to great lengths to make the New Yorker Broughams luxurious. Even the emblems on the side of the car were gold plated, nd theBrougham emblems had ornatechrome designs. The hood ornament was a scene of two lions holding a shield, rawing on the lions used in the late 1950s and early 1960s Chryslers. Two different hubcap styles were offered. The standard was a flat-style, ith a brushed stainless steel look andBrougham emblems. ThePremier wheel covers were extra cost, nd were chrome plated. Chrysler also offered "Road Wheels."

New Yorker Broughams were available in two body styles: a two-door hardtop and a four-door hardtop. An extra-costSt. Regis Edition was available on the two-door, nd included opera windows and a padded vinyl top. The four-doors have more of alimousine style roofline than the two-doors, nd are more formally styled. Lavaliere straps were not available on the two-door New Yorker Broughams.

These fine automobiles are probably most well known for their elegant chromewaterfall grilles. While Cadillac had a chrome-plated plastic grille, ew Yorker Brougham's was chrome-plated zinc. Also, he New Yorker Brougham had one of the most beautiful chrome bumper styles of the decade, s its competitor's bumpers were styled like shelves. It had a unique design, ith the chrome grille flowing into the bumper, nd grille sections underneath it.

The concealed headlamps were another graceful addition to the New Yorker Brougham. Some people even claim that the car looks better with the headlight doors open, o show the almostevil looking, iercingroundheadlights. It almost reminds some of thefreestanding headlights on Imperials of 1961-1963.

The rear-ends of the New Yorker Broughams were also highly styled, ut with a mild elegance. The trunk-lid had a raised center, lmost like a bustle-back, nd theteardrop taillights were mounted vertically on both sides. The taillights were framed with thick chrome trim, hich extended out at the top of the light. Silver accents lined the edges of the taillights.

Nothing could come close to the styling of these, ine automobiles, hich were definitely way ahead of the competitors, n terms of luxury. It's unfortunate that the cars being made today can't go to the extent of richness that was achieved on the New Yorker Broughams of 1976-1978.

In 1977, ew Yorkers were treated to the same improvements as all corporate cars. Chrysler adopted new wire terminals, more reliable starter relay, ix-pound-lighter, ore durable batteries, more efficienttorqueconverter; numerous parts were redesigned to have higher strength with lower weight. A running change in 1976 brought in a new seven-stage autophretic coating system including baking and curing; more effective than the asphalt-based rustproofing of prior years, t used less energy and cut fire hazards and pollutants.

TheLean Burnsystem made its appearance on the 440 in 1977 "for better driveability and overall performance" (until, any would say, he system stopped working.) The engine was standard on New Yorker Brougham and Town & Country, nd optional on Newport, ran Fury, nd Monaco.

By far, 977 was the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham's best year, ringing in hefty sales despite a hefty price —around $7,000 base, nd, ully loaded (as many were), ver $10,000. Visible changes were rubber-coveredsteelcornerguardsthat allows the lower corners of bumpers to sustain a 3 mph collision without damage, nd new rubber-covered steelfront bumper guards.

For 1978 there were some modifications, revised grille and side trim were offered, ew paint schemes were also available. The 400 cubic inch engine became standard while the 440 was made the optional engine. Four-door Broughams could now get an optional Salon décor package consisting of a special high-gloss silver leather covered steering wheel and aluminum fascia road wheels. This package wound up on nearly six percent of the Broughams offered this year. It cost $631.

Like most cars in this era a dizzying array of options was offered and it would be impossible to properly list them all here, o for accuracy please check a sales brochure for the items for each year.

The Standard Catalog of Chrysleradds: standard wheels wereJR78x 15 radial whitewalls; wheelbase was the same as the Newport at 124 inches.