1977 Chrysler With Delivery Mileage Looks Frozen In Time

Every so often a true time capsule surfaces, the kind that makes you rethink what “low mileage” really means. There’s nothing overly special about original Chrysler Newport sedans, a nameplate used from the 1940s through 1981, but this example, up for auction here in the States, has one key thing going for it.

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Whereas the vast majority of other Newports, or most cars from that era, for that matter, have been driven for hundreds of thousands of miles, this 1977 model has covered fewer miles in the past 48 years than you’ve probably driven the past couple of days.

As a matter of fact, it is well within what you’d call delivery mileage. According to the listing, this 1977 Newport has a grand total of 52 miles (83 km) on the odometer.

The seller says that after being purchased new from Cavalry Chrysler-Plymouth in New York, it was immediately driven to the original owner’s home and kept in a heated garage until the current owner acquired it in 2009. At the time, it had been driven just 31 miles (50 km).

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What’s Under The Hood?

The 226.6-inch (5,756 mm) sedan still carries its original 400ci, or 6.6-liter, V8 engine, believed to produce around 190 hp (SAE) and 305 lb-ft (414 Nm) of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission, exactly as it left the factory.

Period data suggests it managed the 0–60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in roughly 12.4 seconds while delivering an average fuel economy of about 10.6 mpg (22.1 L/100 km).

Age Over Miles

Given how little the car has been used, it comes as no surprise that it is in amazing condition. However, it’s not absolutely perfect. Images of the exterior show a few paint chips, along with some pitting and scratches on several of the chrome parts.

The Chrysler’s underbody also shows areas of rust on the exhaust and the rear leaf springs, indicating it has been exposed to moisture at some stage, as did the engine bay, which is also in dire need of a thorough detail.

So yes, it has delivery mileage, but time has a nasty habit of leaving marks even when the odometer does not.

If the next owner wants to drive the car, they’d be wise to give it a good service and replace some of the perishable parts, including the rubber hoses throughout the engine bay.

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The interior is arguably even bolder than the exterior. It’s finished in green vinyl across the dashboard and door panels, while the seats are trimmed in green brocade cloth. There’s also a large three-spoke steering wheel, an AM radio, and plenty of wood trim.

So, is this really the kind of car you’d want taking up space in your garage? If the idea of a nearly untouched ’77 Chrysler Newport sounds tempting, you can still find it on Bring a Trailer over here.

At the time of writing, the top bid sits at just $2,800, which feels low, though there’s still plenty of time left for someone to lose their head and pay more.

What It Cost Back Then

And if you’re wondering, the original owner paid $5,820 for it back in 1977, which included a few creature comforts like a rear window defroster, a radio, and a $182 destination fee. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $31,425 today, or roughly what you’d pay for a base-model Dodge Hornet these days.

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John Halas contributed to this story.