The Chrysler TC

I find the interaction between automakers an interesting topic to investigate. Either out of just pure collaboration, strategic partnership or partial complete ownership the results of these relationship produce some cars that were awe-inspiring and some that were “what the ‘H’ were they thinking??!!! This car falls somewhere in between. The U.S., U.K., Japan and Italy intermix I found very interesting.

The Chrysler TC as jointly developed with Maserati and became available in late-1989 with only some 7,300 units manufactured in Milan, Italy when production ended in 1991. Lee Iacocca‘s friendship with the late Alejandro De Tomaso whilst at Ford, which had led to the development of the De Tomaso Pantera. With Iacocca in the 1980’s now heading Chrysler and De Tomaso now the owner of the legendary Maserati brand, the two men decided to create a sports car between the two companies which became the TC by Maserati with Chrysler having become an investor in Maserati at that time. The engine was assembled by Maserati and has a Maserati-branded cast valve cover with the 200HP 16-valve 2.2 L ‘Maserati’ engine’s cylinder head being cast in the UK at the iconic Cosworth plant and then finished in Milan by Maserati. The ‘Maserati’ engine used a specially-made 2.2 block, upgraded crankshaft and rods. A Japanese turbo-charger was used. The rest of the engine used common Turbo II parts manufactured in the USA. The special wheels were made in Italy by Formula One supplier Fondmetal.

The TC featured a removable hardtop with port holes or opera windows as they were referred to and a manually operated cloth lined soft top that was available in either tan or black. For the 1989 model year, interior leather colors were either ginger or bordeaux. Exterior colors were only available in yellow, red or cabinet. The TC’s dash, door panels, seats, armrest, and rear facia panels were all covered in hand-stitched Italian leather. Inside door jambs were finished with stainless steel panels and sill plates. The convertible boot over which the hardtop rests is a body color keyed metal panel. A special interior storage compartment came with an umbrella, tool kit, and small spare tire that allowed the use of the full-sized trunk even with the top down. Standard equipment included a 10-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo, power windows, 6-way power seats, power door and trunk locks, map lights, puddle lamps, cruise control, and tilt steering wheel. Total production for each model year was 7,300 cars with only 3,764 built-in 1989 and with extraordinary base prices starting at $33,000 in 1989 and rising to $37,000 in the last year of production only three years later in 1991. The TC was sold by only 300 selected Chrysler dealers.

The TC

89 TC – look familiar? Take a look at the LeBaron below.

The LeBaron – same shape and front end. Even the honeycomb wheels.

The question is – the TC a Maserati design or Chrysler design?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

TOTD: Will More Models and Sales Water Down the Maserati Brand?

In my opinion the real watering down of the brand occurred in the 80’s under the ownership of de Tomaso, with the launch of Biturbo (and all the models based off of it) and the Chrysler TC by Maserati. TrollHater 5pts. Its possible. Look at how watered
OLD PARKED CARS.: 1989 Chrysler TC By Maserati.

Anonymous said… I’ve only seen these in grandma yellow. Wikipedia sez it was available in yellow, red or cabernet. Which means…yellow, red or red. Go figure. February 2, 2014 at 6:44 PM · Tony Piff said… bah. i know ben 
A Chrysler TC By Maserati Is Only Worth A Couple iPhones These …

Long before Fiat took the reins at Chrysler, the Chrysler TC by Maserati was a shining example of Italo-American industrial cooperation. Easily the finest luxury car of its time — perhaps even the entire 20th century — it is now 

27th Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 4

Here is a great ’57 Chevy that was so well done, I had to take some video.

 

[vodpod id=Video.16447529&w=425&h=350&fv=]

posted with vodpod

 

 

 

  

posted with vodpod

 

[vodpod id=Video.16448093&w=425&h=350&fv=file%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fvid299.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fmm296%252Ftimsweet2200%252FAll%252520Chevy%252520Car%252520Show%2525202012%252FMVI_9787.mp4]

posted with vodpod

 

 

posted with vodpod

This was a fantastic Car!!!

Thanks for reading
Tim

27th Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 3 – The Trucks

Next up…The trucks.

There were some beautiful and well done trucks at this show. Check them out!!

This pick-up was off in a corner of the lot...

There was a window crank between the two front windows for opening them up.

More coming up.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

27 Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 2 – Corvette Action

Here is Part 2  this is the Corvette action.

First I really liked this striping on this ’77 Vette.

 

Look closely at the next few photos the stripe moves from dark to almost white.

 

 

 

Oh...and the stance on this is just extraordinary!

 

One more 77 .

One on looker called this a plain jane Vette, I told him there's no such thing!!!

 

Here are the 50’s era Vettes.

 

A little video clip…I didn’t add the music.

 

 

And the 60’s Vettes.  The silver 63 is Steve Fagan’s.  Owner of Hot Rods and Classics, located here in Tucson.  They do great work including a lot of my engine work for the Mustang, which helped me win my First Car Show Trophy!!  His Corvette has taken two trophies in the last two shows.

Steve Fagan's 64

Little more of Steve’s StingRay

[vodpod id=Video.16447235&w=425&h=350&fv=file%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fvid299.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fmm296%252Ftimsweet2200%252FAll%252520Chevy%252520Car%252520Show%2525202012%252FMVI_9708.mp4]

Steve’s, posted with vodpod

The driver in the red Vette caused a few nervous moments as it took her a few tries to get into that parking spot.

Here’s another shot of the 60’s Vettes

1960's

Coming up next -the trucks!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

27 Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 1

27 Annual Chevy Showdown sponsored by Classic Chevy Club of Tucson and held at  Catalina Foothills High School.

So for the next few posts, sit back and enjoy the show. (Ok…no whining about some of the Videos….  (:^))

I loved the collection of Corvairs.  Oh…and wait until you see the one with the V8 shoved inside.

The Corvairs:

Yenko Stinger 1

Yenko Stinger Engine Compartment Cover (rear hood?) Love the vents.

WHAT!!?!?!?!? YES!!!!!

Yenko!!

Corvair - Drop Top

Chromed!!!

The Yenko and a late arrival.

Are you ready for this?   Next two videos – the Corvair with the V8.

Thanks for reading.  More coming up.

Tim

Taking the Vette project for a test drive.

image

You know the feeling.  When you JUST have to take ‘her’ out for a spin – no matter the condition.

You can’t see in this pic, but there’s no hood, no t-tops and lots of body work to be done….. but great looking rims and new meat (tires)…it was running a bit rough but still sounded good!!!

Got an unfinished project but still take it for a spin.  Post up  a note and a pic.

Tim

Pics Vette and Mustang

Sometimes you just can’t pass up a pic.  This one was from

Rudy Morganti over on Corvette Pals
Being a Mustang and Vette owner..this one I appreciate

Own Two Muscle Cars? Tell me about them.

 

Own Two Muscle Cars? Tell me about them.

Tim

Some very cool car pics!!! Red Stripe Photography

I love this site.  You need to go check them out.

http://redstripeadventure.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/2012-lone-star-round-up-part-2/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog

Thanks for reading Tim.

Red Stripe Photography Cameras & Cars

2012 Lone Star Round UP – Part 2

Here’s the 2nd part to the 2012 Lone Star Round Up.

Hope everyone has a good Friday!

-RSP-

 

 

New ‘Cuda or Here We Go Again!!!

So I’m thumbing through one of the latest “here are the new cars” periodicals (I don’t spend much time with them…I don’t care much if a Mazda sedan and out perform a VW sedan…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz) and ran across  that stated “Chrysler looks to the ‘Cuda to replace Dodge‘s Challenger.”

Ok…come on heee…er (New York accent).   Didn’t we just have the conversation about the “Dodge Dart“???  Like how it looked more like a Neon!!! And correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t we all agree that the Charger was a cool as “Honda Accord“?     Yes, I believe we did!

So now lets take the Challenger the one they got “right’ in a retro sense.  So why replace it?   Well some could argue in the 70’s the Cuda was a better looking car and you know they bring a lot more money.  So just maybe….but read this!!!

“A Barracuda replacement would be much more trim, though still on a RWD platform.  Chrysler and…(cough) Fiat are said to be jointly developing a new platform that’s smaller the current Charger… Gille’s Barracuda will be far less literal interpretation of its namesake.”

So let me see if I have this straight….you’re gonna take the Challenger that looks somewhat similar the orig…and you’re gonna replace it with a car that won’t look like this original?

Smart?  What do you think?

Tim

Engine Line Up 1965 Oldsmobile

This is the series where I list up the power plant offerings for the year.

Now you would think that being a GM division that Oldsmobile would have the 350 and the like, but the had their own unique engines.

First up was the 225 cid.  Oh…a straight six….NO…..a V6!!!!!  This was an iron blocked overhead valve engine.  The bore and stroke were 3.75″ x 3.40″ and with a compression of 9.0:1 it laid down 155 hp.  It had four main bearing and topped with a 1 barrel Rochester Type BC one barrel.  This was the lowest level engines and refered to as the  F-85 and Vista Cruiser series.

Next up is the  smallest of the V8’s offered that year, the 330 cid also in the F-85/Cruiser series.  It was an iron block engine as well.  The compression was 9.0:1 with a bore of  3.939 and stroke 3.39″.  When ou topped that off with a two barrel Rochester Type 2GC carb you could manage a stout 250 hp.

Here is a nicely restored 330.

 

Coming up is the 1965 Olds Jetstar series.

Thanks for reading

Tim