To further reinforce an exotic impression, Chrysler employed film and television actor Ricardo Montalban to do Cordoba television commercials. The always elegantly-turned-out Mr. Montalban extolled the virtues of the Cordoba’s luxury, including the optional “fine Corinthian leather,” a phrase that came to define the Cordoba.

The Cordoba did the job it was intended to do. It breathed new life into the Chrysler marque, and its first year 1975 sales of over 150,000 were more than the entire 1974 Chrysler line.

Chrysler left the Cordoba largely as it was for 1976 and it continued to sell well. Then for 1977 stylists really got carried away with its roof treatments. There were both full and Landau vinyl roofs, tiny opera lights, and to cap it all off, a thin band of light that extended across the top of the car. For those seeking open air motoring, a T-roof option was available.

No matter how quaint these items may appear now, they worked for Chrysler; 1977 sales of over 180,000 gave the Cordoba its best year ever.

But Chrysler was in trouble, and the best it could do for the 1978 Cordoba was stacked quad headlamps and a cross-hatch grille that gave the front end a heavy, inelegant look. At the rear, the flat taillights lacked the style of the previous inset ones.

In a quest for economy, the ’78 Cordoba got Chrysler’s electronic “Lean Burn” ignition, and a lock-up torque converter. But the automotive world was changing rapidly and the Cordova’s time was passing. In spite of a revival of the legendary 300 name for 1979, the pubic wasn’t fooled. Although downsized for 1980, the future lay in smaller, more economical front-wheel drive cars. Cordoba sales tapered off and it was gone by 1983.

Related posts:

  1. Motoring Memories: AMC Concord, 1978-1983
  2. Motoring Memories: Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 1983-1988
  3. Motoring Memories: Triumph TR7, 1975-1981
  4. Motoring Memories: AMC-Renault Alliance, 1983-1987
  5. Motoring Memories: Citroen DS19, 1955-1975
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