I found this really sharp 1961 Chrysler Newport for sale on Craigslist. It’s truly striking in two-tone black and white–but if you want to see something really special, take a look inside…
…it’s sporting the optional Highlander interior, and it looks to be in excellent condition!
Talk about radiant red!
Door panel detail.
1941 Chrysler New Yorker
Now I was aware that Chrysler had offered these lush and colorful Highlander interiors back in the ’40s, but I never knew that the concept had been revived in the 1961 model year:
Highlander newspaper ad
Letter to Chrysler dealers touting the Highlander trim option.
Here’s the text of the Craigslist ad:
This 1961 Chrysler Newport Four-Door Sedan is completely stock with only 57k original miles! Has the rare spring-special “Highlander” plaid interior. Completely original condition, from the paintwork and most of the interior to the 361 V8 engine. Even has original service stickers from the 1970s on the door trim molding. Rust-free and in good-running condition, with brakes redone in the past four years or so. Brake drums could use a turning however. The car has a very rare factory air conditioning system that is 100% complete. It will need charging. The AC turns on and blows but there isn’t any freon left to cool down.
Under the hood is Chrysler’s 265-horsepower, 361-cu.in. OHV V8 engine with the OEM 2 Barrel carb, which is original to the car. The 361 is the smallest big block made by Chrysler and has a surprising amount of power still. Starts easily, with a few pumps of the gas pedal, and runs fine. An electronic ignition was added to improve starting with no smoke upon start-up. The engine is matched with a push-button three-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly. The paint is the original factory paint, and while it is very presentable, there are numerous chips and dings, particularly in the doors, a couple of minor bumps, and wear on horizontal surfaces. It’s hard to see in the pictures because they are small but the paint and body will need a little TLC. Additionally, the windshield and other windows are original, showing the Chrysler/Mopar “Forward Look” and “Air Conditioned by Autotemp” logos, along with Solex glass markings. The seals are also original and are in good condition.
The original windlace on the doors is notably worn. All the exterior lights work normally.
Like the exterior, the cabin of this vintage Chrysler, with its unique red plaid seat and door panel inserts, is believed to be mostly original, with the front-seat vinyl and cloth upholstery the only known restored element. The original interior material is in excellent shape—and even the armrests, which are often warped or cracked, are in excellent condition. Additionally, the original carpet, headliner and sun visors are in good original condition, along with the ribbed dash pad, which shows some minor cracks. The dome light lens is also cracked and shows an older repair. All the interior trim is in place and the heater is functional, along with the original AM radio. The optional and rare (for a Newport) clear-and-white steering wheel appears in very good condition for its age, with only minor apparent cracks at its base. The turn signals, with their dash-mounted stalk, need to be held and released manually.
The chassis, suspension, and braking elements are in good condition, with the only issue being a slow power steering leak. During the previous owners 11-year ownership, several service repairs have been made, including replacement of the rear leaf springs and shocks, a replacement idler arm bushing, repacked front wheel bearings, replacement outer tie rods and sleeves, and a front-end alignment. The brakes were also redone within the past four years and have about 800 miles on them. The work included replacement wheel cylinders, master cylinder, and front shoes, and recent radiator re-cored. Additionally, the whitewall tires are about 10 years old and have about 1,200 miles on them.
Pictures all taken within last 3 months and are from Maryland where car was purchased from. Car is now in Phoenix Metro area (North Buckeye). Open to trades for newer vehicles. Changes in work are forcing the sale of this beauty that I searched far and wide for because I don’t have the time to put into that I had planned on. $17,000 obo. I’m open to any trades of approximate equal value, just ask. Prefer 80s or newer.
Video links:
361 cubic inch “Firebolt” engine
I consider this to be one of the most notable Craigslist automotive finds ever! You have that super-sharp 1961 Chrysler “Batmobile” styling dressed in black–and the vivid Highlander interior in red. Add in all of the other early ’60s Mopar virtues, including the 361 “Firebolt” V8 and Torsion-Aire ride along with power steering and brakes, and you’ve got a great looking, great driving, rare gem indeed! As to the asking price of $17,000–sounds high, but how do you put a value on this? How many original and intact ’61 Highlanders are left in existence?
Don’t forget the incredible “Astra-Dome” speedometer!
Just for comparison, I also found this black 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix for sale on Facebook Marketplace. This car uses the same body shell (with a shorter wheelbase), but has completely different styling:
Not as spectacular as the Highlander interior, but still very nice!
Dodge uses a “Scope-Sight” see-through speedometer instead of the Astra-Dome. All 5 Mopar divisions featured individual dashboard designs that were “out of this world!”
It’s nice to know that these Forward Look Mopars (which have such poor survival rates) are still out there and available for purchase more than 60 years after they were built–even though you have to scan the whole country to find them! As always, my hope is that they will go to “good homes” and continue to provide motoring enjoyment to both drivers and spectators. Physical proof that at one time, lushly upholstered faux spaceships once roamed the highways of Earth!
Buyers of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (W198 1954-1957) had the choice of seats finished in leather or plaid cloth. In the years since, many Gullwings originally fitted with plaid upholstery were re-trimmed in leather during refurbishment or restoration, partly because the leather was thought to have more of a allure but also because for decades fabrics exactly matching what was available in the 1950s had become unobtainable. However, in 2018, in what was said to be a response to demand, Daimler announced bolts exactly replicating the original three designs (blue-gray, red-green and green-beige color) would again be available as factory part-numbers. Manufactured to the 1955 specification using an odor-neutral wool yarn woven into a four-ply, double weave twill, it’s claimed to be a “very robust material”. In the era, the blue-gray fabric was the most popular, fitted to 80% of 300SLs not trimmed in leather while the red-green and green-beige combinations were requested respectively only by 14 & 6% of buyers. The price (US$229 per yard) is indicative of the product’s niche market. The part-numbers: Blue-Grey: A 000 983 44 86 / 5000, Red-Green: A 000 983 44 86 / 3000 & Green-Beige: A 000 983 44 86 / 6000.
What a beauty ! I love it .
“The car has a very rare factory air conditioning system that is 100% complete. It will need charging. The AC turns on and blows but there isn’t any freon left to cool down.” : you’ll need to replace a minimum of $2,000.00 worth of parts and significant labor to get the AC to work again .
Of course, it’ll freeze you outof the car in Death Valley once done but seriously, be honest .
I like the clever videos too, I’da preferred to hear the car running but this guy is a smart seller .
-Nate
Absolutely – selling that and the only thing was recharging the A/C, it would have been done.
” I like the clever videos too, I’da preferred to hear the car running … ” .
Yeah, me too. But if my first choice is to hear the car, my second choice might as well be to hear “Sleep Walk” by Santo & Johnny. That was on the [AM] radio while these beauties were gliding by or stopping to grab a bunch of triple nickel burgers.
Where were you in 62?
Only if Daaaan Ingram is talking after it ,WABC chime time…
Cousin Goose Grease is back on the Swingin 77 Saturday nights…it’s not quite the same, but one of the few places to hear the oldies but goodies (apologies to Little Caesar & The Romans) on AM…if you still reside in North Jersey WMTR might fit the bill.
McDonalds had double cheeseburgers for $.50 this week for “National Cheeseburger Day”…and they say you can’t beat inflation…but not quite as cheap as Mel’s
Thank you, RL, as a contemporary of yours, I do appreciate hearing and seeing this again.
THANK YOU for this great link .
I was in Lincoln, Mass.where there were still more farms than anything else and it was nothing like this .
Even then I was grooving on the many 1930’s ~ 1950’s vehicles that hadn’t yet rusted out .
Good times to be sure .
I should probably go watch this movie again .
I really, _REALLY_ miss music on AM radio ~ it didn’t much matter where you were, someone was playing music and often good music .
Then the “Fairness Doctrine” was abolished and we got the awful AM shouters we have now .
-Nate
My dad was lucky in his younger years as Grandpa was good buddies with the city’s. biggest Chrysler dealer in the 40s. Dad got a new `46 New Yorker Town & Country cvt. (alamo beige) right after WWII. With cars in such demand, he was able to sell it a year later in `47 for more than he paid for it! he turned around and got another T&C cvt., this one with the ‘highlander plaid’ interior! Mom & Dad were married in that car, which he kept until 1952.
Wow! Nice that Mercedes-Benz has made the plaid upholstery fabric available. If one is restoring a 300 SL the per yard price should not be a deterrent.
After driving from Dallas to San Antonio yesterday (high temps in the low 100s, 4+ hours total travel time) in my leather equipped SLK 350 I could appreciate a more breathable seat fabric. My back got a bit clammy even with the AC keeping the cabin very comfortable otherwise.
Maybe I could order some of the fabric from M-B and have the middle of the seats re-upholstered. I wonder how that would work with the heated seats (!).
I wonder why Toyota does not offer a plaid cloth option on its Highlander. It seems to be a no-brainer.
Nice write up, Stephen. Nothing short of a miracle that this is a rust-free car coming from Maryland. I think $17,000 is reasonable, that’s the bottom of the market now for something that goes, stops and presents in this condition. And this one has rarity and a desirable color combo.
Wonder if it looked that good in “61”.? “Miracle” is what I’m thinking too.
As I recall, the Highlander interior made an appearance at some point in the 1974-78 generation as well.
It did, and at least in 1976 was a full-year option pictured in the brochure, not a spring special.
https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1976_Chrysler/1976_Chrysler_Brochure/slides/1976%20Chrysler-07.html
This package for 1961 is news to me. Thanks for showing it. Of course, being in college and working in my dad’s store and part-time delivering booze, my time to read advertisements in periodicals was limited. Love it! Thanks for bringing this to the fore.
Wow, stunning finds Stephen! As a fellow NJ resident, a 61 Dodge from here that hasn’t turned to dust is a rare sight. After spending some time last evening with a friend and his 55 Buick Century (he’s owned it since 1978), it’s nice to experience the mind bending style of American steel in the flesh.
I somehow lucked into a ’56 DeSoto Firedome sedan late last year, found it on Craigslist, in my town. The car is shockingly original and bare bones – manual seats, locks, windows, steering and brakes! No A/C, rubber floor mats and, unbelievably, it’s a 3 speed manual with overdrive. It wasn’t running when I went to look at it, and I wasn’t really expecting to buy it, but it was so complete, original and sound I ended up making an offer and the seller accepted, partially because I assured him I intended to keep it as-is and appreciate it as such. Turned out that the running issue was a combination of old gas and a bad condenser in the distributor, and once it got running it proved reliable and capable and became my go-to option for summer driving this year.
There are still odd cars out there to be found, we just have to keep our eyes peeled.
Sweet find!
John ;
That DeSoto sounds lovely and just how I’d like it .
? Might you detail the running issue that pointed to the bad condenser ? .
TIA,
-Nate
Quote: All 5 Mopar divisions featured individual dashboard designs that were “out of this world!”
Pretty sure the ’61 DeSoto dash was the same as the Dodge apart from some minor trim details.
Hard to believe that the same company that produced the nicely styled, albeit dated, Chrysler also put out that Dodge in 1961.
My second car was a 62 Chrysler Newport 2 door hard top with 361 engine. Traded my first car,, 56 Dodge Custom Royal 4 door sedan with 315 poly 4 bbl. and duaIs I bought from my grandparents to my parents for the sportier Chrysler. Great engine, great car. Plymouth actually had a 350 ci wedge engine in 58 in the Fury. Same engine as the 361 wedge just fewer cubic inches. 361 was reserved for Dodges and DeSotas that year. I don’t think Chrysler ever used the name Firebolt on their engines or otherwise. In 61 Chrysler engines were called “Golden Lion” .
50k+ in local pesos plus postage and repairs to get compliance and everything working properly 10k+ make it quite expensive though resale in this market would be over 100k, quite a car and one I’ll not see locally.
Stephen, great find, great write-up, and a beautiful car.
I think that the seller will get his asking price. Which he should given what seems to be one of the better-written Craigslist ads I’ve read. It’s pretty much BaT quality, without the stupidity (“Vehicle equipped with round wheels and factory-installed rubber windshield wipers.”).
I hope that whoever winds up with this Highlander edition makes sure to take it to many cars and coffee events with his vintage Aladdin lunch box. 🙂
Does anybody else think that beautiful Highlander interior looks a bit plain in comparison to the lowly Dodge shown? Yes, I get the whole ‘thrifty Scot’ stereotype, and the fabric IS beautiful, but surely a bit of anodized trim on the doors wouldn’t have gone amiss. Or did a Chrysler Newport rank ‘below’ a Dodge Phoenix?
Here in Scotland we call that pattern Clan MacGarish.
🙂
The “newspaper ad” talking about the fuel sipping V8 kind a mystifies me.. Other the “Rambler” and “Studebaker” ads , didn’t know fuel economy was a “1961 thing”.
Fuel economy was an issue, even for cars that didn’t seem to be aimed at thrifty people. The Chrysler Newport was an aspirational car for someone who might otherwise buy a low priced car. The sales pitch is that you can have the pleasure and prestige of Chrysler for just a few dollars more. Such a buyer would at least want to be reassured that the operating costs also would be in the ballpark of a lesser car.
VW had a tartan plaid interior insert in the late 70s Scirocco’s. Looks good wherever you see it in my book, but especially on this Newport. This is a one year body style combining the ’60s’ fins with canted headlights that remained for ’62 even as the fins were plucked.
GTI’s too, since close to the beginning I think and I believe it’s still available on new ones.
GTI is dead to me now that a manual option is not available.
Beautiful car with the best dashboard ever! $17K obo in inflationary Monopoly money? It’s got the right colors. The Highlander interior is stunning. It’s as close to a Batmobile as you will ever get. It sounds like a solid buy to me.
What’s the reason for the lower front passenger seatback? Easier garroting of short enemies?
Better visibility from the dash mounted rear view mirror. You still couldn’t see anything from it.
The passenger seat isn’t lower. It’s a regular height. The higher back on the driver side is a selling feature.
For someone absolutely smitten with the Mopar version of canted headlights (as opposed to an earlier Buick or Lincoln), it would be hard to do better than the feature car, at least not without spending way, way more (like, say, a 300G).
This car’s only flaw is that it is not one of the hardtop bodystyles. Mopar buyers were (unfortunately for us all these decades later) sedan people. But other than that, what a cool car!
What a stunning car, thank you for sharing.
My 1973 VW Westfalia had blue tartan upholstery with orange and white paintwork.
What is it with German cars and tartan?
Believe it or not, Tartan upholstery was considered fancy in German cars dating back to the 1950’s that I know of .
-Nate