American Muscles | Episode 09 – Chrysler Newport

14 November 2023 Redazione Experience, News

Words Christian Parodi / Photos Classic Auto Mall

The Newport, what an incredible piece of metal. I say it for various reasons, first of all the memory of that wonderful and extravagant show car presented way back in 1940 and of which just 5 cars were produced. An authentic unicorn. Ten years later it was the moment for what is considered the second generation, a model destined for widespread market, thanks to a competitive price that allowed even less deep pockets to take home a large family car. The fifth generation, the one you can see in these pictures, is one of those pachyderms that seems impossible to encounter on the same asphalt of contemporary hatchbacks and SUVs.

We are talking about the generation produced from 1968 to 1973, a coupe with dimensions that redefine the concept of generosity and which, once seated behind the wheel, continues to communicate how much space it takes, also thanks to the distance from the front to the rear axle, something measurable occuping two different central states of the USA (3.14 meters). With the Newport there are no half measures, so much so that with this generation a wagon version was not foreseen, instead it was developed into its own model (the Town & Country).

The passenger compartment is in classic American style of the era, with a huge leather and fabric bench and a two-spoke steering wheel on which to rest your hands for thousands and thousands of kilometers. Yep, because the Newport is a road eater, also thanks to the fact that it has – among the available engines – a generous 6.3-liter V8 with 290 horsepower under the bonnet. Ok, the passing of the years will have caused to lose a few dozen horses, but the suspensions and the way in which the masses move in the rare curves of sweet Louisiana make my driving experience perfectly in line with the expectations that arise when looking at it parked on the roadside, possibly where space is not a problem.

Together with the previous generation, I consider it one of the most beautiful 2 or 4 door sedans and being available both as a coupe and a convertible, it represents yet another demonstration of the very high level of testosterone and design that existed in the States in those years, where all that mattered was having a gigantic car to move the family from one place to another in maximum comfort.