Walter Joy
Active Member
As many know, I run a page on Facebook with @71Polara383 called "1970-1971 Dodge Polaras and Monacos", and in doing so I scour many Facebook groups looking for previous and current owners and their cars. However, through this, I have discovered something that I doubt many know- the 1969-74 Chrysler 383 from South Africa.
The 1969-73 Chrysler 383 is based on the North American 1969-71 Dodge Monaco, with 1972 to early 1974 model years continuing the 1971 styling. All cars were right hand drive (RHD) and had the same drivetrain- 383 2bbl, A727 automatic, single exhaust, and 8 3/4 rear end with 2.76 rear gears (narrow-width from 1967-68 Monacos for 69-71, then wide width for 72-74). All cars were 4 door sedans with vinyl tops. Color options were as followed: white with black top, black with white top, brown with beige top, and dark blue with black top. Interior colors were just as dismal- black, white, or brown. All cars received power windows and vacuum operated trunk release, yet the remainder of options were pick and choose (air conditioning was a rare option and could not be ordered with power seats or rear defroster). 1969 and 1970 cars had vent windows and 11 inch front drum brakes, while 1971-74 cars had disc front brakes. All 1969-74 cars utilized the Australian Dodge Phoenix dashboard, which is basically a mirrored image version of 1971 and up dashboards with column shift. 1974 was the last year for the Chrysler 383, with only about 90 cars being sold.
All this information has come from two residents of South Africa who own these cars, and if anyone happens to have anymore information, I would love for it to be shared.
Arno Pieterese's 1969 Chrysler 383
Arno Pieterese's 1969 with a 1970 in the back ground
Vincent Chetty's 1973 Chrysler 383
1972 Chrysler 383
The 1969-73 Chrysler 383 is based on the North American 1969-71 Dodge Monaco, with 1972 to early 1974 model years continuing the 1971 styling. All cars were right hand drive (RHD) and had the same drivetrain- 383 2bbl, A727 automatic, single exhaust, and 8 3/4 rear end with 2.76 rear gears (narrow-width from 1967-68 Monacos for 69-71, then wide width for 72-74). All cars were 4 door sedans with vinyl tops. Color options were as followed: white with black top, black with white top, brown with beige top, and dark blue with black top. Interior colors were just as dismal- black, white, or brown. All cars received power windows and vacuum operated trunk release, yet the remainder of options were pick and choose (air conditioning was a rare option and could not be ordered with power seats or rear defroster). 1969 and 1970 cars had vent windows and 11 inch front drum brakes, while 1971-74 cars had disc front brakes. All 1969-74 cars utilized the Australian Dodge Phoenix dashboard, which is basically a mirrored image version of 1971 and up dashboards with column shift. 1974 was the last year for the Chrysler 383, with only about 90 cars being sold.
All this information has come from two residents of South Africa who own these cars, and if anyone happens to have anymore information, I would love for it to be shared.
Arno Pieterese's 1969 Chrysler 383
Arno Pieterese's 1969 with a 1970 in the back ground
Vincent Chetty's 1973 Chrysler 383
1972 Chrysler 383
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