1966 Newport 3 on the tree

Michael E Mason

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Oakland, TN
Hi all! Just wondering how rare is a 1966 Chrysler Newport Convertible with 3 on the tree. I purchased this car from a used car lot in Youngstown, OH in February 2021 and that's the reason I bought it because of the perceived rarity. Very low on options. I have a copy of the original window sticker which shows the few options are power steering, padded sun visors, retractable seat belts, deluxe wheel covers and the Golden Tone AM radio. Standard 383 2-bbl and a 3.23 geared 8-3/4 rear end. It seems all original except for a repaint. Vinyl seats and crank windows. No air. Showed 43,000 on the ODO when I bought it, about to turn 45,000 now. Don't know the history, could be 145,000 but doesn't seem likely. Even though it's an Ohio car, it has no rust. Any production numbers out there?

1966 Chrysler Newport Convertible.jpg
 
No real production numbers available for most C bodies and no real breakdown regarding powertrains.
Still you scored a heluva rare bird.
Auto trans was even extra cost on a Newport during that time.
I am guessing original owner opted for nothing---not even a solid roof!! Lol!!
 
Very nice! @Verse will want to know about this car, as he owns a similar 2dr HT.

Looks like it might have been a dealer display car - low price get them in the door car.

Very cool!

More pictures please!
 
Beautiful pictures! I bet that black interior is hot after it's been sitting out in the sun for awhile. You have a 66 Newport sedan too?

Paint code is F... The car was originally "Haze Green Metallic". Whoever repainted it looks to have been pretty thorough, doing the doorjambs and underhood as well, and even taping-off the fender tag. The front of the rad support should be flat black though, so it isn't visible through the grille. :)
 
Beautiful pictures! I bet that black interior is hot after it's been sitting out in the sun for awhile. You have a 66 Newport sedan too?

Paint code is F... The car was originally "Haze Green Metallic". Whoever repainted it looks to have been pretty thorough, doing the doorjambs and underhood as well, and even taping-off the fender tag. The front of the rad support should be flat black though, so it isn't visible through the grille. :)

My friend Matt owns the sedan.
The fender tag screws in so I guess they removed it for the paint. The paint job does look very thorough. I was thinking about repainting the rad support.
I wonder how nice it would look with the Mist Green metallic.
 
Sweet car! Base Newport was the 383 2bbl with three on the tree. But, Chrysler never had much of a practice to bring them in that way.

You don't mention it, but those disk brakes aren't from the factory. I'll bet it stops well though!
 
Sweet car! Base Newport was the 383 2bbl with three on the tree. But, Chrysler never had much of a practice to bring them in that way.

You don't mention it, but those disk brakes aren't from the factory. I'll bet it stops well though!

Yeah, I was driving it back to Memphis from Youngstown, OH and when I would hit the brakes, it would jump into the right lane so the first order of business was 4-wheel disc brakes! It had manual drums. And it does stop nice and easy now! The only problem was the rims were made for drum brakes so I had to add 1 inch spacers. That's what you notice on the rear discs. The front disc picture didn't have those spacers mounted on yet.
 
Yeah, I was driving it back to Memphis from Youngstown, OH and when I would hit the brakes, it would jump into the right lane so the first order of business was 4-wheel disc brakes! It had manual drums. And it does stop nice and easy now! The only problem was the rims were made for drum brakes so I had to add 1 inch spacers. That's what you notice on the rear discs. The front disc picture didn't have those spacers mounted on yet.
You're the second person who has said that. When I converted my car to disks I was able to get rid of the spacers. Are you running 14s or 15s? I have 15x7 Torque Thrust Ds and no problems. Was running 15x7 Shelby Cal 500s, also no problems.
 
You're the second person who has said that. When I converted my car to disks I was able to get rid of the spacers. Are you running 14s or 15s? I have 15x7 Torque Thrust Ds and no problems. Was running 15x7 Shelby Cal 500s, also no problems.

Those are aftermarket rims designed for disc brakes. I have the original 14" steelies with hubcaps. Not designed to clear the calipers. I guess since drums turn with the rims they never had to worry about clearance.
 
Yeah, I was driving it back to Memphis from Youngstown, OH and when I would hit the brakes, it would jump into the right lane so the first order of business was 4-wheel disc brakes!
Sounds to me like the likely problem was an old rubber flex line on one side had swelled shut so that brake cylinder was not working. That's happened to me before and that was the culprit. Properly setup disc brakes are safer than drums, at least in the front, but that particular problem could have been easily rectified.
 
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