AutoHunter Spotlight: 1989 Chrysler TC and Maserati

Featured on AutoHunter, online auction platform powered by ClassicCars.comIt is this 1989 Chrysler TC and Maserati.

The 1980s were a turbulent time for the American auto industry. After finally realizing that American-built luxury cars were falling far behind European-built cars, they looked for ideas to build models that would appeal to owners who had turned away from built-in options. In the typical 1980s form of American car manufacturing, some of these cars were interesting ideas but did not quite compete with their European competitors.

One of these cars that has the longest name I’ve ever heard of, and one that I love despite its limitations, is Chrysler TC and Maserati.

Chrysler TC by Maserati was Lee Iacocca’s idea for Chrysler’s world-class luxury car. The car was introduced at the 1986 Los Angeles Auto Show. The car would not be available for sale until late 1988 as a 1989 model due to two years of development delays. These cars offered luxurious interiors and bodies made in Milan, Italy. They were powered by three different engines: the Chrysler turbo 2.2 liter engine, the Mitsubishi turbo V6 3 liter, and the Maserati twin cam assembled 2.2 liter. While many consider the Maserati engined models to be the best choice, due to the lack of parts this engine can be a nightmare to keep running, so I would personally go for one of the Chrysler designed models.

The car featured in this AutoHunter Spotlight it is one of the 2.2 turbo powered models. The seller describes the car as having traveled 24,874 miles since new. Features include an adjustable top, power seats, power steering, Infinity AM/FM/cassette stereo, air conditioning, power windows and locks, and anti-lock disc brakes.

Outside of this Chrysler TC and Maserati it is stated that in its factory the original Red color is Foreign. It also includes a removable body-colored hardtop and door windows and is currently installed on the vehicle. Features include body-colored bumpers with bright trim, yellow pinstriping, color-keyed dual-power mirrors, wheel arches, side impact moldings and a power antenna. The photos show the exterior of the car in excellent shape as you would expect from a low mileage model.

The interior is also completely original with adjustable Italian ginger leather bucket seats surrounded by leather door panels and matching trim. Features include power steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tilt steering column, and a console-mounted automatic transmission shifter. Instruments include a 125-mph speedometer, a 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for oil level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage are located on the leather-wrapped instrument panel. Odometer reads 24,874 miles; The last reported number of 24,581 miles was entered in a CARFAX report in August 2011.

Under the hood is a ChryslerTurbo II turbocharged 2.2-liter I4 backed by a three-speed automatic transaxle. When new, the engine produced 160 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. Again, the engine compartment appears to be original and looks as you would expect a low mileage model to look. The hood insulation pad is long gone but these are available for a reasonable price of around $125.

These cars are in the middle of collecting land. They honestly offer amazing value for money and are also rare with a total of around 7,300 cars built during the three years of production. The TC has a very active owners club and would be a good candidate to attend a RADwood event or Concours d’Lemons as they would be welcome at either. It is also a very comfortable car to drive and is offered with a quality that no other car from Chrysler could match at the time. That combined with low operating costs does Chrysler TC and Maserati An attractive car to own at an affordable price. It’s impossible to find a better example of a car wearing a Maserati badge for less than the cost of a TC.

Auction of this 1989 Chrysler TC and Maserati ends Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery