The 1980s were a wild time for car design, especially in America where manufacturers were racing to blend digital tech with old school luxury. Chrysler didn’t hold back. The New Yorker from 1983 wasn’t just another full size sedan, it was an ambitious experiment that turned the dashboard into a literal office desk. This car mixed fake wood panels with digital voice alerts and drawer-like compartments that looked like something out of a Wall Street executive’s corner office. Here's how Chrysler built one of the strangest luxury car interiors of all time.
The Chrysler New Yorker between 1983 and 1987 pushed the boundaries of design by trying to blend futuristic electronics with old money aesthetics. It was built on an extended K-car platform, which made it lighter and more compact than its predecessor. The exterior tried to preserve prestige with a vinyl-covered landau roof, mock wire basket wheel covers, and decorative fender vents.
But the real story was inside. The dashboard featured fake wood panels that mirrored a banker’s desk, complete with faux drawers that opened up to reveal storage spaces. It had digital gauges, a trip computer, and even a robotic voice that would scold you for leaving a door open. The blend of analog styling with digital novelty gave the New Yorker a cabin that felt both ahead of its time and oddly stuck in the past.
Not really. The 1983 Chrysler New Yorker came with a 2.2 liter four cylinder engine producing just 90 horsepower. A slightly more capable 2.6 liter Mitsubishi engine was offered as an option. Acceleration was underwhelming, taking 13.9 seconds to go from 0 to 96 kilometers per hour according to MotorWeek tests.
What it lacked in performance, it tried to make up for in features. In 1985, a turbocharged version with 146 horsepower joined the lineup, but even that couldn’t fully shake its slow-moving reputation. Still, it stood out thanks to its bizarre interior and daring design decisions that felt more like concept car ideas brought to life.
This car is a cult classic for design lovers and retro tech fans. While it never became a best seller, the New Yorker represents a rare moment when a car company dared to take bold design risks. In 2022, one turbocharged version sold for 6,100 US dollars on Bring a Trailer, with no other similar models popping up since. That rarity only adds to its charm.
Chrysler’s New Yorker from this era is now remembered not for speed or performance, but for turning a luxury sedan into a digital banker’s lounge. It was weird, wonderful, and totally unique.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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