Chrysler TC.
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Is there a better way to spend the weekend imagining new versions of past failures? I don’t think so. The Chrysler TC is a perfect subject in this futile search for a “worst car ever redo”. Maybe just second to the Cadillac Cimarron…
The original Chrysler TC was produced from 1988 to 1991. Back then, almost everyone was obsessed with competing with the popular Mercedes SL. Cadillac‘s offering was the Allante. Just like GM, Chrysler didn’t really have the hardware and cachet to compete with the very expensive SL. The new convertible was to be sold as “TC By Maserati” since at the time, Chrysler owned a big portion of the Italian manufacturer.
The TC’s job was to elevate Chrysler‘s image. However, development took longer than originally planned and the TC came out after the much cheaper new generation of the Chrysler Le Baron convertible. Instead of the new Le Baron looking a bit like the more expensive TC, the TC ended up looking like an overpriced Le Baron to most people by the time it was ready to come out. Just like the Le Baron, the RTC was built on the inexpensive K-Car platform.
The TC was built at a huge loss for Chrysler. Since it cost over $80,000 to manufacture at the time while it was priced at around $33,000.
It was also one of the most unreliable cars you could purchase at the time, which didn’t help…
Fiat eventually bought Masersti in 1993. And ironically, Chrysler in 2013.
And now, Chrysler is in trouble again for lack of care. It hasn’t had a new model in many, many years. Which is truly a shame. I know a low volume 2 seater convertible is not what is needed to make Chrysler profitable. They desperately need a new Minivan and an SUV or two. However, the crazy idea of a low-volume image car is still a good one, and maybe more important than ever to put the historical American brand back on the map.