1984 Chrysler
Friday, June 25, 2010 at 11:20AM |
By Vern Parker Long before the Reagan name was added to Washington National, Nancy Windingland worked at the airport that serves Washington, D.C. On her way to work one day 26 years ago she spotted a fellow commuter driving a new car she describes as "so cute." She saw that the flanks of the white convertible that had arrested her attention were covered with "wood" trim. Later she told her husband, "That's one of the cars I want to own before I die." The object of her affection was a 1984 Chrysler Town and Country Mark Cross convertible. An admitted "chick car," she says, "It looks cute." When new the unusual convertible had a base price of $16,495 and under the hood was a 2.2-liter turbo-charged engine that developed 142 horsepower. Windingland learned that only 1,105 such cars were manufactured by Chrysler during the 1984 model year.
"You had better buy it," she responded without seeing the car. When she got the car it had already been driven 59,000 miles. "It was just an old car," Windingland says. Since then the unique Chrysler has been moved to several locations as Windingland moved and the odometer currently has eclipsed 72,000 miles. The 2,530-pound Chrysler rides on P185/70R14 tires which support the car on a 100.3-inch wheelbase that encourages nimble handling. "It is not a high quality production vehicle," Windingland is the first to admit, adding, "It makes people smile." Her car is pretty well loaded with a leather "Mark Cross" interior and has a deluxe radio with a cassette tape player function. The car also has a factory-installed air conditioner, an optional extra not commonly found on convertibles 26 years ago. Convenience features like power windows, power steering and power brakes all contribute to a pleasant driving experience. "It is the most deluxe of all the ones produced," Windingland observes.
Simulated wire wheel hub caps and the vinyl "wood" trim help give the car a sporty appearance. Another feature on her convertible that she remains ambivalent about is the voice that reminds her of forgotten tasks such as when her car says, "Don't forget your keys." When the keys are removed from the ignition the car's voice chimes in with a polite, "Thank you." Sometimes I respond to the car Windingland says while holding the dark brown leather-wrapped steering wheel in a white-knuckle grip. Dark brown carpeting and a dark brown vinyl dashboard complete the interior. A digital speedometer in the instrument panel is prepared to register speeds well past 100 mph. With a 135-cubic-inch engine under the hood, a practical Windingland observes, "It doesn't look like a three-digit car." Fluid capacities in the car include a 14-gallon gasoline tank and a nine-quart cooling system. The engine, with a full-flow spin-on oil filter, holds four quarts of oil plus one more for the turbocharger. Windingland has replaced the glass rear window in the tan convertible top. Raising or lowering the top is easily accomplished with the quick release of two-hooks above the windshield frame followed by a light touch on the switch labeled, "top." Once in the lowered position Windingland opens the trunk where she keeps the light brown boot and snaps it into place for a more finished, deluxe appearance. "You cannot not smile when you look at it," Windingland says.
Still, Windingland hears no complaints from her four grandchildren, Steven and Anya Kamen and Derek and Drake Windingland when they come to Fredericksburg, Va., for a visit and a ride in her Chrysler. Of all the cars the grandchildren have seen come and go through Windingland's garage they all seem pleased with what they call, "The car that grandma kept." |
