How a $50 1965 Chrysler Newport Became a 12-Year Restoration Triumph

In 1981, I bought my first car—a blue two-door 1965 Chrysler Newport—for $50 from my brother. It turned out to be an incredible deal. I kept it for 10 years before selling it, a decision I’ve regretted ever since.

Over the years, I owned other Mopar classics, including a 1958 Saratoga, a 1961 DeSoto, and a 1962 Imperial. The Saratoga was a particular favorite, offering endless fun behind the wheel. Yet, I never stopped thinking about that Newport.

By 2010, I decided it was time to find another one. Fate seemed to intervene when I discovered the same car listed twice—once on eBay and again on Craigslist.

It was initially listed on eBay in really rough shape. I didn’t bid because of that, then immediately realized I should have. You don’t find two-door ’65 Newports on every corner, after all.

The Craigslist listing confirmed it was the same car. The eBay winner had backed out, leaving it available again. This felt like a sign. With a modest budget, I purchased it and had it towed home—dead on arrival.

The Newport had been parked under a tree for 30 years and hadn’t run in all that time. “A mess” was an understatement. Yet, despite its condition, it was a twin to my first car—except for the color. Remarkably, the engine and transmission were still original and didn’t require rebuilding.

Initially overwhelmed, I got to work. Surprisingly, everything except the trunk light needed attention. After installing a fresh battery, the trunk light was the only thing that worked. My ’65 Newport should have been a parts car, but Chrysler’s quality from that era shone through.

Twelve years later, the Newport has transformed into a showpiece. It’s pampered now, something it never experienced before. The car stirs memories and draws admiration wherever it goes.