Chrysler TC by Maserati

Chrysler TC by Maserati

Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation Maserati
Production	1989–1991
Assembly	Torino, Italy (stamping) Sparone, Italy (assembly) Milan, Italy (final assembly)
Class	Grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Q-body
Engine(s)	2.2 L Turbo II I4 2.2 L TC I4 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 3-speed A413 automatic 4-speed A604 automatic
Wheelbase	93.3 in (2370 mm)
Length	175.8 in (4465 mm)
Width	68.5 in (1740 mm)
Height	51.9 in (1318 mm)
Curb weight	3,033 lb (1,376 kg)
Manuals	Service Manual

Chrysler TC by Maserati, rear Chrysler TC by Maserati, side

The Chrysler TC by Maserati was a Chrysler K platform GT car jointly developed by Chrysler and Maserati. It was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1986 but was not available until late 1989. The TC (Touring Coupe) was intended as a halo car for Chrysler. Only 7,300 TCs had been made (by hand in Milan, Italy) when it was cancelled in 1991.

Development

Lee Iacocca started a friendship with the late Alejandro de Tomaso while at Ford, which led to the successful De Tomaso Pantera. During the 1980s, Iacocca found himself at the helm of Chrysler while De Tomaso was owner of the historic Maserati brand. In 1984, both companies signed a memorandum of understanding to create a sport coupe, which ultimately became the TC.

The 1989 TC used a special turbocharged 2.2 L Chrysler K engine I4. 500 special 1989 models came with a Getrag manual transmission and a 16-valve Cosworth head. This engine is often called the "Maserati" engine as it has Maserati on the valve cover. The 2.2 L was replaced by a Mitsubishi-sourced V6 engine for 1990 and 1991.

The 2.2 "Maserati" engine was truly international: The cylinder head was cast in England by Cosworth and finished in Italy by Maserati. The pistons came from Mahle GmbH in Germany, and a Japanese turbocharger was sourced from IHI. The camshafts were designed by Florida-based Crane Cams but were constructed by Maserati in Modena. The rest of the engine was made in the United States and was similar to the Turbo II. The normal Turbo II was used on automatic transmission-equipped cars.

The TC's platform was based on a shortened Dodge Daytona chassis with suspension and axles from that car as well. The struts and shock absorbers were specially designed for the car by Fichtel and Sachs, and the ABS system was also a unique product from Teves. The special wheels were made in Italy by the Formula One supplier, Fondmetal.

Features

The TC featured a detachable hard top with opera windows and a manually operated cloth convertible top. The detachable hard top was removed from the 1991 model year (which would prove to be the cars last). The interior could be had with black, ginger, or bordeaux colored leather with matching velour inserts for the seats, doors and dash. The exterior colors available were black, red, yellow, white, or Cabernet.

In 1990 the TC received two optional premium sound systems to replace the factory 75-watt 4 speaker Chrysler Infinity stereo. The 5-speaker 150 W Delphi Infinity supplied by Maserati was the less expensive of the two at $900, this option included a CD/Tape Combo, 2 elliptical back deck speakers, 2 elliptical door speakers and an elliptical center dash speaker. An even more refined 7-Speaker Nakamichi Mobile Dragon system was available for $1,310, which included a high fidelity TD780 Dragon tape deck and matching crossover network that was mounted vertically (under a door in the center console) that allowed the driver to control the 300W 3-channel amp. Mated to that Nakamichi Mobile Power Amplifier were two 45W conventional 6x9's, two 35 W conventional 5-inch door speakers, two 2-inch 15 W piezo tweeters hidden under the velour inserts on the dash, as well as what Nakamichi called a low-frequency resonance module (basically an 8-inch subwoofer in a custom enclosure).

Sales

Production by Year:

1989	3,764
1990	1,900
1991	1,636

Competition

The TC's main competitor was the Buick Reatta, a front-wheel drive six cylinder two-door car. It came in a hardtop and convertible, and like the TC it was partially hand-built. Both were on the market at the same time. The Reatta outsold the TC. Many car enthusiasts have also compared the TC to the Cadillac Allanté, as both were Italian-designed and partially hand-built (the differences were that the Allanté was powered by a V8 engine and its final assembly was in the U.S. after the bodies built in Italy were shipped via special air cargo).

Prices

• 1989 - $33,000 USD
• 1990 - $35,500
• 1991 - $37,000

References

• Lyons, Stephen. "Chrysler's TC by Maserati," Allpar.com, undated document, retrieved on August 11, 2008.
• "Chrysler's TC by Maserati," How Chrysler Works, by the auto editors of Consumer Guide, June, 1 2007., retrieved on August 11, 2008.