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10/05/02
The TC by Maserati came about as the fortuitous result of two things: Lee Iacocca's desire to produce a Chrysler luxury two seater with European credentials, plus the reunion of Iacocca with Maserati CEO Alejandro De Tomaso (whose joint efforts in the 1970's produced the De Tomaso Pantera for Lincoln-Mercury). Following Chrysler's acquisition of five percent of Maserati stock, plans were announced in early 1985 for the 'Q-coupe', a Chrysler/Maserati venture to be built in Italy and sold in the U.S., with a projected early '87 introduction date.
Since the car wasn't a coupe at all, the name was later changed to 'TC by Maserati'. The 'TC' originally stood for 'Turbo Convertible' in early promotional literature, then changed to 'Touring Convertible' when the V-6 TC was introduced in 1990. Chrysler also reportedly toyed with naming it the 'Lido' (Iacocca's first name), and Iacocca reportedly refered to it as the "Chryslerati'.
The TC was conceived as Chrysler's two seat corporate flagship and Iacocca aimed it squarely at the American market segment of the Cadillac Allante, Buick Reatta and the Mercedes 560 SL, planning to sell the it for about $20,000 less than it's $50,000 rivals.
Beginning with a shortened Dodge Daytona platform and the original sheetmetal designs done at Chrysler's Highland Park studio, Iacocca and De Tomaso set about building their version of a two seat luxury tourer for the American market, using an existing Chrysler engine and drive train, suspension, brakes, steering and heating/air conditioning. In addition, a DOHC 16 valve head was developed by Cosworth, along with a stronger TC-specific Getrag '284' 5-speed. A Teves anti-lock system was added to Chrysler's Kelsey-Hayes 4-wheel disk brake system.
When offered for sale beginning
in the 1989 model year, the TC
had only one option other than
color; the buyer could choose the
either the Turbo II with automatic
(detuned to 160hp) or the 200 hp
twin cam 16 valve 2.2 with a 5-
speed. Everything else was
standard: Pasubio leather interior,
power-everything, anti-lock
brakes, 8 speaker Infinity stereo,
a 'Haartz fabric' softtop with
headliner and a fiberglass hardtop.
An Infinity CD player was a dealer
installed option.The TC 'bodies-in-white' were stamped and assembled at the coachworks facility in Sparone, then shipped to Maserati's Innocenti complex in Milan for paint and mechanical assemblies (see Production Photos). Production colors were Exotic Red, Black, White, Light Yellow and Royal Cabernet (Smoke Quartz pearl coat was listed in pre-production sales literature but was not offered in production). Interior colors were in Black, Ginger and Bordeaux, while softtop colors were black 'Haartz' fabric and saddle (vinyl).
Truly an international car (although 75% of the car's parts/labor cost was Italian), the TC used parts produced in the U.S., Italy, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany and Mexico. Starting in 1990, the 141 hp Japanese Mitsubishi
DSM 3.0 liter V-6 was added to the mix and was only available with the A604 4-speed automatic transmission.Loaded with luxury appointments, the TC at 3,000+ pounds was a good bit heavier than it's 93 inch wheelbase would suggest. The Turbo II, detuned to 160 hp, was only offered in '89. Mated with the 3 speed A413 automatic, it yielded leisurely eleven second 0-60 times (go to the PERFORMANCE section for some help with this problem). The '89-'90 200 hp sixteen valve engine with the Getrag 5-speed fared much better, with sub-7 second 0-60 times (R/T 6/88).
The suspension featured 15x6 in. FondMetal alloy wheels with Michelin MXV 205-60x15 tires, Fitchel & Sachs gas-charged struts/shocks, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (10" vented front - 10.6" solid rear) and quick ratio (2.1 turns lock to lock) rack & pinion steering. Although fitted with HD-calibrated struts & shocks, the soft springs were aimed more toward a comfortable boulevard ride than any sort of spirited handling.
Sales were accomplished through a select network of some 300 Chrysler dealers, and while the intent was to produce 4,000-5,000 TC's annually, actual sales kept production to just 7,301 total units over 3 years (see build stats). The Turbo II TC was produced only in 1989, and just 501 with the twin cam 16v engines were produced 1989-1990, while the 3.0 V-6 was offered in 1990-1991 and comprised nearly half of all TC production.
While the TC was certainly less
than a runaway commercial
success, Chrysler had succeeded in
producing a luxury two seater with
panache equaling the Allante and
Mercedes SL, albeit in the rather
unique Iacocca fashion.
Although the automotive press
focused on the K-car heritage
(road tests), Iacocca had done
exactly what he intended: build
a personal luxury tourer with
true Italian lineage and a less-
than-the-competition price tag.August, 2001 - The '89-'91 Chrysler TC by Maserati was named one of the top five sleeper classics for under $10,000 ($8,000 - $12,000 ) by Hemmings Special Interest Auto Magazine.
While the TC is beginning to appreciate as an automotive investment. you should heed what is written in The Illustrated Shelby Buyers Guide, "The only responsible advice that one can give in today's market is that a buyer should purchase a car for the very simple reason that he or she WANTS TO OWN IT. That way, while you might be pleasantly surprised later on, you'll never be disappointed. Don't buy one to make a pile of dough, buy it because YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE IT." In other words, buy that TC with your heart rather than your head.
The TC is unique as Chrysler's one foray into the world of luxury two seaters and remains an affordable piece of Iacocca-era automotive history that you can drive and enjoy. Although prices are climbing and less than half of the 7,300 TC's are believed to currently survive, a pristine low-mileage example can still be obtained for under $15,000, with the rare '89-'90 16 valve models being the most collectible. Check the current CPI & NADA Collectible Guide values on the TC Resale Page.
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