{"id":47109,"date":"2026-03-04T13:24:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T12:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italpassion.fr\/?p=47109"},"modified":"2026-03-03T14:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T13:42:09","slug":"35-years-ago-chrysler-was-already-selling-a-car-with-a-maserati-engine-assembled-in-italy-and-it-didnt-work-an-air-of-deja-vu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.italpassion.fr\/en\/maserati\/il-y-a-35-ans-chrysler-vendait-deja-une-voiture-avec-un-moteur-maserati-assemblee-en-italie-et-ca-na-pas-marche-un-air-de-deja-vu\/","title":{"rendered":"35 years ago, Chrysler was already selling a car with a Maserati engine assembled in Italy, and it didn't work... d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Illustration Italpassion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Chrysler TC Maserati<\/a> is a two-seater convertible born of a collaboration between the American carmaker Chrysler and the Italian manufacturer Maserati<\/a>. More than thirty years before FCA, Italy and America had already tried the experiment! Produced between 1988 and 1990, it represented an ambitious attempt to combine Italian luxury with American industrial know-how...with very mixed results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chrysler's quest for prestige<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The project was launched in the early 1980s at the instigation of Lee Iacocca, then head of Chrysler. The aim was to improve Chrysler's brand image by offering a top-of-the-range vehicle with a European flair, all through an industrial project that would be quicker and less costly than developing a new model in-house from start to finish. For its part, Maserati was in the process of reawakening from the setbacks that followed Citro\u00ebn's withdrawal in 1975. Alessandro de Tomaso has taken the Trident back into his hands, and the Biturbo is finding its audience, but the support of a major manufacturer is most welcome. De Tomaso and Chrysler boss Lee Iacocca knew each other well, which made it easier for them to work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1984, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to create a sports coup\u00e9, which would eventually take the name \u201cTC\u201d alias \u201cTouring Convertible\u201d. Chrysler also became an investor in Maserati during this period, investing tens of millions of dollars. In 1985, Lee Iacocca declared that this coupe would be \u201cthe prettiest Italian to arrive in the United States since his mother immigrated\u201d. Surely an executive wouldn't say that today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little Maserati, a lot Chrysler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The TC is based on a platform derived from front-wheel-drive Chrysler models, notably the \u201cK-Car\u201d represented by the Dodge Daytona. Despite its premium positioning, it shared several components with other, more affordable Chrysler models. It featured a removable hardtop with side windows (opera windows) and an electric soft top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Three engines were offered. The 2.2L Turbo 4-cylinder (8-valve) developed around 160 hp. This intercooler version, known as Turbo II, was coupled to a three-speed automatic transaxle, before being replaced in 1990 by a Mitsubishi 3.0L V6 producing around 141 hp, coupled to a 4-speed automatic gearbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

500 examples will be fitted with a 2.2L Turbo 16-valve engine producing around 200 hp, with a Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox. This will be the rarest version, and therefore the most sought-after, as this variant is obviously far more pleasant to drive. Why? This engine was considered the \u201cMaserati\u201d version, as it was built by Trident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The cylinder head and valves came from Cosworth (finished in Italy by Maserati), the pistons from Mahle GmbH in Germany, while the camshafts were designed by Florida-based Crane Cams and manufactured by Maserati in Modena. The bodywork was produced by Innocenti, a De Tomaso subsidiary. Last but not least, the wheels were supplied by Fondmetal, an Italian company that would be present in F1 in the early 90s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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