Chrysler TC - Definition and Overview

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 was intended as a halo car for the Chrysler brand, but its humble K-car underpinnings and fumbled launch hurt its reputation. Only 7,300 TCs had been made (by hand in Milan, Italy) when it was cancelled in 1991.

The 1989 TC used a special turbocharged K-car engine. 500 special '89s came with a Getrag manual transmission and a hotter 16-valve Cosworth head. The 2.2 was replaced by a Mitsubishi-sourced V6 for 1990 and 1991.

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

The floor pan is based on the LeBaron GTC with suspension and axles from that car and the Daytona. 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.