In the late 1980s, everyone was lusting after Ferrari's magic. And who wouldn't? They were producing the loudest, baddest, and most powerful supercars in the world. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that American automakers sought to compete. One of the boldest attempts came from an unlikely source. Chrysler, known more for family sedans than exotic convertibles, set out to build a car with Italian blood and American confidence.This unique convertible was hand-finished in Milan, sold in U.S. showrooms, and pitched as Detroit's answer to Ferrari flair. It didn't exactly change the world, but decades later, this forgotten experiment still sparks curiosity for gearheads who love a quirky car that dared to be an underdog. Buckle up, because you're about to meet Chrysler's forgotten sports car with Ferrari DNA. Not Even Italian Craftsmanship Could Save The Chrysler TC From Flopping via Bring A Trailer In the late '80s, Chrysler decided it wanted a little slice of Italian performance. Under CEO Lee Iacocca, the company teamed up with Maserati to create something exotic enough to elevate Chrysler's image. The idea was to create a luxury two-seater that could flirt with Ferrari in spirit, if not in performance.The result was the Chrysler TC by Maserati, a car that looked like a love child of Detroit practicality and Italian craftsmanship. The TC was a hand-finished grand tourer aimed squarely at rivals like the Cadillac Allanté and Mercedes-Benz SL. And while there's no definitive statement by Chrysler clearly spelling out what "TC" stands for, evidence indicates it's probably an acronym for Turbo Convertible or Touring Convertible.via Bring A Trailer The TC was built in Maserati's Milan factory from 1989 to 1991. Only about 7,300 units were ever produced across the TC's three-year production run, with about 3,764 examples leaving the production line for 1989 (Hemmings). This makes the TC one of the rarest vehicles Chrysler ever sold.Not only was the TC rare, but it was also special. Each one came with an Italian-stitched leather interior, real burl wood trim, and a power hardtop. Of course, these features were quite luxurious for the 1980s and indeed hinted at European aspirations. But what made the TC so intriguing was its engineering backstory. Under The Hood Of The Chrysler TC By Maserati via Bring A Trailer Chrysler TC By Maserati Specs For all its Italian flair, the Chrysler TC by Maserati didn't hide an actual Ferrari V8 under the hood. However, it came surprisingly close in spirit. You see, Chrysler’s engineers collaborated with Maserati to create a hand-finished Italian-built convertible with luxury touches, and the DOHC engine reflects European grand-touring influence rather than Ferrari-level performance.via Bring A Trailer In 1989, the TC launched with a 2.2L Turbo II engine, which produced around 160 horsepower. But the real gem came in 1990, with the 2.2L Chrysler DOHC 16-valve turbo, assembled by Maserati in Italy, often referred to as the "Maserati DOHC Turbo." It featured forged pistons, stainless valves, and a unique head design developed by Chrysler with Maserati assembly, influenced by European racing technology. Despite its modest displacement, the car could sprint to 60 mph in roughly 7 seconds, which was a respectable performance metric for a front-drive luxury convertible in 1990.via Bring A Trailer By 1991, Chrysler added an optional 3.0-liter Mitsubishi V6, offering smoother torque delivery but without the exotic European DOHC engineering that made the early TC special. The Maserati-assembled DOHC turbo was produced in roughly 500 examples, instantly making it the most collectible version of the car today.Even if it never truly challenged Ferrari, the TC's drivetrain showed Chrysler's ambition to create a transatlantic grand tourer with European craftsmanship and American durability. It may not have had a prancing horse on the hood, but under its Italian-stitched leather sat an engine with genuine Maserati assembly and European-influenced engineering. The Chrysler TC By Maserati Is Ridiculously Affordable Today via Bring A Trailer The 1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati debuted with a sticker price of about $33,000 in the United States. Chrysler was looking to position its international creation as a premium convertible from an American brand with an Italian pedigree. While it didn't actually share a Ferrari V8, Chrysler wanted the TC to embody that same Italian heritage, high style, and exclusivity. And, surprisingly, it came pretty close.Unfortunately, the TC hit the market two years late and looked too much like the cheaper LeBaron Convertible sitting in the same showroom. Simply put, the TC was too expensive for Chrysler buyers and too bland for European enthusiasts. Thus, production numbers dropped sharply each year as Chrysler realized there simply wasn’t a market for its Ferrari-inspired convertible. 2025 Market Value: Here's How Much A Chrysler TC by Maserati Costs Today Source: Classic.com, J.D. PowerFast-forward a little over three decades, and the market tells a new story about this forgotten Ferrari-inspired convertible. Classic.com puts the average auction price across all Chrysler TC by Maserati models at just $7,191. Over the last five years, the top sale recorded sits at $19,250, while the lowest sale to be recorded is just $1,100.Today, the TC trades firmly in the "discount exotic" bucket, selling way below its original cost and far below what was expected at launch. Sure, Chrysler's "Ferrari of the Midwest" seems like a total failure, but that doesn't mean it's lost all of its appeal.via Bring A Trailer There are plenty of reasons why a gearhead would still want to get their hands on the wheel of the forgotten "Ferrari of the Midwest." For one, the TC is incredibly rare. With only around 7,300 units produced in its three-year run, the TC is among the rarest Chrysler-badged convertibles of that era.Then there's its Italian craftsmanship. The TC was hand-finished in Milan by Maserati, with design cues and luxury bits you simply can't find in an American car from this era. Lastly, there's the TC's value proposition. For under $10,000, lucky gearheads can buy an Italian-finished convertible with luxury features for what some spend on boring daily-driver sedans.The TC may have flopped commercially, but that makes it a wildcard pick. At the end of the day, it's got that underdog appeal that offers fun, rarity, and a story rather than a generic status. For the pragmatic buyer, it's a cheap way into a convertible with exotic flair. For the collector, it's an overlooked chapter of Chrysler's performance and luxury ambition. Other Ferrari-Inspired Machines From The Era During a time of innovation, Chrysler wasn't the only brand looking to chase Ferrari's mystique and inject Italian DNA into its own masterpiece. Back then, American and European automakers alike were obsessed with capturing the same blend of that made Ferrari the ultimate status symbol. Like the TC, two cars that shared that ambitious dream were the Cadillac Allanté and the De Tomaso Pantera. Meet The Cadillac Allanté: Detroit's Italian Love Affair GMProduced from 1987 to 1993, the Cadillac Allanté was America's other Italian-built luxury roadster. This luxury convertible was designed by Pininfarina in Turin, the same studio responsible for some of Ferrari's most beautiful shapes.Cadillac wanted a world-class rival for the Mercedes SL and Ferrari Mondial, so it flew completed Allanté bodies from Italy to Detroit in specially modified Boeing 747s for final assembly.Despite its hand-built quality and European styling, critics said it lacked the soul to compete with true Italian sports cars.Still, its craftsmanship and rarity give it a nostalgic allure today. The average auction price across all model years sits at just $10,761 today (Classic.com). Over the last five years, the top sale recorded has been $40,700, while the lowest sits at just $2,000. Now, like the TC, that's a far cry from its original starting price in 1989 of $54,700. Meet The De Tomaso Pantera: The Real Ferrari Fighter Collecting CarsIf the Allanté and TC hinted at Ferrari, the De Tomaso Pantera came for its throat. Born from Italy's De Tomaso Automobili and powered by a Ford 351 Cleveland V8, the Pantera combined raw American torque with exotic Italian design.Produced from 1971 to 1992, this sports car was brutally fast, loud, and temperamental. Plus, unlike Chrysler or Cadillac, the De Tomaso Pantera got the recipe right with its Italian/American partnership. You see, this mid-engine sports car was everything a Ferrari was, but with more muscle. The Pantera proved that a transatlantic hybrid could genuinely rival Maranello's best.Unlike the TC or the Allanté, the Pantera actually continues to be a commercial success, too. The average auction price across all model years is a staggering $112,282. Over the last five years, the top sale recorded came in at $330,000, while the lowest was only $756. Of course, originality, mileage, and overall condition play a significant role in how much these classic cars fetch on the auction block.Whether it was Chrysler, Cadillac, or De Tomaso, each automaker's attempt proved one thing: even if you couldn't build a Ferrari, you could still dream like one.Sources: Chrysler, Classic.com, Hemmings, J.D. Power.