History will undoubtedly paint Lido “Lee” Iacocca as one of the greats of American automotive history. His successes at Ford and his ability to dig Chrysler out of a financial black hole that threatened to reduce “The Big Three” to “The Surviving Two” can never be understated. However, his triumphs had much to do with his background in sales and his innate understanding of the consumer landscape. His ability to take an existing model and sprinkle it with “automotive tinsel” drew buyers into showrooms. One of his greatest successes was the Lincoln Continental Mark III, which the company developed from the existing underperforming Thunderbird. The K-Car platform was his baby at Chrysler, and it was from this humble base that cars like this 1984 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Mark Cross emerged. This is an original survivor that is solid and roadworthy. It has a few needs, but the winning bidder could enjoy the vehicle immediately, using the upcoming winter months to address its shortcomings. The LeBaron is listed here on eBay in De Pere, Wisconsin. Bidding sits at a modest $1,800 in a No Reserve auction.
Chrysler introduced its K-Car platform in 1981 to produce a diverse range of vehicles across its various marques. The LeBaron derivative emerged in 1982, with the company offering it in four body styles. Our feature car is a 1984 LeBaron Town & Country Mark Cross Edition that can be considered a survivor. It isn’t perfect, but its new owner could enjoy what it offers immediately. Addressing its shortcomings would be an excellent way to while away the colder winter months. Its original owner ordered it in Pearl White, with the paint retaining a pleasant shine. There are no significant defects, and the faux woodgrain looks excellent for a vehicle of this vintage. The panels are straight, and the Beige power top is free from rips and other issues. The underside shots confirm this classic is rock-solid, although the seller admits there is corrosion in the lower rear quarter panels and lower doors. The excellent images supplied by the seller confirm the areas are patchable, and thankfully, they don’t encroach upon the woodgrain. The trim and glass are acceptable for a survivor, as are the aluminum wheels.
Powering this LeBaron is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that benefits from turbocharging to produce 140hp and 160 ft/lbs of torque. The three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes reinforce the car’s luxury leanings. The transmission is probably this classic’s weakest point for those considering performance. When ordered with a five-speed manual transmission, the ’84 Daytona Turbo used the same engine to cover the ¼-mile in 16.3 seconds. The LeBaron took 17.9 seconds to complete the same journey. Some readers will rightly point out that most LeBaron buyers were more concerned about luxury than performance, and they would be right. However, it makes you wonder how much better these cars would have been if fitted with a four-speed automatic. They were available when this vehicle rolled off the line, and adopting one would have improved performance and fuel economy. This Convertible is unmodified and is in good mechanical health. The seller states it runs and drives as it should, with no vices or issues.
The Iacocca touch is apparent when you examine the comfort and convenience features loaded into this LeBaron’s interior. It is equipped with leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power top, a power driver’s seat, a funky “Star Wars” style digital gauge display, remote mirrors, a remote trunk release, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player. Further helping this car’s cause is the overall condition, with no signs of significant damage or abuse on any surfaces. There is no evidence that UV rays have impacted the plastic, dash, or pad, and there are no aftermarket additions. The only flaws worth noting are the seller’s indication that the A/C is inoperative and the wheel sports some wear. However, a high-quality conditioner might bring the wheel back from the edge.
This 1984 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Mark Cross Convertible would have cost its original owner around $16,500 when they drove it off the showroom floor. That equates to approximately $48,500 today, confirming it was a significant investment. If it were a perfect low-mileage example, it could potentially be worth $6,500 on a good day. However, it is neither of those things. It is a tidy and solid survivor with relatively minor needs. I believe the bidding might climb beyond $2,500, but it won’t be by much if it does. If you have been searching for a drop-top with a touch of luxury, this LeBaron could be an affordable candidate.
I think it was once owned by John Voight.
Check the glove box for a pencil with bite marks on it
Dittos… George Costanza never had it so good! LOL
“Toad, is that you in that beautiful car? Jeez, what a waste of machinery”
I’d be all over one of these if I could find this or the 600 version. Super-low mile high-option. I had a K-Car and laugh if you will, but it was comfortable, good on gas, cheap to fix. It never pretended to be a performance car. It did what it was supposed to do very well.
A fake-wood sided convertible.
Frankly…I don’t get it. I know the full history – of the wooden station-wagons; of the shift to steel bodies (which should have been an obvious move, 20 years before it did happen) and then the nod to history, a la Country Squire and variants.
And of course the postwar Town & Country models, also convertibles, also fake (or, was it real?) wood sides. No matter. Those were cars that made little practical sense then, and to recreate them with synthetic materials 40 years later, makes no more sense.
Nice car; and I can feel sympathy/attraction to the various K-car derivatives. The K was important, significant, and good in its time. But someone with memory of wood-bodied cars of the 1940s….is somewhere between ancient and nursing-home, now. I don’t have those memories, and I’m no spring chicken.
GLWTA.
Iacocca did have a good feel for the market (Mustang), but his other “accomplishments” are questionable: Fords slathered with overdone trim, the third world K car* and that awful Chrysler/Maserati.
*Unless you’re satisfied by fake wood, a lengthened “limousine”, or the Frank Sinatra edition
Ok, this is transportation not a classic..
A trip to any local new car dealer will shock you into understanding that the hustled Fees, taxes and add ons themselves would approach the sale tag for this K car.
This is transportation, not a hobby or car show darling.
2 – 3 year old used cars today are not much more affordable.
That is before the financing which is no picnic.
Bargain. Just my opinion – decent shape and for very little investment.
I would drive it to save money, right?
Possibly, one of the ugliest American cars, ever produced. But, when your target market was 65+ years old? Maybe Chrysler thought it was good marketing.
I kinda think it would be a fun car just to cruise around with the top down when we still have some summer weather left, but every time I see one of these I’m reminded of the john candy, Steve Martin movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Golly gee Ethel it’s still in the crate!
These K-car convertibles got cheap at the perfect time for my son’s first cars. A $3000 Town &Country for the oldest and a $2500 Dodge 600 for son #2. Both were turbos, but not fast, but sporty enough for a young driver. Both had the Mark Cross leather, which wore like iron and were extremely comfortable. Great cars for a new driver, albeit in the time before airbags and other safety features.
there’s nother car (not wagon) that looked pretty good (‘better’ is opinion, & actually mine) w/the panels. Was it a ’67 boat tailed Marlin? Mahogany would B nice w/a drk blue; white w/this’un.
Turbo’n frnt wheel drive?
I used a fleet of K cars for livery service (contracts, ‘packages’, ppl) as the ol dart’n valiant waggys (225 slant6) were rusting out… that was B4 the french gota hold ’em.
I have no idea what the appeal was to these cars. Nevertheless, my parents bought a slightly used one as an extra family car back in the 80s – mostly to be driven by us kids. I’d say the only redeeming quality of having owned the “woody convertible” is that all these years later my brother and my sister and I still love to laugh about that car and text each other photos whenever we see one in person or like this, advertised for sale.
Beautiful car.
How would Lee feel today to see what the company he saved has become.
With Stellantis in control, I fear Chrysler will soon be history,
Sad.