Everyone deserves an opportunity to spoil themselves, and classic car enthusiasts are no exception. While some focus on performance vehicles, others prefer to live life at a more sedate pace. If you fall into the latter category, this 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue deserves a close look. It is a two-owner survivor with a genuine 28,000 miles showing on its odometer. Its sheltered existence has left it in exceptional condition, meaning it is ready to turn heads and provide a comfortable motoring experience. The seller has listed the Chrysler here on eBay in Toledo, Ohio. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $3,600.
The seller recently purchased this Fifth Avenue, becoming its second owner after it had been part of the same family since rolling off the showroom floor. It carries the hallmarks of a car that has always been treated respectfully, with no glaring faults or shortcomings. The first owners teamed Radiant Silver paint with a matching Landau-style vinyl top and contrasting pinstripes. It creates a classy look that is accentuated by the wire covers for the 15″ wheels. Silver paint has a nasty tendency to become patchy with age, but there are no such problems with this Chrysler. It retains a deep shine, and any imperfections are insignificant. The vinyl is in as-new condition, the panels are laser-straight, and there are no rust problems. The paint is complemented by chrome which is equally impressive, and the glass is clear.
The “Gray” theme continues inside this Chrysler, with its interior trimmed in vinyl and Kimberley cloth. Once again, there is little justifying criticism. The seller recently splashed $1,800 on a new headliner and other interior trim items, and the results justify the expense. There is no significant wear or evidence of abuse. The sun hasn’t exacted a high toll on the plastic, and the bright trim is in good order. It is also quite lavishly equipped by the standards of the day, with the buyer receiving air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
Chrysler adopted a “one size fits all” approach to the 1987 Fifth Avenue’s mechanical specifications. Buyers received a 318ci V8, a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The 318 generates 150hp and 265 ft/lbs of torque, making the Chrysler relatively energetic by the standards of the day. However, this classic had been laid low for a few years due to an identified mechanical issue. The seller traced the problem to the fuel pump and has returned this classic to active service. They say that it starts, runs, and drives like a new car. They don’t mention verifying evidence for the odometer reading, although the car’s ownership history means that it might exist. Otherwise, this is a classic that the winning bidder can enjoy immediately.
Finding anything to criticize about this 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue is challenging, which helps to explain why it has attracted twenty-four bids. The current bid figure sits at around the market average, but if the odometer reading is verifiable, the price could climb significantly. I found a recent successful sale for a similar vehicle with a lower reading for $15,000, but I don’t believe this Chrysler will reach that level. What do you feel would be a fair price for this classic?
Beautiful cars. Great model the 5th Avenue. One of the best bang for the buck in luxury, reliability. 🇺🇸
Before we found each other, my ex had bought an ’88 Fifth Avenue new, dark gray, fully loaded…she even had an aftermarket sun roof added…I remember it as being a designer edition, probably Mark Cross…great lookin’ car, nice to drive or to just sit in…years after, she still regretted sellin’ it and even tried (to no avail) to find another…
This looks like a sweet ride. I had two of these mid sized Mopars, 78 LeBaron and 87 5th Ave. Two of the nicest and most dependable cars I ever Owned. If I wasn’t chest deep in cars now, I’d be tempted.
Replaced a power window motor in one years ago.
Got the door apart, and the original motor housing had the embossed Chrysler Plymouth Dodge DeSoto logo on it.
I never rode in one, but I did sit in one of these, and the pillow-top seat was a pleasure. These used to be everywhere. I would enjoy one, I hope it finds a good home.
Had an 85 like this for 41/2 years. Paid $400 for it (no, it wasn’t quite this nice). That said it was always reliable, extremely comfortable, and despite being less than cosmetically perfect, attracted lots of positive comments. It even handled pretty well for its intended purpose. You could hustle it easily if you had the nerve. The “Ghetto Sled” / “The Mighty 5A” / “Pimp Mobile” made way for something less, well, old, when our youngest needed a college car. We still miss it, still comes up regularly on conversation. Her high school classmates circa 2013 loved the dang thing. If you have the extra money, pounce on this one.
I drove a Plymouth version of this, not as fancy – mine had crank windows and no A/C. Caravelle up here, In the States they called it a Gran Fury.
Super reliable, safe, roomy. Big trunk. It was my first car and bought from a government agency. We nicknamed it Bill Maxwell because it looked identical to a Dodge Diplomat driven by the FBI guy in the Greatest American Hero TV show.
How they managed to drive Plymouth out of business when they made cars that solid I don’t know.
This 5th Avenue is a cherry and alas, too far for me.
Right on Johnny. Love the Caravelle model. That was the beauty of these 5th avenues too. You could load em up w the HD cop car parts if the mood strikes.
When I did upholstery repair in the 80s one of my best customers was a Chrysler Plymouth dealer a and that’s where I did some work on a couple of Caravelles.
My 83 and 85 Fifth Avenues (both exactly like this) easily held their own with other upscale vehicles I have owned, including Town Cars and RWD FLEETWOODS. Indestructible 318 gave plenty of power and reasonable gas mileage. The formal roof and overall styling combined with the plush velvet interior felt like driving a rolling Barkalounger. I often regret selling the 85. At the asking price, it is clearly a Bon Marche. 😲.Do I hear OHIO calling?
OK, Rick, all of us minions who were stuck with Olds 98s, Park Avenues, and Chevy Caprices are more than impressed with your stable! Lol! Of course, Angel has us all beat! Hee, hee.
JON! My tastes have ALWAYS been simple. I only want the best 👌. That Includes friends! LOL. 👍. IF anyone has an issue with LOL to you, I distinctly recall a quote Let The Insignificant Whisper!😅 🤣 .BTW where is The Cadillac QUEEN 👸 🤔?
IMO this was the best evolutions of an existing platform.
🎯 💯 Rick good call
Is there 1 blinker & 1 parking light above each headlight – or 2 of each?
What about those below the headlights on the ’58 impala & ’59-’60 cadillac?
It’s been a while, but I think that the lights closest to the grille were parking lights before headlights were used. The outer ones were turn signals. As to Cadillac and Impala, I can’t say.
@JoeNYWF64
As for the ’59/’60 Cadillacs, when the parking lights were turned on all four lights were lit. When the blinkers were engaged only the outer lights blinked.
Again when the parking lights were off only the outer ones blinked.
I’m not familiar with the ’58 Chevy.
Too bad the 76 Volare I bought new wasn’t more like this. That car was just about the absolute worst! Soured me on Chrysler for many years.
Curt, did Chrysler buy you new front fenders? I had a ’77 Volare wagon I used for my upholstery repair business, so I didn’t really care how it looked. I think my fenders had been replaced at some point. Serviceable & durable slant 6. I was surprised to find the distributor gear was plastic.
Collected $900 when a rather fetching car runner backed into me at a dealer and then sold it for $500 to a kid who crossed railroad tracks where there was no road and did a number on the underside. Of course he was drunk. LOL! So I got my purchase price back.
IDK, I thought these were RWD and the engine photo seems to support that, but some web article said they were FWD? if it is a rear driver definitely worth anything south of ten grand. I liked the Dodge version, brutal looking. From where I’m at I could Uber to Toledo and drive this beast home.
To FOX. These Fifth Avenues were RWD. I think the last year for them was 88 or 89. Then Fifth Avenue, New Yorker, and Imperial names were moved to FWD stretched Kcars.
I had an 87 5th Ave, it was dark blue, with dark blue velour seats. It was a good car but I did have to get the transmission rebuilt at about 120K miles. One thing most might not notice, inside the gas door was a notice that read “Premium fuel recommended”. It would spark knock on regular. I loved it for almost 150K but gave in to the new car bug and bought a Cadillac. If there is any negative thing about eighties Chrysler cars it’s that some parts are not available anymore.
The two Chevvies, the Jag, and this car are “nice” cars. As in “Uncle Bob bought a nice car.” No other superlatives apply. Poor Uncle Bob, he thinks he’s in the hobby now. Well, almost….
Nice car, personally I think current bid is in line with its value so I would be curious what the reserve or dream price the seller wants for it. This would make a good spring and summer car for where I live but fall and winter you need to have 4×4 or all wheel drive unless you like putting tire chains on and off
Similar experience. ‘86 Dodge company car. That Mitsubishi engine really held up.
My dad was a Chrysler man, but a long six years with a ‘69 Polara resulted in his turning to a Granada Ghia then two Cutlass Supremes. Then he bought a Fifth Ave just like this one, and he was back to Chrysler for good. This is a very nice car.
This is a sweet Fifth Ave. I had a New Yorker some time in the 80,s. Bought it brand new it was front wheel drive. It had a Mitsubishi 4 cylinder engine. It had the talking notifications like if a door wasn’t closed tight it would say a door is ajar. It was a great comfortable car. The styling and interior were classy and I was never ashamed to park it next to a caddie or Lincoln. To the seller GLWTA and to the buyer enjoy
Do not buy if you live in Arizona. The sun eats them up. Repainted at 2 years back seat upholstery at 3 years. Great ride but the silver exterior and grey interior are not sun friendly.
The underside of this car looks like it just rolled out of the dealer’s lot.
Super nice!
PRA4SNW. 👍 Especially NOW! We need to 🙏 .Happy Thanksgiving!
@JoeNYWF64
As for the ’59/’60 Cadillacs, when the parking lights were turned on all four lights were lit. When the blinkers were engaged only the outer lights blinked.
Again when the parking lights were off only the outer ones blinked.
I’m not familiar with the ’58 Chevy.
Man, those seats look soooo comfy!
Those seats are extremely comfortable! See my original post. Like driving your most comfortable chair.
@Rick W
Never having been a Chrysler person (except for Imperials) I don’t know too much about them. Not at all versed in 50s Mopars or 60s. Just a little of 70s because I owned a 1971 Imperial LeBaron coupe.
As for 80s I know nothing! Hated pretty much all cars of the 80s. They were small, square, boxy & alot had “formal” roofs which were even more boxy. This includes Ford & GM. So I really can’t comment on this car. Never drove one or ridden in one. The closest I’ve ever gotten to an ’87 Chrysler is a 1982 Dodge. Those were nice cars and not formal or boxy.
Sorry I couldn’t help.
ANGEL 😇. Like PACKARD once said, Ask the Man Who Owns One. I had two. Although slightly smaller than Cadillac (which for me, the RWD FLEETWOODS were the ONLY real Cadillacs) those Fifth Avenues were surprisingly roomy. I really preferred the Formal look. But to each his (or HER) own. As always LOL. Let us all Give Thanks for friends here in the BARN and elsewhere, and so many blessings. God bless America 🇺🇸, Land of the FREE, because of the BRAVE. BTW, I understand there is an abundance of Turkeys this year. Gobble! Gobble! 😉
Is Wiki in error where it mentions that for 1982–1989, the M-body years were only avail with 3 speed auto transes?! Very strange & hard to believe with rising CAFE stds.
Like Seville, another lux car that was 4 door only.
yep, no od. they also didn’t get past lean burn carbs and into fuel injection.
the 3spds did get a hydraulic actuated lock up converter which did help some.
my grand fury though no where near as cushy would break 20 mpg if i was paying attention and not heading up into the white mountains, with the same 3i8 lean burn.
man o man this one is real tempting
SOLD for $8,200.
WOW! The buyer got a fantastic car at a great price 👍.