“The prestigious 1986 Chrysler Fifth Avenue is perhaps the most elegantly conceived luxury sedan in the world.”, so says a brochure touting the virtues of the rear-drive M-body Chrysler luxury sedans. We haven’t seen an ’86 Fifth Avenue before here on Barn Finds, but this one is posted here on craigslist in Edmonds, Washington and they’re asking $8,400. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for sending in this tip!
We have seen just five examples of Chrysler’s rear-drive Fifth Avenue on Barn Finds and just one of the Y-generation cars that came right after. Although, those had had front-wheel-drive. The 1982 through 1989 M-body cars are old-school cars, as in, having heavy chrome bumpers and rear-wheel-drive. The M-body went back to 1977 so it’s pretty old technology compared to the follow-up front-drive cars, but they’re still my favorites.
Chrysler first used the fancy Fifth Avenue name for a fancy trim level of their fancy R-body New Yorker beginning in 1979. It’s fancy. In this generation of cars, the New Yorker was somewhat similar other than not having opera lights, Fifth Avenue badges on the c-pillars, and hood stripes. In the U.S. market, the Plymouth Gran Fury and Dodge Diplomat were similar, although, not they weren’t as fancy…
Believe it or not, Chrysler used their famous “Corinthian Leather” for more than just their Cordoba line, the Fifth Avenue had it, too. Or, it was available if an owner wanted to pay extra for it over the standard “velvet” seating fabric. This silver velvet (the actual name) interior looks perfect from what I can tell. The seller is very short on photos, but they hit all of the key areas at least, unlike most other craigslist sellers. The back seat looks great as well.
The engine choices were many – just kidding, there was just one engine available, Chrysler’s 318-cu.in. OHV V8, which had 140 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic and the seller says, well, they don’t say a word about how or if it runs, but we assume that it does. They do say that this car has 54,000 miles and it’s all original. Have any of you owned an M-body Fifth Avenue?
You are right Scotty, this thing is…. fancy. I have almost no experience with these, just an observation. By the mid 80’s the move to front-wheel-drive was in full swing, but here we have a definite old-school car. I don’t know this for sure, but my sense is they sold well. Chrysler recognized there still was an audience for this sort of car. Kind of like Ford keeping the Panther platform cars in production for so long.
Nice car, typical verbiage-free Craigslist ad.
As an ex Chrysler salesman in the 80’s I can attest that these did sell very well. Everyone knew these were the last vestige of mushy luxury and there were plenty of middle-aged folk interested in this car. We had no problem selling everyone we got. It was not uncommon for customers to custom-order theirs to get the right color combo.
Compared to a K-Car this was light years ahead (yet behind).
I’ve told this story before.
Replaced a window motor on one around 1995.
Opened up the door and got the old motor housing out, with the all too familiar CPDD logo embossed on it.
Chrysler Plymouth Dodge DeSoto.
Still using up the old housings a full 25 years plus after DeSoto’s demise.
While not my cup of tea, these seem to be well built and reliable. Detroit police used Diplomats (cheap / non-fancy version) for ever.
This is an extremely clean car that would be fun to have but the asking price will scare most people away, and rightfully so. I am 60, and these cars were very common to see as Diplomats, LeBarons, and eventually 5th Avenues. A lot of Police Departments used these as patrol cars with that awful green yellow color. They wanted them to stand out but at the same time a criminal could spot them as well. These were very durable cars and Mopar sold a ton of them. For this reason this car won’t bring a ton of money even though it’s clean as a whistle. Unless someone has a strong emotional tie to one, it’s worth half of what their asking just because of the shape that it’s in.
I was searching through Barn Finds’ older adds pertaining to Chrysler 5th Avenues and surprisingly spotted my Twilight Blue 1987 posted last September here on Barn Finds. I can attest to them being highly quality cars. I never sold my 20,500 mile beauty even when lowering the price to $10,500. I decided to keep the car and enjoying it for what it is. It’s definitely an eye catcher worth keeping.
I purchased a 1987 Fifth Avenue 1.5 years ago with less than 40K original miles. After installing gas shocks (surprisingly the originals were still good) I am amazed at how nice this car drives! It’s smooth, quiet, steady on the road (doesn’t float) and handles quite well given its girth. A glance at the front suspension design gives a strong clue why. I get favorable comments wherever I drive it. It’s nearly as quiet as my Lexus hybrid, has a great sound system, and drives better than most new cars, especially these grey/white generic-looking blobs that we see daily.
Here’s your new car @MikeEhrmantraut
1st thing i think of when seeing these now as well
I get it! LOL!
I sold these new at Van Ness Chrysler in San Francisco. This has to be the plushest seat ever built. You just sink down and never want to leave. As you say this is was a throw back car when it was new. Chrysler had a great way of “updating” old iron back then.
This was my favorite color back then too.
The only thing I’d like more is a Sinatra Edition Fifth Avenue!
I didn’t know they built a Fifth Avenue Sinatra edition. I have an 81′ Chrysler Imperial Frank Sinatra edition. Can’t find anything about the Fifth Avenue.
Why can’t the luxury cars of today come with soft, pillow-top seats like these, instead of hard foam bucket seats that anything and everything comes with today? Luxury used to mean comfort, now it means fast and a stiff ride, as if people routinely fly through slaloms and obstacle courses on their way to work, the store, and church at top speed.
BUT THEY DO FLY THROUGH THE SLALOMS DAILY. at least around my area. at least once a day on my commute to and from work (6 whole miles each way) some one races past me on the right to dive all the way across in front of me to make the left turn lane. or races me on the right at the end of the right lane ends merge left.
this is a sweet sweet ride and a fair price. but i am already rotating through 4 vehicles all by my onesies.
Yes and thank you!!!
The cool 😎 thing would be add a few of the top cop 👮♀️ options, sway bars etc
I can’t find Sinatra 5th Ave either. Was one made by Chrysler?
Lovely looking car. I’ve always found the Chrysler 5th Ave. more attractive than either the Dodge Diplomat or the Plymouth Gran Fury of the same vintage. If only more pics were posted of the car. IMHO, you can never post too many photos.
This thing looks just about perfect! Especially the interior! These cars were always SO nice. It’s a matter of what you like. If you like traditional American luxury cars, you’ll definitely like this!
I had one of these for 4 years, great ride and no problems ever. The seats were the best around and it cruised down the highway, very comfortable on long trips. The Canadian salt did a number on it.
I never had a Fifth Avenue, but I did have a ’79 LeBaron station wagon that I bought in 1988 and later an ’85 Plymouth Grand Fury that I bought in 2000. The Fury, like this Fifth Avenue, was in beautiful condition. Both were high-quality, very comfortable, unflagingly dependable cars. I remember converting the Fury to R134 and after that, it would run unbearably cold if you let it. Great cars, all 318s. ‘ Keep thinking I’ll get another one of these days, but one morning I’ll wake up to discover there aren’t any more. I’d be buying it as a daily-use “modern” car. Why not? I agree, the price is a bit rich, but evern at that, what can ya get for $8400 these days?
GLWTS!
Allen
That’s about 6 grand over high end retail,it’s worth right around 25-2750.But then again there’s a sucker born every minute.
I don’t know where you are, but here in the OC Cali, you’d be hard-pressed to find ANY car selling for 25-2750!
Everything costs too much in Cali,i was born and raised there.you still have a smog and vehicle inspection there,ha ha.Im in the business and find better deals than that all day.
You can’t buy a beat up Kia for $2750. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
I live in one of the cheapest car markets in the country,in the last year we sold a clean 2007 ford focus with 128k miles $3000,1999 nissan maxima 75k miles for $2400,very clean.just to give a few examples….gotta know where to look sometimes
You think it’s worth around $2500 to $2750? Seriously? Cars must be pretty cheap where you live. Most everywhere else, for $2500 you’re lucky to find a car that starts, stops, and runs. This 5th Avenue may not bring $8,400…but it’s certainly worth a lot more that you seem to think.
I thought they stopped making them in 1983, when they retooled the plant for the minivan.
They transferred it to the old Missouri Truck (Later renamed St plant 2 and then St Louis South)for the 1984 model year.
I’m certain that the majority of these ended up on rental fleets. Chrysler took a loss on them probably as they were 4 to 6 month dirt cheap leases and then auctioned off. We advertised them for $30 a day. In 87 or 88 we had a dozen of these, all white for wedding season (I believe Budget was promoting Lincolns for $35 or 40 at the same time). Not an entertaining car to drive but if sensory deprivation is your thing, it’s a good car.
I owned an 83 and 88 5th ave and can safely say they were the most comfortable cars I ever owned. Not too big not too small. Decent mileage.eccellent motors would love to have another if I didn’t already have enough toys.
“The prestigious 1986 Chrysler Fifth Avenue is perhaps the most elegantly conceived luxury sedan in the world.”, HA! It’s a Diplomat, formerly Aspen/Volare, formerly Dart/Valiant in a Sharkskin suit. An overstyled, under engineered, poorly built piece of crap. A Town Car or Sedan deVille, even a Grand Marquis or Caprice LS was a much better car. No shortage of hubris at Chrysler in those days…
Did you EVER own one? A piece of crap? Not by a long shot.
I had the same car. The car rode like a top. Would cruse to 90 if you were not paying attention to the speedo. They had the first in roller cams. It had the Lean burn computer system that many cars had issues with, but I had mine for 17 years with no problem with it. Zero rust. The interior was plush but the plastic parts were a problem, along with the headliner falling. Well worth the asking price if all is well.
Not formally a Valiant/Dart at all. Totally different platform ; only the engines/trans were the same ; which shows how little you know about these cars
My dad had an 1988 and it rode like it was on a cloud… I have a 2011 Cadillac DTS with about the same miles and the 5th Ave rides better. The Cadillac is more quite while driving and it would run circles around the Chrysler.
My next-door neighbor had one of these several years ago. He bought it used after someone creamed his Crown Vic and totaled it. I rode in it several times, and the ride was every bit as good as my mother’s 1970 Buick Wildcat. Naysayers will say this car was a piece of garbage, but from what I saw and experienced, this was an extremely nice car. I’d certainly be interested in seeing this one up close and personal.
I used to detail cars for people privately and for a Ford dealer. I would see these from time to time. It was obvious that it was a dressed up Volare’. However, they were quiet, rode well, and outside of the “lean burn system” were reliable. I remember that some people who had problems took it off. The 318 was always a good engine. It was easy to work on and parts were cheap. It cost less than its competitors and didn’t look bad either. As for the price, car prices can be based on where you live and other factors. Where I am, people want this money for used Hyundai’s with super high miles and classic car prices are much higher than this. This would sell for close to asking price in my area.
At the time they were considered a very nice plush ride, actually a very pretty car at the time of introduction. I always wanted one but never bought one. My brother owned one and he loved it. If the car is clean/excellent I’d say it’s a lot of metal for the money. The right buyer is going to love it. Rust free and low miles is the key.
We bought a new 87 Grand Fury Salon in this same color when I was with my first wife.Nice car,318,torqueflite,RWD,whats not to like.But after 3-4 years,the padded vinyl roof,and the famous Chrysler clear coat dropped dead and looked like shit!Being in the Automotive Business we took it apart,stripped off the padded roof and repainted it and left off the top.Put on a set of police wheels and caps and she kept it until 2003 and bought a PT Cruiser which in my opinion is a hearse for a midget!
They transferred it to the old Missouri Truck (Later renamed St plant 2 and then St Louis South)for the 1984 model year.