Despite the call for downsizing and fuel efficiency, ’80s luxury car buyers remembered the days when bigger was always better. Chrysler knew some shoppers wanted drive wheels in the rear and a V8 up front, and M-body cars like this sharp white sedan represented its last such platform. This 1986 Chrysler Fifth Avenue in Curtis Park, Colorado accumulated a mere 72,000 miles in 40 years, according to the description here on Craigslist. Though not perfect, the ’80s cruiser looks ready for a night on the town with shiny white paint and comfy-looking red velour seats. Thanks to reader Mike F. for spotting this flashy formal sedan. The $12,000 asking price demands close attention to detail, so let’s take a look.
The classy dash presents more gauges than idiot lights, and plenty of shiny bits. Look at that control panel on the driver’s door. Now that’s luxury! I own one of these, and other than wishing the power seat went further rearward, the interior offers everything you need for running errands or knocking out a 300 mile trip. Despite the three-speed automatic with no overdrive, the economy-minded rear axle gears help get 20+ MPG from the two-barrel V8.
The half-vinyl roof and chrome trim pair with aluminum alloy snowflake wheels (an individual option or part of the two-tone package), blending traditional and contemporary luxury cues. My ’86 Fifth Avenue has the optional heavy duty suspension which handles more tightly than the similar design (transverse front torsion rods and rear leaf springs) used on my 1981 Imperial. If the Fifth Avenue had the same power as my 2006 BMW 750Li, the better driver would be the deciding factor between the two.
While offering less horsepower than modern 1.xL turbo four-cylinders, the 318 cid (5.2L) V8 makes up for it with low-RPM torque. I have a 5.9 Magnum and four-speed AOD swap in mind, but honestly these cars do fine in normal driving, operating quietly and confidently around town, on the highway, and two-lane travel. Mopar legend Steve Dulcich built up a similar car for his wife to the tune of 335 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque. That will do just fine.
Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler shared this basic grille for years, with many M-body units built as fleet cars for police and taxi service. They absorb abuse and rack up miles with minimal fuss, and few classics are cheaper to keep on the road. Where does this tidy Fifth Avenue rank on your list of sub-$15,000 luxury classics?
My 1986 Chrysler Fifth Avenue. It’s a local 95k car and I’m the third owner. I’ll build it up a bit then it will replace the gorgeous but super-frustrating ’06 BMW 750 for long trips with more than two people.
That is such a nice car, Todd! Here’s another view that I took last October when I popped over for a visit.
If this posts twice I apologize.
Thats a really nice Fifth Ave you have there Todd. I can’t blame you one bit for using it on a road trip. Those seats are probably one of the most comfortable to come out of that era. I’m with Bob, I like the black and silver a lot. Thats just really nice. I hope you gave Scotty a ride!!!
Nice rims 👍 😎
Just plain beautiful car!
No matter how nice it looks, it’s pricey. There is a lot of competition from other mid to full sized 4dr American sedans from that era for significantly less money, that is going to make this a tough sell.
Fix the AC and power window, if a car is priced for perfection you need to deliver.
Steve R
There can’t be too many people willing to spend anywhere near 12K for one of these.
Drop the ask in half and it might sell.
The white one looks nice. But your black/silver one Todd looks really good. Thanks for letting us take a look.
My grandpa had an 84 that was white with blue velour. I still miss that car
I remember these brand new on the showroom floor. The leather interior was the best. Image being in a new 1986 5th Ave with a 225 6 cylinder. I drove one and I can out beat it running! 🤣 They did offer but I forgot what year a 318-4 bbl which was very quick. The 318 was a best dependable V8 Mother Mopar made. This one forsale I have a issue. For $12,000.00 everything should be working!!! Or drop the price to $8,500.00. That’s my opinion. Yes its in great shape…. I knew somebody with a clean 87 or 85 5th Ave. Change the drive train. 360-4 making around 400hp and beefed up the trans and fixed up the rear end with posi unit with 3.55 gears. Yes that mother was fast and could smoke those tires. Miss the old days. 😔 Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
not seeing the 12k value here. maybe 6k.
Remember these cars well and this one looks in really nice overall condition. Not the best photography by any means and I personally would have nixed putting the whole Grand Master B stereo system in it. The 318ci was one of Chrysler’s best and having had one myself can attest to it’s durability. I think his asking price is definitely pegged to high, and for $12k EVERYTHING should be working perfectly on it.
I spent alot of time in the police version that mty Dad bought at the state auction. He got it with 150,000 miles for $1,800 and had it for 15 years. I even used it for an illegal road rally/race. And because it looked like an unmarked police car (spot lights, antennas) I was the only one to not get my keys confiscated by the Nevada Highway Patrol. One of the things that I have found out about these cars is that they really respond nicely to KYB Gas Adjust shocks. It makes a big difference with the ride and handling. Just say’n.
I had a 1986, for a number of years.
The only thing nasty about it was the digital speedometer. The dash panel did not like cold weather, sharp right hand turns, and trips less than 2 miles. The 2 miles were necessary before the dash would start working. The dash panel was replaced under warranty about 7 times after that I just accepted whenever it didnt work.
The rear suspension was changed to leaf springs at 175,000 miles. The driver back of seat broke, so I had it welded into position. Estimated mileage when sold was 625,000 miles. The milage could have been more except the oddometer was digital as well.
Sold it for $300
Nice write up Todd and nice 5th Avenue!
As a teenager, I used to have a 1982 5th Ave that my dad gave me because he got his dream car which was a Lincoln town car. With like 500 bucks in my pocket to burn in the summertime, I bought a Holley 600 CFM carburetor and a Weiand dual plane intake and popped it on the engine and it really woke up the engine. Slapped Holley and Weiand stickers on the front fenders for an extra 5hp! Added driving lights too. Still looked stock with the wire wheel covers. I wrapped the Lean Burn computer system in a towel and just left it bouncing around on the driver side valve cover because every time I unplugged it the card died. What did I know? I was only like 17 years old. After the catalytic converter, there is a welded straight pipe that goes into the muffler. I took off the muffler and everything behind it and put a Y pipe from our good old buddy JC Whitney and use some of their flexible exhaust pipe and made side exit exhaust exiting just before the rear wheels so basically after the converter, it was just straight pipe and it sounded like a raspy IROC- Z Camaro. I loved it! Added an extra helper leaf spring which helped the handling. The Holley started to give me trouble so I had a Rochester quadratic carburetor lying around and given that I didn’t change the cam or anything internally the smaller primaries actually gave it a little more kick off the line. I manually shifted that 904 transmission and with the four barrel installed, I could do 55 miles an hour in first gear. It was a blast to drive that car and I missed it but I traded it in eventually in 1990 for a current year used 1990 Acura Integra GS. That 5th Ave was the last rear wheel drive car I had and I miss it so much!
Chrysler was really patched together when Lee took it over. We recognize all the platforms spawned from the vulnerable K-car but this was their only other car. Everything was a derivative of the M-body. Trucks stood alone and would soon need an update or simply fade away. The person who bought these wanted value and that’s what they got. A warmed over Volare that had more than adequate performance and handling. I’d drive it in a minute.