It seems like there was a cottage industry in the 1980s that sprung up around converting smaller, mid-sized sedans into limousines. This was the first taste of the phenomenon known as “baller on a budget”, which is a polite way of saying the big leagues were out of your reach but you still wanted to look like you had made it. Now, I suppose I shouldn’t be so judgmental, as this Chrysler LeBaron does an admirable job of providing classy executive transport with a smaller form factor that likely makes it legions easier to navigate around town. Find it here on eBay with bids to $5,532 and the reserve unmet.
Now, I’m sure there was a more logical reason for building limos out of smaller cars than simply appeasing buyers who wished to spend less money. There was obviously a lot of attention being paid to selling more economical cars and that extended to vehicles used in a livery capacity. Not unlike the GMC motorhome, I could see a selling point also being how much easier it was to park a limousine the size of the LeBaron versus a Town Car.
Now, unlike some limo conversions where all the money went to stretching the car and nothing else significant happened, this LeBaron appears to have a true limo-like interior. Whichever aftermarket company built this car actually took the time to make you feel as if the pint-sized limo experience didn’t suffer as a result once you were inside. Tufted velour seats with a moonroof, courtesy lights, handsome (fake) wood trim, and a quilted headliner are all upscale touches found in this LeBaron.
The cushions in the above photo drop down to provide seating for four guests in the passenger compartment. This LeBaron is also unique for being powered by the optional Mitsubishi 2.6L four-cylinder engine, which was known to be a fairly reliable mill when it was originally offered. The condition overall is quite nice, and the seller claims the previous owner bought it from the Petersen Museum – does anyone ever recall seeing a LeBaron limo offered as an exhibit? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jim Pete for the find.
Limo? This is still smaller than a 75 Sedan de Ville!
Everything is smaller than a 75 Sedan de Ville. (Almost everything.)
Ya have to admit, it took some real stones to make an executive cruiser out of that
lol….
I know, seems an oxymoron, a K car limo, but we’ve seen one before here. Scotty wrote one up couple years back. It would seem almost a joke, to arrive at some gala event amongst the Lambos and RR limos, to show up in this. Struggling actor with a minor part, maybe, but in Hollywood, you just never know. Lee Iacocca had one, ol’ blue eyes had one, that I believe was a gift from Iacocca, and a hit in some 3rd world country, but really, normally a big fan of K cars, but in this setting, have a shred of class for Petes sake.
Another odd Chrysler limo is the early 80’s bustle back Imperial. I’ve never seen one in the “metal” but they look interesting. The look is similar to a bustle back Seville with a small stretch.
Bit of a correction….O’l Blue Eyes had a blue Chrysler Imperial
of that era (1984) not the extended K-car Limo. I expect
Lee Iacocca had a hand in making sure his buddy Frank got a terrific deal.
The advertising especially at the dealerships, that Frank was driving a Chrysler, helped drive sales. Good times! As I recall the Imperial Frank Sinatra Edition came with Sinatra cassette tapes too. “Fly me to the moon!”
He had an Imperial too, but had this car that he reportedly gave to his housekeeper.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2015/02/06/frank-sinatra-gave-a-1986-chrysler-k-limo-to-his-housekeeper-whos-now-putting-it-up-for-auction
The Imperial was discontinued in 1983.
These were produced by ASC. From another site:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1984-chrysler-executive-limousine-the-ultimate-eighties-folly-mobile/
Built on a sub-contract from Chrysler, but sold as a factory Chrysler vehicle, unlike other limo manufactures.
One of these used to come on garage I worked at back in the day,own by a family owned plumbing co. They used it for personal party wagon..
I remember these when they came out. I actually thought they were pretty nice, definitely unique. This ones very well preserved and it would probably be the only one at a cars and coffee.
Cool, a limo with a 4cyl.
A good looking K car.
Believe that one of these was used in Cannonball Run II.
Living in the Baltimore, DC area, there were bunches of these and by the late 80s you know where most were. It is good to see one that survived. I have a ridiculous soft spot for K cars
I made money from them. They served many well. My favorite is the Dodge 600 convertible. A guy I knew had one and I wish I had bought it from him.
When you want everybody to know you haven’t made it.
LMFAO………good one.
67 horsepower?What do you do when you have
to go up a steep hill?
The 2.6 liter made 101 HP in the leBaron this year. Not a lot more but consider the time.
Simple. Your posse gets out and pushes!
A good number of these (if not most) were employed by Thrifty Car Rental as airport pickup cars. Not practical but, at the time, attention getting.
As with all K cars, it was awful to drive and keep running . The $750 carburetor was a nightmare!
I actually like it. It reminds of the time when the Caddy Cimarron came out. Gas crunch, economy, blah, blah, blah…(not a great time.) But for comfort and space for 2 people to head for an airport run, etc, why not? 2 people in a 9 passenger limo is not a great feeling. To each their own…
Are those knee rest behind the front seat?
They should just call it a “Chrysler 6th Avenue “. It’s actually a very nice example! Not many around, so I’d definitely consider this one if it all checked out OK. These K-cars weren’t that heavy to begin with, even in this executive limo form. The Mitsubishi 2.6 litre engine actually gave these K-cars “decent “ acceleration. My mother had an ‘85 Le Barron with the same engine and you know, it was relatively quick on it’s feet! I say – this one is worth it ! Good luck! Great article too!