Here’s what should end up a cheap and cheerful bargain in the “recently collectible” category, a 1985 Chrysler LeBaron Town and Country convertible. It’s got a no-reserve auction starting price set at $2500, and so far, no bidder has raised a paddle. There are about four days to go in the auction here on ebay. Surely some Barn Finder somewhere has a hankering for some top-down motoring, starting by driving this 74,000-mile garage queen home from Concord, NC.
There’s no good reason why you wouldn’t want this car, really, except for what I’m about to list. Fortunately, each of these items can be debunked. Let’s start with this: as a 1985, depending on where you live, you have to smog it. But then again, some of you live in non-smog jurisdictions, and others have reassured me in comments in prior posts that it’s not the big, impossible thing one might think. On the other hand, my friend Grant just went through it with his mid-80s El Camino. Not fun until he found a mechanic who properly understood how to get things running right.
Second, it doesn’t have much motivating power. The engine is a turbo-charged 2.2-liter four-cylinder. That’s a big drop from prior generations as the Imperial LeBaron, when you could option a 440-CID monster under the hood. (That’s 7.2 liters, for comparison.) But then again, this car came out in a time when downsizing was the thing, and fuel always something to be worried about given the previous decade and its gas crisis.
Third, the styling is as square as square can be, but like all other things automotive, that’s a fad that will come back, if not quite with the aerodynamic inefficiency of the 80s box look. Anyway, you’ve got to love the faux wood slathered all over the body sides, which is what makes this a Town and Country. Plus, this is a special model, a Mark Cross edition, of which 595 were made as a post-factory conversion. Its special features include luxury leather appointments. The trouble with this particular unit is that the interior is somewhat compromised due to sitting in Florida heat and humidity. Where you gonna find new skins for those seats? But all of that is wiped away by the fact that this is a convertible, and particularly, one of which the price, assuming it doesn’t go crazy, certainly won’t hurt you.
I have one with 26K miles and the color is wrong for this car. Mine is a 84.
I think the computerized dash maybe why people dont jump .They have been known to be problems andI’m not sure you can get parts to fix or repair them.Actually i’m not sure how parts in general for these are to get.Being 40yrs old and not many left! If i’m wrong then i’m glad to be corrected! A 2.5 was the better option on the K cars! if anyone wants to correct me no problem!
you can find parts I have the 2.6 and the digital dash.
The 84 and earlier K cars with the 2.2 turbo had an appetite for head gaskets. The larger cylinder head bolts starting with the 85 model year made the problem virtually vanish. A cool little time capsule from the Lido era
So this one probably will need a head gasket.If so do you know if a better gasket and or bolts are made to stop the issue?
Jon Voight’s car!
John Voight, the periodontist.
Vincent MacKenna also drove one, albeit in a different body colour.
Look it’s Gregory Peck’s bicycle!
Luggage 🧳 rack 👍
I like this in black. Most I’ve seen were white and were more “chick” cars. For the price I could live with the seats until I figured out what to do. If only it had a stick and was closer I’d give it a look. Google says you can build that 2.2 liter to 245 horse and 290 lb ft. Gas is expensive in my Mustang.
I have the station wagon version with the 2.6 and an automatic. The automatic has been dependable, but I prefer driving a stick shift. The only problem I have with this advertised car is that it’s on the wrong coast.
If I was closer, I’d totally bid on this car. It is 100% and example of its era, its a ragtop, and it’s cheap. This is a “smiles per gallon” car…
John Candy and Steve Martin approved.
Oh, they can buff that right out! 😁
These Town & Country convertibles are an absolute favorite of mine. I’m not too sure about this one though. It looks a little rough. The leather seat might be a big problem. And truly, and I might be wrong about this, but I don’t remember a town and country convertible in black. Good luck to the seller!
Buy it fly back and drive it home… Worst case you wind up like planes trains and automobiles . best case it makes it and you have a new toy for the summer
Looked at one with the electronic dash. In a robotic voice it said “your door is ajar.” In a matching robotic voice I said “show me another car.” Ended up with a black non-turbo. Drove the heck out of it until we needed more room (3 kids) and gave it to our oldest daughter. She “lost” her senior report card as she coasted and was failing. Sold it to the first person with $500 in hand.
Late 1980’s I rented one similar one in Miami and dove down the keys to Key West. Unforgettable trip !
Ah, the era when Chrysler’s proudly stated that “A door was a jar.” My old girlfriend’s grandpa had one of these. Had to wear a hat to keep the comb over from tangling. Good times!
I find it hilarious that the seller isn’t sure if the car was originally from Florida, when the Vehicle History Report that they provide clearly shows that it was a Florida car until 2016.
With the 2.2 Turbo, it will be peppy, top down fun for next to nothing.
I’ve seen one of these in black, and it’s a flattering look. My folks had an ’85 New Yorker with the turbo (exactly like the photo I attached). Not necessarily the “get up and go” type, and it did best with premium gas. But for a K-Car, it rode and drove nicely. Given the number of mechanical “misses” on this one, (AC, cruise control, etc.) I think the seller would be lucky if he/she gets anything above $3,000.
I guess you have no clue as to the value of this car. Go look around at prices. Also this car needs whitewalls mine had blackwalls and the first thing I did was change the tires.
When my Town and Country wagon was due for tires, I also went to whitewalls. And I had to special order them because nobody around stocked those tires in the proper size or as whitewalls, I think the tires really dress up the looks of the car, though.
Not the true mileage. Somewhere along the line the cluster was replaced with a zero mileage cluster.
So how do you know that ??? All you have to do is look at the title
Asterisk next to the odometer reading. There should be a sticker on the door saying what the mileage was before replacement. Good luck 40 years later.
What a delightful little runabout! The interior is more like worn than rough I think. Might be a good first car for my son. Then again, might not be…