The LeBaron moniker had been synonymous with the Imperial for decades before the name finally became its own model in 1977, with the goal of attracting buyers who may be in the market for something a bit more spiffy than an Aspen or Volare. The car eventually changed to the front-wheel-drive K platform in 1982, and while the sedan was smaller than some of its rivals it was proof that a nice luxury offering didn’t necessarily have to be gigantic. This 1985 Chrysler LeBaron is located in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and can be spotted here on Craigslist at what seems like a reasonable asking price of $6,800.
Rocco B., thanks for your excellent tip here! Some background we get on this one is the seller is only the car’s second owner, and before his acquisition, the car spent its entire life in California. It’s also believed the LeBaron has never been driven in inclement weather, not even the rain except when these photos were taken, so this one’s dryer than a James Bond martini. It’s not quite perfect outside, but to be nearing the four-decade anniversary the two-tone paint still presents fairly well overall, although the top could stand some new vinyl.
When a seller claims less than 10k miles, I’m going to expect things to look very good inside, and that goes double for a long-term Cali car. They do, everywhere, even with no floor mats present to hide any wear and tear the carpet might be showing. But for some reason, a few components in here have been replaced, such as the sun visors, headliner, and the side panels on the back doors. The factory radio is only working on AM stations, but the A/C is still blowing ice cold.
This one also combines some fun with your luxury as there’s a turbocharged 4-cylinder in the engine bay, which raises the output of the 135 cubic-inch motor from just under 100 horsepower in stock form to nearly 150. The seller says the motor runs great and assures us no mechanical attention is needed, although he does recommend a new set of skins be installed as the four original tires are now dry-rotted. This one’s ticking a whole lot of the right boxes for me at the under $7k price point, how about you?
Nice one, Mike and Rocco! I really like these cars but I’d want power windows and a 2.6 Mitsubishi engine. I had a similar LeBaron convertible in the late 80s with “Mark Cross” leather and it was a fantastic car. I’m assuming this car talks to you when you leave a door open (ajar) or leave your lights on?
These were everywhere and then…they were gone. Even living in a rust free zone now, you rarely see any of the models that shared this platform.
These cars were junk.
A company I used to work for had a fleet of Dodge mini vans with the 2.2 engine and they ate camshafts like candy.
When I read replys like this I laugh this is the car that saved Chrysler and they where around for many years so my advice is to some research before you comment.
I would say it rolled over….number are not even…Chrysler milked that platform..I liked the dodge 600 version the 2 door
Glorified K-Car, Check the timing belt, as matter of fact check everything, it’s a K- Car.
These were great. I had a GT hatchback version. It had leather interior and a sunroof and was great fun to drive.
It looks nice and how many do you ever see today? Not too many K- cars survived. I would love to own a white on white 1982 LeBaron Coupe without bucket seats. The Mitsubishi engine had more horsepower, but the standard four was pretty nice too. And power windows and locks would be a must have. The inside door panel looks funny without power windows.
For the time, the K’s were great and saved Chrysler. Chrysler needs saved again and the Italians aren’t going to do it. Can’t some rich American buy the brand and save it? Packard, DeSoto, Studebaker, Plymouth, Pontiac, Mercury, Oldsmobile and soon to be added is Chrysler. This is our automotive heritage down the drain. So sad!
Had a 1985 LeBaron along with a 1986 Chrysler turbo Laser. Enjoyed both of them. Ended up putting 225,000 miles on the LeBaron between me, wife, and eventually our son. Say what you want but these cars saved Chrysler and were just what the doctor ordered.
My parents bought an ’86 4dr New Yorker. My dad called me at it’s first oil change and asked me what oil to use. I told him that with the turbo 4 cylinder auto trans to use Mobil 1 every 5000 miles with an synthetic type filter. They gave it to my second wife and I at 54,000 miles and following my own advice on oil changes, we drove it to 350,000 miles when we gave it to my son who sold it at 450,000 miles to a woman who finally junked it at 550,000 miles. It had the original engine, turbo,and auto trans. My parents babies the car, but my wife and I drove it aggressively as did my son changing head gaskets, timing belts and half shafts about every 100,000 miles. Very comfortable! A GREAT CAR!!! If I didn’t have 46 Mopars now, I would buy it. Just bought a 1981 Plymouth Reliant to go with my ’81 Aries wagon and drive it regularly.
I don’t know about the rest Dave but Packard is resuming production in Warren, Ohio. They’re reproductions of the depression era dreadnoughts and will not be affordable to mere mortals like us just an FYI.
Most people Don’t CARE about any heritage, Even Our 🇺🇸 American Heritage 🇺🇸. I am frequently asked why I talk so much about the past. Because it was so much BETTER! I have family heirlooms that no one wants. They used to say We are heading for Hell in a basket. Sorry to say it seems like that basket is burning 🔥 😬. As for the auto industry, I am fortunate to have a low mileage 2007 Town Car. NO way will I let it get away. Lincoln now builds glorified trucks! 🤮
Very Comfortable cruisers.
These K cars take me back to a kinder, simpler time. When life was easier, and Chrysler was making some horrble looking crap boxes. Sort of like they’re making now. Nothing says “frumpy” like a 4 door 80’s LeBaron.
I had 83 and 85 RWD Fifth Avenues. Loved the formal styling, plush interior, comfort, and reliability. The later Kcar New Yorkers, Fifth Avenues, and Imperials were a big disappointment!
A friend of mine had a 5th Avenue when I visited him in Poulsbo, Wash. in ’93. His had the velour pillowy seats like they all did . Nice car.
One of these was just for sale at a dealer here. Think it had 16,000 miles on it.
A friend had an 83 LeBaron. Went on a road trip with him. Comfortable, luxurious and surprisingly roomy. A fitting automobile to carry LeBaron name. But after a couple of years, the transmission gave problems. The larger V6 was too much for the only transmission offered was designed for the smaller motor!
Cute 2 door car. Like a 3/4 copy of a Ford Thunderbird and other personal luxury coupes of the era Gray is not a favorite color scheme for me. But love the fwd traction, turbo engine in a lighter car, automatic and workung air conditioning. Unfortunately the listing was deleted by the seller when I folliwed the link.
People also forget about these cars is the minivan and the convertible both off the K platform. I own a 84 covertiible with 25 K miles and the Mark Cross interior.
Prior to the K cars, Chrysler was putting out some crappy cars. Iacocca was a genius in the car business, he launched the Mustang at Ford, and even before that, he, as a Ford salesman, managed to save Ford by advertising a 56 Ford for $56. a month. That brought customers i to the dealers to buy cars. He had foresight, and realized that his almost bankrupt company that he inherited needed help badly. The K cars were not luxury cars, but were designed to save the customers money and with his 5/50 warranty, and later 7/70 warranty, the company made decent cars that were unlike what GM and Ford was putting out with a long term warranty, saved the company. They weren’t fancy(except the LeBarons), but they were decent cars over all!
Though at first trying to find a K anywhere near the base price they advertised was impossible. Dealers were ordering loaded cars and Chrysler let them. People refused to buy those, and it was until they saw a collapse did they begin to build the ones people wanted.
My sister had a car like this with leather pillowy upholstery. She loved it but never did any maintenance. Somehow the car went over 100k miles before she traded it in. That was a tough little car.
I drove an ’84 Lebaron for years. For as small as they are on the outside, the interiors were very big and roomy. The seats were very comfortable. I had head gasket problems about every 50,000 miles (had it replaced twice) but besides that it was fairly reliable and got decent mileage. I had the 2.2 non turbo but I wasn’t a lead foot so I didn’t car.
I did NOT like the blind rear door area covered in vinyl to match the top. I wished they would have left it all glass so I could see out of it.
From experience with the same car: 1) change the timing belt asap. 2) immediately after highway driving idle the engine several minutes before shutting down to allow engine oil to cool the bearings in the turbocharger. 3) use fuel injection gas additive regularly to clean vales, injectors and disperse water in tank 4) change oil regularly. This is a very peppy and easy handling mid-size sedan. It’s a chapter in automotive history. The used ones were so affordable and long lived that the were considered “disposable” and were used up. Never considered collectable. This one is a keeper. Conversation starter at cruise-ins! Fun!