The LeBaron moniker dates to the 1930s in the Chrysler/Imperial portfolio. After a run as a mid-size luxury car in the late 1970s/early 1980s, the LeBaron shifted to Chrysler’s smaller “K” platform in 1982, switching to front wheel drive in the process. The seller has a 1985 LeBaron coupe, which we’re told is “collector grade” at 77,000 miles. You don’t see many of these cars now. 40 years later, this one is in Denver, Colorado, and it’s here on craigslist for $7,500. Our gratitude goes to Mike F. for this Mopar tip.
The Chrysler K-cars were a hit when they arrived in Dodge and Plymouth dealer showrooms in 1981. They’re credited with saving Chrysler Corp. from the financial brink by building too many of the wrong cars at the wrong time. The 1980s, LeBaron became the brand’s lowest-priced product, but the vehicle was never short on upscale comforts. Station wagons and convertibles soon followed coupes and sedans, so buyers had ample choices. The seller’s ’85 was built before the cars received a facelift in 1986.
Chrysler sold a fair number of these automobiles, including 25,000 coupes like this (out of a collective pool of 153,600 units). The body, two-tone paint, and interior (okay below the aftermarket covers?) seem to support the seller’s “collector grade” claim. Quite a lot of new parts have been added of late, such as suspension components, wheels, tires, brakes, and replacement CV axles.
We assume a 2.2-liter I-4 sits under the hood, an engine you would find in other “K” cars of the era. A 3-speed automatic transmission was the way to go, along with a host of power accessories you would normally associate with the LeBaron name. Chances are that if you bought this Chrysler at the selling price (which the seller says is firm), you might have the only K car to show up at next month’s Cars & Coffee.
Jon Voight wanted a coupe
Sharp LeBaron coupe. Dixon do you give this one a thumbs up ? 👍
I’d buy this one and that pristine K car Wagon and bring them both to a car show and park them right next to each other.
Very nice condition. I like the period BBS rims too it really is a nice touch.
Too bad it’s not a turbo. 1985 was the first year it was available in these and it really transformed the driving experience of these.
I want one of theseLeBaron coupes in white with the Mark Cross interior and loaded. It’s the one advertised at the time. 1982-83 only.
This is a beaut. Love the colors and power seat. Wouldn’t be a bad ride to show, cruise and otherwise arrive in.
Paint looks better than new, lose the seat covers, can you add a urbe or no room?
But why?
Bigger and more photos in the ad would have been better. Also removing the seat covers so we could see what the seats actually look like. The drivers side lower hinge cover appears to be broken. Waiting for the influx of inane, beaten to death Jon Voight comments, but someone already beat me to it.
Almost as bad as every time an old 58 Plymouth,there has to be some stupid thing said about Christen.Gets old.🙄
It was a sad time to me after watching Dukes of Hazzard & cheering for the boys & General Lee to this is what came next. Even the bandit was gone
Yuck!
The ultimate 80’s box car.
There is nothing pretty about them.
They were built to be disposable, as people did.
The novelty of a piece of history, is like a 75 Pacer.
Who covets an 80 Ford Fairmont?
Times were tough, cars were built cheap.
The aftmkt sure dont know how to make good fitting seat covers anymore.