| Chrysler LeBaron | |
| Manufacturer: | Chrysler Corporation |
| Successor: | Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue for rear-drive M-body version (1982) Chrysler Fifth Avenue for rear-drive M-body version (1983) Chrysler Cirrus for front-drive sedan (1995) Chrysler Sebring for front-drive coupe (1995) Chrysler Sebring for convertible (1996) |
The Chrysler LeBaron, also known as the Imperial LeBaron, is a line of automobiles built by Chrysler from 1931 to 1941 and from 1955 to 1995. The model was introduced in 1931, with a body manufactured by LeBaron, and competed with other luxury cars of the era, such as Lincoln and Packard. After purchasing LeBaron with its parent Briggs Manufacturing Company, Chrysler introduced the luxury make Imperial in 1955, and sold automobiles under the name Imperial LeBaron until 1975. Chrysler discontinued the Imperial brand in 1975 and reintroduced the Chrysler LeBaron in 1977 to what was then Chrysler's lowest-priced model.
The "LeBaron" name has since been applied to five different cars built by the Chrysler Division:
The last Chrysler LeBaron was produced in 1995, to be replaced with the Cirrus and Sebring. The LeBaron was one of Chrysler's longest-running brands.
See main article: article and LeBaron Incorporated. LeBaron was one of the many prominent coachbuilders in the 1920s and 1930s to provide bodies for luxury cars. It was founded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1920 by Thomas L. Hibbard and Raymond H. Dietrich. It was later purchased by Briggs Manufacturing Company of Detroit in 1926, the major manufacturer of bodies for Ford, Chrysler, Hudson, Packard, and others, and operated as a Briggs specialist subsidiary.
LeBaron supplied exquisite custom bodies for various car companies such as Chrysler's luxury Imperial line, Duesenberg, and Cadillac.LeBaron's last projects for Chrysler were the Chrysler Newport Phaeton, a super-streamlined dual cowl phaeton with an aluminum body, and the remarkable 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, a sleek roadster with concealed headlights (like the 1936 Cord 810/812) and a retractable metal hardtop styled by Alex Tremulis, who would later style the legendary Tucker of 1948.[1] [2] [3] [4]
Chrysler purchased Briggs Manufacturing Company in 1953.[4] Two years after the Chrysler Corporation introduced the Imperial as a separate luxury division, LeBaron was designated the top-of-the-line Imperial models in 1957 through 1975.[1] [2] [3] [4]
See main article: article.
| Classic generation | |
| Production: | 1930s |
| Class: | Luxury |
| Body Style: | 2-door coupe 2-door convertible (roadster) 4-door sedan 4-door convertible |
| Engine: | 3851NaN1 Imperial 8 I8[5] and others |
| Transmission: | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Assembly: | Detroit, Michigan, United States Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States |
| Platform: | Chrysler |
| Related: | Chrysler Chrysler Imperial |
The LeBarons started in the 1930s during the automobile's Classic era and competed directly with the luxury brands of its day, such as Lincoln, Cadillac, and Packard. In the mid-1930s, Chrysler added a radical new "Art Deco" design shape, known as the Airflow Imperials, to the Chrysler line. LeBaron supplied the high-end CW series. The design features were considered advanced and perhaps ahead of their time. However, the shape was too radical for buyer's tastes, and non-Airflow models outsold Airflows by about 3 to 1. Raymond Dietrich, co-founder and former stylist at LeBaron, was hired in 1932 to be Chrysler's in-house stylist. Dietrich restyled the Airflow line and moved Chryslers to more mainstream styles. As a result of the poor Airflow sales, Chrysler's designs became quite conservative for the next two decades. Auto manufacturers continued to build up their in-house styling departments and bodyworks. LeBaron thus became less important to most of its customers for design ideas and bodies. Toward the late 1930s, LeBaron/Briggs built more bodies for Chrysler and fewer for Ford. Chrysler became their biggest customer, with additional bodies built for Packard, Hudson, and Graham-Paige. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, the LeBaron name and division became less critical for Briggs, although it remained a division of Briggs until the Chrysler buy-out in 1953.[3] [4]
LeBaron's last projects for Chrysler were two concept cars: the Chrysler Newport Phaeton, a super-streamlined dual cowl phaeton with an aluminum body, and the remarkable 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt,[6] a sleek roadster with concealed headlights and a retractable metal hardtop[7] styled by Alex Tremulis, who went on to later style part of the legendary Tucker of 1948. Only 6 of each were made.[1] [3]
For the 1955 model year, Chrysler Corporation spun off Imperial as a SEPARATE MAKE and DIVISION, its flagship luxury brand, taking its name from the original Chrysler Imperial series. Intended as a direct competitor for Cadillac, Lincoln, and Packard, Imperial was a completely distinct vehicle make/brand that did not use the Chrysler nameplate.
Through the existence of the division, Imperial used two nameplates alongside a nameless base model (Imperial Custom, from 1960–1963). Its mid-range line was the Imperial Crown, with the flagship line branded as the Imperial LeBaron (in deference to the coachbuilder); Southampton was a sub-designation applied for pillarless hardtop bodystyles.
In June 1975, Chrysler retired the Imperial brand in response to declining sales of the marque; the Imperial LeBaron was repackaged for 1976 as the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham.
| Imperial generation | |
| Production: | 1956–1975 |
| Class: | Full-size luxury |
| Body Style: | 2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop |
| Transmission: | 3-speed automatic |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Assembly: | Jefferson Avenue Assembly Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| First generation | |
| Production: | 1977–1981 |
| Body Style: | 5-door wagon (1978–81) 4-door sedan (1977–81) 2-door coupe (1977–81) |
| Engine: | 2251NaN1 Slant-6 3181NaN1 LA 318 V8 3601NaN1 LA 360 V8 |
| Class: | Mid-size |
| Transmission: | 3-speed A727 automatic 3-speed A904 automatic |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Wheelbase: | 112.70NaN0[8] 108.70NaN0 (Coupe, 1980-81) |
| Length: | 2040NaN0 (2-door) 206.10NaN0 (4-door) |
| Assembly: | St. Louis, Missouri (Saint Louis Assembly), United States Newark, Delaware (Newark Assembly), United States Valencia, Venezuela, Toluca, Mexico (Toluca Car Assembly)[9] |
| Platform: | M-body |
| Related: | Chrysler Town and Country Dodge Diplomat Plymouth Gran Fury |
| Successor: | Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue Chrysler Fifth Avenue |
For 1977, the LeBaron returned, moving from Imperial to Chrysler. Introduced as a late model-year response to the Cadillac Seville and Lincoln Versailles, the Chrysler LeBaron was the first compact Chrysler ever produced. Effectively a new generation of the Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volaré, the LeBaron was the inaugural model of the M platform (alongside the Dodge Diplomat). In contrast to the Seville and Versailles, the LeBaron was offered as both a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan, with a Town & Country five-door station wagon added for 1978.
Though the LeBaron sedan and station wagon were visibly similar to the Volaré (which shared the 112.70NaN0 wheelbase), they had different hoods, trunk lids, and front and rear header panels.[10] The LeBaron coupe shared the same wheelbase as the sedan/wagon (4 inches longer than the F-body coupe), with a sleeker roofline. A 2251NaN1 Slant Six was the standard engine, with the 3181NaN1 or 3601NaN1 V8s optional. A three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission was offered with all three engines, though a four-speed manual overdrive transmission was offered with the 225 and 318 engines through 1981.
For 1980, the LeBaron underwent an mid-cycle facelift. The exterior was styled with sharper-edged sheetmetal and restyled with a waterfall grille (similar to the 1974-1975 Imperial); the sedan roofline underwent aerodynamic revisions (no longer shared with the Volaré). The two-door moved to the shorter F-body wheelbase, also receiving aerodynamic enhancements to its rear sheetmetal. The interior underwent design upgrades to make the model line more luxurious. Chrysler introduced a limited-edition "Fifth Avenue" option package for the 1980 LeBaron four-door sedan. A conversion by American Sunroof Corporation, the Fifth Avenue featured a padded vinyl roof covering the quarter glass of the rear doors and interior trim upgrades.
Following the discontinuation of the Volaré for 1981, Chrysler introduced a police-equipment option package (keeping Chrysler-Plymouth dealers in competition for law enforcement fleet contracts); for 1982, the Plymouth Gran Fury was downsized to the M-body, directly replacing the Volaré. After the LeBaron was moved to the K platform for 1982, the M-platform remained in use until the end of the 1980s, supporting several Chrysler-brand nameplates (alongside the Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury).
Production Figures:
(For 1979 and 1981, coupe and sedan production figures are not separated)
| 1977 | 7,280 | 12,600 | - | 19,880 | |
| 1978 | 47,313 | 59,575 | 21,504 | 128,392 | |
| 1979 | 96,400 | 17,463 | 113,863 | ||
| 1980 | 24,530 | 31,010 | 7,939 | 63,479 | |
| 1981 | 37,010 | 6,123 | 43,133 | ||
| Total | 53,029 | 368,747 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation | |
| Production: | 1981–1988 |
| Model Years: | 1982–1988 |
| Class: | Mid-size executive car |
| Assembly: | Newark, Delaware, United States (Newark Assembly) St. Louis, Missouri, United States (Saint Louis Assembly, Toluca, Mexico (Toluca Car Assembly) |
| Body Style: | 5-door wagon (1982–88) 4-door sedan (1982–88) 2-door coupe (1982–86) 2-door convertible (1982–86) |
| Transmission: | 5-speed Getrag A525 manual 3-speed A413 automatic 3-speed A470 automatic |
| Layout: | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform: | K-body |
| Wheelbase: | 100.30NaN0 |
| Length: | 179.20NaN0 |
| Width: | 680NaN0 |
| Height: | 52.90NaN0 |
| Related: | Chrysler Town & Country Dodge 400 Dodge Aries Plymouth Reliant |
For 1982, the LeBaron moved to the front-wheel drive Chrysler K platform, where it was the upscale brand's lowest-priced offering. It was initially available in just sedan and coupe versions. In early 1982, it was released in a convertible version, bringing to the market the first factory-built open-topped domestic vehicle since the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado.
A station wagon version called the Town and Country was also added. A unique Town and Country convertible was also made from 1983 until 1986 with a 1,105 total produced, which, like the wagon, featured simulated wood paneling that made it resemble the original 1940s Town and Country. This model was part of the well-equipped Mark Cross option package for the latter years.
Despite being mechanically similar to the Aries and Reliant, its fascias closely resembled the larger E-body sedans. This generation featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert, a computerized voice that warned drivers about various conditions with phrases such as "A door is ajar" or "Your engine oil pressure is low".
The LeBaron was facelifted for 1986, receiving rounder front and rear ends to improve aerodynamics. A landau padded top replaced the sedan's full vinyl roof. The instrumentation cluster was revised from a rectangle speedometer and fuel gauge with a message center to round gauges similar to the Reliant/Aries but with an argent surround for a more upscale appearance. Coupes and convertibles were dropped for 1987, replaced by the all-new J-body LeBaron released that year. The sedan and wagon continued with minor changes until 1988. A new digital dashboard replaced the analog gauges for a more modern appearance. A larger LeBaron sedan based on the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim would arrive for the 1990 model year.
| LeBaron GTS/LeBaron | |
| Model Years: | 1985–1989 |
| Production: | 1984–1989 |
| Class: | Mid-size |
| Assembly: | Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States |
| Body Style: | 5-door hatchback |
| Transmission: | 5-speed Getrag A520 manual 5-speed Getrag A555 manual 3-speed A413 automatic |
| Platform: | H-body |
| Layout: | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Wheelbase: | 103.10NaN0 |
| Length: | 180.40NaN0 |
| Width: | 68.30NaN0 |
| Height: | 530NaN0 |
| Aka: | Chrysler GTS |
| Related: | Dodge Lancer Shelby Lancer |
The 1985 LeBaron GTS was a somewhat different car than the standard LeBaron and was based on the Chrysler H platform. It was available at the same time as the Cadillac Cimarron as a luxury-brand model while offering a similar level of equipment to the small Cadillac. As a 5-door hatchback still derived from the K-car, the GTS (and the similar Dodge Lancer) was more of a performance vehicle than the softer-tuned K-car LeBaron sedan. In base configuration, the car was powered by Chrysler's 2.2 liter inline-4 engine, later replaced by a 2.5 L TBI version generating 1000NaN0. A turbocharged 2.2 L engine producing 146hp was also available. The GTS moniker was dropped for 1989, the final year of this vehicle's production, after the K-based LeBaron sedan was discontinued after 1988.
Production Figures:
| 1982 | 27,151 | 42,534 | 7,809 | 12,825 | - | 90,319 | |
| 1983 | 18,331 | 30,869 | 10,994 | 9,891 | - | 70,085 | |
| 1984 | 24,963 | 47,664 | 11,578 | 16,208 | - | 100,413 | |
| 1985 | 24,970 | 43,659 | 7,711 | 16,475 | 60,783 | 153,598 | |
| 1986 | 24,761 | 40,116 | 19,684 | 19,684 | 73,557 | 177,802 | |
| 1987 | - | 54,678 | 5,880 | - | 39,050 | 99,608 | |
| 1988 | - | 24,452 | 2,136 | - | 14,211 | 40,799 | |
| Total | 120,176 | 283,972 | 65,792 | 75,083 | 187,601 | 732,624 |
|---|
After some years of absence, Chrysler officially started offering some models under its brand on the European market from April 1988. One of them was the "Chrysler GTS", which was a rebadged version of the Dodge Lancer ES. Sales figures were moderate.
| Third generation (coupe/convertible) | |
| Class: | Personal luxury |
| Body Style: | 2-door coupe (1987–93) 2-door convertible (1987–95) |
| Related: | Chrysler TC by Maserati |
| Model Years: | 1987–1995 |
| Production: | 1986–1995 |
| Assembly: | Newark, Delaware, United States (Newark Assembly) St. Louis, Missouri, United States (Saint Louis Assembly) Toluca, Mexico (Toluca Car Assembly) |
| Wheelbase: | 100.50NaN0 (1992–95 coupe) 100.60NaN0 (1992–95 convertible) 100.30NaN0 (1987–1991 coupe) 100.40NaN0 (1987–1991 convertible) |
| Length: | 184.80NaN0 |
| Width: | 69.20NaN0 (1992–95) 68.50NaN0 (1987–1991) |
| Height: | 51.20NaN0 (1992–95) 50.90NaN0 (1987–1991) |
| Platform: | J-body |
| Layout: | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Aka: | Chrysler Phantom (Mexico) |
After discontinuing the first generation LeBaron coupe and convertible in 1986, Chrysler released a new LeBaron for 1987, built on the J platform (a K platform derivative) and available as a coupe or convertible. The all-new LeBaron looked modern and aerodynamic compared to its boxy predecessor and was quite stylish for its day, featuring headlights hidden behind retractable metal covers and a waterfall grille, steeply raked windshield, full-width taillight lenses though only the edges lit up, and curved (Coke bottle) style rocker panels. The LeBaron was equipped with a trip and fuel economy computer as well as full instrumentation. In Mexico, these models were marketed as the Chrysler Phantom. The available engines were the stock 2.2-liter and 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, and for the 1990 model year, a 3.0-liter Mitsubishi V6 became available, although the Mexican Chrysler Phantom R/T DOHC 16V also offered the same 2.2-liter turbo engine as used in the U.S. market Dodge Spirit R/T.
For 1990, the LeBaron's interior was refreshed, featuring an all new dashboard, gauge cluster, door panels, and center console design. All of the new components were designed to be smoother and more flowing than the comparatively boxy 1987-89 interior style, making it more in tune with the "aero" revolution of the early 1990s. The 1992 LeBaron coupes and convertibles could be ordered with a new "sport package", which featured a monochrome appearance including body-colored grille, accent stripe, and decklid logo. The package also included 14-inch "lace" style wheelcovers and a black strip below the taillights in place of chrome, with special blacked-out window moldings on coupe models.[11]
In 1992 for the 1993 model year, the LeBaron received a slight facelift. The hidden headlamps of the 1987-1992 models were deleted in favor of less costly flush-mounted replaceable-bulb headlamps, new wheel styles were made available, and all models got the amber rear turn signals introduced on the deluxe 1992 models. For 1994, a passenger side airbag became standard on all models. Also new for 1994 was the "Bright LX" decor package which included a "bright" chrome grille, "bright" chrome badging, and "bright" chrome molding inserts, as opposed to being body-colored on the GTC.
The available engines were a naturally aspirated 2.5 L and a turbocharged 2.2 and 2.5 L versions of Chrysler's inline-four, and the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6 making a 1410NaN0 in this application. The turbocharged engines were dropped from the lineup in 1992 for the 1993 model year. The coupe was discontinued after 1993. For the last two model years, the 3.0 was the only available engine. The convertible was discontinued after 1995, to make way for the new Chrysler Sebring coupes and convertibles, for 1995 and 1996 respectively.
Throughout its lifetime, the LeBaron convertible/coupe was available in many trim levels. For its first year, the LeBaron was available in Highline and Premium, typical Chrysler trims at the time. The number of trims grew, peaking in 1990, with six available. After that, the number decreased until just two trim levels remained for 1995.
The LeBaron coupe/convertible was part of Chrysler's export push and was regularly available across Europe. Springs and shocks were somewhat firmer on European-market cars.[12] The initial European lineup was made up of the naturally aspirated 2.5 and the turbocharged 2.2; both were offered with a 5-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic. Power is respectively. In mid-1988, the turbocharged 2.2 was partially replaced by the 2.5 Turbo, with power slightly lower at . The 2.2 Turbo received an intercooler, which boosted maximum power to . Called the LeBaron GTC, it was not offered with the automatic. Both turbo versions were discontinued during 1989; the 2.5 Turbo returned (only with the five-speed manual transmission) some time during 1990. The new version produces at 4700 rpm, but it was discontinued yet again in 1991. The 3.0-liter Mitsubishi V6 engine was introduced to European buyers in mid-1989, and was only available with the four-speed automatic. It produces somewhat less power than the American models; at 5200 rpm. The top speed was and the sprint took 10.8 seconds.[12] After the 2.5 Turbo was discontinued in 1991, the V6 remained the only regular option until the LeBaron Coupé/Convertible ended European sales in mid-1994.
Several ARCA (one tier down from NASCAR cup racing) teams built LeBaron based race cars (supported by a revitalized Chrysler Direct Connection performance parts division) and ran them from 1988 until 1998.
Production Figures:
| 1987 | 75,415 | 8,025 | 83,440 | |
| 1988 | 48,671 | 38,197 | 86,868 | |
| 1989 | 53,504 | 37,489 | 90,993 | |
| 1990 | 20,106 | 38,928 | 59,034 | |
| 1991 | 10,771 | 29,074 | 39,845 | |
| 1992 | 5,656 | 40,284 | 45,940 | |
| 1993 | 6,007 | 26,776 | 32,783 | |
| 1994 | - | 37,052 | 37,052 | |
| 1995 | - | 35,760 | 35,760 | |
| Total | 220,130 | 291,585 | 511,715 |
|---|
| Third generation (sedan) | |
| Class: | Mid-size |
| Body Style: | 4-door sedan |
| Model Years: | 1990–1994 |
| Production: | 1989–1994 |
| Successor: | Chrysler Cirrus |
| Layout: | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Assembly: | Newark, Delaware, United States (Newark Assembly) Toluca, Mexico (Toluca Car Assembly) Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela |
| Platform: | AA-body |
| Related: | Chrysler Saratoga (Export only) Dodge Spirit Plymouth Acclaim |
| Wheelbase: | 103.50NaN0 |
| Length: | 182.70NaN0 |
| Width: | 68.10NaN0 |
| Height: | 53.70NaN0 |
| Weight: | 29710NaN0 |
| Aka: | Chrysler New Yorker (Mexico) |
The last LeBaron sedan was built on the front wheel drive AA platform, another K derivative, as junior level sedan to the more upscale New Yorker. It offered rebadged versions under the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim nameplates, and the three differed mostly in detail and trim choices, as well as the European Chrysler Saratoga.
Theoretically, as historically was the case in this era versus its Dodge and Plymouth corporate siblings, the LeBaron was marketed as the luxury version, reflecting the Chrysler brand's flagship status. In reality, however, there was considerable overlap amongst the three in available trim, equipment and features. Launched in a single trim, the top-line LeBaron Landau model offered a padded vinyl half-roof with smaller "formal" backlight, as well as unique button-tufted bench seats. All LeBaron sedans came with a standard driver's side airbag, and could seat up to six passengers.
Due to Chrysler's efforts to refocus the Plymouth brand at the value end and to expand the Chrysler brand's sales, for 1992 the Plymouth Acclaim would lose its mid-range LE and top-line LX trims. They were instead added to the LeBaron lineup as the base and LX trims, below the former standard trim, which was now called Landau. The LX, which retained the Acclaim's taillights instead of the LeBaron's full-width treatment was available for 1992 only, and now the only model to feature the V6 as standard. For 1993, the LeBaron sedan received new rear lights, which incorporated the reversing lamps previously located in the bumper fascia. Trim levels were reduced to just the base model, renamed LE, and the luxury Landau. The LeBaron sedan was discontinued on May 18, 1994, while the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim continued production until December 21, 1994. The Chrysler LeBaron was replaced by the "Cloud Car" Chrysler Cirrus.
In 1994, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the LeBaron a 4 out of 5 for driver side and a 3 out of 5 for passenger side frontal impact occupant protection.
Production Figures:
| 1990 | 27,312 | |
| 1991 | 17,752 | |
| 1992 | 33,862 | |
| 1993 | 26,474 | |
| 1994 | 35,760 | |
| Total | 141,160 |
|---|
M and K-platform cars were assembled in the Toluca, Mexico facility. The M-platform LeBaron was sold in Mexico from the 1977 to the 1982 model years. The K-car LeBaron was also produced in Toluca and was sold for the 1983 through 1987 model years. There were no K-platform convertibles offered from the factory.
Chrysler Phantom was the Mexican-market version of the J-Body LeBaron Coupe. There were no convertibles of the J-body 2-door for the Mexican market. Phantoms were Chrysler's top-of-the-line model in Mexico and generally sold with a higher trim level than their United States counterparts; the Phantom was also only ever available with the more powerful, turbocharged engines.[13] Chrysler Phantoms were marketed from 1987 until 1994, with the first cars delivered in December 1986.[14] A more powerful R/T version (similar to the American LeBaron GTC but using a higher-tuned turbo engine) was also available in 1992 and 1993. The Phantom R/T originally received the 2.5-liter Turbo II engine, coupled to a three-speed automatic, but this was quickly changed to the Turbo III engine with a five-speed Getrag manual transmission.[13]
The Mexican AA-body Chrysler LeBaron 4-door sedan was called the New Yorker (all of them with Landau roof), and the "K" body (slightly shorter) was reserved for the 4-door LeBaron's, which were sold in two trim levels, one with Landau roof and leather, and the other one without those two options.