Chrysler LeBaron

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Chrysler LeBaron
1990 LeBaron convertible, European export model
Manufacturer Chrysler Corporation
Production 1977–1995 (model years)
Successor Chrysler Fifth Avenue for rear-drive M-body version (1983)
Chrysler Cirrus for front-drive sedan (1995)
Chrysler Sebring for front-drive coupe and convertible (1996)
First generation
1980 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country wagon
Production 1977–1981
Assembly St. Louis, Missouri
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Class Mid-size
Body style(s) 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door wagon
Layout FR layout
Platform M-body
Engine(s) (225 SLANT6 3.1L ) 318 in³ LA V8
360 in³ LA V8
Transmission(s) 3-speed A727 automatic
3-speed A904 automatic
Related Chrysler Town and Country
Dodge Diplomat
Second generation
The K-body LeBaron
Production 1982–1988
Assembly Newark, Delaware
Class Compact
Body style(s) 2-door convertible
2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door wagon
Layout FF layout
Platform K-body
Engine(s) 2.2 L K I4
2.2 L Turbo I I4
2.5 L K I4
2.6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed A525 manual
3-speed A413 automatic
3-speed A470 automatic
Wheelbase 100.3 in (2548 mm)
Length 179.2 in (4552 mm)
Width 68 in (1727 mm)
Height 52.9 in (1344 mm)
Related Chrysler Town and Country
Dodge 400
Dodge Aries
Plymouth Reliant
LeBaron GTS/LeBaron
Chrysler LeBaron GTS
Production 1985–1989
Assembly Sterling Heights, Michigan
Class Mid-size
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback
Layout FF layout
Platform H-body
Engine(s) 2.2 L K I4
2.2 L Turbo I I4
2.2 L Turbo II I4
2.5 L K I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed A520 manual
5-speed A555 manual
3-speed A413 automatic
Wheelbase 103.1 in (2619 mm)
Length 180.4 in (4582 mm)
Width 68.3 in (1735 mm)
Height 53 in (1346 mm)
Related Dodge Lancer
Shelby Lancer
Third generation (coupe/convertible)
1993-1995 LeBaron convertible
Production 1987–1995
Assembly Sterling Heights, Michigan
St. Louis, Missouri
Class Personal luxury
Body style(s) 2-door convertible
2-door coupe (produced until 1993)
Layout FF layout
Platform J-body
Engine(s) 2.2 L Turbo I I4
2.2 L Turbo II I4
2.2 L Turbo IV I4
2.5 L K I4
2.5 L Turbo I4
3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Transmission(s) 5-speed A520 manual
5-speed A523 manual
5-speed A555 manual
5-speed A568 manual
3-speed A413 automatic
4-speed A604 automatic
Wheelbase 100.5 in (2553 mm) (1992-95 coupe)
100.6 in (2555 mm) (1992-95 convertible)
100.3 in (2548 mm) (1987-1991 coupe)
100.4 in (2550 mm) (1987-1991 convertible)
Length 184.8 in (4694 mm)
Width 69.2 in (1758 mm) (1992-95)
68.5 in (1740 mm) (1987-1991)
Height 51.2 in (1300 mm) (1992-95)
50.9 in (1293 mm) (1987-1991)
Third generation (sedan)
AA-body LeBaron sedan
Production 1990–1994
Assembly Sterling Heights, Michigan
Class Mid-size
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
Layout FF layout
Platform AA-body
Engine(s) 2.5 L Chrysler I4
3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Transmission(s) 3-speed A413 automatic
4-speed A604 automatic
Wheelbase 103.5 in (2629 mm)
Length 182.7 in (4641 mm)
Width 68.1 in (1730 mm)
Height 53.7 in (1364 mm)
Curb weight 2971 lb (1348 kg)
Related Dodge Spirit
Plymouth Acclaim
Chrysler Saratoga (Export only)

The Chrysler LeBaron was introduced in 1977 as Chrysler's lowest priced model, and the name was used on various Chryslers until 1995. The name originates from a 1930s coachworks bought out by Chrysler, and designated the top of the line Imperial models through 1975. "LeBaron" as an independent model name has been applied to a total of 5 different cars:

Contents

[edit] 1977-1981

Although the LeBaron name had been used before on Imperials, this was the first time the name was used on its own. This first Chrysler LeBaron was a rear-wheel drive M-body, a rebadged Dodge Diplomat with deluxe trim and equipment sold from 1977 to 1981. The LeBaron model name was moved to a new front-wheel drive car for the 1982 model year, when the Chrysler-branded rear-drive M-body was renamed New Yorker Fifth Avenue for the 1983 model year.

LeBarons were available in coupes, sedans and station wagons. A Police version was available in 1981 only. The wagons arrived in 1978. All wagons had the Town & Country wood panelling until a plain base wagon was added in 1980-81. See Town & Country section for more info.

[edit] 1982-1988

For 1982, the LeBaron moved to the front-wheel drive Chrysler K platform, where it became an upscale version of the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant. It was available in sedan, coupe, and convertible versions. A station wagon version called the Town and Country was added as well. A special Town and Country convertible was also made from 1983 to 1986 limited quantities (1,105 total), which, like the wagon, featured simulated wood paneling that made it resemble the original 1940s Town and Country.

Despite being mechanically identical to the Aries and Reliant, it's fascias looked much more like those of the larger E-body sedans. This generation featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert, a computerized voice which admonished drivers with phrases, and a larger LeBaron sedan would arrive for 1990.

[edit] 1985-1989 LeBaron GTS

The 1985 LeBaron GTS was a somewhat different car than the standard LeBaron and was based on the Chrysler H platform. 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 93 hp (69 kW). A turbocharged 2.2 L engine producing 146 hp, 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.

[edit] Trim levels

  • Highline - 1985-1989
  • Premium - 1985-1988
  • GTS - 1989 (replaced "Premium" after the "GTS" was dropped from the name of the car)

[edit] 1987-1995 coupé/convertible

After discontinuing the first generation LeBaron coupé and convertible in 1986, Chrysler released a new LeBaron in 1987, built on the J platform and available as a coupé or convertible. The new LeBaron featured headlights hidden behind retractable metal covers, a waterfall grille, and curved (Coke bottle) style rocker panels. In Mexico, these models were marketed as the Chrysler Phantom.

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 also offered the same 2.2 liter turbo engine as used in the US market Dodge Spirit R/T.

The LeBaron was equipped with a trip & fuel economy computer and full instrumentation. For 1990, the instrument panel was redesigned.

In 1993, the LeBaron's exterior was slightly restyled. The hidden headlamps of the 1987-1992 models were deleted in favour of less costly aerodynamic replaceable-bulb headlamps, new wheel styles were made available, and all models got the amber rear turn signals introduced on the deluxe 1992 models. New for 1994, was the "Bright LX" decor package. It included a "bright" chrome grille, "bright" chrome badging, and "bright" chrome molding inserts, as opposed to being body-colored on the GTC. Available engines were naturally-aspirated 2.5 L and turbocharged 2.2 and 2.5 L versions of Chrysler's I4, and the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6. The coupé was discontinued after 1993, and the convertible in 1995, to make way for the new Chrysler Sebring coupés and convertibles, for 1995 and 1996 respectively.

[edit] Trim levels: 1987-1995

Throughout its lifetime, the LeBaron convertible/coupé 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 one trim level remained for 1995.

  • 1987
    • Highline
    • Premium
  • 1988
    • Highline
    • Premium
    • GT
  • 1989
    • GT Turbo
    • GTC Turbo
    • Highline
    • Premium
  • 1990
    • GT
    • GT Turbo
    • GTC Turbo
    • Highline
    • Highline Turbo
    • Premium
  • 1991
    • GTC
    • GTC Turbo
    • Highline
    • Highline Turbo
    • Premium LX
  • 1992
    • base
    • Turbo
    • GTC
    • GTC Turbo
    • LX
  • 1993
    • base
    • GTC
    • LX
  • 1994
    • GTC
    • Bright LX
  • 1995
    • GTC

[edit] 1990-1994 sedan

The last LeBaron sedan was built on the front wheel drive AA platform, another K derivative, as an upmarket mid-size sedan. It differed from the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim, as well as the European Chrysler Saratoga mostly in detail and trim choices. Theoretically, the Acclaim was supposed to be the more mainstream version, while the Spirit was the sportier version, and the LeBaron was the luxury version. In reality, however, there was considerable overlap amongst the three in available trim, equipment and features. The top-line LeBaron Landau model offered a padded vinyl half-roof with smaller "formal" backlight. All LeBaron sedans came with a standard driver's side airbag, could seat up to six passengers, and had a relatively large trunk. In 1993 the LeBaron sedan received new rear lights, which incorporated the reversing lamps previously located in the bumper fascia. The LeBaron sedan was discontinued after the 1994 model year, and was replaced in 1995 by the "Cloud Car" Chrysler Cirrus.

[edit] Trim levels

  • base - 1990-1992
  • LX - 1992
  • Landau - 1992-1994
  • LE - 1993-1994

[edit] Mexican market

The Phantom was the Mexican-market sports version of the LeBaron Coupe. Phantoms were sold with the same options as the Lebarons in the U.S., and sometimes at a higher trim level[citation needed].

Main versions include:

1988-1990 Luxury Version: 2.2 Turbo I engine, Speaking module, leather seats & interiors, digital dashboard cluster, premium Chrysler sound system. Three-speed automatic transmission.

1991-1993 Luxury Version: 2.5 Turbo I Engine, leather seats & interior, Chrysler Premium sound system or a six-speaker Infinity sound system also available with cassette or compact disk player. Electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission[citation needed].

1992-1993 R/T Special Edition: 2.2 Turbo III DOHC 16-valve engine & Getrag 5V manual transmission. The same engine and transmission were used on the U.S.-market Spirit R/T.

1992-1994 R/T Luxury: 2.5 Turbo II Intercooled SOHC Engine & A413 three-speed automatic transmission. Leather seats, digital dashboard cluster, automatic climate control, roof console with compass & temperature display. Single driver airbag system and ABS. Additionally for 1994, an analog dashboard cluster, passenger-side airbag, and a power sunroof where available.

[edit] Safety

1994 NHTSA crash test results gave the LeBaron a 4 out of 5 for the front-impact, driver and a 3 out of 5 for the front-impact, passenger tests[citation needed].

[edit] References

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[edit] Web Communities

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Type 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Compact Le Baron PT Cruiser
Town & Country
Mid-size LeBaron Sebring Sebring Sebring
E-Class LeBaron GTS LeBaron Cirrus Sebring Sebring
LeBaron Fifth Avenue
New Yorker
Full-size Newport Fifth Avenue Concorde
New Yorker New Yorker 300M 300
Town & Country Imperial LHS
Sports Laser Conquest Prowler Crossfire
Crossover SUV Pacifica
SUV Aspen
Minivan TEVan Voyager
T&C Town & Country Town & Country Town & Country T & C
Limousine Executive
Personal Luxury Cordoba
Imperial
GT TC
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