Chrysler LeBaron

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Chrysler LeBaron

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 (1995) Chrysler Sebring convertible for conv. (1996)

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. 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. Resurrected to add cachet to the Chrysler Division's new mid-sized entry two years later, the "LeBaron" name has since been applied to a total of 5 different cars built by the Chrysler Division:

• The 1977-1981 M-body Mid-size LeBaron sedan, coupé, and wagon
• The 1982-1988 K-body Compact LeBaron sedan, coupé, convertible, and wagon
• The 1985-1989 H-body Mid-size LeBaron GTS hatchback
• The 1987-1995 J-body Personal luxury LeBaron coupé and convertible
• The 1990-1994 AA-body Mid-size LeBaron sedan

1977-1981

First generation

Production	1977–1981
Assembly	St. Louis, Missouri, United States Newark, Delaware, United States
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

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.

1982-1988

Second generation

Production	1982–1988
Assembly	Newark, Delaware, United States St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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

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 versions. In 1982, it was released in a convertible version, bringing to the market the first open-topped domestic vehicle since the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. 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 in 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, its 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.

1986 Chrysler LeBaron Coupe

The LeBaron was facelifted for 1986 receiving rounder front and rear ends to improve aerodynamics. Coupes and convertibles were dropped for 1987, being replced by the all-new J-body LeBaron released that year. The sedan and wagon contined with minor change until 1988. A larger LeBaron sedan based on the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim would arrive for the 1990 model year.

A slightly modified 1986 Town and Country convertible was prominently featured in the 1987 film Planes, Trains and Automobiles. A 1983 Town and Country convertible was also famously featured in various episodes of the sitcom Seinfeld; George Costanza purchased it because he believed it had been previously owned by Jon Voight.

1985-1989 LeBaron GTS

LeBaron GTS/LeBaron

Production	1985–1989
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States
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

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 100 hp (75 kW). A turbocharged 2.2 L engine producing 146 hp (109 kW), 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.

Trim levels

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

1987-1995 coupé/convertible

Third generation (coupe/convertible)

Production	1987–1995
Assembly	Newark, Delaware, United States St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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)

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 all-new LeBaron looked modern and aerodynamic compared to it's boxy predecessor. It featured headlights hidden behind retractable metal covers, a waterfall grille, steeply raked windshield, full-width taillight lenses (though only the edges actually lit up), 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 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 blocky 1987-89 interior style, making it more in tune with the "aero" revolution of the early-1990s.

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.^[1]

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 making a 141 hp (105 kW) in this application. The coupé was discontinued after 1993, and the convertible after 1995, to make way for the new Chrysler Sebring coupés and convertibles, for 1995 and 1996 respectively.

Facelifted 1993-95 LeBaron Convertible

1987-92 LeBaron Coupe (headlight covers open)

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
  • LX

1990-1994 sedan

Third generation (sedan)

Production	1990–1994
Assembly	Newark, Delaware, United States Toluca, Mexico
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	2,971 lb (1,348 kg)
Related	Dodge Spirit Plymouth Acclaim Chrysler Saratoga (Export only)

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.

1994 Chrysler LeBaron LE

Trim levels

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

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 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 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.

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]}.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chrysler LeBaron

• Allpar: LeBaron Coupe
• Consumer Guide: 1990-1995 LeBaron coupe/convertible reviews
• Consumer Guide: 1990-1994 LeBaron Sedan reviews
• Front-Runners.net - LeBaron Road Test (PDF)

External links

• MyLebaron

• [1] - Chrysler K-car Club