Chrysler LeBaron

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Chrysler LeBaron
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1977–1995
Successor	Chrysler Cirrus (for sedan) Chrysler Sebring (for coupe and convertible)
Similar	Honda Accord Mercury Topaz Oldsmobile Achieva

First generation
Production	1977–1981
Assembly	St. Louis, Missouri Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Class	Mid-size
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	M-body
Engine	318 in³ LA V8 360 in³ LA V8
Transmission	3-speed A727 automatic 3-speed A904 automatic
Related	Chrysler Town and Country Dodge Diplomat

Second generation
Production	1982–1988
Assembly	Newark, Delaware
Class	Compact
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	K-body
Engine	2.2 L K I4 2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.5 L K I4 2.6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4
Transmission	5-speed A525 manual 3-speed A413 automatic 3-speed A470 automatic
Wheelbase	100.3 in
Length	179.2 in
Width	68 in
Height	52.9 in
Related	Chrysler Town and Country Dodge 400 Dodge Aries Plymouth Reliant

LeBaron GTS/LeBaron
Production	1985–1989
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan
Class	Mid-size
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	H-body
Engine	2.2 L K I4 2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.2 L Turbo II I4 2.5 L K I4
Transmission	5-speed A520 manual 5-speed A555 manual 3-speed A413 automatic
Wheelbase	103.1 in
Length	180.4 in
Width	68.3 in
Height	53 in
Related	Dodge Lancer Shelby Lancer

Third generation (coupe/convertible)
Production	1987–1995
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan St. Louis, Missouri
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupe (produced until 1993)
Layout	FF layout
Platform	J-body
Engine	2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.2 L Turbo IV I4 2.5 L K I4 2.5 L Turbo I4 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Transmission	5-speed A520 manual 5-speed A523 manual 5-speed A568 manual 3-speed A413 automatic 4-speed A604 automatic
Wheelbase	100.5 in (1992-95 coupe) 100.6 in (1992-95 convertible) 100.3 in (1987-1991 coupe) 100.4 in (1987-1991 convertible)
Length	184.8 in
Width	69.2 in (1992-95) 68.5 in (1987-1991)
Height	51.2 in (1992-95) 50.9 in (1987-1991)

Third generation (sedan)
Production	1990–1994
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	A-body
Engine	2.5 L Chrysler I4 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Transmission	3-speed A413 automatic 4-speed A604 automatic
Wheelbase	103.5 in
Length	182.7 in
Width	68.1 in
Height	55.9 in
Curb weight	2,971 lb
Related	Dodge Spirit Plymouth Acclaim Chrysler Saratoga(Export only)

Chrysler introduced the LeBaron model in 1977 as its lowest priced model, and the name was used on various Chryslers until 1995. The name originates from the 1930s coach builder, and designated the top of the line Imperial models through 1975.

Contents 1 1977-1981 2 1982-1988 3 1985-1989 LeBaron GTS 4 1987-1995 coupé/convertible 4.1 Trim levels: 1988-1995 5 1990-1994 sedan 5.1 Trim levels 5.2 Safety 6 In pop culture 7 References

[edit] 1977-1981

Although the LeBaron name had been used before on Imperials, this was the first time the name was used on a Chrysler. 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.

[edit] 1982-1988

The 1982 LeBaron was based on the Chrysler K platform. It was available in sedan, coupe, and convertible versions. This generation featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert, a computerized voice which admonished drivers with phrases like "Please fasten your seat belt" and "A door is ajar". 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, which, like the wagon, featured simulated wood paneling that made it resemble the original 1940s Chrysler Town and Country.

[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. 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. 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] 1987-1995 coupé/convertible

After the discontinuation of 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.

Availiable engines were the stock 2.2l and 2.5l, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, and for the 1990 model year a 3.0l Mitsubishi V6 became availiable.

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. 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: 1988-1995

Throughout its lifetime, the LeBaron convertible/coupé was avalable in many trim levels. As the years went on, the number of trim levels became less and less until it was down to just one.

• 1988
  • Highline
  • Premium
• 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
• 1995
  • GTC

Euro-spec 1990 Chrysler LeBaron convertible

1993-1995 LeBaron convertible

[edit] 1990-1994 sedan

The last LeBaron sedan was built on the front wheel drive A platform, another K derivative, and existed as an entry-level mid-size sedan. It was similar to the Plymouth Acclaim and Dodge Spirit, as well as the European Chrysler Saratoga and differed 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 so-called "formal" backlight. All LeBarons 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] 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.

[edit] In pop culture

• The K-based Town & Country convertible went on to minor fame in the film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
• The same car is featured in an episode of the TV show Seinfeld entitled "The Mom & Pop Store", where George purchases what he believes to be the actor Jon Voight's LeBaron( which was a 1986 Town & Country convertible), but it turns out to have been owned by a Manhattan dentist named John Voight. In a later episode George allows a mechanic with a mental illness to work on the car, causing it to catch fire.
• The LeBaron is featured in the TV series Veronica Mars as the car driven by the titular lead character.
• American rock band Cake sings about his dream girl changing her MG for a white Chrysler LeBaron in the song 'Short Skirt, Long Jacket'.
• The LeBaron is featured in Tom Green's movie Freddie Got Fingered, as it was given as a gift to Tom Green.

[edit] References

• Allpar: LeBaron Coupe
• Consumer Guide: 1990-1995 LeBaron coupe/convertible reviews
• Consumer Guide: 1990-1994 LeBaron Sedan reviews

Chrysler, part of DaimlerChrysler since 1998, road vehicle timeline, North American market, 1990s-present  v • d • e
Type	1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Compact												PT Cruiser
Mid-size	LeBaron						Sebring
	Le Baron					Cirrus						Sebring
Full-size	Fifth Avenue				Concorde
	Imperial				LHS
	New Yorker									300M						300
Sports								Prowler							Crossfire
Crossover SUV															Pacifica
SUV																		Aspen
Minivan											Voyager
	Town and Country
GT	TC

v • d • e Chrysler Corporation (Category • Vehicles)
Current:
Cars:	300 • Crossfire • PT Cruiser • Sebring
Vans / SUVs:	Aspen • Pacifica • Town and Country • Voyager / Grand Voyager (outside North America)
Historic:
Cars:	300 series • 300M • Airflow • Airstream • Cirrus • Concorde • Conquest • Cordoba • E-Class • Fifth Avenue • Imperial • Imperial Parade Phaeton • Laser • LeBaron • LHS • Neon • Newport • New Yorker • Prowler • Royal • Saratoga • TC by Maserati • Town and Country • Turbine Car • Windsor
Vans / SUVs:	TEVan • Voyager
Concept:
Cars:	Airflite • Akino • Atlantic • California Cruiser • CCV • Chronos • Citadel • Falcon • Firepower • Imperial Concept • Java • ME Four-Twelve • Nassau • Norseman • Pacifica  • Phaeton • Pronto Cruizer