1986 Chrysler LeBaron

In the mid-1970s, the US auto industry discontinued convertible models, and many believed this might be the end for the domestically produced body style in the US. In 1982, Chrysler re-introduced North America to the convertible with the retro ragtop Town & Country. The 'K' car platform was modified to accept a convertible body style and Chrysler utilized the services of Cars and Concepts Inc. of Brighton, MI, to modify partially finished 'K' cars into convertibles.

These new, smaller convertibles were well received by the public. The Town & Country convertibles were introduced in mid-1983 and evoked the glamour of the fabled 1946-1948 convertibles of the same name. Nearly four decades separated these two nameplates, and much had changed; the injection-molded plastic imitation wood trim was replaced by hand-crafted ash of the original. Inside, the handcraftsmanship became very evident with the Town & Country's Mark Cross leather interior.

Powering this vehicle is a four-cylinder, overhead cam, turbocharged engine offering 146 horsepower. There is a Torqueflite three-speed automatic gearbox with disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear. In 1981, this vehicle had a base price of $6,350.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011

Sold for $2,475 at 2007 The Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction.
This 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group in Hilton Head Island, SC, where it was estimated to sell for $6,000 - $10,000. It was offered without reserve, with all proceeds going to charity. This car has a wheelbase that measures 105 inches, has a three-speed automatic transmission, and a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.4-liter engine capable of producing 125 horsepower.

In 1982 Chrysler introduced a newly redesigned LeBaron that varied greatly from the previous, M-body style of the first generation. This second version was based on the Chrysler K car platform and was available as a sedan, coupe, or convertible. On the LeBaron's tenth anniversary, a Town and Country station wagon was offered in limited quantities.

Probably one of the modern LeBaron's most famous appearances was on the 'Seinfeld' episode, which featured a 1986 LeBaron Town & Country, purchased by George and assumed to have been owned by actor John Voight.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2007

This vehicle is a 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Convertible (Mark Cross Edition). It is one of only 505 ever made! Chrysler is famous for their 'woodies' of the 1950s. They were revived again in 1983. It was a smaller car favoring luxury and reasonable economy.

The LeBaron nameplate is one of the longest-running nameplates in Chrysler, if not in all automotive history.

Manufactured more than six decades ago, the original bearer of the LeBaron name is the 1931 Chrysler Custom Imperial Eight. One of the numerous prominent coachbuilders that sprung up in the 1920s, LeBaron was founded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1920 by Thomas L. Hubbard and Raymond Dietrich, formerly of Brewster. Originally named LeBaron, Carrossiers Inc., the company served as a design consultant. The company didn't become body builders in addition to designers until 1924 after merging with the Blue Ribbon and Bridgeport Body companies.

Though neither Hibbard nor Dietrich was French, they named the company LeBaron simply because it sounded French. The market for custom bodywork in the U.S. largely dissipated by the late 1930's due to the Depression and the efforts of corporate stylists like Ford's Eugene Gregorie and GM's Harley Earl.

In 1977 the LeBaron nameplate was again revived for the rear-wheel-drive M-body Chrysler based on the mechanicals of the corporate A-body (Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare). Though the name LeBaron had been used before on Imperials, this was the first time in history that the name was used on its own.

In 1982 the LeBaron model name was transferred to the new front-wheel driveline when the Chrysler-branded rear-drive M-body was renamed New Yorker Fifth Avenue for the 1983 model year.

In 1978 the vehicle was available as a wagon, and all had the Town & Country wood paneling until a plain base wagon featured in 1980 through 1981. The LeBaron was available as a four-door passenger sedan in the early 80's. In 1981 only a Police version was made available. The now-famous K-cars were introduced in 1982, where they became an upscale version of the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant. The LeBaron 'K' was offered as a convertible through 1986 and a sedan through 1988. From 1985 through 1989, an 'H' body LeBaron GTS hatchback (Dodge Lancer) was offered. From 1990 through 1994, the 'A' body LeBaron sedan (Dodge Spirit/Plymouth Acclaim was featured. The Town and Country station wagon version was also offered this year. From 1983 through 1986, limited quantities of a special Town and Country convertible were made available in simulated wood paneling that closely resembled the original 1940's Town and Country.

Somewhat different from the standard LeBaron, the 1985 GTS was based on the Chrysler H platform. Considered more of a performance vehicle, the GTS was powered by Chrysler's 2.2 liter inline-4 engine that was later updated with a 2.5 L TBI version that generated 93 hp. In 1989 the GTS moniker was dropped, and the K-based LeBaron sedan was discontinued.

Following the discontinuation of the first generation LeBaron coupe and convertible in 1986, a new LeBaron was introduced by Chrysler. Also available as a coupe or convertible, this newest model was built on the J platform. The 1987 model featured headlights hidden behind retractable metal covers, curved (Coke bottle) style rocker panels, and a waterfall grille. These models were called the Chrysler Phantom in Mexico. 1987 LeBarons featured available engines that were the stock 2.21 and 2.51, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. For the 1990 model year, a 3.01 Mitsubishi V6 was featured. Equipped with a trip and fuel economy computer and full instrumentation, in 1990, the instrument panel was totally redesigned.

Considered the traditional year, in 1987, the 'J' body LeBaron coupe and convertible were introduced as successors to the 'K' based sedan and convertible. The 'J' was the only modern LeBaron that wasn't carbon copied into a Dodge/Plymouth offering.

Built exclusively for time trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the 1992 Chrysler Baron Coupe was powered by a VNT turbocharged 2.0L based on the 2.2L/2.5L turbocharged engines found on many street LeBarons. The engine produced an amazing 450 hp with an exhaust header, customized intake, and an intercooler that still fit into essentially a stock body.

The LeBaron received a slightly restyled exterior for the 1993 model year. The hidden headlamps from earlier models were deleted and replaced with less costly aerodynamic replaceable-bulb headlamps. All models received the amber rear turn signals introduced on the deluxe 1992. New wheel styles were also made available. For 1994 the new 'Bright LX' décor package was offered and featured a 'bright' chrome grille, 'bright' chrome badging, and 'bright' chrome molding inserts. Featured engines were naturally-aspirated 2.5L L and turbocharged 2.2 and 2.5L versions of Chrysler's I4 and the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6.

Until 1993 the LeBaron coupe was offered, and the convertible out-lasting it until the 1995 model year. The Sebring coupe and convertible have since replaced the LeBaron in the Chrysler lineup.

The final LeBaron sedan was built on the front-wheel drive AA platform, another K derivative, as an up-market mid-size sedan. After the 1994 model year, the LeBaron sedan was discontinued and replaced in 1995 by the 'Cloud Car' Chrysler Cirrus.

By Jessica Donaldson