1981 Plymouth Reliant

During a point in history when a nation was seeking a reliable, economical, and fuel-efficient vehicle, Chrysler's Chairman Lee Iacocca offered a line of cars that would become known by their platform code; 'K cars.' These front-wheel drive vehicles, known as the Reliants, were the lowest-cost offering of all Chrysler K cars. They offered good transportation, were easy to service, and had adequate room for the average family.

By modern standards, the cars may seem boxy, but during the 1981, all manufacturers were making boxy cars, a reaction to the tough economic times in which styling was deemphasized.

This vehicle is a Reliant Custom model that features more exterior trim and soft cloth seating. It has front disc brakes with drums in the rear. Power is from a four-cylinder, overhead cam engine delivering 84 horsepower. There is a Torqueflite three-speed automatic gearbox, front MacPherson struts with coil springs in the rear. In 1981, this vehicle had a base price of around $6,350.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011