Whether you love it or hate it, the K-car is one of those automobiles that changed the course of automotive history. With their uncommon for-the-time front-wheel drive, 4-cylinder power, compact exterior dimensions, spacious interiors, and fuel efficiency, the K-cars were a total 180 for Chrysler. Their instant success saved Chrysler from certain death, and made front-wheel drive popular in the mainstream family sedan class.
The basic K-platform would soon be adapted to underpin a number of different vehicles sold throughout Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth lineups. In fact, nearly every new Chrysler car from the K’s 1981 introduction through the early 1990s would be based on the humble K-platform. Some of these K-spawned platforms would even be replaced by new K-based ones over the course of its run.
Eleven in total, they included the E-body mid-size sedans (New Yorker/600/Caravelle), the G-body sports coupes (Laser/Daytona), the S-body minivans, the H-body mid-size hatchbacks (LeBaron/Lancer), the P-body compact hatchbacks (Shadow/Sundance), the J-body LeBaron coupe and convertible, the C-body mid-size sedans (New Yorker/Dynasty), the AA-body mid-size sedans (LeBaron/Spirit/Acclaim), the Q-body TC by Maserati grand tourer, the Y-body luxury sedans (Fifth Avenue/Imperial), and the AS-body minivans. In addition to their basic underpinnings, numerous other components were shared across the board.
The K-cars may not have been class-leading in terms of style, quality, or performance, but they had numerous merits that made them one of the most defining cars of the 1980s. While some of our international readers might not have ever experienced a K-car in the metal, I think it’s safe to say that most North American readers have at the very least, personally known someone who owned a K-based car. My best K-car memory is of a dark red Dodge Aries sedan, owned well into the late-’90s by my elderly next door neighbor, Mrs. Sorensen.
So on to the Question Of The Day: What’s your favorite K-car variant? This of course can be a regular K-car, or one from any of the aforementioned K-based platforms. I personally have several favorites, such as the K-body LeBaron convertible, E-body New Yorker and Caravelle, the Sundance, and the Imperial. My all-time favorite though, is a tie between the G-body Daytona and Laser, and the J-body LeBaron, particularly the 1987-1992 years, with the concealed headlights. So, what’s your’s?
I don’t like any of the K cars. I’d rather walk than even ride in one.
I’ll second that emotion. No matter the configuration, I detested these things.
It seems like you also share a same sounding name with “RB” 😉
No offense, but that’s kinda like asking which is my favorite STD…
I’m going on memory here, but I think you have said in the past you are a Ford man, and you once owned a Pinto? 😉
Ford man, yes. Ex-Pinto owner, no. I’d take a K-car first.
The H Bodies. The Chrysler LeBaron GTS and the Dodge Lancer. My favorite K variants, including the minivans. Unfortunately, the Ford aero cars, like the Thunderbird and Taurus, made them look dated.
They’re my favorite too, especially because of the hatch – For some reason I found these to be a reasonable “descendant” of the Valiant-clone Lancer of 1960.
I found amongst K variant sedans, they were the best proportioned. There are shades of the Audi 4000, for sure. At least the H Bodies styling hid their K-car roots better than the E-Class, 600 and Caravelle IMO. The Shadow and Sundance would have been more attractive if they didn’t appear so abbreviated at the rear. Plus the Shadow/Sundance had a rear seat really only suitable for children. The H bodies had plenty of room. I rode in them, but wished I owned one at the time.
This is in the running as my choice, but Brendan’s is not such an easy question to answer….
I’ll take a Lancer Turbo with the stick, in that metallic medium blue with blue corduroy seats please.
Pretty sure they didnt sell them down here the closest would be the Magna which Chrysler harvested the powertrains from eventually, and I dont want one of those durability was not their strong suit.
I know they had a bad rep, but we got 240,000 km out of ours. Not a dollar spent on it outside regular servicing. Course you had to know how spec it right: FI on the 2.6 and be sure to get the manual.
I had a 1987 Dodge Charger when I was a kid, it looked just like the Plymouth Duster. I bought it used I believe in 1990 from a private seller with low miles on it. It was a good car and I enjoyed it. So, that’s my favorite K-car, since I have some great memories of it.
The Charger and Plymouth Turismo/Duster actually used the L-body, which served as the basis for the 1978 Omni/Horizon. It was one of the few late-’80s Chryslers that wasn’t K-based. It did look a lot like the Daytona and Laser, and I think it was a nice looking sports compact.
Owned two, and they’re two of my three favorites: 1984 Dodge Caravan C/V and a 1994 Dodge Daytona. Add in the Lancer hatchback to complete the trio.
I don’t see the complaints. For the most part we’re talking cars for non-car enthusiasts. Which is the majority of the drivers out there.
1984 Lebaron convertible. Still had sharp, creased styling, but with a better convertible top (rear quarter windows) and a glass rear window which didn’t need to be unzipped when lowering the top. Also was missing the malformed wart third rear brake light that would make its appearance on the car’s trunk lid the next year.
Later Lebarons got the Thunderbird ‘melted jellybean in the rain’ look which was so de rigor at the time.
My nephew’s mother is driving a Dodge 600 convertible ,a 85, with under 70k. It is actually a nice cruiser, white top and interior with a red body. To bad she is slowly killing it.
Easy, ’82 to ’86 Town & Country wagon in dark blue.
There’s only one right answer here
+1. Affordable luxury!
Sold today at Auburn fall
You can just see Lido being driven around Detroit in one of these, a waft of cigar smoke enveloping the rear compartment!
I would swear that’s the only reason they made them, because Lido needed a limo, but couldn’t be seen in a Cadillac or Lincoln.
Weird, I never knew Lee Iacocca’s real name was Lido. I had to look it up to see, I knew this was Iacocca’s baby, so I was guessing it was him you were referring to. Learn something new every day!
If I were him I’d have much rather had a stretched M-body Fifth Avenue. But that’s just me…
I didn’t care for the K cars when they first debuted. Its squarish body styling didn’t look very attractive. It may have saved Chrysler, but Chrysler could’ve done better than that.
I respectfully disagree that “Chrysler could’ve done better than that.”
Done better using what resources? Almost exactly one year before the first K-cars hit dealer showrooms, Lee Iacocca was schmoozing in halls of the Capitol to convince Congress to pass the “Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979,” thus securing $1.5 billion (the equivalent of almost $5 billion today) to keep the company out of bankruptcy. So it’s safe to say there wasn’t a whole lot of money sitting around to further develop the platform.
Then too, Ford had just scored a sales success with the Fairmont (405,000 in MY1978), which was a boxy, efficient design. Calling something a “Hail Mary pass” is overdone, but honestly, that’s what the K-car was. It’s likely that Chrysler didn’t want to try styling that was too radical for the time, although several years later Ford did so quite successfully, with the introduction of the Taurus.
+1
+1 me too. And I continue to be astonished by how radical the Taurus looked and how much Americans liked it. They must have focus-grouped that grille-less front end to within an inch of its life. K-cars were conservatively styled but not without character, and people like my parents liked and drove them.
Let’s keep in mind, the K-car was designed to sell to Valiant buyers, Falcon buyers, Nova buyers. Conservative, middle class, middle-Americans. Red staters, to use a term that didn’t show up for another twenty years.
Yes, once you got past the transverse engine and front wheel drive, we’re talking dull as dishwater. Just the way the potential customers wanted it. White bread before the Camry was dreamed of. A car for those to whom the Omni and Horizon were unacceptable because they looked too much like ‘furrin’ cars.
And what was the poorest selling K-cars? The Lancer, the one K-car that the auto buffs love, or at least like. The one that’s getting the most plaudits from this gang. Which is a lesson unto itself.
The K-Car sold well because it was a decent car and inexpensive, not because Americans go crazy over dull cars. The Camry sells well because of its well deserved reputation for quality, durability and resale value, not because it is dull. Do you really think Toyota would sell fewer Camrys if they made the car more emotionally appealing?
American car companies tend to sell in high volume only when the car is cheap (K-Car) or good (the ’86 Taurus). When American cars went boring across the board was the same time GM and Chrysler went bankrupt. VW is struggling now in N.A. because someone there bought into the logic that Americans like big, boring cars. Net of incentives the Passat is as cheap as anything else in the segment, which was not the original plan, and it still doesn’t sell.
The early K cars were not cheap at all. They mostly arrived loaded andwent out the door for loaded Impala money. As the cars got old, around 1985, discounts started, and a lot of extra equipment. The later Reliant was not a bad car with a nice interior.
“Conservative, middle class, middle-Americans. Red staters….”
At least as many K-cars were sold in what we now call the “Blue states”, to members of the blue- and white-collar working class.
By the way, Happy Labor Day!
A Daytona is alwys nice. Make mine red please.
Dodge Rampage pickup with a turbo 2.2 / 5-speed swap.
The Rampage was actually one of the few vehicles that wasn’t K-based. It used the Omni/Horizon’s L-body.
Oops! My bad.
In that case, make it the 80’s vintage, square-bodied Chrysler LeBaron or Dodge 400 / 600 convertible.
I still like me a Rampage though.
The Rampage was a very cool car. I passed one on the highway earlier this year. With their low production figures, it’s quite possibly the last one I’ll ever see in the wild.
I know where one lives in Richmond, plus I saw another in Williamsburg earlier this year. They’re still around, but I agree they are getting quite rare.
The 2nd generation Chrysler Minivan especially the 1995 Plymouth Voyager that was in the family 18 years. You just had to get the right equipped one and be aware of its quirks. Too bad the K-Car club won’t let those in.
People love old (ancient) VWs, Fords, and quirky French cars so I think the K-car hate is kind of silly.
1983 Plymouth Reliant 4 door sedan and a 198? Reliant wagon. 1987 Chrysler New Yorker quarter landau vinyl top, 1985 Dodge Omni, 198? Dodge Daytona, 1989 Plymouth Sundance. All of these K-cars had been test driven by me moreover in Europe! The Omni’s smooth suspension and the perfectly running 2.2 Litre IL4 with a 3-speed automatic gave to me the nicest experience. Low mileage and the fact that It was in such perfect condition. But not so the others…
I’d have to go for either the H-Body Lebaron sedans, or the J-body Lebaron coupes from ’90-’92. Fairly well screwed together, decently reliable, and the H-body was fast enough with the turbo option. The later coupe was just a sharp car all around (I always thought they should’ve called it the Cordoba, but oh well…), the interior was much improved in 1990. I’d have one today in fact. There’s a part of me that admires the plain-jane early Reliants, but only for a minute or two. lol
1st generation Reliant/Aries wagon or 2-door sedan, or 1st generation Voyager/Caravan C/V. Preferably in base format, except for the van, which I’d want with the torqueflite and 2.7 combo.
There was something honourable and honest about the 1st generation. They were exactly what they were. No pretensions with the basic Aries/Reliant sedans/wagons. That came later with the Imperial etc.
I remember when I received my 1981 COTY issue of Motor Trend at the time, I was sure the K-Cars had it won, just by looking at the cover. If only because of the importance of these cars to Chrysler’s survival. I knew the Granada, Cutlass and Imperial would not be competitive for the title. And the Escort/Lynx didn’t overwhelm reviewers during their earlier road tests, as their original engines were significantly underpowered. It was an easy decision that year.
I love how they included the Aries & Reliant and Escort & Lynx as if they were totally different vehicles. Can you just imagine if the Lynx won but not the Escort? “We liked the interiors and driving dynamics of both, but in the end the Escort’s grille underwhelmed us.”
No kidding. Purely on memory, but I think the Reliant was an SE, and fully equipped. The Aries was a Custom with a 4 speed. So, the way the test cars were optioned played a role too. I’m almost surprised they didn’t add a V8 equipped Mercury Cougar GS coupe to compliment the Granada 4 door.
I’m scratching my head, and trying for the life of me to figure out why the Cutlass qualified that year as a “new” model.
The sheetmetal was all-new, and that was enough in that universe.
That article with the Caprice looks captivating.
Dodge Spirit ES.
I had one for a rental car. What a hoot to drive. It has a Mitsubishi 3L V6 engine. A real wolf in sheep’s clothes.
I almost forgot about the Spirt ES. I loved those red-striped seats in it.
Usually people like the way I drive. But the passengers openly told me they did not like the way I drove with this car. It was so powerful and handled so well that I scared the you-know-what out of them. And I had no idea. “What’s the matter?”
Plymouth Acclaim. I had a 92. It was roomy and comfortable. Not the fastest or best handling (in fact, kinda boring), but extremely reliable. It had little or no maintenance while I had it but nothing ever went wrong with it. The only reason I got rid of it was I grew bored of it. I wish I had kept it….good basic no frills transportation
No surprise , but 81-82-83 Imperial would be my car of choice.
The Imperial was based upon the J Platform, shared with the Cordoba and Mirada those years.
I have to say the LeBaron coupe/convertible (J-body). I owned a 1989 Turbo coupe, which I still have fond memories of, despite the fact that it was a bit of a money pit. I would also say the Dodge Lancer.
Even with all the problems I had with it, my favorite is the J-body LeBaron. I had a 1989 (pictured) and I still think it’s one of the best looking cars on the road. Sorta wish I hadn’t sold it.
Snowball, how we miss you… (my daughter’s white over white ’88)
We had a 1986 Voyager minivan. Met our need wonderfully. Much easier to drive and park and fuel than a Suburban of that vintage. Much better than any of the full size station wagons too. So, my vote is for the minivan.
Further on the minivan subject from Wikipedia: The introduction of the Chrysler minivans in 1984 revolutionized the family-car market in the U.S. They soon displaced station wagons and became the car of choice for traveling “baby-boomers”.[4] Within one year the automaker was not able to build enough Voyager/Caravans to meet the market demand as the people-hauler of choice, while competitors were rushing to introduce their versions.[5]
It is difficult to overstate how much this variant of the K Car changed the automotive landscape.
Some Minivans were built in Missouri and rumor has it those Minivans have more issues in regards to quality than the Canadien built Minivans. At least that is the gossip I have heard in regards to the 2nd generation Minivans. Perhaps Missouri built more Minivans with ABS, OD, and other problem prone features than Canada did. When I buy a 94 or 95 Voyager I am buying Canadien.
Canadian cars were generally better. According to Allpar, back in the day Chrysler execs always requested Windsor-built units as their personal rides. I know this is anecdotal, but my parent’s Missouri-built ’78 LeBaron was a mess that fell apart in 3 years. A grocery list of new parts and $$$$ later, it finally became a good car.
It’s quite interesting that the same car models manufactured in different countries (either on different continents far far away from each others sister manufacturing plants) could give 180° different quality results. While the same model could come out from one plant as very reliable, though the other plant could release that same car as a mess. And vica versa…
A former co-worker had worked in a Chrysler dealership in the 70’s and he told me many times that B-Bodies assembled in Windsor were superior to American built cars. I can’t figure out why–assembly plant workers just assemble–engineers figure out how the car will be assembled.
UAW workers figure out how to sabotage the best intentions of the engineers.
I’ve noticed the opposite. My Canadian built Mavericks are not screwed together better than the Kansas built ones. They always ( the Canadian ones) were more rusty and generally wore out, even with equal mileage as the Kansas ones and shipped to the same DSO.
Believe it or not one of the things that helped the K-Car take off was that Mercedes-style grille. I had forgotten about that until I saw the lead photo in this post.
That always seemed to do the trick — the Studebaker Lark and GT Hawk and of course the Malibu all benefited from that famous grille. The Granada had it too, and most of the rest of the Mercedes. Iacocca no doubt wanted to go back to the well. The Seville grille was different, more like a Lincoln or Rolls.
My favorite K was the LeBaron Coupe with hidden headlamps.
You are right about the grill…when they were new some relatives of mine mistook them for the contemporary “baby Benz” which was introduced around the same time.
It is ironic that the two merged later on and became Damlier-Chrysler. I remember being teased when I had my 88 Aries that I was now driving a Mercedes!
I’m going to have to go with the LeBaron Town&Country wagon. It just oozes refinement and class 🙂
As a close second or if one had to be my daily driver, a Lancer GTS or Lancer Pacifica which I did very much lust after back in the day.
Ferris Bueller’s mom’s car! I always liked its lighter tone “frame” di-noc, evoking the original Town & Countries of the ’40s. I’ll take mine with the Corinthian Leather buckets with floor console.
The one thing I never liked about these was the taillights. I feel like for the Chrysler-branded version, they could’ve gone a little fancier. One minor styling complaint.
+1
One of these. The only way I could enjoy a K would be with maximum kitsch.
Probably the last time in history you could get a “woodie” sedan and convertible version of the same car. Actually, probably the last “woodie” convertible, if I’m correct.
I was waffling between using that pic and the one I chose right above your post. You have impeccable taste, my friend, we will have to discuss this more in a few weeks in Indiana …
Yeah, I was thinking about the one in Planes, Trains and Automobiles:
If you freeze frame and look closely, you can see that they altered the appearance to disguise it’s true origin, much the same was they created the Family Truckster.
For instance, they took a Grand Wagoneer script and broke off the “er”, making it a Grand Wagon, then they added a stock Turbo faunt under that, to create a Grand Wagon Turbo.
Yeah and they also changed the rear badging to “Farm and Country”, added a generic “D” hood ornament, and swapped in Dodge 600-style taillights. If John Hughes wanted to use the car with Chrysler badging, I don’t think Lido would’ve given his approval, given what happens to the car. One of my all time favorite movies! I watch it every Thanksgiving.
The car is also painted the same color as a the Family Truckster too.
I was busy choosing my picture and did not see your preceeding comment until after I put mine up. I laughed and said “the guy has taste.”
My dad had a Town & Country woodie wagon just like your pic. It was more than a decade old at the time and was showing its age, but still had plenty to recommend it. Comfy seats, good driving position, easy to get in and out of, and a peppy 2.6 Mitsu engine that gave good umph until it self-destructed. I’ll never forget that talking dash – “Your door is a jar”!!!! Hahahahah!
Yep, this is the K for me. Town and Country wagon was kitsch overload! I had an metallic brown 1987 as I preferred front refresh of 1986-88. But in cream color please!
Yes. This, especially the wagon. The K wagons were very space efficient, and the full on T&C trim looked great. We had a cream over brown corduroy ’85 for a number of years, and it never gave us any problems. It was a 2.5L Mitsubishi, too be sure.
One thing they fixed on these vs. the earlier F/M body T&Cs was the quality of the fake wood framing. It seems like every one of the earlier cars I’d see in later years had drooping lower front-door frame pieces – and that piece only for some reason.
The E-Body New yorker is endearing in its hopelessness. It also had a digital dash
Spirit or Acclaim. Probably the most refined of the K family. Roomy, good seats, and solid. The one I had had well over 300 000 km.
Those or the 91 – 95 vans…
Rust around here did them in.
Sadly I had a 94 van that was terrible!! Transmission and suspension issues. It was roomy and comfortable though! Fun for the 6 months that I owned it.
Very smart move making Lido the spokesman for the Aries/Reliant. He really played the American comeback theme well. Surprising GM never associated the X cars with an all-American theme, for taking on the imports. In hindsight, it’s probably a good thing they didn’t.
Maybe they should have lured Charlie Daniels to sell the Rampage/Scamp with ‘In America’ playing in the background.
Roger Smith couldn’t have sold sex in a lumber camp.
Ha, true. But they did come up with the brilliant ‘Heartbeat of America’ shortly thereafter. And ‘Like a Rock’.
If they had a patriotic jingo around the X-cars, they would have sold millions more, and likely cost themselves many more future customers. ‘Heartbreak of America’ would have been appropriate. 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PvBZIFa-aQ
“It’s the worst Chevy of the 80s, it’s the worst Chevy of all-tiiime” (except for the Vega)
They did sell 800,000 Citations in the first year, I don’t know how they could have managed to sell anymore….
I don’t want to spoil a party. But the LeBaron convertibles cross my esthetic sensibilities with one thing: a disproportionately long front overhang.
H-body: LeBaron GTS/Dodge Lancer. Though I admit I have a soft spot for the P bodies: the Sundance/Shadow duo. Now if only these cars weren’t such crap….
The drop tops .
-Nate
I had bought a new 1980 Omni 024 shortly before the K car debuted. I had my car at the dealer for some minor service and they loaned me a demo Aries sedan while mine was in the shop. I wouldn’t call it a bad car, but I was happy I spent my money for the Omni instead of the Aries. I would sum it up as a capable malaise era car. That was my only experience with a K car. and that was enough for me.
Hmm. How many Kars did my parents and other nearby relatives own?
’82 LeBaron 2.2 4-sp
’85 LeBaron GTS 2.2 5-sp
’86 New Yorker 2.6 auto
’87 Chrysler Laser 2.2 turbo auto
’91 Dodge Dynasty 3.3 auto
Throw in a bevy of Omnirizons and a couple Fifth Avenues.
Make mine the Dynasty, with plenty of power and one of the twelve trouble-free overdrive automatics. It passed down from my grandmother to me when she quit driving. Never gave me trouble until the day in 2000 it was totaled, while parked, ironically by an old lady who should have quit driving. We are confident my grandmother haunts her eternal rest.
+1. I’m still laughing.
+1
I love the T&C Convertible, if only for its appearance in Planes, Trains, & Automobiles.
But I think I’d love a Turbo 5-speed Grand Caravan more. FWD burnouts all day erryday.
I have to throw my vote to the EEK (extended K platform) H-body LeBaron and Lancer turbo models, in particular.
I had a 1987 Lancer ES Turbo with the 2.2 and the Level 3 suspension. It was a great all around car. With the hatchback, there was very little I couldn’t carry in the car. Really, it was the right car at the right time in my life (young father, long commutes). There are few cars that I want back, but this is one of them.
If I had to nominate other K derivatives, it would be in this order: The original minivan, Caravan/Voyager, Sundance/Shadow, Laser/Daytona and 400 ES/600 ES.
Picture is of a Lancer ES turbo, equipped like mine, but it was black.
The only K-Car variant I would consider owning or riding in is the New Yorker Fifth Avenue or Imperial, made from 1990-93. They were the last stretched versions of the K-Car to cater to the upscale buyer.
I believe those cars were designed and built to compete with Cadillac DeVilles and Lincoln Town Cars but in reality, were a joke compared to the aforementioned cars.
REAL K-Car, 1986 Chrysler Lebaron coupe, while I actually prefer the 1987+ coupe body… bench seat > all
Favorite K-Car derived model: 1990-1992 Chrysler Imperial
Dodge Lancer ES Turbo.
Runner-up: Dodge Dynasty (Mitsubishi V6)
Dynasty LE. 3.3 engine. I drove many a mile when I was a car rental manager. Black cherry in color please!
My ’84 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z.
I suppose the only really innovative K derivative was the minivan, so I’d go with that. The Caravan / Voyager was a very important car for Chrysler, as it just created its own market segment ahead of the competition in the US. It saved Mopar like the Montego never saved BL.
If nothing else, the Minivan kept Chryslers on European roads at a time when very few US cars were being sold there. In the late 80s-90s, the only Chrysler that had a following in Europe was the Voyager (only in Chrysler guise, the most recognizable name), as yuppies and large families adopted a new type of vehicle. Of course, GM had Opel/Vauxhall and Ford had its Koeln/Dagenham products, but Chrysler had no European network or marque then, so the success of the Voyager improved Chrysler’s image and foothold in that market. Only to then foist the Neon on that unsuspecting public… Is it Mopar or Fopar (faux-pas)?
Dodge Spirit R/T, duh.
+1…..Oh, if only I had $13,995 when the local Dodge dealer was closing them out in 1992.
Bingo. With the Lotus head, it blows all the others away. Too bad they’re rare.
Chalk me up for the H-body Lancer/LeBaron GTS. I really loved that 5-door hatch style.
Lebaron convertible, duh. John Voight owned one you know!
That was the one George Costanza had as well 🙂
Unfortunately, its fate was similar to that of the one from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.
There was this light metallic blue ’86 Aries 2.5L we had at work. It was not very refined. The engine was rather noisy, the interior plastic creaked over bumps, acceleration and handling were only fair. But it ran, and required very little work outside of routine maintenance. It did everything we asked of it, was very easy to service, and didn’t use much gas. Considering what they were and how much they cost, it was pretty hard to find fault in them. The Ford Tempo, on the other hand………..
Early convertibles, seemed better before the bean counters got wise. And of course: the Imperial. Last trombone case I ever drove, and that was pre 2000.
Daytona though, outran a Vette in one of the Cannonballers’ film. Most honorable mention.
I had an ’89 Sundance RS 5-door that was white with grey lower rocker panels. It had the 2.5 Turbo I and Getrag 5-speed. It was very conservatively styled, but was fun to drive and sort of classy looking as well. It had the velour pinstripe interior that people associate so heavily with the Spirit ES, which was tan and maroon in this case instead of the more attractive grey and maroon, but it still looked nice. Probably my favorite car I’ve ever had. It was quick and fun to drive and disappeared into traffic. It really broke with the stereotypes about ’80s American cars: the turbocharged and balance-shafted 2.5 was very smooth and quiet, the stick shift was long of throw but precise, and it looked and felt like a nice little car inside and out. My dad even liked it, despite being a hardcore GM guy.
I should’ve added the Sundance RS to my favorites. I can’t remember ever seeing one in person, but I always liked the look of them in brochure pictures. The two-tone, luggage rack, fog lights, and alloy wheels gave them a more European look without being as tacky as the Shadow ES or the later Sundance Duster. I loved that interior with the maroon pinstripe too.
It does look great photographed at the golden hour, doesn’t it. I know that I have some pix of mine somewhere, but I’m not sure where.
My favorites are in my current fleet:
83 LeBaron convertible (gets the most positive comments and looks every time I drive it)
88 Reliant sedan (FL car driven 300 miles per year)
95 Voyager minivan
Honorable mentions from the past:
84 Caravan (despite the horrible 2.6 engine)
83 400 2 door sedan (the talking car)
84 Daytona Turbo (despite several head gasket replacements)
88 Dynasty (despite the oil burning 3.0)
Wish I’d owned:
Aries/Reliant wagon
Wow- the K-car guru, Mr. Le Baron. No insult meant by my Imperial joke. I really enjoyed, thought about one for the ex, but a student in mechanics school gave my ultradrivephobia.
Oh God, after my coffee, I confess truest K love for the TC! Please don’t judge the Hatman, he’s eccentric. My favorite TC color was puddin’ cream on red. Before I make a fool of my self, the TC did have a shortened Lebron body? Boss coming, can’t fix typo. A grown GS worker, not McDonald :).
OK, he’s gone till at least 2 Est. Silly govt job.
Wasn’t ol Blue Eyes out running Davis & Dean…Sammy says floor it!!! Hungover Dean says I am.. Sinatra pulls buy in a quad headlight Daytona. If I can recall, the 84 Vette had less than 200 hp, probally auto. If the Turbo D had stck, it was likely faster.
not enough time to edit—
TC by Maserati
Not town and country
A 1984 Corvette would have had 205hp and 290lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm, producing 0-60 times in the high 6’s, more than enough to beat the Daytona, but good product placement for Chrysler, Cannonball Run II also marks Frank’s last on screen appearance in a movie.
Just put it in the redbox queue.
Carmine, I have my email on cc cohort. I’m taking the parents to Miami next week. Contact me for Shulla’s. You seem like a vet, like me. My treat.
Very cool. I hope to pick up a 94-95 Voyager one of these days.
It was too late for me to hide my love for TC’s via edit nor delete. Any member who thinks I should face psych work or resignation, I submit. I know how wrong I am to love such a Pile.
Keith, with apologies.
Well, I owned a 1989 Plymouth Sundance “Highline” (a Canadian trim model) 5-door hatchback in metallic aqua-blue with a chrome trunk rack and white wall tires. It had the “large” 2.5 L engine with the auto. I loved it’s “hidden-hatchback” trunk design. I preferred the chrome trim the Sundance had, over the black trim of its’ Dodge Shadow twin. However, my ULTIMATE favourite K-car variant is the 1990-1993 Imperial.
Yes to Imperial-I owned a 1992 for 12 years. That’s what got me started on my love of all-things Imperial. It was “posh” for its time, cruise in it all day long and not get tired. Remarkably capable in Michigan winters too.
Maintenance-wise, I loved how so many parts were interchangeable in the K-car variants-I believe that 6 Imperials, 3 New Yorker 5th Avenues, 2 Dynastys, and one Town and Country van contributed parts to my Imperial from the local U-Pick yard.
My favorite k-car would be one that has been crushed into a cube, as that is its highest and best purpose: scrap metal. I speak from experience- owned an 83 Reliant 5 speed wagon almost 20 years ago and still vividly remember its many problems. I gave it away and it caught on fire for the next owner.
G-body, please, followed by an Aries/Reliant wagon with a stick.
Favorite K Variant would be an 1987-89 Lebaron Convertible. Was high on my list for a new car in 88-89. Ended up buying the used 86 Trans Am w/T Tops I still have. Helped my sister buy an 87 Lebaron Coupe which was a pretty nice ride. We special ordered it in Gunmetal Blue 2.5 5 Speed Manual with all the power accessories. She kept till it had about 150000 miles on it. Do not remember it giving her many problems, particularly after 2 major accidents which probably should have totaled it.
The Plymouth Caravelle got no love in these comments, but it’s my favorite K car.
I like the oft forgotten Caravelle as well. The grille (which was on every other Plymouth) looked really good on it, and the roofline on the E-bodies was a bit more interesting than the typical squared rooflines of most other sedans of the time.
I will admit to some Caravelle love. I always thought it was a nice model name.
If the 81-83 Imperial is not an option, then either the Town & Country wagon, or the first generation Plymouth Reliant with the square profile, coupe.
Even though they’re totally the opposite of my big boat favorites, I like the K-cars and what they represent: honest practicality. Yes, today’s compacts are safer but they look like they’ve been taking steroids. These are when an econobox was just that, a box with mechanical equipment to get you from A to B. No frills, if you want fresh air, crank down the windows. Today, we demand econoblobs tricked out with every option. Somewhere I suspect there is a connection between this new standard and overspending/debt, and why the person who 30 years ago would purchase a K car and move into a 3-bedroom Cape Cod house with 4 children without batting an eye now requires 2 “hybrid” vans and a huge mortgage on some big barn with individual bathrooms for each child. You have to wonder if traffic and pollution would be as bad. But that’s for some politically-charged discussion I really don’t want to have; better to speculate from the armchair and enjoy the clean simplicity of K-cars.
And those crossovers better have 22-inch rims!
CC Effect strikes again. Within 30 MINUTES this afternoon of noting in the comments to the Reliant capsule from the other day that I hadn’t seen many K cars around Connecticut in the last 15 years, I was out driving around my hometown and passed a white Dodge 400 convertible, possibly one of the rarer K-cars.
Dodge Spirit R/T.
My parents’ 1984 Voyager and 1988 Reliant K were the Ks in our family. They were both excellent for what they were and even after my father sold off the Voyager (the engine died), it soldiered on for a few more years with a new owner and engine. I learned to drive in the Reliant K.
I forgot to add, I also owned a ’94 Spirit with a V6.
It wasn’t bad but once the transmission went, we had a hell of a hard time finding another one locally. There just weren’t many of these cars left at the time (about 10 years ago when I had the Spirit).
The G24 model, which was the Chrysler Laser/Dodge Daytona. I liked the looks of them when pictures were released in late 1982 and early 1983. I wanted one when they were new. Got a clean, like-new base-model, 5-speed 1986 Laser in 1990 which I kept 10 years and put well over 100K enjoyable miles on. Bought a low-mileage (60K) 1986 Laser XT turbo, with T-tops, Mark Cross leather and 5-speed in 1999, which I still own. Been sitting undriven for over 12 years.
There was one other one I liked and really wanted. The Shelby Dodge Lancer. In bright red with a 5-speed manual. When new, it was definitely out of my price range, though. Still would love to own one, too.
1984 E-Class. A wonderful car and very comfortable. We owned ours from 1986 to 1994.
I have posted a photo on previous articles.
If we’re not strictly staying with the original K platform, I can’t forget our beloved 1990 Acclaim!
One of these days I’ll locate a photo of it to post. Owned it for 10½ years.
Wow! You’re the first person I’ve even known to have owned a Chrysler E-Class. I’ve always wanted to see one in person, but there aren’t many left, especially considering there short production run. As I commented earlier about the Caravelle, I really liked the look of the E-body sedans. Especially with their roofline and 4-windows, they stood out among more conventional 3-box sedans with more upright rooflines.
I like the E-Class/600/Caravelle sedans, too – especially the facelifted ones from ’86-’87 when they lost the pointy beak. It’s too bad Chrysler didn’t offer a New Yorker without the stupid Landau roof after dropping the E-Class, but a fully loaded 600/Caravelle was basically the same thing.
Brendan, here is a photo of the E-Class we owned.
In March, 1985, I was out walking the dog as I did every Saturday afternoon with the kids, and Florissant Dodge was right up the street from where we used to live.
By that time, the sales team knew us and always petted our dog, Suzy, while our son and daughter “cleaned” up the lot and deposited all the junk they found – old wiper blades, nuts, bolts, etc. – usually on my workbench or in their rooms, and as I walked up the front row of the used car aisle, I came across this baby – a very classy car, mostly due to the paint job!
I went home, told Wifey about the car, drove back to the dealer, looked at the car, took a test drive, picked up Wifey, drove around, stopped at the house, and she said: “Dear, we have GOT to find a way to buy this car”!
We did, and the rest was history. One beautiful and comfy ride for the next 8 years!
Thing is, I had to sell my 1976 Dart Lite. I missed that car, affectionately known by the kids as the “race car”, although it was as slow as your average VW Beetle!
I then re-took possession of our 1981 Reliant as MY car.
All these replies, and no mention of the ’89 Shelby CSX? Color me surprised… VERY capable machine.
These had a unique “composite” wheel that was a first for any car as I recall, there is one that shows up at car shows down here every once in a while.
I think my favorite K-car variants were the Dodge Lancer and Chrysler LeBaron GTS, hatchback sedans that didn’t look like hatchbacks. I thought they were really good looking…fairly aerodynamic and modern looking, but not homely like a Tempo or Topaz.
I also liked the LeBaron coupe/convertible, from 1987 until 1993 or whenever they got rid of the hidden headlights. I had one for a couple years, an ’88 turbo coupe. My uncle had bought it in 1990, used, but then never really liked it, because he’s more of a truck guy. He sold it to me when I got married and I let her have it in the divorce. Our other car at the time was a 1968 Dodge Dart 270 with about 300,000 miles on it. Some friends and family members told me I should have let her have that and kept the LeBaron, but I knew what I was doing. That LeBaron was dead about a year and a half later, with around 115,000 miles on it, and had some pretty expensive repairs along the way. While not exactly trouble-free, the Dart went on for a few more years, and was cheaper to fix when it did break.
Wasn’t it a K-car variant that told us that a door is a jar?
I believe it was an 82 LeBaron that was first to scold its driver audibly.
Yup, my dad had a K-car New Yorker when I was a kid and I thought its robot brain’s insistence that “a door is a jar” was the funniest thing in the world:
Having read the previous 134 comments, I see many who have rather positive comments and a few detestable comments. I for one am a MOPAR guy and from the standpoint of practicality and longevity have only positive comments for the ‘K’ platform cars and all that came from it. True enough, I can fix and maintain them better than most and starting off with an October 1980 built ’81 Aries, I have currently a 1985 Plymouth Voyager ‘S’ body van with a 3.0L, a 1985 Chrysler ‘G’ body Laser with a turbo intercooled 2.5L, a 1989 ‘Q’ body Chrysler TC by Maserati 2.2L 8v engine, all of which have over 250,000 miles on them. They are my only cars, so they are driven regularly as the need dictates. My wife drives our newest ‘K’ car variant, a 1994 Dodge ‘P’ body Shadow with the 3.0L engine and a 5 speed transaxle. I often wonder why people have the need to buy new cars and then lament having disposed of those they loved so much. I can drive any one of these cars cross country (USA) without a worry. You can read about my cars on the Allpar site. Both the TC and the Voyager are featured there.
I agree with Hemi Anderson. I sometimes think those who call various models “crap,” etc. never actually had them, but are repeating what they heard. During those years, our police department, being experimenters, bought 12 K-cars with the Mistubishi 2.6s, beefed them up a bit underneath, and they proved quite capable as city police cars. (They went next to 12 Chevrolet Celebrities, and soon ended up with 9 of 12 out of service!) I oversaw the meter reading and utility billing operation and acquired two of the old Ks for the meter department. They were pretty much trouble-free.
For no real solid reason, I like most of the K-cars, including the originals, the Reliant and Aries. I don’t know why as they were all before my time, and I’ve never driven them or owned one. But I’m like that with most Mopars anyway. We’re Mopar diehards in our family, for the most part, so it runs in the blood.
My most favorite of the K-cars and their derivatives are the Lancer GTS/LeBaron GTS sedan, then of course the other various LeBarons and the New Yorkers through the years. An aunt of mine had a GTS LeBaron sedan when I was younger. Around the same time, my grandparents had the newer K-car New Yorker (1990-ish), and in retrospect, it was a nice, small luxury car. Growing up, I went in many long trips in that car and it was comfortable and roomy. I like those too. Even though they were FWD, they didn’t look the part and they were nice for what you got.
As for the Shadow/Sundance, the LeBaron/Lancer GTS could have filled its gap until the Neon came along, in my opinion. With some minor updates, like airbags, subtle changes to the exterior and a new dashboard, these cars could have been brought into the ’90s.
Speaking of the LeBaron, why didn’t Chrysler revive the name for the Sebring/200? I would have been a perfect fit. I sometimes think of my 2011 200 Limited sedan as a modern-day LeBaron, a perfect fit for the name. Buick brought back the Regal, why can’t Chrysler bring back LeBaron (and while we’re at it, Intrepid and Concorde?).
A _great_ thread ! .
I wasn’t aware of all the K Car variants out there , I just remember the stodgy looking first series , folks either loved of hated them on sight , I am well pleased to see all the love being shown here now .
Truly a car for it’s time , like it or hate it .
-Nate
Here is a photo of my ’85 Laser. Powered by a 2.5L Turbo engine, backed up by a Getrag 5 speed trans. Stopped by 4 wheel disc brakes from a Daytona IROC.
A very quick car and fun to drive. It is my daily driver.
Definitely a CC My 1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati. I have owned this car since ’95 and have made several cross country trips in it. On the open road, it feels as though I am cruising in an airplane, the feel and handling is so smooth. It has been a trouble free car the entire time I have owned it. A few personal modifications have been the conversion from the 3 speed automatic to a 5 speed manual trans and the removal of the ABS brake system for a conventional vacuum booster system. The most complex maintenance has been a head gasket at the time I bought the car and 2 timing belts. All done prior to any failure. Like any car, now with over 275 thousand miles, preventive maintenance is a must to keep it alive and well.
Very awesome!!
Sorry guys this is the only way I would ever consider owning one of those steaming piles
I still have fond memories of my ’87 Reliant which I owned in the early 1990s. A solid, reliable, honest little car. I really liked the ease of maintenance, the nice comfy gray velour interior and the swiveling map light that flipped out of the passengers sun visor (it still would be a great idea today). Not so nice were the crappy cheapo plastic hubcaps and the rear bottoming out with three passengers in the back seat.
I personally like all the loaded up Broughamy versions, and, the Lazer XT!
My parents had a 1982 Dodge Aries in 1984. It seemed to be the right car for us, but my Dad hated it, said it made a funny “popping” noise in the front, so it was traded after eight months for a new Buick.
Fast-forward to today, I have in my garage, a “garage chair” I made from the front seat of a 1987 New Yorker…it makes for a nice place to sit when I am tinkering on something out there 🙂
They were the right cars for the era. My parents had 5 and I had one:
1981 Reliant Custom wagon, 4 speed stick, no AC, manual steering (40 mpg highway!)
1985 Voyager SE 2.6L
1988 Reliant LE sedan 2.5L
1989 Dynasty 2.5L
1990 Dynasty LE 3.3L (Sunroof, ABS, memory seats) –> mine, bought at age 22, MSRP ~$22K, according to the dealer it was the most expensive Dodge car ever produced to-date
1992 Dynasty 3.0L
At various times I was infatuated with: Dodge 600 ES turbo, Dodge Lancer ES, Lebaron GTS, Daytona Pacifica.
Both parents and I all had Dynastys at the same time. The 1990 Ultradrive failed twice, so I sold it. The ’92 still had the original transmission when it was totaled at 120K.
’81 Reliant wagon 4-speed, no AC, manual steering. My expert parking job. Roughly 6 inches clearance in front and in back!
For me the choice would be between the H-bodies (Lebaron GTS, Lancer ES), the G-bodies (early Daytona Turbo Z to be specific) and the J-bodies (LeBaron convertible, with hidden lamps). Make mine a Turbo on any of the 3; no need for a V6 in a K-derivative.
sorry they’re such poor quality shots, but this vast thing has just turned up locally, in seemingly very good condition…
and another
Aries wagon,which I currently still drive.But I have always liked the GTS/Lancer cars,thought they should have done better in the market than they did.In actuality,I wouldn’t turn away any 80s Chrysler vehicle.Except maybe the convertibles.Never cared for a drop top.An L body Rampage/Scamp is great too.I worked at a Chrysler dealership back in the day,and was a big supporter of Chrysler surviving during their near death experience.I think a lot of people back then wanted to see them survive,and they got a lot of sales due to the “helping hand” factor.Ordinary people couldn’t help them with money,but they could buy a car or 2.I did whatever I could to spread the word,and support the mighty 2.2 (and discourage the awful 2.6 Mitsu)..