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Car Of The Day: August 18, 2009; Road Champs ’84 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible
Topic Started: Aug 17 2009, 11:07 PM (491 Views)
JustDavid
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SUV
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Today’s Car of The Day is Road Champs’ Chrysler LeBaron Convertible.

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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 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

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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.

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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 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. A larger LeBaron sedan would arrive for 1990.

Road Champs did a decent job on this casting. The tail-lights leave a bit to be desired; however to my knowledge this is the only die cast version of the LeBaron so they get kudos for it. This casting also has a black convertible top that fits in place of the removable boot.

Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LeBaron

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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

I had a red version of this casting as a kid but one or both of the doors fell off. do think it's a significant car cause it's a K-car which saved Chrysler back in the early 80s. The LeBaron name was first used in 1957 as a super luxury trim line for Imperials. The name LeBaron was actually a coach builder who had contracts with Chrysler in pre WWII times before Chrysler bought them out.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
Very interesting, CotD entry, JD. I not only didn't know that Road Champs did a Chrysler LeBaron-K, but I didn't know ANYONE did one of these!!

I'd sure like to see one of these in my hands and look it over!
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diecastdingo
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Well, not my choice of COTD. :D But an interesting choice, I know it was out there though I've never seen one in the metal.
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
just a dressed up Aires or Reliant, I know several true blue Mopar fans that were really ticked off at Chryco for wasting the Lebaron Name on a grocery getter special.

Lee Ioccoca after giving Ford what it needed in the Mustang slid right over to Chrysler and saved them from inpending demise with these K-cars, for a couple of decades or so.
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
As I can attest, these are possible to find.
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JustDavid
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Many years ago, my Mother almost bought a 1:1. She was ready to sign when the salesman said something smart-alecky to her...she walked away and never went back.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
JustDavid
Aug 17 2009, 11:07 PM
This generation featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert, a computerized voice which admonished drivers with phrases. A larger LeBaron sedan would arrive for 1990.

Road Champs did a decent job on this casting. The tail-lights leave a bit to be desired; however to my knowledge this is the only die cast version of the LeBaron so they get kudos for it. This casting also has a black convertible top that fits in place of the removable boot.
A former co-worker of mine got one of these cars, and I remember her naming the voice (I just don't remember what name she gave him).

There is one other version of this car out there- it's a copy of this casting, but only comes with the top up. I'm thinking the brand might be Rhino?

On a totally unrelated note, the oldest vehicle I have ever driven is a '78 LeBaron. A car sorely missing in 1/64 that would have made an excellent Fresh Cherries model!
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james_autos
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I've always liked this model. Looks smarter in red than in black, too.
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