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Chrysler Le Baron Convertible.

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The illustration above shows what a new-generation Chrysler LeBaron convertible could look like. Something based on the STLA Medium or STLA Large platform would be a great way to help relaunch the Chrysler brand in the US.

It would be a fun homage to the Chrysler LeBaron Convertibles that used to be everywhere a few years ago. I’m not talking about the classic LeBarons from the 1930s or 1040s, or even the ones from the 1970s. But these affordable convertibles Lee Iacocca launched in the early 1980s.

These were based on the very humble K-Car platform. The K-Cars were available as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, and wagon since 1980 at Plymouth and Dodge dealers. Chrysler got their own version in 1982 with a convertible model added to the lineup.

It had to be one of the cheesiest designs ever, trying very hard to squeeze giant 1970s American car styling into a car smaller than a current Honda Civic, complete with a big plastic chrome grille and whitewall tires.

Just look at these 2 ads above, trying hard to make a connection between these new small Lebaron models and the original classic. Even using the great Ricardo Montalban, who had successfully convinced masses a few years earlier, that the Chrysler Cordoba was a true luxury car. And just look at the fake wood paneling option. All proudly displayed with a straight face.

I think no matter what, these were great fun. The way a cheap Vegas motel room is fun.

Later, the LeBaron convertible was totally redesigned and all of a sudden looked super sleek and modern. These were produced from 1987 to 1995 and were literary everywhere.

By 1995, Chrysler killed the LeBaron and replaced it with the Sebring. While the new coupe model was actually a Mitsubishi Eclipse with a Chrysler design, the convertible was a true LeBaron successor. And it was another hit, especially with rental companies.

Things were bad later when it was redesigned in 2008. By that time Chrysler was a different company. A much worse one…

These cars went from being goofy overdone fun toys to really good-looking. They always stayed affordable, roomy, and again, were everywhere.

Of course, the Convertible market is not “what it used to be” as they say. However, the last ‘affordable” American convertible is the Ford Mustang. Over 53,000 Mustangs were sold in 2024 and over 30,000 so far this year. back in 2029, Ford claims only 15% of Mustangs sold to customers were convertibles. But that doesn’t include rental companies.

I know it’s a long shot, but I think Chrysler should dig into its successful past to restart its brand under Stellantis. Unless the suits have already decided to kill it…

Conversation 10 comments

  1. There will never be another cool car coming out of Chrysler or the Chrysler corporation. We’re going to get that stupid electric charger and that’s it. Everything like this that is written about is BS and you know it.

  2. It’s a shame that Stellantis is not being creative with the Chrysler brand, the need to turn back this brand into a luxury name, like once was, stop bringing econoboxes with chrome. Start with two nice luxury sedans, one being more
    sportier to compete with Cadillac, Audi and BMW. Let’s take Hyundai as an example they had a bad start with the Genesis, but eventually they figured things out, and now is a respectable luxury brand.

  4. The Chrysler dinosaur brand is dead .it was dead for 10 years until they finally killed it off.

  6. Chrysler has always been a very innovative company let’s hope they resurrect what’s left and be great once again

  7. Walter Chrysler’s post WWII edict was to provide upscale automobiles like the “Town and Country” for the successful man who lived in the suburbs.

    In the early 1950s Chrysler built a handful of “Pheaton” parade cars, one of which still belong to the City of Los Angeles. Their “Imperial” models and luxury brand built an exquisite “First Lady” limousine for Jaquline Kennedy. Also in 1960 the Chrysler Corporation introduced the “alternator” for the first time in the Plymouth “Valiant”… all cars used to have generators but Chrysler re-engineered them inside-out, like a squirrell cage motor. Introduction became innovation when ALL cars and trucks adopted the alternator.

    Electric forklifts used big squirrel cage motors and experimented the idea of using motor impedence for braking. This not only worked, they found the motors produced electrical current while braking.

    Lest we forget… the Chrysler Building is an Art Deco skyscraper on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City, at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. At 1,046 ft (319 m), it is the tallest brick building in the world with a steel framework, and it was the world’s tallest building for 11 months after its completion in 1930. As of 2019, the Chrysler is the 12th-tallest building in the city, tied with The New York Times Building.

  9. The Chrysler Imperial would have been the best comeback for them if they produce it. Lookup the 2006 Concept Chrysler Imperial. It was beautiful.

  10. Id buy a new Chrysler Lebaron convertible and so would a whole generation that loved them! Chrysler needs it in their American market! We would love it!

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