HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: 1979 Chrysler LeBaron, the allure of velour

Pick of the Day: 1979 Chrysler LeBaron, the allure of velour

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If ever a car were to deliver the ride comfort of a living-room sofa, it might be the 1979 Chrysler LeBaron.  It takes just one look at the plush velour front seat to envision what it might feel like to float along on the interstates in smooth isolation. 

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage, well-kept-original 1979 Chrysler LeBaron Medallion from a private seller in Paintsville, Kentucky, advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.  This lush 2-door “personal luxury car” might have you plotting a cross-country summer adventure in a mode of transportation that has way more leg room than a first-class flight.

lebaron

The LeBaron name dates back as far as the 1930s and has always been associated with luxury and sophistication.  Chrysler became affiliated with it in 1953 and went on to apply the nomenclature to high-end Imperial models for a couple of decades.  By 1977, the LeBaron became a model in itself, and it lived on in various generations until being phased out after 1994. 

LeBaron shares a platform with its sibling Dodge Aspen, but with a different body and higher-class target market.  With just 52,000 miles on the odometer, this car with its 225cid slant-6 engine should have lots of life left, and the cosmetic condition of the car appears consistent with that reading.  The windshield, tires and battery have all been replaced, according to the seller. 

lebaron

As an added bonus to a collector, the car comes with supporting documentation including the MSRP sticker, brochure, build sheet and original sales contract.  Aside from some light cosmetic detailing needed as well as an AC conversion, the seller seems confident in its roadworthiness and offers to supply a video of the car running. 

This 1979 LeBaron is one of the last of its kind, since as the 1982 model moved to a front-wheel-drive Chrysler K platform.  And with that reengineering, the LeBaron also shrunk in every direction.  


World-class room and comfort were definitely at a high point in 1979, and this low-mileage LeBaron might be one of the few still on the road, boasting that couch-like ride and feel.  All for just $7,000 or best offer.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie is a Phoenix-based automotive enthusiast who has been writing for The Journal since 2016. His favorite automotive niche is 1980s and 1990s Japanese cars, and he is a self-diagnosed “Acura addict” since he owns a collection of Honda and Acura cars from that era. Tyson can usually be found on weekends tinkering on restoration projects, attending car shows, or enjoying the open road. He publishes videos each week to his YouTube channel and is also a contributing author to Arizona Driver Magazine, KSLCars.com, NSX Driver Magazine, and other automotive publications. His pride and joy is a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer, but he loves anything on four wheels and would someday like to own a 1950 Buick Special like his late grandfather’s.

13 COMMENTS

    • I had one new, same engine. Quiet ride and comfy for sure. Long time hood. Terrible carburetors. Got rid of the car after the second carb.

  1. Sorry, but what a piece of American plastic, chrome and glitz! Not for me even if you gave it to me! Horrible, horrible car overall

  2. Is this a joke. the engine is no longer a V8 and the Slant 6 looks very rusty. The seats look like they are starting to rot. No visible rust? What about hidden rust? Seven is a crazy price.

  3. I would absolutely drive that! My girlfriends dad had a LeBaron wagon, faux wood sides and all. They were most definitely comfortable and back in those days, we didn’t have a car to go on our ski trips and when he lent us his for a weekend, it was great!! Not really sure if we loved the car or were just happy we didn’t have to take the bus.

  4. The LeBaron series continued with torsion bar front suspension, The were transverse -vs- previous
    frame anchored behind the front end The Chrysler torsion bar system provided a very stable ride
    under any conditions. Using the frame mounted, I had two Plymouths, two Chrysler Town & Country
    wagons, and a Imperial (renamed New Yorker). I felt they were far superior to conventional coil springs.

  5. Well, the younger generation does not know this was a mid size car. Chrysler last had a full size in 1978, after that, it was all down hill..

  6. These were decent cars when introduced. Styling and chrome blitz is what sold in the day. The car went on to become the 5th Avenue which was a very popular car produced through 1989. It was also the basis for the highly successful and proven Dodge Diplomat of the 1980s which is history as the most successful police car for a single decade. So to say the car was a loser is not true….the car was good and Chrysler definitely made a lot of money off this platform.

  7. Owns several Chrysler products in my lifetime. My favorite was and still have a 1987 GT LeBaron convertible. Love that car four-cylinder with the turbo five speed stick shift GT suspension this car is on steroids quicker than a V-8 in it was like a sports car.

  8. Had 1978 buick regal with touring package and wider tires and 3.8liter v6.what a road car went through the somekeys and never missed abeat.Only problem had light blue velour really should be against the law to put that in any car.

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