Vehicle Description
In the late '80s and early '90s, domestic automakers rushed to
build limited edition, luxury-brand sedans (both 2-door and 4-door)
as halo vehicles. Cadillac had the Cimarron, Buick offered the
Skyhawk, and in addition to the TC, Chrysler also beefed up their
otherwise softly-tuned K-car LeBaron with the GTS edition. This
particular 1987 Chrysler LeBaron GTS is a spirited 5-door hatchback
that we're really excited to see on the secondary market, as it
will hopefully help pave the way for these slick cars to become
modern classics. With a snarky turbo-charged engine, a slick color
combination, and only 24,163 actual miles on the clock, this is one
that is already on its way.
With so few miles on the clock, this is one of the most original
GTS models available anywhere on the market today. Looking
wonderful in its original Maroon finish, it's an unusual car that
seems to get curious and appreciative glances everywhere it goes,
and many people aren't quite sure what it is, but want to find out.
Up close, they see that bright Chrysler grille and the cool
hatchback out back and know it's not a garden-variety car, and the
exceptional preservation reminds them that this is something
special that garnered this sort of care through the years. The
original paint is nicely finished, and a thorough buff-and-polish
would increase that upscale shine even further, but at the moment
it's still very nice but not so over-the-top that you'll be scared
to take it down the road at a moment's notice. The bright maroon
paint emphasizes the LeBaron's lines, and despite what you may have
heard about K-cars, this one is assembled extremely well. This car
also manages to accomplish a rather rare feat: to look sporty as a
4-door hatch.
European design influence is most strongly seen inside, where acres
of soft, fragrant Maroon leather have been stitched together. The
bucket seats wrap around the passengers like overstuffed baseball
mitts, with gathered leather on the door panels to add to the
ambience. This is a roomy four-seater with a plush rear bench and
beautiful carpeting, with plenty of storage space behind the rear
seats, and even that area is artfully finished with maroon and
plush carpets. The unique steering wheel is leather-wrapped, and
it's mounted atop a tilt column, and the digital gauges just beyond
it illuminate a uniquely '80s fashion. Options include factory A/C,
cruise control, a power sunroof, and the original AM/FM/Cassette
stereo in the center of the dash, and reliable Chrysler technology
ensures that everything works as it should. The seats show almost
no wear, and the carpets look like they've never seen anything more
aggressive than a tennis shoe, and in fact, only the center console
arm rest shows proper evidence that this car was actually driven
for a scant 24K miles. Out back, the storage area has plenty of
room for luggage, meaning this is a legitimate cross-country
cruiser.
Chrysler's durable and surprisingly potent 2.2 liter inline-four
with a big turbocharger delivers sprightly performance in the
relatively light GTS, even when accompanied by the standard 3-speed
automatic transmission. The engine bay is nicely maintained, and it
has a very OEM look that is indicative of careful ownership over
the years. This five-owner car was obviously owned by enthusiasts
that knew this car was worth preserving from the beginning, and
with miles that low it's obvious it was always a weekend ride.
Further proof of its easy life is the completely rust-free chassis
that even boasts an original exhaust system with a catalytic
convertor and virtually zero corrosion. If you're a fan of
authenticity, this car will certainly impress you. The factory
wheels adorned with original hubcaps show no brake dust or curb
rash, and there's a good set of 205/60/15 Yokohama radials so you
can enjoy this car immediately.
Documented with all of its original owner's manuals and various
maintenance records, this is perhaps the nicest LeBaron, let alone
LeBaron GTS, on the market today. Don't let it get away, call
today!
