For Sale: 1979 Chrysler LeBaron in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1979 Chrysler Lebaron Town & Country Station Wagon

Few Hollywood cars are more iconic of the classic American family road trip than the clunky green station wagon from 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation. The ugly, uncomfortable, gas-guzzling monstrosity was everything a family road-trippin' vehicle should be. An abomination of a creation for automotive creative genius George Barris.

For consignment, certainly not an abomination, but definitely a family "road tripper" car in the form of a 1979 Chrysler Lebaron T&C station wagon. In fact, just for shi@* s and giggles our consignor drove it across the country and it ran with absolutely no problemoes. Sporting a newly rebuilt transmission and a NOS carb with some new rubber, (bneeded after all those X country miles!),she's a real woody classic. Get the kids, grab the pets and pack your bags. We are going for a ride.. Cell phones are not allowed!

Exterior
Within the shadow of our CAM dancing noodle section, 1979 was the height of square and rectangle design and this faux woody wagon has it in spades. Not a single, not a double but a quad of headlights leads the way with dual square headlight on either side and just above 2 more running/turn signal lights in horizontal format. A slight V shaped grille in black egg crate and horizontal chrome is between all the lighting and a shiny bumper is below. Paint is tan although I'd argue with our crack decoder it looks more like powder yellow to me, but hey I'm just the writer, he's NOT! This paint is all good on the hood and roof racked roofline. All remaining panels are covered in faux wood applique which appears as walnut panels and oak covered 3D wrapped metal trimmings on the edges of the walnut. Some delamination is occurring on the oak. 4 doors, a rear tailgate that opens upon for massive storage and if that's fills, then go up to the roof rack. On back more wood accenting and two large horizontal tail lights wrapping around the rear quarters. Dish styled wheel coverings are wrapped by 215/70R15's all around. Are we there yet? I gotta pee!

Interior
Between the doors is room enough for a comfy 5 or a cramped 6 and all their worldly belongings. Beige vinyl abounds on the padded doors panels with more wood accenting and power window toggles, and the front and rear benches. These benches have a mixture of vertical tuck and roll on their edges, (top and seat), are nicely padded and piping in the edges of the smooth central areas and headrests. In front a center armrest folds down for that drivers lean if you will. In front, more square and rectangle design with a wood grained dash with brushed aluminum bezels in the round, peppering the panel in front of the driver. Also within his reach are climate controls, a radio and a few extra square gauges to drivers far left. A beige padded dash pad is in and looking great. In back a carpeted and chrome stripped luggage compartment which is clean and stain free and all other carpeting is clean gold. The headliner is padded and has some buttons put in to help with the sag, also in beige. MOM! Charlie hit me.

Drivetrain
Under this hood, choked with wiring and emissions controls we see an unrestored 318ci V8 topped with a single 4-barrel carburetor. It has a 904 30speed automatic transmission on the back. The rear axle weighs in as a 8-1/4 inch x 2.71 gear ratio.

Undercarriage
A massive fuel tank with lots of patina is on, although not surface rusted. Some light surface rust is seen throughout but is all unremarkable. Independent transverse torsion bars are in front, and leaf springs for the rear all providing the X country ride. Power disc braking is in front and power drums in back.

Drive-Ability
I wanted to make it a true test drive for a proper wagon as such, so I yelled through the Hallowed Halls here at Classic Auto Mall "ALL ABOARD!!". And they came from their desks like Whoo's on Christmas morning gathering around their tree. Off to the town we went in search of the Morgantown sites, (AKA Parasites!). The car ran smoothly, had room for 5, and behaved nicely through the entire test drive as did the sales crew which when given a lolly they fared nicely all getting along. One of them refused and just used his thumb, but for now will remain anonymous.

Yes it's a classic, yes it's iconic from a time when the minivan was about to take over, but who really wants to drive a "toaster" when you can roll about the country in this classic? Faux wood, powder yellow paint, nice comfy interior, and plenty of room to stay just far enough away from each other so we have no X country squabbles, grab the fam and get on the road. Oh and bring the dog too. Oh no Clark....the dog wet on the picnic basket!

FH45H9G230221

F-Lebaron
H-High Price Class
45-Station Wagon
H-318ci V8 4bbl 155hp
9-1979
G-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
230221-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.