Vehicle Description
1979 Chrysler LeBaron Hardtop
This name Plate "LeBaron" has been in the Chrysler lineup for many
years. From 1931 to 1941, then a hiatus and restarting from 1955 to
1995. Getting its name from the manufacturing plant which also
produced other brands such as Lincoln and Packard. This company
would eventually become the familiar name of the day nameplate
Briggs. In its heyday it produced Duesenberg and Cadillac as
well.
For consignment,a M body Chrysler Le Baron from 1979 putting it
"squarely", (sic), into the square and rectangle design era. This
beauty is a true survivor with original factory paint and looking
all the 1979 part. It has the correct number of doors and a landau
vinyl top to make it a real looker. All in good condition, unknown
exact mileage but consigner states it was only taken out a few
times a year to stretch its legs, so the actual mileage would be
assumed to be low based on its overall condition.
Exterior
Cadet Blue Metallic covers steel panels all squared off and minding
gaps very nicely. In front we see a lazy V outward facing grille
with a central egg crate design and a grid of dual head lighting on
the bottom with square headlights above dual horizontal running
lights to match the lower headlight size. These lights wrap around
the corner of the front quarter and emulate the shiny bumper below.
A radiator surround is in the blue and a hood ornament is atop. The
hood starts its journey rearward to the windscreen which is
initially topped with metal roof then it turns to vinyl covered
darker blue and we can call it a true landau top with a vertical
rectangular opera glass insert. Some darker blue pin striping is
highlighting the edge of the body bump out and does a great job of
doing so especially on the rear quarter which uses one of the few
curved surfaces in the bump out. A nice spacious trunk frames wide
rectangular horizontal tail lights made up of 3 squares and trimmed
by thin chrome edging. A C H R Y S L E R badge is noted on the
bottom edge of the lid and a shiny bumper with inset backup
lighting is below. The car rides on 15-inch dinner plate hubcaps
and wheels which are wrapped in 215/75R15 thin whitewall
rubber.
Interior
Richly appointed tri tone blue shows up on the door panels and it
utilizes a medium blue vinyl as the framing for a central lighter
"ice chip" blue panel where we see the door pull strap and armrest.
This panel shows as slightly soiled on the drivers side. The lowers
are dark blue carpeting and for some extra interest a wood applique
panel is behind the window crank. Turning out attention to the
inside seating is wide bucket seats meshed together by a center
armrest and seat panel.. These are covered by light blue velour
broadcloth with smooth bolsters and tuck and roll inserts. Some
dark blue piping delineates these surfaces. The driver's upper edge
of the seat as you enter the car is worn off offit fuzz. The back
seats are also in the dual bucket with central panel format and
appear to be much less used. In the upper center is a wood applique
panel is noted on the top of the seats. These chairs float on faded
and soiled blue carpeting. To the dash where some wood applique
wood background wraps around the instruments to create a dash that
contains round sweep instruments with brushed aluminum instruments
sporting 2 large and a left cluster of smaller rounds just beside
these larger rounds. To the driver's right is another panel which
houses the temp sliders and a JVC AM/FM/Cassette radio. The padded
and stitched dash pad surrounds this panel and cluster and is crack
free. On the passenger's side we see an AC vent and another wood
applique panel covering the glovebox. The headliner is a solid
darker blue vinyl and is a single panel nice and tight.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we see a government over-regulated with
emission controls engine in 318ci V8 configuration. It is a numbers
matching engine and has a single 2-barrel carburetor and an A904
3-speed automatic transmission on back. There is an 8-1/4 inch rear
axle on this car.
Undercarriage
Patina and surface rust is noted throughout. There is invasive rust
on the left front unibody rail that has been painted over with
fresh black paint but it's still there. The floor pans are solid
and there is a cherrybomb glass pack style muffler on an otherwise
rusted exhaust pipe. Suspension is front transverse torsion bars
and rear leaf springs. Braking is front power discs and rear power
drums.
Drive-Ability
The car starts right up and runs smoothly. On the test track it
performed like a 70's emission controlled car with lackluster
acceleration and good ride. The AC did not blow cold and the
odometer and trip meter did not track mileage.
Surviving till this day is a feat on its own and this car has
achieved it with little to no exterior rust but the unibody has
suffered. It holds its own with the factory paint and a fair to
good interior all original. A 1970's example of Detroit's
interpretation of what luxury would be. Have at it.
FP22G9G100804
F-LeBaron
P-Premium Price Class
22-2 Door Pillared Hardtop
G-318ci 2bbl V8
9-1979
G-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
100804-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
