What a nice looking M body LeBaron

[300rag]

I stopped at a small town show today and saw this beauty. Son of the original owner had it restored after 12 years sitting in his garage. He said a brake job to get it running turned into a many dollar refurb. You don't see many of these, especially in this condition. It's a 318 and no lean burn.

 

[Davea Lux]

That is a lean burn unit on the air cleaner, might not be doing anything, but it was there as an OEM item. Car looks pretty good. These cars are not yet generating much collector interest, but a nice one would still be cool to have as they are usually not too expensive.

Dave

 

[Big_John]

I don't know why, but those are really growing on me.

 

[71Polara383]

Sigh...

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

Remember, if you are 6' or taller the seat track does not travel back very far until the "Fifth Avenue" years. My '79 Le Baron was uncomfortable.

 

[1978 NYB]

Very nice!

 

[commando1]

I don't know why, but those are really growing on me.

Why did I hate them back then?

Because hands down they had the most complex looking instrument panel that consisted of a 100mph speedo and an ambiguous gas gauge.

I stopped at a small town show today...

Who holds car shows on Mondays? The local Quilting Society?

 

[Davea Lux]

Why did I hate them back then?

Because hands down they had the most complex looking instrument panel that consisted of a 100mph speedo and an ambiguous gas gauge.

Not to mention a 318 smog motor that seemed like dawn to dusk to hit 70mph.

Dave

 

[Big_John]

Why did I hate them back then?

Yea, same here.

I had an '82 Cordoba that I loved. Had an '81 ish version too, but that came and went fast. Every once in a while, I get the hots to buy another one. .. or maybe a Mirada of the same vintage.

My '82 looked like this. My Dad bought it brand new.

 

[commando1]

For me to want to pull the trigger on that gawd awful era, it would have to be a stick with RWD.

 

[68 4spd Fury]

Very nice! I remember looking at one way back when, 6 / 4 speed OD, never saw another, must be not that many.

 

[3C's & a D?]

Who holds car shows on Mondays

It's Canada day! Our version of the fourth of July. It's always a bit of a bummer when they fall on Mondays.

 

[JC68vert300]

This red LeBaron brings back good memories for me. Certainly not in the performance area, it was the malaise era. It's all in the styling. I think the rear view is as attractive as the front, with that beatifully shaped trunk and tail lights, style lines and chiseled edges all around. I still find it appealing.

 

[LocuMob]

I stopped at a small town show today and saw this beauty. Son of the original owner had it restored after 12 years sitting in his garage. He said a brake job to get it running turned into a many dollar refurb. You don't see many of these, especially in this condition. It's a 318 and no lean burn.

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That's my Grandma's car! Maybe not the same.one, but she had one just like that, same color scheme, and she kept.it as nice as can be. I want that car, and want it bad, it's definitely on my list of cars to buy before I die, it was one of the first Mopars to make an impression on me as a little kid. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Imperialist67]

Red on red is real nice on this one, seems well kept. Look how nice that velour is. That velour looks fragile, but wears like iron......… M bodies make great "budget collectables" but they STILL don't have their own category at Carlisle...…..

These are ALMOST as much fun as an earlier muscle car, but a LOT cheaper to own. My Dip wagon has served as both part-time band car, and occasional show car since I bought it in 2003. Pretty big investment up front, but in the long haul it has been worthwhile. Despite its shabbiness, people love seeing it at shows I bring it to......I think of it as the father/grandfather of the Dodge Magnum.

 

[MarPar]

I've been having the hots for one of these lately...I need to stop watching the early episodes of Law and Order. lol

Preferably a Gran Fury. With a 360(?)

 

[Snotty]

Remember, if you are 6' or taller the seat track does not travel back very far until the "Fifth Avenue" years. My '79 Le Baron was uncomfortable.

Even then, they were tight for a tall person. I took my CPA to lunch in our '84 Fifth. He is about 6'3"; his knees hit the dash. I was surprised as it fit me well, at 5'11".

 

[Imperialist67]

I've been having the hots for one of these lately...I need to stop watching the early episodes of Law and Order. lol

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Preferably a Gran Fury. With a 360(?)

funny you should mention these, my wagon has a "transplanted" rear from a police car wagon. The bigger rear end/ratio does boost the hosepower/torque, and the larger brake drums are good too.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

You could not get a 360 in a squad unless you modified the oil pan if memory is correct.

 

[Imperialist67]

It just has the rear, engine is a 318, I don't think the oil pan had to be modified; finding a usable transplant took quite a while though...…….