Chrysler LeBaron History
A Chrysler mainstay across three generations — rear-drive M-body, then the K-car twins and the popular J-body convertible.
Photo: “1977 Chrysler LeBaron (9338938791).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
History
Reviving a name Chrysler had used in the 1930s, the modern LeBaron arrived for 1977 as the brand's lowest-priced model: a rear-wheel-drive M-body, essentially a deluxe Dodge Diplomat, offered as a coupe, sedan, and wagon.
For 1982 the LeBaron became an upscale K-car derivative, and the 1982 LeBaron convertible was the first factory domestic convertible since the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado — helping spark the convertible's American comeback.
An all-new coupe and convertible on the J-platform (a K-car derivative) arrived for 1987. Between the early-1980s and mid-1990s, no automaker sold more convertibles than Chrysler. The LeBaron ended after 1995, replaced by the Cirrus and Sebring.
Generations
First generation · M-body
Photo: “1977 Chrysler LeBaron (9338938791).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Rear-wheel-drive M-body — a deluxe-trimmed sibling of the Dodge Diplomat, in coupe, sedan, and wagon forms.
1977 Photo: “1977 Chrysler LeBaron (9338938791).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1978 Photo: “1978 Chrysler LeBaron (18302623716).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1979 Photo: “1979-Chrysler-LeBaron-Coupé-2.jpg” by Matthias v.d. Elbe / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Second generation · K-body
Photo: “1984 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 01.jpg” by Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Front-drive K-car derivative; the 1982 convertible was the first factory domestic convertible since 1976.
1984 Photo: “1984 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 01.jpg” by Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1986 Photo: “1986 Chrysler Lebaron.jpg” by Simon Ross / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
1988 Photo: “1988 Chrysler LeBaron 4-Door Sedan, front right (2023 ARMCO Park Wheels of Steel Car Cruise).jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Third generation · J-body coupe/convertible
Photo: “1993 Chrysler LeBaron Highline convertible with Sport package, front right, 05-17-2025.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
All-new coupe and convertible on the K-derived J-platform — the body that made Chrysler the top US convertible seller of its day.
1989 Photo: “1989 Chrysler LeBaron Highline convertible, front right, 09-30-2023.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1992 Photo: “1992 Chrysler LeBaron Highline convertible, front left, 06-29-2025.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
1993 Photo: “1993 Chrysler LeBaron Highline convertible with Sport package, front right, 05-17-2025.jpg” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Body styles
- Coupe
- Sedan
- Convertible
- Station wagon
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Chrysler LeBaron
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