So if you follow Jack’s new venue, you have heard how he and Bark both are ordering the “Final Edition” Chrysler 300s. Which got me thinking about the Chryslers I loved: New Yorkers, LeBarons, Town & Countrys (the wagons with woodgrain, not the minivans, thank you very much) and of course, the Broughamiest M-body, the Fifth Avenue.
Those were very popular in my Midwestern city when new, and survivors were still seen now and then through the early 2000s. But what if it had lasted to the present day? A “Maybached” version of the 300, if you will.
With formal roof, pinstripe whitewalls, and of course, that decadent, button tufted leather interior. Add all the mod-cons like GPS, Bluetooth and cameras, with throwback ’80s touches like blue-green digital dash, LED opera lamps and combine with real wood trim and zero options-everything standard-and voila.
Sure, maybe they’d sell 3 of them. But it’s still a damn sight better looking than 80% of modern cars, is it not? And anything that isn’t a combover or an electric come-on is a winner in my book.
Go Brougham or go home. Twilight Blue with matching leather would be perfect.
Love it, Tom. At least the concept. The details might need a bit of tweaking, but I love the idea.
I used to work not too far from the plant in Brampton, and saw many of Lancia versions in the area. I thought it was a great car, with a beautiful interior, and likely would have sold more in North America then in Italy or the rest of Europe.
As an aside, I had a 1985 Fifth Avenue in Gunmetal Blue Pearl Coat, with a silver velvet cloth interior. I took it on as an almost completed project from a guy with more dollars and sense. It had a bunch of mods from an MSD ignition, a 4 barrel Edelbrock intake, with a custom built Thermoquad, to the Chrysler 3.21 Sure Grip differential. I had a ton of grief with that car, and not much fun, but I still look back on it fondly. If only I had gotten it finished…
I’ve been thinking of buying a nice sedan for when I want to haul around 2 to 4 people in comfort. Sadly the American market is kinda lacking on these kinds of rides these days, unless maybe I look at some of the recent Caddys.
I don’t want flashy either, I want understated. Nice – not cheap or trashy looking. American car companies really need to up their game there.
Very tough to find in American cars. 1985, I bought a Chrysler LeBaron and aspired to a 5th Avenue or Imperial some day. Never got there as the cars went away. Did have a 99 300M for a few years but Chrysler reputation and service fell apart. Last bought a 2005 Town and Country LTD minivan which I still have today and use as a hauler for projects (fits 4×8 sheets). I moved over to 09 Hyundai Azera, ’17 Genesis G80 and now ’22 Genesis G80. Closest vehicle I could find that reminded me of the luxury vehicles I aspired to growing up. Incredible tech and very safe vehicles. Unique styling.
Not a bad idea at all. Not at all.
As for the T&C, don’t knock it till ya try it! ;^)
Agreed on the Town & Country van. I’ve had some of the most serene and pleasant motoring while hauling my kids’ furniture across several states…
Hmmm. I don’t think applying 70’s “luxury” concepts works on the “current” 300. ( I put current in quotes because the 300 is a dinosaur design some what? 20 years old now? And based on the even older E-class chassis.) The roof line here is awkward. Looks like a bad limo conversion. Do vinyl tops even translate to todays cars? It’s so boomer to see them done aftermarket on Avalons and such, so why think it’s stylish on the 300? But never mind that , the overhangs are wrong here. The back end of this rig now looks more in common with the bustle back Seville and short loved 80 Imperial, but far less elegant. If you were going to do a vinyl top a full vinyl roof would be better than this landau thing with the targa band. The back rake of the back window should’ve matched the angle of the c pillar too. I do like the coach lamps.
Looking at the pictures again, it is pretty amazing how with minimal effort and expense, Chrysler turned their police car and taxi cab into something that sure looked like a proper, if modern seized, Yankee luxury car. I do wish they would have taken the Imperial approach and added a little more hand work to elevate the quality a touch. Maybe a bit better materials in the interior too? Real wood? I can’t imagine that it would have cost that much, but it might have upped the respect for it in the marketplace a bit. Might have stolen some sales from Cadillac with their limp engines and overly enthusiastic downsizing. Could it have stayed in production a few more years? Fuel injection and a 4 speed auto would have helped. The last years of 5th Ave overlapped with TBI in the trucks. Would have been easy to add to it.
I do wonder if the 5th Ave died in 89, or if Chrysler killed it. Were there any regulatory issues that caused it’s necessary demise?
As an aside, has anyone actually seen a 1980 LeBaron 5th Ave?
As a landau the original proportions would be better unless it was actually going to be a stretch. That is also not a bad idea so dibs on credit if they actually do an executive version with the landau roof prior to committing brand suicide or whatever tf they are doing.
I look forward on seeing the new 5th Avenue. I love the style… yes I owned a 1986 5th Avenue, Imperial and a Chrysler 200 in my lifetime. Can’t wait to see this car. Yes when it comes, I will purchase it!