RE: IML: Le Baron trivia question?

I'm 27 years old. I was born in 1978, so I guess you could say that most of the cars that are considered "real" Imperials or "real" LeBarons are way before my time. But I come from a chrysler family, and "wannabe" Lebarons and Imperials have been a big part of my growing up, and are therefore the cars I cherish, much as the classic Imperials/Le Barons are cherished and revered by members of this club. Rather than look at the newer iterations of these nameplates, compare them to their predecessors, and say with dismay "they trashed a good marque", I prefer to look at these vehicles among their contemporaries, either among the other offerings from Chrysler, or among competing vehicles from other manufacturers and say that these are still the best. Whether it be styling, or luxury, or technology, you could find it in a great vehicle called LeBaron or Imperial, whether it was 1981, or 1987, or 1993. Same goes for the earlier eras.

And I don't consider my '89 lebaron coupe a "stripper". It came with ATC, electronic trip computer, 4-wheel vented disc power brakes, 2.5L turbocharged engine, EFI, automatic, sunroof, leather, power seats (driver's has adjustable seat and back wings, as well as thigh and lumbar supports), tilt steering wheel w/airbag, power steering/windows/doorlocks/mirrors(heated), an excellent infinity sound system, 16" alloy wheels all from the factory. Not to mention styling that still looks fresh today..

Imperials/Lebarons my family has owned: 1978 LeBaron coupe (w/a 318), 1980 LeBaron T&C wagon, 1981 Imperial EFI, 1983 Imperial EFI, 1984 LeBaron convertible, 1985 LeBaron T&C convertible, 1989 LeBaron coupe, 1991 LeBaron sedan. Of those, we still own/drive the wagon, the '83 Imperial, the '85 vert, and the '89. The Imperial just passed emissions again last saturday.

From: "Rob P" <fristpenny@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: Le Baron trivia question?
Date: Thu, 09 Jun 2005 00:04:24 -0400

No offense, but the name of the game is sales.  By 1977 when the LeBaron came out, I doubt there were many people left who remembered Le Baron Coachworks.  I'm willling to bet that the LeBaron handily outsold all Imperials with any link to the Le Baron or LeBaron name.  In fact, I'll bet the nameplate outsold all Imperials as well. Any dilution of the "prestige" name might be unfortunate, but by 1977 if Chrysler didn't sell as many cars as possible there would be no future to trade on that prestige.  It may be better to burn out than to fade away, but not if that paycheck is feeding your family.

>From: "anthony bianchini" <abianchini@xxxxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: RE: IML: Le Baron trivia question?
>Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2005 20:46:22 -0500
>
>Definitely backwards-that's why Chrysler Corporation almost bit the
>dust. By attaching the "LeBaron" nameplate to cheaper cars Chrysler
>was
>attempting to add prestige to low rung cars in an effort to boost
>sales.
>I have seen these cars still riding around and often think of the
>irreversible damage and dilution they have inflicted on the name
>"LeBaron" just by mere association. Most people that see my 1966
>LeBaron
>think probably of the 90s LeBaron convertibles. They have no idea
>that
>it was the best American luxury car money could buy in 1966. This
>all
>feeds back into poor marketing and how Chrysler muddled the Imperial
>nameplate itself which explains why so many people remember Chrysler
>Imperial and not just Imperial.
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of darrell
>kershaw
>Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 8:35 PM
>To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: IML: Le Baron trivia question?
>
>
>
>thanks for the info,
>
>
>
>the reason I asked the question was , I saw a 78 la baron with a 225
>slant six engine in it, and I was wondering what year did the la
>barons
>separate from imperial, the car I'm talking about is what myself and
>most others would consider a mid size car but leaning more towards a
>compact car of that era.
>
>
>
>my next question is this.  if the la baron was the "cream of the
>crop"
>back in the 50s and 60s then why did Chrysler treat the name as a
>"stepchild" in the mid to late 70's
>
>
>
>to me it doesn't make much sense, because in the 50's a 57 imperial
>La
>Baron would have sold for more than a custom or a crown. but then I
>see
>a 78 la-baron with a slant six , no offense to the slant six , but
>one
>would think it should have had a v8 in it.
>
>
>
>my old 59 imperial has more options than the 78 la-baron, is it me
>or
>was Chrysler heading backwards in the late 70's and early 80s as far
>as
>technology and innovation.
>
>Kenyon Wills <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>Would it be 1975/76 when Imperial died but the Le-Baron
>model continued on? I saw one on what I guess was the
>same platform as the ASPEN the other day and felt
>sorry for it. It had eagles all over it, like
>apparitions, but I didn't know the actual year. Sorta
>like a diplomat, too.
>
>
>-Kenyon
>
>--- darrell kershaw
>wrote:
> > sorry for the double post. my question is
> >
> > in what year did the imperial and la baron separate?
>
>
>Kenyon Wills
>
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