Executive Order

You've seen a car like this before, back in February 2005 when the CarPort told the story of Chrysler's "little limos." That was about Dennis David's low-mileage, mint condition 1985 Executive Limousine, one of 759 built that year. This car, though not as pretty, is far more rare.

The first front-wheel drive Chryslers were introduced for 1982. Carrying the same name, LeBaron, as the 1981 rear-drive Aspen/Volare clone, the new cars were basically badge engineered versions of the new-for-81 "K cars," the Dodge Aires and Plymouth Reliant. The Chrysler Ks, however, added a convertible body style and a fake-wood Town and Country wagon, and had available leather interiors. For 1983, a stretch K was developed, in two versions. The Executive Limousine carried seven passengers on its 131-inch wheelbase, two of them on jump seats. The shorter, 124-inch wheelbase Executive Sedan seated five. Both cars had the 2.6-liter Mitsubishi four. The sedan was dropped for 1985, and in 1986 a mere 138 limos were built (with a turbocharged Chrysler 2.2-liter four) before production halted.

This car, a 1984 Executive Sedan, is one of 196 built that year, as opposed to 594 limos. It has the optional leather seats and is in better condition than first glance suggests. Although it needs cosmetics and bears an inappropriate trunk lid from a New Yorker sedan, it's a basically sound car, albeit slowly sinking into the ground.

Is it collectible? Well, the comparable prewar model, the 1941 Crown Imperial 8-passenger sedan, was built in 205 copies and is now recognized as a Full Classic™ by the Classic Car Club of America. This one is hardly likely to receive fractional classic recognition, but it deserves better care. I found it in West Kingston, Rhode Island. If you covet it, look here.