Chrysler Executive
It's 1984 and you're an automotive manufacturer. Due to Reagan's tax cuts, the rich are richer than ever before, and they need ways to show off their wealth to their neighbors, to their coworkers, to their spouses, and to their mistresses. They're looking for Conspicuous Consumption, with capital Cs, and they're now looking at limousines to provide it.
Usually, this isn't an issue--you would take a huge car in your arsenal, stretch it out, and you're good to go. However, after ten years of high gas prices and non-existent demand, you've been forced to cut your large car production. You're also no dummy--you know that even if gas prices lower to 1969 levels, people aren't clamoring for a return of the likes of the old Impala, nor even the Cordoba. So, from where you're sitting, making a large car and then turning it into a limousine is a non-starter; there's just no way you're going to sell enough of them to break even on this. But, if you're not going to build a large car, how are you going to get into this newly lucrative market?
If you're Lee Iacocca, you do what you always do--you throw a K-Car at the problem and hope it goes away. That brings us to today's Car Lust-the 1984-86 Chrysler Executive. The Chrysler Executive was a hilariously ill-conceived notion of a car that was based on a less-hilariously ill-conceived notion of a car--the early '80s Chrysler LeBaron. The LeBaron was, like so much of Mopar's lineup of the time, a K-Car; albeit a relatively upscale one. The goal was to provide a personal luxury car that fit the more fuel-miserly sensibilities of the time.
For whatever reason, Chrysler decided the way to make that happen was to take the Plymouth Reliant and give it better seats and more conservative styling (think about that for a minute). Apparently, this worked well enough that, over time, Chrysler thought it was a good idea to try that same formula for "success" to churn out an "Italian luxury coupe" and to "resurrect" the Imperial brand. Those two travesties of automotive hubris would have to wait, however, for the Chrysler Executive to run its course.
The Executive was based on a fully appointed LeBaron, which meant that, instead of being equipped with the 82-horsepower 2.2-liter four cylinder that Dodge threw in just about everything, it came with the more "upscale" hemi-head Mitsubishi 2.6. One of the interesting side-effects is that this means the Executive technically did, in fact, have a "Hemi," even if it was a four-cylinder only good for 114 horsepower. Being a limousine, it would have been uncouth to equip it with a manual transmission, so Chrysler spared no expense and threw in the same 3-speed automatic they threw into every other K-car.
The Executive was available in two body styles--Sedan and
Limousine--which were rated for five and seven passengers,
respectively. In order for the Limousine to seat seven, a pair of
fold-down seats like the one to the right was used - note the lack of
seat belts. According to Allpar.com, the standard list of features in both cars included:
"... air conditioning, cruise control, power brakes, front and rear cigarette lighters, front/rear divider and rear compartment with cabinet (Limousine), rear defroster, digital instrument panel, electronic voice alert, tinted glass on all windows, hood ornament, lights that went on with the dual horn, illuminated entry, a full lighting package inside, opera lights outside, dual power mirrors, power antenna, locks, windows, and driver's seat, FM stereo, "luxury cloth" seats, tilt steering, leather steering wheel, intermittent wipers, and padded landau roof. In short, they came well equipped for the time."
Unfortunately, due to their anemic performance and modest size, sales didn't take off quite the way Chrysler hoped they might, so, after four years, the last Executive rolled out of the showroom. Worse yet, Chrysler only managed to sell 1,500 Executives during that span, so a person looking for a ridiculously well-appointed used K-Car based limousine will be in for quite a hunt.
Both pictures are of the Limousine trim Executive and are from chryslerkcar's extensive collection of Chrysler Executive pictures. To further sate your desire for well-appointed K-Cars, the video below is a photo montage that shows the Executive's electronic dash in action.
--David Colborne
Cookie the Dog's Owner on August 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM
David, nicely done! I've always thought stretch limos were absurd, but there is none so absurd as a stretch-limo K-car.
I have one quibble with you: conspicuous consumption was not an exclusively "80s" phenomenon, it's a constant of the human condition. Having lived through both decades, I'd judge it to have been slightly worse in the immediately preceding one. There's a reason the 1970s were called (while in progress) "The Me Decade."
David Colborne on August 14, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Oh, I never meant to imply that the '80s were special in the desire for conspicuous consumption - I was simply mentioning that the new, more affluent way to display that in the '80s involved limos, and that people had a little more disposable income than in times past. *grin*
Chris Hafner on August 14, 2008 at 11:58 AM
This is fantastic. I can't think of a less effective status symbol than a K-car limo. Why not create a Dodge Omni limo while they're at it? Or a Chevy Citation limo?
Those fold-out seats look like No. 2 on the list of least-comfortable automotive seats, just behind the rearward-facing jump seats in the back of the Subaru BRAT.
Sillypickle on August 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Yeah I can't imagine how anyone ever explained those seats to the poor passengers who had to ride in them. It's one thing to get an uncomfortable, cramped seat in an economy car. It's another thing entirely to end up in something like that after being told that you're going for a ride in a limo!
Mochi Mochi on August 14, 2008 at 02:08 PM
This has to be one of the most ludicrously ill-conceived vehicles I've ever seen. I found myself reading the (excellent) article with an increasingly apparent look of consternation. I kept thinking "How does this remotely make any sense?" It just doesn't.
Shawn on August 14, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Hilarious. I saw one of these once, and just assumed it was a one-off drunken conversion by a body shop with too much time on their hands. The slide show depicts another picture of the jump seats folded down and it appears only 4 passengers with amputated legs would be able to ride in that configuration.
I take offense to Chris' mocking of the bed seats in a BRAT. What kid wouldn't want to ride in a sculpted plastic lawn chair seat with joystick handles?
Theodore on August 14, 2008 at 07:47 PM
As bad as the jump seats in the BRAT were, there was one worse: the side-facing seats that folded out of the tailgate floor of the Ford Country Squire. At least in the BRAT, you were too busy being terrified (and deafened) to notice how uncomfortable you were. The Country Squire offered no such distractions, treating you instead to the kind of ride quality that could only come from a low-backed, short-cushioned seat located at floor level aft of the rear wheels of a full-size station wagon. Good times.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on August 14, 2008 at 08:18 PM
I remember folding jump-seats in taxicabs when I was 2 or 3. (They were probably Checker cabs, but I'm not certain of that.) I thought they were kind of fun.
David Drucker on August 15, 2008 at 06:09 AM
I made my very first cell phone call from the passenger compartment of one of those mini-limos. I was traveling a lot on business back then, and discovered that a limo was only a few bucks more than a taxi for the trips to and from the airport. (Plus, the limo always showed up.)
Early one morning, my wife and I stumbled off the red-eye from L.A. and were guided by our driver into the back of one of those little rolling turds. There was plenty of room for two people, but three would be tight. (Of course, this was true of factory-built Caddy limos, when they still built them.) The ride, of course, was choppy and uncomfortable. I'm thinking that Chrysler relied on the seat padding for at least half of the damping. When I got home, I called the company and said "let's stick to the big ones from now on."
Back to the call: my wife took the phone (which was mounted on the B-pillar), called her mom, and said "guess where I'm calling from." I reckon that at least half of the cell calls made that year began with that phrase.
ekimap on October 02, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Response to Dave Drucker's comment: I own one of these, but not the limosine, the sedan, WITHOUT the jumper seats. There must have been something wrong with the suspension in the model you drove. Mine has and always has had, beautiful suspension and ride. My Dad owned this car new when I was about 12 and I now own it. He used it for wedding and funeral rentals. But we rode in it like the family car since he only had a truck other than this. I was always amazed at the smooth ride, still am. I agree the jumper seats are a little silly. But mine is jumper free. My Dad used the extra space to put in a custom wood bar. It was beautiful. And the theater lighting was neat too. I love this car.
ekimap on October 02, 2008 at 11:49 AM
PS: The K car base, makes restoration and part finding for this rare car easy and cheap. The 4 cylinder engine has never had ANY trouble getting this car where it needs to go, I have taken it over a mountain close to our home on many occasions with no trouble. Everyone assumes it must eat gas and are amazed when I tell them its only 4 cyl. A luxury car for the frugal cheap man. And I have found that those with money are often tight with it. The perfect match.
Justin Smith on October 28, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I actually own a 1986 Chrysler Limo. I purchased it from a friend for $500. It needs to be painted, interior re-done because of leaks, and a few electrical issues (windows, rear radio) but the engine (2.2L Turbo) runs good. Do you have any idea what it may be worth? Would it be worth fixing up?
meccano on November 18, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Justin, I would honestly say that if it were expertly repainted (I suggest black since it is a limo after all), you redid the interior (perhaps in black leather), resolved all the electrical issues, put a new set of tires on it and filled up that gas tank to the brim that it would be worth about, oh say, $500 give or take.
Turbohead on December 28, 2008 at 07:58 PM
I totally disagree with last post. Fix it up and you'll get a lot of interest. People like to be unique. I'm about to buy an 84 Limo. And those Turbo engines abssolutely rock. I have 4 Turbo Dodges love all of them. 87 ShadowES,91ShadowES Convertible, 88 Daytona Shelby Z, 89 Minivan
AITCH on February 22, 2009 at 09:44 PM
What an a-hole of a reviewer. An obvious solcialist. He belittles these unique, interesting cars.
JoAnn on May 25, 2009 at 05:58 AM
My mother was quite proud of her Chysler LeBaron - it was her very first brand new car purchase. She used to make us put towels down on the floor mats b/c she didn't want us to get the floor mats dirty (heh). It was also our first car that had automatic windows and you didn't dare "play" with the buttons.
eprince on June 04, 2009 at 12:20 PM
My dad bought one of these in the mid-80's. It was a blast in our middle class neighborhood. Made me and my siblings lots of side money driving for weddings. I want one, but my wife abhors the idea.
GunLake Fritz on July 04, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Grandpa's 1984 K Car Executive limo is available with his estate.
Any idea who/where the vehicle could be sold
tigerstrypes on July 25, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Are you gonna lust after the "Lamborhini Coutach" limo? I've read it's pretty bad. Awesomely bad IMO.
kevin amin on June 15, 2010 at 03:11 AM
Hi Ive just came across this topic while browsing for info on said k series chrysler limo ,I was driving one yesterday with 71,000 miles on the clock and in very good condition indeed ! this one sported a chrome fitted boot rack,Its for sale too ! The person who is in ownership is a friend of my family and he bought it over for me to look at with the interest of a sale ! I deeply concidering buying it as I can see it is seems quite a rare oddity ?OH bye the way hell from the uk !
tigerstrypes on August 08, 2010 at 07:16 PM
To Dave and anybody out there, I found the brochure pic!
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/tigerstrypes/Awesome%20Machines/Mopar%20Machines/chrylim.jpg?t=1281320086
mark bragg on October 27, 2010 at 09:29 AM
I have a 1984 mini limo that could be a fixer upper or a parts car for sale. e-mail or call 806-340-9354
Dave Dulmage on September 20, 2011 at 10:59 AM
I suspect that many of the people who mock K cars never owned one. They were not a very sophisticated design, nor were they very fast, but generally they were rock solid for reliability and comfortable to drive and ride in. My wife loved her 1983 LeBaron. It was small, but in its own way a well appointed, comfortable and elegant car. and we kept it until it had well over 100,000 miles, with no real reliability issues.
DaveD
ALMON BASDEN on September 29, 2011 at 03:06 PM
I HAVE A 1985 CHRYSLER MINI-LIMO WITH 128 CHERRY MILES ON IT. NEW DARK BLUE METTALIC PAINT ABOUT 3 YRS OLD, BEAUTIFULL VELVET BLUE INTERIOR. READY TO DRIVE HOME. ANYBODY INTERESTED???
ALMON BASDEN on October 18, 2011 at 04:59 PM
THE 1985 CHRYSLER EXECUTIVE SEDAN I ADVERTISED FOR SALE HAS 128,000 MILES ON IT. AS FAR AS RIDE, I FOUND IT VERY COMFORTABLE, THE TURBO ENGINE IS SNAPPY AND IS NOT A GAS EATER!! I,LL ADMIT THE JUMP SEATS WERE NOT A GOOD IDEA BUT I,VE NEVER USED THEM. IT DUZ GET A LOT OF ATTENTION WHEN I,M OUT DRIVING. I,M 79 AND JUST DON,T DRIVE MUCH ANYMORE AMD WOULD LIKE TO SELL TO SOMEONE WHO WOULD APPRECIATE A CLASIC. ONLY 600 SOME PRODUCED. HOW MANY COULD BE LEFT? PICTURES ON REQUEST.!!!