Here's my latest acquisition...

[ajakeski]

1985 LeBaron GTS Turbo.
One owner southern car. Only a couple small spots of surface rust.
142000 miles and runs great. It'll be taking over as my daily driver.
It even still has the original window sticker, the car was $15,000 new in '85.

[ajakeski]

Scans of the window sticker:

[BadAssPerformance]

Sweet!

[trannybuster]

Would like to have a GTS for dd...so whats your impression on handling...??..compared to..??....road nosie..?

[glhs0075]

I'm digging the sunroof and rear windshield wiper!

[ajakeski]

Would like to have a GTS for dd...so whats your impression on handling...??..compared to..??....road nosie..?

Much quieter and a lot less noise/vibration/harshness than the GLH I've been driving.
The ride is a bit softer than the GLH, but still firm enough to handle roundabouts at a decent speed.
Fresh tires, struts and shocks would make it even better.
The seats are cushy, it has good leg room (I'm 6'4") and so far seem pretty comfortable.
It has a few creaks and squeaks, but those are just reminders that it's a Chrysler.

[tommyturbo]

Way cool, thanks for sharing the sticker, gives me an idea what my 86 GTS cost. Does yours have the digital dash, the sticker isn't clear on that?

Interesting how these cars were optioned, yours has a lot of options, yet no upgraded stereo, or leather seats. My 86 has leather, turbo sport package, digital dash, navigator, ultimate sound stereo, power everything, but no sunroof or rear defroster / wiper.

---------- Post added at 07:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:58 PM ----------

[ajakeski]

It has the digital dash.

[cordes]

That thing looks like it had it all. The sunroof wasn't a very popular option on most of our cars.

[tommyturbo]

Is it the sunroof with the knob you turn, or is it a power one? I think you will find it to be a very comfortable daily driver. I was always impressed with the way chrysler designed these cars. It's not huge on the outside, but it has a huge back seat, and alot of space inside. And for as much as people like to knock chrysler, the fit and finish (paint fade aside) is still really good even after all these years.

[ajakeski]

The sunroof has a flip handle.
A few hours with the buffer will have the paint looking better.

[Tempted]

Cool. What transmission is in it?

[ShadowFromHell]

I LOVE H bodies. Ive owned almost every K based turbo made, and the only one I really regret was my 86 lancer ES. Just something about it. Probably the fact it handled great even on 14's, and with the hatch and back seat folded down you could haul a ton of stuff. Mine was a weird one too. Turbo/ES package, Auto, radio, and nothing else. No rear defrost, no rear wiper, no A/C, manual everything but had a auto and CC. I almost think it was a special order. Was the same body color as yours with a lighter grey/blue strip below the bumper strips and had black interior. Does yours have climate control or the tape holder?

[looneytuner]

Most Lancers were budget versions of the GTS. They handle really well. Better than my 2010 Sebring Touring. I had the sport packages. The only thing wrong with that is the turning radius is greater and harder to park. my wife likes the TC by Masi because it is shorter and easier to park.

[ShadowFromHell]

From how you have described the sunroof it sounds like the same one used in the P bodys. My shadow has the same pop up mechanism you are describing.

[Reaper1]

I didn't know those could come with rear wipers! Interesting.

[trannybuster]

I nearly bought that car, I must have looked at half dozen times but I have a GTS from Texas which is getting hybrid engine and a donor Shelby Lancer with good and soft door sweeps and all ground effets....I was going to swap out the auto in favor of the manaul to boost mpg.....In my experience the autos have always managed poor mileage, I just dont care them in our cars as dd.

[cordes]

I nearly bought that car, I must have looked at half dozen times but I have a GTS from Texas which is getting hybrid engine and a donor Shelby Lancer with good and soft door sweeps and all ground effets....I was going to swap out the auto in favor of the manaul to boost mpg.....In my experience the autos have always managed poor mileage, I just dont care them in our cars as dd.

I'm the same way regarding the autos. I'm pretty sure that the .91 transfer gears will not take out too much of the performance and pick up 2-3mpgs. I plan on testing out that theory very soon in my Newyorker. When I swapped the gears in my Neon I noticed no seat of the pants difference in acceleration and we did pick up 3-4mpgs.

[4 l-bodies]

I'm the same way regarding the autos. I'm pretty sure that the .91 transfer gears will not take out too much of the performance and pick up 2-3mpgs. I plan on testing out that theory very soon in my Newyorker. When I swapped the gears in my Neon I noticed no seat of the pants difference in acceleration and we did pick up 3-4mpgs.

My 85 NY'er must have .91 transfer gears and 2.86:1 in it already. Digital dash says 51-52 MPH when it shifts into second at WOT! She's a pooch coming out of the hole. I'm thinking of changin out the turbo converter for better driveability.
Todd

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 PM ----------

Scans of the window sticker:

WOW! A whole 23MPG rated on hwy? I'll bet a manual would be at least 5 MPG better on hwy.

[ajakeski]

WOW! A whole 23MPG rated on hwy? I'll bet a manual would be at least 5 MPG better on hwy.

23 MPG beats the hell out of the 5 mpg I get with my truck while it's hauling the snow plow and 700 pounds of ballast. And the 12 MPG it get without all the extra weight.

I'm just going to drive the LeBaron the way it is and enjoy the novelty of having a clean 1985 Chrysler.