1983-1986 Chrysler LeBaron Mark Cross T&C Convertible
The 1983-1986 Chrysler LeBaron Mark Cross T&C Convertible was another Chrysler nod to past glories, this time the late-'40s Town & Country convertible. Essentially, this was a blend of two trim options for the front-drive LeBaron convertible announced with coupe and sedan models for 1982 -- all based on Highland Park's 1981 Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant K-car platform. It was much like those do-or-die compacts in appearance and technical makeup, with different tail lamps and a more formal grille the main distinctions.It was slightly face-lifted for '86. The K-car's 2.2-liter/135-cid "Trans-4" was always standard, with an optional turbo version from '84. The original alternative engine was a Mitsubishi "balancer" four, supplanted for '86 by a Trans-4 stroked to 2.5 liters (153 cid). A five-speed manual transaxle was offered through '84, when the previously optional TorqueFlite became standard.
The ragtop Town & Country differed from the normal LeBaron convertible in wood-look plastic side trim (shared with a T&C wagon); the Mark Cross added lush hide upholstery adorned with the leathermaker's logos. Alas, a Mark Cross option was also available in other body styles, which dilutes the T&C ragtop's collector appeal. Then again, this wasn't the most common of Chrysler's reborn '80s ragtops, which should work for it in the future -- though perhaps not all that much.
Pluses of the 1983-1986 Chrysler LeBaron Mark Cross T&C Convertible:
- "Used car" prices
- Excellent parts/service availability
- Practical size
- Top-down appeal
- Turbo quite peppy
- Low production
- Not that exciting
- Tacky bodyside "wood"
- Turbo engine rough and boomy
- Mediocre manual shift
- Prone to cowl/body shake
- 1983 est.: 1,500
- 1984: 1,105
- 1985: 595
- 1986: 501
Length, inches: 179.8
Wheelbase, inches: 100.3
Weight, pounds: 2,600-2,775
Price, new: $15,595-17,595
Engines for the 1983-1986 Chrysler LeBaron Mark Cross T&C Convertible:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| och l-4 | 135/153/156 | 95-99/142-146/100/93-101 | 1983-1986 |
Want more information about classic cars? See:
