1979 LeBaron Town & Country

Until the Cordoba came along in 1975, the Chrysler brand had sold only large cars in the U.S. A hit with monied midsize car shoppers, the Cordoba gave the near-luxury brand an entry into the midsize market, and the perfect response to rising fuel prices as well as pesky car-payment swelling inflation.

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt Concept
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt Concept

Popular as the Cordoba was, it was offered only as a coupe, and it wasn’t exactly affordable. To broaden the brand’s appeal, Chrysler rolled out a family of midsize offerings, priced somewhat below the Cordoba, and more in line with offerings from Oldsmobile and Mercury.

Dubbed LeBaron, the new Chryslers arrived for 1977 and significantly broadened the brand’s appeal. But why LeBaron? Chrysler had a number of legacy names it could have applied to its new line of midsize cars, where did Lebaron come from?

Folks familiar with Imperial—which from time-to-time was a stand-along brand, and at other times a Chrysler model—will recall that the LeBaron tag was frequently included as part the marque’s model names. Check out the Imperial ads below for an example of the usage.

As for LeBaron, the name comes from a luxury coach builder established back in 1920. The well-regarded design and fabrication house was known for its work with such premium car builders as Duesenberg, Cadillac, as well as Chrysler. LeBaron, perhaps most famously, built the striking Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car which debuted for 1941.

Collected here are a number of Chrysler and Imperial print ads featuring LeBaron models. Tell us what you think by leaving a comment down below.

More classic car ads

 

1957 Imperial LeBaron

1957 Imperial LeBaron
1957 Imperial LeBaron Ad

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1967 Imperial LeBaron

1967 Imperial LeBaron
1967 Imperial LeBaron Ad

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1977 LeBaron

1977 Chrysler LeBaron
1977 LeBaron Ad

2022 Detroit Auto Show: 2023 Chrysler 300C

 

1977 LeBaron

1977 Chrysler LeBaron (Canada)
1977 LeBaron Ad (Canada)

Mainstream Mainstay: 1977-1995 Chrysler LeBaron

 

1979 LeBaron Town & Country

1979 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country
1979 LeBaron Town & Country Ad (Canada)

Classic Car Ads: Station Wagons of 1979

 

1982 LeBaron Town & Country

1982 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country
1982 LeBaron Town & Country Ad

Classic Car Ads: Luxury Cars of 1985

 

1987 LeBaron GTS

1987 Chrysler LeBaron
1987 LeBaron GTS Ad

Classic Car Ads: Sedans of 1980

 

1988 LeBaron

1988 Chrysler LeBaron
1988 LeBaron Ad

Forgotten Concept: Chrysler LeBaron Turbine

 

1992 LeBaron

1992 Chrysler LeBaron
1992 LeBaron Ad

Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast

Chrysler LeBaron Gallery

Click below for enlarged images.

Mainstream Mainstay: 1977-1995 Chrysler LeBaron

Car Stuff Podcast

 

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