is a K-Car convertible worth fixing up to restore?
Like a Chrysler Lebaron, or a Dodge 600 convertible in that boxy shape that they called K-Cars. They made them from 1982 to 1986 I think in that style.
Are any of them worth fixing up, or just the Turbo ones perhaps?
Are they any good or just total junkpiles?
Can you find parts for them still?
Personally, a K-car wouldn't be my first choice for a restoration project, but it's a very personal decision. Some people are attracted to certain cars for various reasons - nothing wrong with that, whether it's a Nash, Dodge Dart, Rambler, Falcon or even a Pacer...
These were very popular cars with the retired crowd back in the 1980's and rather than restore one (which would quickly set you back more than the car is worth), I would keep a close eye out for a low mileage one owned by an elderly person which was probably kept in a garage most of it's life.
Your best cars in terms of low rust will be found in the Southwest and the mountain regions, such as from Arizona, New Mexico and up through Utah and Idaho. The drivetrains on these weren't bad and the 2.2 four cylinder Chrysler engine was actually a pretty durable motor, however was not really fast, unless you find a turbo model.
Some of the 80's Chrysler platform cars have potential collector value, such as the turbo Chargers, Pacificas, 86 GLH-S Omni's, Rampages, etc... However most were simply cheap, basic, front-drive transportation and most were driven into the ground and disposed of afterwards, just like others such as Pintos, Vegas or Chevettes. You rarely see those any more...
BTW, if you do find some with the Mitsubishi 2.6 engine, I've had three Chrysler captive imports with that engine and it's a very solid, reliable unit. I easily got 150,000 miles from each of mine with no problems. The early K-cars (Reliants and Aries) used VW engines and those were prone to have major problems including rod failure. Make sure you either get the 2.2 or 2.6 engine, or better yet, the 3.0 V6 which was an option in a lot of the later platform cars.
Items Recently Purchased From This Site:
CHRYSLER LEBARON CARAVELLE MOPAR CORDOBA MUSCLE CAR DODGE PATCH PLYMOUTH CHRYCO, 1981-89 Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant/Lebaron Factory Hubcaps Fits any 13" car, 90 91 92 93 Dodge Daytona Chrysler Lebaron Cluster Hood Turn Sig Stalk Complete, 1987 CHRYSLER DODGE CHARGER DAYTONA LEBARON SERVICE SHOP WIRING DIAGRAMS MANUA, Chrysler Lebaron & Dodge 600 AC Compressor AC1856, 1994 SERVICE MANUAL LEBARON,SPIRIT,ACCLAIM,SHADOW,SUNDANCE CHRYSLER DODGE SHOP, AC Condenser Cooling Fan Motor Dodge Caravan Plymouth Chrysler Lebaron 4401806, 1982-1995 CHRYSLER LEBARON / NEW YORKER / DODGE 400 / 600 / SHOP MANUAL / BOOK, DODGE / CHRYSLER SPIRIT / ACCLAIM / LEBARON LEFT HEADLIGHT 89-95 NEW, DODGE / CHRYSLER SPIRIT / ACCLAIM / LEBARON LEFT HEADLIGHT 89-95 NEW, DODGE / CHRYSLER SPIRIT / ACCLAIM / LEBARON LEFT HEADLIGHT 89-95 NEW, 1977 Dodge Diplomat, Chrysler LeBaron 318 Tune Up Chart, LEBARON/400/RELIANT [Front Kit] *SLOTTED* Brake Rotors + CERAMIC Pads, LEBARON/400/600 [Front Kit] *SLOTTED* Brake Rotors + CERAMIC Pads, 1987 Dodge Daytona Chrysler LeBaron Plymouth ECM 67-332, 1987 Dodge Aries Chrysler LeBaron Plymouth ECM 67-346, 1987 Dodge Chrysler LeBaron Plymouth ECM 67-345, 1987 Dodge Chrysler LeBaron Plymouth ECM 67-334, 1986 Dodge Daytona Chrysler LeBaron Plymouth ECM 67-326, Replacement Radiator 90-95 Chrysler Lebaron Dodge Shadow Auto / Man 2.5L 3.0L, 1992 Dodge Daytona Spirit Chrysler LeBaron ABS diagnostic service manual, CHILTON REPAIR SHOP MANUAL 1982-95 CHRYSLER LEBARON DODGE 400-600 NEW YORKER, LEBARON/400/RELIANT [Front Pair] *DRILLED & SLOTTED* Brake Rotors, CHRYSLER LEBARON; DODGE 400/600 [Front Pair] *DRILLED & SLOTTED* Brake Rotors, LEBARON/DAYTONA/SPIRIT/ACCLAIM [Front Pair] *DRILLED & SLOTTED* Brake Rotors, Haynes Repair Manual Dodge Plymouth Chrysler LeBaron New Yorker Lancer midsize, NOS MOPAR 3747242 Wiper Switch 1977 77 Chrysler LeBaron Dodge Diplomat, CHILTON REPAIR & TUNE-UP SHOP MANUAL 1981-92 CHRYSLER K LEBARON DODGE ARIES 400, Chrysler E Class LeBaron New Yorker Dodge 400 600 Caravan New Water Pump 2203 *, Chrysler Lebaron & Dodge 600 AC Compressor AC1856NEW, 1983 DODGE, CHRYSLER SERVICE MANUAL SUPPLEMENT, OMNI, LEBARON, RELIANT, ETC., CHILTON REPAIR & TUNE-UP SHOP MANUAL 1981-82 CHRYSLER K LEBARON DODGE ARIES 400, Passenger Replacement Power Chrome Heated Mirror Chrysler Lebaron Dodge Spirit, Driver Side Replacement Power Chrome Heated Mirror Chrysler Lebaron Dodge Spirit, 1992 Dodge Daytona Shadow Caravan Chrysler LeBaron, 1991 Dodge Spirit Daytona Shelby Chrysler LeBaron ABS, 1993 Dodge Daytona Spirit RT Turbo Shelby Chrysler LeBaron OEM SERVICE MANUALS, 1992 Dodge Spirit RT Daytona R/T Turbo Chrysler LeBaron 16V SERVICE MANUALS OEM, 1991 Dodge Spirit RT Daytona Shelby Chrysler LeBaron Turbo SERVICE MANUALS OEM, 1990 Dodge Daytona Shadow Shelby Chrysler LeBaron Omni Turbo SERVICE MANUALS, 1989 Dodge Daytona Shadow Shelby Turbo Lancer Chrysler LeBaron SERVICE MANUALS, 1988 Dodge Daytona Lancer Shadow Shelby Turbo Chrysler LeBaron SERVICE MANUALS, 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Charger Turbo Chrysler LeBaron Shadow SERVICE MANUALS, 1986 Dodge Shelby GLH Turbo Daytona Omni Chrysler Laser LeBaron SERVICE MANUALS, 1985 Dodge Shelby Charger GLH Omni Daytona Chrysler LeBaron GLHT SERVICE MANUALS, CHRYSLER LEBARON DODGE LANCER 2 HATCHBACK LIFT SUPPORT SHOCKS 85 86 87 1988 1989, 1990 DODGE DAYTONA CHRYSLER LEBARON FACTORY WIRING DIAGRAMS SERVICE MANUAL SHOP, 1983 DODGE RAMPAGE CHARGER OMNI 400 CHRYSLER LEBARON NEW YORKER SERVICE MANUALS, 1982 DODGE RAMPAGE 400 OMNI CHRYSLER LEBARON FACTORY SERVICE MANUALS 82, 1984 DODGE RAMPAGE CHARGER OMNI CHRYSLER LEBARON NEW YORKER SERVICE MANUALS 84,
