IML: New Yorkers & such

["Jay King" <j_king@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi, list,

I've been following the discussion of New Yorkers/Fifth Avenues with interest, as I own two M-body Fifths ('85 and '87) and passed on a '77 New Yorker Brougham this summer because it was too close to the same color as my '73 LeBaron. If you're not interested in a historical discussion, move on to the next post.

If I recall correctly, the "New Yorker" nameplate had its genesis as an Imperial, a 1938 custom dubbed the "New York Special." The name kicked around, sometimes as a model, sometimes as a trim level, until being reunited with its Imperial roots for the '77 and '78 New Yorker Broughams. After those two years, Chrysler debuted a new "New Yorker," a slightly stretched M-body. The original Chrysler M-body was the unlamented Lebaron, the "little sedan with Imperial eagles." That New Yorker lasted until '82, when the name moved to a slightly squarer (more parts-bin compatibility with its Diplomat/Gran Fury siblings) New Yorker "Fifth Avenue Edition." "New Yorker" fell out of the name in '83, but all the M-bodies that are commonly called "Fifth Avenues" are identified as "Fifth Avenue Edition" (check the sail panel badge!) The M-body Fifth lasted until '89, and while they are certainly not Imperial, they are tough but luxurious little cars, and a sway bar from a police package Diplomat settles them down nicely and eliminates that "double bed at 55 mph" feeling. I am not qualified to comment on the FWD New Yorkers.

As you can no doubt tell, I happen to like the M-body Fifths (and Diplomats and Gran Furies.) Besides the two I own, I see probably half-a-dozen Fifths/Dips/GFs a day; not a bad in-service rate for a car that's been out of production for 17 years! I keep an eye on the classifieds with intentions of adding to my fleet. They are cheap, hard, and I can work on 'em. Again, the M-body Fifth Avenue was no Imperial, but it was the best Chrysler could build at a time when the company was very nearly in receivership.

There's a long ton of information on M-bodies at www.dippy.org should anyone wish to learn more. Bottom line: MOPAR or no car, and I'll take an extra-large, please. 

Jay King
Meridian, Mississippi
<a href=mailto:j_king@xxxxxxxxx>j_king@xxxxxxxxx</a>

Honey Gold 1973 Imperial LeBaron 4DHT (Silent Bob)
Silver 1985 Fifth Avenue Sedan (Baby Flattop)
Nightwatch Blue 1987 Fifth Avenue (Blue Bomb)
Hunter Green 1993 Dodge Caravan (Dodge Van Dam)


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