Cars - Chrysler Fifth Avenue

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	Cars - Chrysler Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue was a name used by Chrysler Corporation on its largest models from 1979 to 1993.

Origin

The name first appeared as a special, upmarket sub-model of the Chrysler New Yorker sedan in 1979. This generation of Chrysler, although already smaller than its maximum size in the mid 1970s, was still V8-powered and rear wheel drive. Ordering the New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition package got the buyer a car finished in two-tone beige with matching leather interior. There was a standard landau vinyl roof, and somewhat unusual opera windows which opened with the rear doors. The package was so thoroughly color-keyed that even the bumper rub strips were beige. This body ran for three years, although additional Fifth Avenue colors were added for 1980 and 1981.

The M-body years

In 1980, a Fifth Avenue package was created for the Chrysler LeBaron, which shared its platform with the Dodge Diplomat. This rare option package, produced on perhaps 500 LeBarons for the year, included many of the exterior features found on the New Yorker Fifth Avenue in a smaller, more sensible package.

With the R-body out of production and the LeBaron name transferred to the Chrysler K platform, the New Yorker was downsized again for 1982. The Fifth Avenue option was still available. It was adapted from the earlier LeBaron's package, with a distinctive vinyl roof, opera lamps, and a rear fascia adapted from the Dodge Diplomat, albeit modified. Interiors featured button-tufted, pillowy seats covered in either "Kimberley" velvet or "Corinthian" leather, choices that would continue unchanged throughout the car's run.

For 1983, the New Yorker and the Fifth Avenue diverged. The New Yorker was downsized yet again, and became a front wheel drive car equipped with a four-cylinder engine. The previous car continued under the Fifth Avenue badge, and so for the first time, the Fifth Avenue was a model in its own right.

The rear wheel drive Fifth Avenue continued for six successful years and would prove to be the last V8-powered, rear wheel drive Chrysler until the Chrysler 300 was revived in that configuration for 2005. All Fifth Avenues from 1983 to 1989 were powered by a 5.2 L (318 in³) V8 engine mated to Chrysler's well-known Torqueflite automatic transmission.

Although it takes a trained eye to catch changes in the M-body Fifth Avenue, there were a few during its eight-year run:

1984 - New Yorker badge replaced by Fifth Avenue badge on trunklid; "Fifth Avenue Edition" badge continues on the rear doors.
1985 - New black gearshift knob introduced (1982 to 1984 models have chromed knobs).
1986 - New-style ignition key and center high-mounted stop lamp (the latter a federal mandate) introduced.
1987 - Vinyl roof restyled; lower edge of sail panel covering extended below chrome window sill moldings. "Fifth Avenue Edition" badge replaced by a crystal Pentastar surrounded by a gold wreath.
1988 - Driver's side airbag phased in as standard from mid-year. Padded driver's knee blocker added to airbag-equipped models.
1989 - Final M-body Fifth Avenues produced.

The final Fifth Avenues

1990 saw the previous relation between New Yorker and Fifth Avenue return, as the latter became a model of the former. There was some substantive difference, however, as the New Yorker Fifth Avenue used a slightly longer chassis than the standard car.

The Fifth Avenue's famous seats, long noted for their button-tufted appearance and sofa-like comfort, continued to be offered with the customer's choice of velvet or leather, with the former "Corinthian leather" replaced by that of the Mark Cross company. Leather-equipped cars bore the Mark Cross logo on the seats and, externally, on an emblem attached to the brushed aluminum band ahead of the rear door opera windows.

In this form, it resembled the newly-revived Chrysler Imperial, although some much-needed distinction was provided between the cars when the Fifth Avenue (along with its New Yorker Salon linemate) received restyled, rounded-off front and rear ends for the 1992 model year, while the Imperial continued in its original crisply-lined form.

The Fifth Avenue name was discontinued at the end of the 1993 model year when the New Yorker was replaced, first by the Chrysler Concorde and the longer, more aerodynamic 1994 Chrysler New Yorker and LHS.

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Cars - Chrysler Fifth Avenue

Origin

The M-body years

The final Fifth Avenues

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