Up until a few years ago, I still occasionally saw M-body Fifth Avenues on the road. They were always well-kept, but also actually being driven. Now, they seem gone.
“Fifth Avenue remembers what fine car buyers demand!”
Little changed for 1987, Chrysler’s rear-wheel-drive Fifth Avenue sedan did receive an updated steering wheel. Otherwise, things continued along virtually the same as they had been since the M-body Chrysler went from the New Yorker Fifth Avenue name to the Fifth Avenue name in 1984.
The only powertrain available was an LA 140 bhp 5.2 liter/318 ci V8 with a Carter two-barrel carburetor paired with a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission—the slant six had departed from the M-body after 1983. 0-60 came in about 12 seconds in a car with a 3,741-pound curb weight. Mileage ratings were 16 city/21 highway by 1987 standards—which equals 15 city/20 highway today. With an 18-gallon gas tank, a Fifth Avenue owner could expect a range of 285 to 300 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
Standard exterior features on the $15,422 Fifth Avenue (about $41,700 in today’s dollars) included a color-keyed padded vinyl Landau roof and tinted glass on all windows. Mechanical features included power front disc/rear drum brakes, power-assisted steering, and P205/75R15 tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch wheels with Premium wheel covers. Inside, an air conditioning/heater with automatic temperature control, power windows, a Luxury two-spoke steering wheel, and an AM radio were included.
Packages, Individual Options, & Production Numbers
The Luxury Equipment Discount Package added hood stripes, electroluminescent opera lights, and wire wheel covers with locks. Inside, the same package added automatic speed control, a tilt steering column, Deluxe intermittent windshield washers/wipers, a power deck lid release, and an AM stereo/FM stereo radio with the Premium speaker system and a power antenna. Added upholstery features with the package included a Corinthian (of course) leather 60/40 front seat with vinyl trim, dual front power seats, and a Luxury leather-wrapped two-spoke steering wheel. This substantial package cost $2,113 when ordered with the Ultimate Sound audio system and $2,251 if ordered without Chrysler’s top-of-the-line stereo. Either way, it added 14% to 15% to the Fifth Avenue’s base price.
A Two-Tone Paint Package ($485) was also available. This package included (natch!) two-tone paint with a choice of three colors matched with Radiant Silver, a special padded vinyl Landau roof with electroluminescent opera lights, and cast aluminum 15-inch wheels.
Individual options included a power glass sun roof ($1,076) and a left power seat ($240). A range of three optional car stereos topped out with the $609 Ultimate Sound system, which included an AM stereo/FM stereo radio, a cassette tape player with automatic reverse and Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR), a five-band graphic equalizer, and a joystick balance/fader control. Many individual options cost less when ordered with the Luxury Equipment Discount Package.
Chrysler sold 70,579 Fifth Avenues in 1987, making it the single most popular Chrysler model, though all the various LeBaron models combined were good for far more sales. With tooling that had long since been paid for, all the M-body cars (the Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury were also in production) were probably good for Chrysler’s profits.
The View From 2025
These cars were the last of the old Chryslers, with a platform dating back to 1977 and some engineering elements that were far older. When rear-wheel-drive returned to big Chryslers in 2005, it was based on a Mercedes-Benz E-class platform. Earlier this year, I blogged about Chrysler Corporation’s Transition To Front-Wheel-Drive.
Though they are far from collector cars, Fifth Avenues of this generation are sometimes available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. They also occasionally show up at in-person auctions.
Make mine Crimson Red, please.
Other rear-wheel-drive Chrysler products I have written about include the 1980 Chrysler Cordoba coupe, the 1980 Plymouth Volaré station wagon, the 1981 Chrysler New Yorker sedan, the 1983 Chrysler Cordoba coupe, the 1983 Imperial coupe, and the 1989 Dodge Diplomat sedan.
Last updated December 2025.
Eighties Cars 
Here in southern Ontario Canada, I don’t see many M-bodies on the road and few at cruise nights. I see a few on classified websites. Right now there’s nothing a 78 LeBaron coupe asking $15k CDN. Nice cars if you get one that’s well sorted.
Thank you for the comment, Mark. We’re a little bit to the south of you, so that might explain it.