Fifth Avenue Freeze Out

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  • čas přidán 11. 04. 2023
  • Chrysler’s final 20th century rear wheel drive family sedan, the Fifth Avenue cost substantially more than it’s more advanced front wheel drive siblings. But did buyers really get “more”? And why was this one built by former American Motors workers in the former American Motors plant?
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 321

  • @user-yf7fv2ec6r
    @user-yf7fv2ec6r Před rokem +7

    My husband worked in the St. Louis assembly plant doing maintenance painting in the summer of 1982. He said they were building the Chrysler Fifth Avenue, Dodge Diplomat, and the Plymouth Gran Fury all on the same line .Got to see the entire assembly process from the welding of the raw body panels, to the very cool painting process, interior installation, wiring, dash, to final assembly and drive off. Such neat memories. They sure don't build em like they used to! Thanks for bringing back the memories!

  • @jackboyd53
    @jackboyd53 Před rokem +9

    I love all kinds of cars from Fat rides to Miatas. I bought a '84 Fifth Ave. with about a bazillian miles on it and a lean burn miss that never went away except if you drove it over 60 MPH. I loved that car so much. It carried me through tons of Erie, Pa. snow back and forth to work and never let me down. I ended up trading it for a new 2001 Dodge Dakota and I miss that road hog to this day. Those pillow seats were awesome!

    • @JeffreyBenshoff
      @JeffreyBenshoff Před 7 měsíci +1

      My dad had one. I learned how to drive with it. I loved that car so much. And hello fellow erie person!

  • @Moparornocar74
    @Moparornocar74 Před rokem +11

    I've owned 2 of these. Fantastic car, and like you said, an absolute tank in the snow it would go anywhere

  • @nomuck68
    @nomuck68 Před rokem +3

    I like looking for past video cars in the background 😬

  • @paulrager183
    @paulrager183 Před rokem +5

    I still have one it is a 1985 it is my second one. Love these cars. My first one my wife got into a accident head on with a concrete pillar it never made it to the water pump. I love these cars.

  • @jmswyo
    @jmswyo Před rokem +1

    Walk down memory lane - grandparents had a brown 81 New Yorker and a silver 87 5th Avenue

  • @pennywise8182
    @pennywise8182 Před rokem +3

    Chrysler was going to use the fuel injection system form the "81-"83 Imperial on this generation 5th Ave but with all the problems they had with the fuel injection they stuck with carburetion instead....And like Steve said these things go like tanks in the winter..... Especially with snow tires.

  • @timothyhh
    @timothyhh Před rokem +2

    When I was in Jr. High in the 90s a friend's dad had a Fifth Avenue. I recall many of the gauges and displays on the dash being housed in their own deep set circles and the whole thing having a pearlescent effect.

  • @haljohnson5729
    @haljohnson5729 Před rokem +72

    This is a true story. My wife went into labor. Her mother lived just about ten minutes away. We called her because she was going to be part of the birth at the hospital(she had permission to be in the room) she drove a 5th avenue which was much bigger than my car(escort) Long story short.....the wife was only in labor for @ 20 minutes ......we pulled into the fire station across the street. My son was born in the backseat. My father in law had a plate made for the back window that said "birth place of....."

    • @peteaguilar4672
      @peteaguilar4672 Před rokem +2

      Ppp

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +8

      You could now say, "He was born (on) in 5th Avenue". LOL.

    • @Daniel-fd3wp
      @Daniel-fd3wp Před rokem

      @Hal Johnson wow that baby came out quick thanks for sharing it’s amazing how a big moment like that you remember the vehicle. 👍

    • @haljohnson5729
      @haljohnson5729 Před rokem +3

      @@Daniel-fd3wp I was shocked when the paramedic said "this baby is crowned" All my baby classes were wasted...LOL.....my neighbor was mowing his lawn and I held him up as we got in the ambulance and said "Its a boy"

    • @explicitcontent9235
      @explicitcontent9235 Před rokem +1

      Im truly grateful that you shared your life experience. Is the national Enquirer still reporting on aliens being borne in the back seat of a 5th Avenue. Please remit.

  • @polishdon7547
    @polishdon7547 Před rokem +5

    I had a ‘87 Fifth Avenue. Great car. Miss it

  • @ron1836
    @ron1836 Před rokem +2

    I still drive one of these.. an 86. Really good cars.

  • @johnmaki3046
    @johnmaki3046 Před 10 měsíci +1

    I VERY BRIEFLY owned an '83 "Fifth Avenue" ($225 in '04; QUESTIONABLE TITLE!) I preferred this car to my '79 Cadillac DeVille! This car (AT LEAST) WORKED!

  • @MikeBrown-ii3pt
    @MikeBrown-ii3pt Před rokem +2

    I'm not sure what model years they were but, if I'm not mistaken, our local police department had this style of Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Fury for quite a while. They replaced their big, mid 70s Ford LTDs with them and the cops hated them. After that, they started buying used Crown Victorias that were former state patrol cars.

  • @ChaChiVooDoo
    @ChaChiVooDoo Před rokem +3

    Back in the 80's-90's I did lots of back yard auto repair for friends. A late friend Benny Mongillo had a white 1985 Fifth Ave with a red interior he bought new and kept in pristine condition. He had it many years and it was extremely reliable.

  • @googleusergp
    @googleusergp Před rokem +18

    There was a front wheel drive Imperial that was a "Sperlich Special". Yup, the "R" body cars were the last cars made at the Lynch Road plant in Detroit, MI which closed in April 1981. Yes, many were built at St. Louis, MO (Fenton) which opened in 1959 and closed in 2009. Some were also made in Windsor, Ontario Canada, which still operates today under Stellantis. Looking through old tax photos of my area, in one of them, at my neighbor's house you can see him working on a 1985 Diplomat and in front of it is my 1982 Toronado, as we were doing front end work on it. I can date the photo back to June-August 1988 based on the fact that the car has license plates on it and I registered it on Wednesday June 1, 1988 (I still have those license plates in my garage, although I sold the car in 2009). I remember that Diplomat because out for a test drive one day, someone hit the fender and we had to replace it.
    With the VIN, we win: 1C3 for US made Chrysler passenger car, B for manual seat belts and no air bags, F for 5th Avenue, 6 for Special, 6 for four door sedan, P for 5.2L (318 CID) V8 with two barrel, 6 is a check digit, H for the 1987 model year, W for Kenosha, WI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Kenosha, WI plant as you noted was purchased from "All Makes Combined" and stopped vehicle production on Friday December 23, 1988 and then continued on as an engine assembly plant through 2010. The plant opened in 1902 as the Thomas B. Jeffery Company.
    It appears that the notes are directions to Hiller's Garage/Hiller Motors Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram at 635 Mill St, Marion, MA 02738, which still operates today. The Holley two barrel in these was a real heap and that probably was the reason it went back there. LOL. Yup, this is a "model" in a pig suit and is a gussied up Aspen and Volare at its core. No tag, can't brag, but should be paint code FW9 Olympic White exterior paint.

    • @LongIslandMopars
      @LongIslandMopars Před rokem +2

      I came close to buying a used 88 model after I convinced my parents I was not going to drive slant sixes anymore and move up to a V8. I just couldn't stomach the used car price of $7500 for a two-tone silver over red 5th Ave because underneath it was the same as the 79 Volare I was driving. This, I walked away and plunked down $7300 for a privately owned 89 Crown Vic. Loved that car and put over 160k on it before it developed problems that I wasn't willing to fix. Had it for 7 years and sold it for $800.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +2

      @@LongIslandMopars My friend's father had a 1987 for several years. I believe it got hit once, it was repaired and he drove it several more years before selling it.

    • @adamtrombino106
      @adamtrombino106 Před rokem +5

      My 82, which was the only yr they called it a New Yorker 5th Ave, was built in Windsor. My 85 was built in MO and my 87 was built in WI. The 82 was the best of the 3, by far!

    • @larrykirk9825
      @larrykirk9825 Před rokem +4

      I love seeing the history and where the old chryslers were built I work for chrysler I started at the sterling heights assembly and when I would drive by the old lynch rd plant on my way to work it was kinda sad but here in motown it's a usual story I'm at the detroit assembly complex mack plant we make the new jeep grand Cherokee L the 3 row model and the regular 2 row overflow that the jefferson north can't build due to demand

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +1

      @@adamtrombino106 Yup, that's correct.

  • @kevinmatthews365
    @kevinmatthews365 Před 8 měsíci

    When I met my first wife in 1989 her parents had a new 1988 Chrysler Fifth Avenue. Light blue, plush light blue interior (not the leather).
    They sold it to me around 2000 for $1500. They had done a repaint on it and it was in decent shape.
    I drove it for a while and ended up literally giving it away because no one would pay for it. Looked good and running/driving.
    What a dog of a 2 barrel 318 though.
    But I wish I still had it now. Not sure why but I do.

  • @tompaciga7386
    @tompaciga7386 Před rokem +1

    The interiors on those cloth or leather were beautiful

  • @danielscott6787
    @danielscott6787 Před rokem +6

    I has one of those. Got rid of the lean burn system. Put a stock Chrysler box and distributor in, eliminated the catalytic converter. Made it from a 16 second car in the 1/8th to a 10.0 flat.

  • @ericheld4382
    @ericheld4382 Před rokem +1

    My grandmother's last car was a 85 5 th ave just like that one. My parents had a matching 85 New Yorker.

  • @BigMikesHooptyBarn
    @BigMikesHooptyBarn Před rokem +4

    I never realized that someone could snag that front suspension for a quick upgrade to a project. I'll definitely be keeping that in mind next time I'm at the Junkyard.

    • @christinamoneyhan5688
      @christinamoneyhan5688 Před rokem +2

      MoPar Al , just installed a Mustang front suspension in a 1964 Studebaker Lark. Check out his channel. I also heard I’d people using Ford LTD front suspension in F series Ford trucks. Hope this helps give you ideas.

    • @trail70rider
      @trail70rider Před rokem

      I bought a 77 aspen for the 318 motor and trans and slowly parted the rest of it out. When I was about finished with it someone who wanted all the front end suspension parts for a hot rod pickup contacted me. I sold them all the suspension parts and told them they could have the rest of the car so they could pull it at their leisure. It worked out great for me.

  • @JimFlanagan4206
    @JimFlanagan4206 Před rokem +3

    Cool! My grandparents had one of these in the late 80s into the 90s. Burgundy with matching interior and landau top. It was a very nice car.

  • @SolamenteVees
    @SolamenteVees Před rokem +2

    The official car of Mike Ehrmantrout.

  • @Daniel-fd3wp
    @Daniel-fd3wp Před rokem +1

    I know this may sound silly I watch your Videos Steve after work at least twice because your words per minute. I have to soak in and get that knowledge. If it’s a Vehicle that catches my eyes and ears it’s 3 times . Thanks Steve and Super Shane. 👍🎥👍

  • @willhorting5317
    @willhorting5317 Před rokem +2

    Steve, you mentioned the New Yorker........
    Twenty years ago, my 2nd wife and I had an '89 New Yorker.
    Very high mileage on it, so I got it for a mere $400.
    Even with the high mileage, that car rode nice.
    Unfortunately, we only got about 10 months of driving from it.
    The engine threw a rod. And it was cheaper to bia different used car, than to buy a replacement engine.😂
    (Sort of like it was cheaper to divorce that 2nd wife a year later, and spend these last 19 years single, than to continue an unhappy relationship.😂)

  • @musclecarmitch908
    @musclecarmitch908 Před rokem +4

    I remember my cousin bought one of these new and when he showed it to me I was surprised that the torsion bars were switched to transverse! They were still awesome cars for the times!

  • @vet-7174
    @vet-7174 Před rokem +3

    Good Morning Gents ! 🇺🇸

  • @jamesblair9614
    @jamesblair9614 Před rokem

    Interesting fact about the rear window plug, and I'm sure none of my friends will know about it either, thanks to Steve, I can enlighten them.

  • @nicholasschreiber1492

    I had a 1987 plymouth gran fury police package . It was a dog driving in the city but in the highway it was great . I sold it to my sister and brother-in-law . My sister needed money to pay for a phone bill . She sold it to a scrapper for 200.00 . A running car . I told her to wait until I get home from work to give her the money . Needless to say, she scrapped it for 200 bucks. I miss that car .

  • @The_R-n-I_Guy
    @The_R-n-I_Guy Před rokem +4

    My mom had a 77 Aspen when I was young. Exactly like the one on the cover of that brochure. Baby blue with white vinyl interior, t-tops and a V8 with the floor shifted automatic. I would love to be able to find another one for her.

  • @dcg748
    @dcg748 Před rokem

    We have a '78 Volare wagon front clip under our '55 F-100, it's a massive improvement over the original front end!

  • @seanfrank4158
    @seanfrank4158 Před rokem +2

    I love the style of these cars. Sure...it's pretty plain but there's just something about them that I really like.

  • @garymckee8857
    @garymckee8857 Před rokem +5

    I had an 81 LeBaron with a slant six that looked like the Fifth Avenue and it had a factory installed CB radio 🙃

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +2

      CB radios were all the rage in 1981. It was "social media" of 1981. LOL.

  • @anibalbabilonia1867
    @anibalbabilonia1867 Před rokem

    Great video! I’m getting used to liking on “what’s on the glove box!”👋😂👍

  • @joeamos1188
    @joeamos1188 Před rokem +2

    I have an 87 Fifth, and really like the car. I understand that Iacocca wanted to stop building these cars much earlier as they represented the "Old" Chrysler Corporation. Green shade guys said No Way!! These cars have a dedicated following of Mopar fans.

  • @gregkellow4723
    @gregkellow4723 Před rokem +5

    Dad, in one of his few strays from Cadillac, had a silver fifth avenue. It was a real dog on the road. Someone before him took the lean burn stuff off and gave it a standard ignition distributor. That was it's demise, it had the wrong distributor gear and chewed the cam gear up. It always has a ping, and was a bear to start in cold weather.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +2

      Lean Burn and Ford's Duraspark were total crap, that's for sure.

    • @openroad6522
      @openroad6522 Před rokem

      @@googleusergp Fords variable Venturi carbs, same c rap

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem

      @@openroad6522 Yup, another junker.

  • @meetjohndoe1078
    @meetjohndoe1078 Před rokem

    Tear drops on the city, Bad Scooter searching for his groove

  • @M3MBluewolf
    @M3MBluewolf Před rokem

    Gave a instant like cause my Mom's 86 5th Avenue. White, white top, red interior. My Mom bought it from a older couple who drove it to California & back. They sold it to my Mom cause it was an easier car to take my grandma to dialysis. She drove it for years. We went to Florida and back in it. Super comfortable. That little 318 had a little pep. I remember my parents arguing about a up coming exit. And I remember my Dad putting it to the floor to pass cars. That was fun.
    Great on gas to. Especially compared to the 3.1 v6 that was in my uncles Lumina. We traveled together but when they ran empty we still had a half a tank.
    This is a fun sentimental car of mine. Michigan winter finally started taking its toll and my old man can vouch driving through a frozen farm field to get around stuck trucks in a snow drift. But I think he hurt the car doing it cause after that it got parked, ended up getting scrapped. Not to many of these left so I smile whenever I see one.

  • @barberjeff67
    @barberjeff67 Před rokem +1

    Don't forget the ketchup to go with the salt and pepper! Napkins, too!😂

  • @americarsqueensland1667
    @americarsqueensland1667 Před rokem +1

    Steve, you should have mentioned the 5th avenues budget siblings, the Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury, all 3 cars were basically the same.

  • @davidbrown4180
    @davidbrown4180 Před rokem +1

    You Are A True MOPAR Guy

  • @malcolmhamilton5200
    @malcolmhamilton5200 Před rokem +13

    360s were available in M-bodies until 1981. Also they are an absolute bolt in wherever the 318 was in later cars. Done several. Love the seats. Very comfortable for long trips. Still own three, one being the one year only 82' RWD NewYorker with a factory Thermoquad 318.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +2

      I see no record of that, unless it was perhaps a special order/police/fleet issue.

    • @plainbrownwrapper9688
      @plainbrownwrapper9688 Před rokem +2

      The end of the 360 in passenger cars was with the 1980 R body.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +2

      @@plainbrownwrapper9688 Correct, at least for the US market. After that, it was trucks in the US market for the 360 V8.

    • @malcolmhamilton5200
      @malcolmhamilton5200 Před rokem +2

      @@googleusergp I worked for a Plymouth dealer in the late 70s and there were plenty of 360 2bbls in all kinds of M, F and J bodies. Lots in station wagons, 80' Miradas, 80' Cordobas, 2 door Cavavelles, Diplomats, earlier Volare based Road Runners, Aspen street coupes, etc.
      The 4bbl 360s were not as common, but came in the CMX Miradas and LS(pointy nosed)Cordobas as well as Volare and Diplomat, Caravelle/Gran Fury police cars, as noted.
      First thing I'd order for the Fifth Avenues, I was putting a 360 in, was a 3 core rad for a 1980 Volare 360 equipped police car.
      The next was a trip to the bone yard for at least an 8 1/4" axle, as the 360s would take out the Fifth Avenue's 7 1/4" axle in no time flat.

    • @pennywise8182
      @pennywise8182 Před rokem +2

      The last year you could get the 360 with a 2 or 4 barrel was in 1980...And only in the Volare/Aspen and any of the R bodies(Mostly police cars).They never offered the 360 in the M body in 1980...You could get a 4 bbl 318...But that was the highest option...I don't know why they didn't offer it when the Aspen was the same configuration.....But I've never seen any option list offering a 360 for 1980 in the M body....Starting in 1981 Chrysler phased out the 360 in any passenger car......They only put it in trucks....If there were any factory 360's installed in 1980 in an M body,they would be like the holy grail of M bodies.Nothing like a Hemi,but super rare nonetheless.

  • @The_R-n-I_Guy
    @The_R-n-I_Guy Před 8 měsíci

    Rear wheel drive cars are great in the snow if you know how to drive them. And the low horsepower V8s of the 70's and 80's are perfect for snow covered roads. They have enough weight for traction, and the power level makes it easier to take off from a stop without spinning the tires.
    I had a 78 Camaro with a 250 straight 6, automatic, open diff. I drove it through one of our worst snowstorms with no problem. I've also had a few 77-90 GM B-Body cars. They were also great snow cars. My 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan is pretty good too. It would be better with a limited slip diff. But the 235 wide tires help

  • @andregonsalvez9244
    @andregonsalvez9244 Před rokem +4

    Great 👍 review ! These were pretty good cars back in the 80s the M platform also consisted the Diplomat and GranFury/Caravelle in which were based on the 70s Aspen/Volares .

  • @jaylestingi5418
    @jaylestingi5418 Před rokem +4

    The last passenger car installation of the famous 225 Slant 6 was in the 87 Plymouth Gran Fury and 83 for the Fifth Avenue. Same with the Dodge Dakota--1987. The Dakota got the new "cut down LA" 3.7 90 degree V6 to replace the 225 Slant but they didn't bother reengineering the K-frame for the M-bodies as they knew 89 was the last year. These were popular police cars in NYC in the late 80s--the Gran Fury. Also, that Kenosha plant DID get shuttered soon after as it was a very outdated plant and the local government wasn't making a good business offer for them to stay so they dropped the M body and moved the L body (Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon) production to Mexico, shuttering 5500 local jobs.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +1

      No, the last passenger car use of the Slant Six for North America was 1983, not 1987.

    • @jaylestingi5418
      @jaylestingi5418 Před rokem +2

      @@googleusergp yes that's correct. 83 for passenger cars, 87 for Dakota and full size pickups as the base engine.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +1

      @@jaylestingi5418 Correct.

    • @benbrown2119
      @benbrown2119 Před rokem

      The mid sized Dodge Dakota pickup debuted in 1987 with the new LA based truck V6 underhood, or a four cylinder. Dakota pickups never came with the slant six.

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem

      @@benbrown2119 That's correct. The other trucks did get the Slant Six in 1987.

  • @johnkranyics281
    @johnkranyics281 Před rokem +2

    Good morning everyone. 🇨🇦

  • @slicksnewonenow
    @slicksnewonenow Před rokem

    My dad was part owner of a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Imperial dealership in Texas in the early Eighties.
    One of his buddies was a Rep for Chrysler and would always get dad WHATEVER he wanted as far as Demonstrator Cars were concerned.
    Dad had a string of the wildest stuff I've ever seen... All brand new and all "custom" from the factory.
    When he decided he wanted a new Fifth Avenue, he called his pal and asked for a new '83 in triple black with a red pinstripe... And the whole enchilada Police Package... About a month later, the transport showed up carrying it.
    It was MAGNIFICENT and ran like a r*ped ape, too!
    He LOVED that car and kept it until Chrysler quit offering that model.
    I often wonder what happened to all of the crazy sh*t dad had... One was an 81 Cordoba, but with the Mark V style "Bill Blass" paint scheme (white with Navy blue sides and gold pinstripe)... Chrysler offered a stoopud fake convertible top called a "cabriolet roof", but dad somehow got his buddy to send the car to National Sunroof and have it converted into an ACTUAL convertible.
    And it had the Police Interceptor package in it, too.
    Another wild car he had was a Mark Cross LeBaron convertible with the little Hemi 2.6 turbo engine... Woody sides and all.
    But it had an actual rumble seat in the trunk, the lid opened backwards... So the car could comfortably carry six passengers.
    Whenever a new model would come along, or they'd discontinue one, dad had to send those cars back to Detroit.
    I imagine they all ended up in a wrecking yard up in Michigan.
    Cheers!

  • @juanitomaxxcarnaje3877
    @juanitomaxxcarnaje3877 Před 10 měsíci

    The final full size Chryslers were in 1978 called the c bodies. In 1979, the down sized r bodies replacement to the bodies took over until the 1981 and the. The m body was the full size Chrysler until 1989.

  • @markv78
    @markv78 Před rokem +1

    My dad used to get a new one of these every 2 yrs as a bank excec car they had the local dodge Chrysler dealers acct I recall a all silver on silver leather a s a really sharp two tone silver with black sides and silver leather .very lux car comfortable thick carpets good stereo s and amazing ac Dad always said they had the best ac and living in a Florida we needed it.

    • @klwthe3rd
      @klwthe3rd Před 2 měsíci +1

      The two tone silver over black was one of the most beautiful of the two tone color combinations you could get on the Fifth Avenues. Most of the two tone opted cars also had the very rare alloy wheel option as well. IF i was to buy one today, i would get a two tone Fifth Avenue just because they are so impactful.

    • @markv78
      @markv78 Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@klwthe3rd deff was a pretty combo nice leather interior with super lux carpet awesome ac nice car for sure

  • @u121921
    @u121921 Před rokem

    Had 1 and couldn't get rid of it except to Victory auto wreckers . Not a bad car for a late 60s driving experience . I called it the Hump backed Volare for that plastic roof extension .

  • @flimflam6547
    @flimflam6547 Před rokem

    I have an ‘88, starting in ‘88 and ‘89 they also had equipped the 8.25 rear ends instead of the 7.25 like the rest of the previous years

  • @Jim-ic2of
    @Jim-ic2of Před rokem

    P.s. If you are referring to the pressure of Lemming like behavior in idealogic application it is specifically purple or grape 🍇 flavor drink mix .(presumably sweetened with diabolical sugar).

  • @oldyellow8120
    @oldyellow8120 Před rokem

    Great cars! I own a '78 Aspen wagon with only 30K miles, slant Super Six, and four speed floor shift. I love it! It's the Fifth Ave's older cousin.

  • @cj5trackerat
    @cj5trackerat Před rokem

    Cool video. Very informative. I'm new but I love your channel

  • @davidp2888
    @davidp2888 Před rokem

    I had Driver's Ed back in 1982 and we got to have some road time in a Dodge Aspen. It was fun to see just how far we could push the boundaries before the tires would kick out and lose traction.

  • @Funsho97
    @Funsho97 Před rokem

    Love the title of this video, shout out to the Boss!!! 😂 Ten Devils in the freezah!!!😂

  • @petervitti9
    @petervitti9 Před rokem

    Great video! I looked at one in 1986. White 5th Avenue with black roof. I decided on a white mercury sable LS. Funny thing I returned to a new 1993 intrepid ES. After that 6 more chryslers. Switched to GM in 2015 cuz I couldn't find a dodge charger w leather seats.

  • @joeknowz4898
    @joeknowz4898 Před rokem

    Drank The Lemon-Aid....thats funny ....my grandfather had a 76 Aspen with a 318.... he passed away in 83 and my dad got the car from my grandmother..it still had the bias ply tires and the bean bag ash tray on the dash board.... after we got new tires and a FM radio installed ... no one could beat my dad off the line..... even with my gram and great aunt in the car ...

  • @darrenwilliams-wy9gb
    @darrenwilliams-wy9gb Před rokem

    The reason the Fifth Ave was so good all that engineering was well established over the years of building so many cars off that platform great video Steve and yes hot rodders told me for years that front suspension was great for street Rodding older cars from 40 and 50ts cars .👍😎

  • @stenasca
    @stenasca Před rokem

    According to the internet, Mr. Phelps is still alive, and is 90.

  • @sasz2107
    @sasz2107 Před rokem

    I always loved these cars. I haven't owned one - yet! Though I have owned Mopar F bodies, A bodies, and a C body car once.

  • @brianbeswick3646
    @brianbeswick3646 Před rokem

    I take offense that only 50 year olds like these cars. When I was 20 there was a two tone 1986 that was mostly red with a silver roof in front of the red Landau top and silver hood and I loved that color combo. I always wanted one just like that. I went to the couple that owned it and left them my phone number if they were ever planning on selling it. It's been 30 plus years and they never called. I still want one.

  • @ryandavis7593
    @ryandavis7593 Před rokem

    I have had two Fifth Avenues, one Grand Fury and one Diplomat ex cop car with the three sixty. The last one had a sun roof that was awesome. I never thought I would want a sun roof before that car. Get in on a hot day, roll the right rear window down a little and open the sun roof about three inches and start moving air.

  • @splender88
    @splender88 Před 18 dny

    Just saw a video Bill from Curious Cars did on one of these. These were the last gasp from Chrysler everything was going to front wheel drive by then. Never thought much of them in the past but I would have one if it were in decent shape.

  • @ClaremontClassicGarage
    @ClaremontClassicGarage Před rokem +1

    They were great cars. Stick a few select bits from a Diplomat cop car under it and they were awesome.

  • @chazj2175
    @chazj2175 Před rokem

    My parents had a early 80s Dodge Diplomat in the mid 90s when i was growing up it was slant 6 and a nice car untill the cadilleck converter plugged up and burned the motor up, it was a shame it was in great shape. My sister and her first husband had a 5th Avenue with 318 also a good car, its funny I'm starting to see these cars now with hot motors and nice wheels and i have to say I drive one

  • @kentkrueger6035
    @kentkrueger6035 Před 7 měsíci

    Had almost every Chrysler "M-body". All of them went through the snow just fine, especially my 88 Gran Fury, fully loaded with limited slip. Surprised a lot of front drivers with that one. Will admit that my Roadmaster Estate Wagon with limited slip had even better traction. Basically only Front Drive Cadillacs could give that one a run for the money. You don't need front wheel drive cars to get through snow.

  • @randomruss651
    @randomruss651 Před rokem

    When I was a kid we had an 85 new yourker turbo and it was a good car

  • @johnnersinger9771
    @johnnersinger9771 Před rokem +2

    Some of those diplomats and 5th Avenues were pretty fast

  • @walterbatman7949
    @walterbatman7949 Před 7 měsíci

    My dad had a 86 5th best car we ever had
    In 86 you could get a high out put 318 with a Quadra jet 4 barrel carb

  • @robertvance1873
    @robertvance1873 Před rokem

    I'm surprised the Diplomat wasn't mentioned

  • @price8314
    @price8314 Před rokem

    I drove one in high-school, bought from a friend's grandpa for 400 bucks.

  • @Jim-ic2of
    @Jim-ic2of Před rokem

    Dignified grey looks good 😊

  • @butcher390
    @butcher390 Před rokem +3

    M bodies , Volare , Aspens etc ,
    were very under appreciated , imo .
    Especially the police 🚔 packages
    Never knew they were built in ,
    Conosha Wisconsin
    Glad queen Katie 🐶 is keeping the critters , off the set .

    • @xfactorautomotive1496
      @xfactorautomotive1496 Před rokem +2

      Kenosha

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +3

      Only built in Kenosha after they merged with "All Makes Combined".

    • @xfactorautomotive1496
      @xfactorautomotive1496 Před rokem +1

      @@googleusergp here in Wisconsin, AMC's were known as "Kenosha Cadillacs" LOL

    • @googleusergp
      @googleusergp Před rokem +1

      @@xfactorautomotive1496 That's a bit of a stretch. LOL. At least Snap On Tools (based in Kenosha) could get away with saying that they are the "Cadillac" of tools (or did).

  • @adamtrombino106
    @adamtrombino106 Před rokem +1

    I like these cars and I've had 3.. An 82, 85, and 87. The 87 was the worst in terms of construction and quality, but the 82 was the best of the 3 by far, and lasted the longest. The 85 and 87 I had both suffered from K member sag, which destroyed tires and effected handling due to excessive neg camber.. Chrysler had a recall on them back in the day.

  • @greghollingsworth2888

    I loved the looks of these cars - a mini limo look. I owned a 1985 one, gold with matching interior. Not ver powerful as I recall. You comment they were built off of the Aspen/Volare. I would argue that the closer fit is the Caravelle/Diplomat body. Thanks for these videos, I quite enjoy them.

  • @danatkinson6698
    @danatkinson6698 Před rokem

    Nice Springsteen reference

  • @Fore-Four-Dee-Too
    @Fore-Four-Dee-Too Před rokem

    Omni's and Horizons were also built in Kenosha.

  • @ragdolltrucking
    @ragdolltrucking Před 11 měsíci

    The fifth avenue had an electric fan in the intake that was used as an intake silencer

  • @nathanbarden9709
    @nathanbarden9709 Před rokem +3

    We always used to get around New England in RWD cars. People today are wimps; I guess. I miss power sliding on snow and dirt! 😢

    • @LongIslandMopars
      @LongIslandMopars Před rokem +2

      Steer it with the throttle. Had no problems back in the day with a set of snow tires on our cars.

  • @jackanapes6676
    @jackanapes6676 Před rokem

    Had three 5th aves, two Diplomats and had an 80 Newport. Really liked them all, they all had their own features that made them unique. The Newport did have a better ride then the 5th ave, still liked them all though for what each car offered.

  • @paulzammataro7185
    @paulzammataro7185 Před 9 měsíci

    Get Well Soon!!

  • @dudeparistx
    @dudeparistx Před 11 měsíci

    My mom had an '84. All maroon. She gave up a '78 Mercury Marquis with a 460 for this. I remember the abysmal horsepower this thing had.

  • @mikemcglashing4848
    @mikemcglashing4848 Před rokem +1

    No mention of the diplomat bones.....or grand fury🤔

  • @chrismaze3441
    @chrismaze3441 Před 5 měsíci

    That one looks like it came straight off some concrete blocks on 5th avenue in Chicago

  • @selfdo
    @selfdo Před rokem

    Steve, I believe that by the time these M-body Fifth Avenues came out (1982-1989), the 318 came in a four barrel carb only. Indeed, for the last three years of the M-body run, they were the only Mopar passenger cars with carburetors. And those had to have a GM-sourced Rochester Quadrajet, as with the demise of Carter, the Thermoquad was no longer available as of 1985. But some M-bodies, mainly the Diplomat police cars, had 360s, again, with the Rochester Quadrajet, I had an '88 for several years; it was a former fire captain's ride. I don't believe the 360 was available to the general public.
    As for being made at AMC; yes, originally, as Chrysler retooled in Detroit and at Brampton, Ontario, for exclusively FWD lines, they found that demand forced a decision on the M and J bodies. The production was actually split, with the M-bodies being contracted with AMC; whose sales of anything other than Jeeps, save for the Renault-designed Alliance, were practically non-existent, this contract kept the Kenosha plant going until Chrysler finally bought AMC in 1987. The J-bodies followed the last B-body Cordobas and Dodge Magnums, which were produced out of the Brampton, Ontario plant, and so were Canadian-built, but still considered "domestic" under trade agreement rules.

  • @norcal715
    @norcal715 Před rokem +1

    First! Thank you for all you do, keep up the good work Steve!

  • @jetteboy
    @jetteboy Před rokem +1

    Same as the Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury

  • @tedstrogis4823
    @tedstrogis4823 Před rokem

    I could use the trunk lid and taillights for my nyc Diplomat taxi rebuild.

  • @chrisscearce
    @chrisscearce Před rokem +7

    Hi Steve, great video on this Fifth Ave. In an earlier video, I spoke about my grandfather buying his 1st front wheel K car the LeBaron. I never knew why he passed on the 5th Ave. Maybe the dealer needed to move the K's. But as you pointed out, the profits were in these. So I I'm a bit disappointed that my grandfather didn't get one of these at the time because I'd seen many of them on the movies as cop cars smoking tires and doing some cool stunts. OK , some may know I'm a health nut and don't eat sugars and carbs. I grow pretty much everything I eat. Steve, you mentioned McDonald's fries, and they are absolutely delicious, but with my farming background, I can share this with confidence. To make the potatoes flawless for the fries, McDonald’s treat them with a pesticide called ‘Monitor’ or Methamidophos. these pesticides are so toxic that the farm where these potatoes are grown is a no-entry zone for five days after the pesticide is sprayed. Then, to eliminate the harmful effect of the pesticide, the harvest is further stored in an atmosphere-controlled shed that is almost the size of a football stadium, as they are not edible for another six weeks. Now 'Monitor' was banned in 2009 and replaced with Acephate. In soil, plants, and insects, acephate is converted to methamidophos! So in other words there's a synthetic poison for the synthetic poison once banned. The American diet is loaded with synthetic ingredients that even in 3rd world countries are banned because they know it causes disease and other problems that the US Healthcare system will be glad to treat($) not cure (no profits in cures). Did you know that products such as fruity Pebbles and Mt Dew are banned in the UK and even some in Canada. Eat fresh eat less. Nutrition packed foods means less you have to eat. Frito Lay and many other commercial companies add chemicals that make you addicted to them it's why you can't eat just one but the whole bag 💸. Sugar is in just about everything processed and it's addictive much like 'booger sugar' is. Its why most stay hungry or have cracvings. Sorry I'm going overboard here I know but I've seen so many people with bad health or die from illnesses created by their diet. Look down if you can't see your toes without bending you have a fatty liver... Hey folks if you enjoy Steve's presentations go over and check out him on High Octane Classics. Have a blessed day everyone 🤙🏼 Namaste 🙏🏼

    • @martinliehs2513
      @martinliehs2513 Před rokem +1

      Always interesting to read comments. Due to recent events, I suspect that as the auto (light truck,, in reality) industry is killed off, "health care" will tend the economic slack that is left behind.

    • @danh2134
      @danh2134 Před rokem

      Your gadget will cause cancer , stop using it to live longer

    • @ddellwo
      @ddellwo Před rokem +2

      Well I have a sister and brother-in-law that would give you nightmares then…….😂

    • @chrisscearce
      @chrisscearce Před rokem

      @Martin Liehs Hi Martin 👋 I forget when the FDA changed the law it may have been the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) for something to be called a cure, it must 1st be labeled a disease. It's one of many reasons we no longer see the term "heartburn." it's now known as Acid Reflux Disease because there's a cure for it. Obesity is labeled now as a disease because there's a cure for it. How can this be a disease? I hang out with many different people, and I don't get obese from them it's from what I eat. I didn't touch them or get spit on by an obese person, and now I'm obese. The laws are good but most are there to protect big $ corporations. You can't patent natural products that do cure people of many different elements and have been doing so for 1000s of yrs. No patent, no profits. So for example to cure most acid Reflux you can simple take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. The main reasons people suffer from this is because there's not enough acid in the stomach. Try this next time instead of TUMS. These products reduce acid in the stomach and only make the situation worse. The real reason for this there are some synthetic product/ingredients in the foods that block or just simply can't be digested or block bile and liver functions. Fat is 1st stored in the liver and then it just builds out if not burned off. The human body isn't designed to handle the amount of sugars and carbs that's in processed foods today. We are naturally designed to burn fats as energy, not sugar. Sugar is very addictive and it burns out fast so you become hungry (addicted) and eat more. Think about booger sugar once the high is over you want another hit. Same for sugar and high carbs. The food industry has lied for yrs until now most believe fat causes heart problems but in fact it's sugar or glucose. The sugar corporation have paid for tests to say fat causes disease. Feel free to do your own research but don't go on the 1st few pages of your Google search. Thanks for commenting 🤙🏼 Namaste 🙏🏼

    • @willhorting5317
      @willhorting5317 Před rokem +2

      I'm not sure why you are stepping up onto your health food soapbox while commenting on a car video.
      IMHO, doing so is about as irrelevant and illogical as making political comments on a car video.

  • @RADIUMGLASS
    @RADIUMGLASS Před rokem

    I never liked these cars I thought they were ugly and it was always seniors driving them. It was common to see them in church and funeral home parking lots. However you never saw them break down on the shoulder on the freeway and they would last well beyond 100,000 Miles. You would still see them on the road in the early 2000's.

  • @rustybrowneye
    @rustybrowneye Před rokem

    When i was a teen my sister had that car. Came color body and top. The car's name was rocky because of the wrestler the rock. You could always smell what the rock was cooking. The car was always leaking and burning something

  • @RADIUMGLASS
    @RADIUMGLASS Před rokem +1

    They were about $10,000 cheaper than a Cadillac or Lincoln.

  • @zappa3543
    @zappa3543 Před rokem

    We used to call it the smoke wrench.

  • @nathanbarden9709
    @nathanbarden9709 Před rokem +2

    Somebody’s going to demand you do one of those Caravans. 😆

    • @lb9gta307
      @lb9gta307 Před rokem +1

      You're more likely to see a turbo Caravan make a pass at a drag strip than a Fifth Ave

    • @marktimberlake4493
      @marktimberlake4493 Před rokem +1

      maybe he will do the AWD one not made many years

    • @lb9gta307
      @lb9gta307 Před rokem +1

      @@marktimberlake4493 AWD was an option from 1991 to 2004

  • @lianwalton9194
    @lianwalton9194 Před rokem

    Steve-will you tell me why the VIN is on the sticker on the right side of the windshield?

    • @marktimberlake4493
      @marktimberlake4493 Před rokem

      Massachusetts inspection sticker has vin on it [so people arent tempted to put it on the other caw

  • @FrankBullitt390
    @FrankBullitt390 Před rokem +2

    Most comfy seats of any car, 5th ave

  • @chrislemaster2695
    @chrislemaster2695 Před rokem

    Did this have the Quartz Lock Chrome Plated base or Infinity cassette if so grab it those are work 125 nit working and if bench tested 249-500 now.

  • @rightlanehog3151
    @rightlanehog3151 Před rokem +5

    Steve, It is interesting to hear your Fifth Avenue 'would go through anything in the winter'. The 1980 Diplomat I owned was terrible with 4 snow tires compared to the 1975 Fury I had driven a few years earlier. Did your car have a limited slip diff?

    • @davidthehillbilly7995
      @davidthehillbilly7995 Před rokem +2

      My '77 Roadrunner got me to work one morning after 2 1/2 feet got dumped on us. I did cheat and put chains on the studded snow tires before I went to bed....

    • @LongIslandMopars
      @LongIslandMopars Před rokem +3

      That 75 Fury had much more rear overhang. Weight basis was better along with the gearing. I love that body style.

    • @chrislemaster2695
      @chrislemaster2695 Před rokem +2

      The Fifth Avenue had limited slip differential as stranded and so did Diplomat 1SE package still have the sales brochure the Diplomat Se leaded up was the same for for 13k new. Limited Sure grip was not av on Salon or Base Leather was a 1200 add on for Diplomat and Sunroof was 249.00. Dad said wile he sold Dodge's from 1983-1989. He only saw three ordered that way and the price was close to 14500.00 and both options for Diplomat 1Se package were dropped after 1987.

    • @chrislemaster2695
      @chrislemaster2695 Před rokem +2

      Also two tone paint was dropped after 1987

    • @rightlanehog3151
      @rightlanehog3151 Před rokem +2

      @@LongIslandMopars Yes, it was a night and day difference.

  • @gregbenwell6173
    @gregbenwell6173 Před rokem

    Seeing this car gave me nightmares---TRUE STORY---- in 1989 I was driving a 1983 Ford Crown Vic that was a four door and looked like a cop car!! For weeks I'd drove by a used car dealership and looked to see a Honda Del Sol sitting there for sale!! So one Friday afternoon with my family in tow, I stopped at the dealership and walked up to the little Honda, as a salesman walked up to me!! And I told the guy:
    "I need a car that is two door, fun to drive, gets amazing gas mileage and has a stick shift standard transmission, because I am driving 100 miles a day back and forth to work!" And as I continued to walk towards the Honda, the salesman says "I have the perfect car for you!" as he stared at my Big Ugly Four Door Crown Vic!!!
    What did he show me??? A 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue, four door boat, similar to the car I was already driving!! And the really truly F**KED UP part about this was.........I was only 24 years old NOT 50, and my intention was to have a "second car" that I could drive to work, and keep my Crown Vic, which was a great "family car", but not ideal for the 500 mile a week commute to work with the big V8 engine in it!! PLUS I learned to drive in a stick shift manual transmission car, which the Crown Vic didn't have!!!

  • @jonathanterrebonne
    @jonathanterrebonne Před 20 dny +1

    Wonder did these ride like the Volare’ and Aspen?

    • @SteveMagnante
      @SteveMagnante  Před 20 dny

      As a former owner of a Volare and a Chrysler Fifth Avenue - both based on the same basic platform- I can attest to the fact they rode about the same except the Fifth Avenue seemed to be a little softer sprung. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante