What is a sleeper? We’d argue that this car a turbocharged Plymouth Reliant K, with double the factory horsepower qualifies for that designation even though it is not capable of running 9s or anything of that nature. After people got done freaking out about what has to be one of the cleanest remaining K-cars on the planet, they’d definitely be surprised to experience a 175hp kick in the pants when they booted the gas in this thing. You’ll 100% NOT be surprised to learn that the person selling this wagon strikes us as a…um, unique individual. Why? Keep reading.
The way the car is built is like a testament to someone who knows a little too much about K-cars and their ilk. The copious use of factory parts from cars like the LeBaron is cool and thoughtful. There’s the LeBaron engine, there’s the Shelby Daytona computer, there’s the snappy LeBaron wheels, disc brakes on the corners, Koni shocks out back and Monroe struts up front, and a list that is not sexy at all but functional.
The car is interesting and by our book it qualifies as a sleeper. Ya dig?
Here’s the text of the Craigslist Ad in case it disappears –
CRAIGSLIST AD LINK – CLICK HERE
The car came with sway bars and polyurethane bushings already installed; combined with a low weight from the factory, the car was satisfying. Despite this, the opportunity to enhance the car’s performance in every respect with superior donor components has never been passed up.
Installed:
– low mile turbocharged 1988 LeBaron Intercooled GTS drivetrain (175 hp) <- oem 2.5 (~85 hp)
– adequate fuel pump
– Custom mandrilled exhaust (and then custom-fitted to this car) with cat section
– Shelby Daytona computer <- oem computer
– LeBaron knuckles installed up front <- oem knuckles
– Rear brakes disks <- oem drums
– 11.5″ drilled slotted rotors all around
– re-cored copper-frame radiator
– LeBaron sport “wire” wheels
– fresh fuel tank
– Lower control arm polyurethane bushings
– Stiffer front springs
– new Montroe front struts
– rear koni shocks
Included, not installed:
– external oil cooler
– external oil cooler adapter plate
– plumbing
The car WILL PASS smog.
Now just put a big turbo on it to make some power and bring this to drag week. The turbomoparmafia would welcome you with open arms. Super cool (if a K-car wagon can be cool?)
I’ve always wished I had the resources to build a SS/GT kcar, wagon or coupe. The 84-88 body style wears a lot of styling clues that go back to 63-65 b-bodies. Plus, there were a number of high-profile b-bodybwagon super stockers. Build it as a 340/360 combo, and you could probably make it work quite nicely on a 10.5 or even a 9″ tire.
Better yet, I did enough homework to figure out that a stock 8 3/4 a-body housing is actually the same width as the beam axle on a k-body. Plus, the floor pan is tailor made to run a Caltrac style set-up on Chevy S10 leafs. The back side is actually easy for someone with some fab skills. The front side is the tricky part.
Using one of the Spirit R/Ts I have around here to swap the A568 manual and other performance parts to complete it, this wagon would be one super sweet sleeper!
I had almost the exact car 20 years ago. Even the same color. Mine had a 2.5L with Turbo II rods and 2.5 turbo pistons. Head was ported, it had a larger Garrett turbo from a 5 speed turbo coupe, brown top injectors, a nice 2.5″ free flowing exhaust, a cap, a 3 speed auto with turbo minivan internals and equal length half shafts, and a Quaife diff with a MS1 running the show. It was very fast and would easily outrun the new Corvettes and Camaro’s at the time. Used to really piss them off.
It also was about 5 different shade of light blue as I replaced panels due to rust. The front suspension mounts finally just rotted to death and the car was stripped and crushed.
To bad it was not one of the minivans.!