Whether you love, loathe, or just shrug off Chrysler’s K-cars, you have to at least admit that they were the right choice at the right time. Chrysler damn near slipped under the waves, but Lee Iacocca not only brought guaranteed loans to the company’s coffers, but brought an idea with him that had been shot down in flames by his prior employer, Ford: a small, simple front-wheel-drive platform that could get good gas mileage and be modular enough to work in a variety of applications. Sure enough, the Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant twins were basic, cheap and fuel-efficient vehicles like the original plan intended, and yes, the platform was very versatile, as the minivans and the Dodge Daytona sports coupe showed.

Now, for a history lesson I hadn’t intended on reciting: my grandfather, Ken, was a Chrysler guy through and through. Not only did he only own Mopar products, but pretty much everyone on that side of the family did. But while my uncle and cousin were content with hot-rodded 1960s and 1970s pieces like a Fury GT and the myriad of Cordobas/Charger SEs/Miradas, Ken liked the top of the line stuff…think overkill-optioned Town and Country station wagons. But Ken was a smart man and knew when to get away from the land barges, and in 1984 he purchased a dark blue Chrysler E-Class.

…don’t you judge me.

I remember that car well: the spooling turbo, the Speak and Spell “Your Door Is Ajar!” voice…yes, it was full-kill for 1984! Or so I thought. And while the E-body (extended K-car) E-Class was well-suited to Ken’s tastes, if he really wanted to go for the top-of-the-line Chrysler, the only safe choice would have been the Chrysler Executive.

The Chrysler Executive is specifically the limousine version of the Chrysler K-car. Starting with a LeBaron coupe, the wheelbase was extended (either 124″ or 131″), the rear doors stretched, and in the case of the 7-passenger variant, a divider was placed between the driver’s compartment and the passengers. They were built between 1983 and 1986, and packed one of two engines: earlier cars used a Mitsubishi 2.6L four, while later cars used the “Turbo I” 2.2L Chrysler engine, with both hooked to a three-speed automatic. Acceleration? Don’t ask…you’re supposed to be enjoying the Kimberly Cloth or leather interior from the back seat, remember?

In theory, the car made sense: in a downsizing world that was quickly embracing front-wheel-drive, why not capitalize on the trends by stretching out a front-driver for some extra room? In realty, though, Chrysler Corporation hadn’t won with limousines in a long time, and the prior limousine, based on the 1981 Imperial coupe, only sold three copies, one of which is best known for hauling around Burt Reynolds in a movie. Chrysler Executives were used up and tossed out, and finding one is a rare enough sight, yet here we have one of the last, a 2.2 Turbo-powered 1986 edition in black. While jamming seven people into that frame looks borderline dangerous, view it instead as a four-door sedan with the best rear legroom possible and suddenly it starts to make a little more sense. It’s up for sale in San Luis Obispo, California for $5,000, and “because the car is so rare”, you will be required by the seller to register with the Chrysler K-car club forum before you are put into contact with this rare jewel. Think about it: 1980s vehicles are starting to climb in value, and this is one of only two factory-offered limousines offered during that era!

Chad Note: Mopar people are weird. Admit it. Even Mopar folks like our fine young McTaggart here admits it, and he’s one of them. But this just might beat all. McTaggart wasn’t going to put the text from the Craigslist Ad in this blog item but I have just because it entertains me, right below the photo. And speaking of photos, I added a couple more. I mean we can’t deny all you BangShifters out there the sexiness of the K Car Limo. Come on! So read the Craigslist Ad, and my notes within. It’s worth your time. And if someone out here in Cali buys this thing Daphne and I will ride in it to some red carpet event. Or Red Carpet Liquor. Whichever. 

Craigslist Link: 1986 Chrysler Executive Turbo

Here folks, is the LAST SURVIVING 1986 Chrysler Executive Turbocharged classic K-Car Limousine left in the state of California. Oh my god! Say it isn’t so! There are only about 12 of these left in the United States out of the 105 made. Impressive since I wasn’t sure there were that many K-Cars left in the country! The 2nd survivor in California was hit by a snowplow up in the mountains, and we lost track of it. Moment of silence. Oh, and do we care? This car is the brainchild of Mr. Bob Marcks, and is perfect for classic cruising, car shows, and weddings. Thanks, Bob! It gets about 23-25 mpg, and is able to hold its own as the turbocharged Chrysler engine has to haul an additional 700lbs on this stretched wheelbase. It couldn’t hold it’s own before somebody stretched it! And with 7 fat asses in it, it‘s way NOT HOLDING IT’S OWN! This car holds seven, and is the nicest 86 left on the West Coast. I thought you just said it was the LAST SURVIVING in California! If another one is in Washington or Oregon it’s rusted out and sucks so it’s a given that the California car is going to be the “nice one”. Because this car is so rare, you will need to register for free at the following link for more information and contact at http://www.chryslerkcar.com/join-car-repaircar-showssocial-networking.html  Really? Seriously? Is it because it’s rare or is it because you are afraid people will contact the club and owner of the car and make fun of them? I thought it was a quirky funny little limo when I found it and sent it off to McTaggart to write about, but after reading that part of the listing I came to realize that owning a limo just automatically makes you a douchebag I guess. 

Find me a real limo McTaggart! Douchebargery here I come!
Disclaimer: The Chrysler K-Car Club is merely assisting the seller and claims immunity from any liability. It takes no responsibility for the outcome of the correspondence between buyer and seller. It also reserves the right to ignore spammers and junkyard dogs. Any issues brought forth by the owner will be resolved in compliance with the owner’s wishes.