1983 Chrysler Town & Country Wagon Rare 80's Survivor All-Original K-Car Bueller

Be sure to scroll down to view large detailed photos and video:

Offered for sale is our 1983 Chrysler Town & Country Wagon. With just over 36,000 miles accrued this amazing machine is a time-warp vehicle back to a simpler time (although we didn’t know it then). Today the name Town & Country is more commonly associated with minivans but in 1983, Town & Country was part of a long tradition of wood-clad family haulers of a different kind.

This wagon was purchased new at Bud Brown Chrysler in Kansas and believed owned by the same family until 2016. Although they lived in Kansas, they had a home in Arizona where I surmise the wagon resided due to its condition and low miles. It was also titled there. In 2016 the car was purchased in Arizona by someone in the Los Angeles area but they didn’t have long – as I purchased it from them last year. We’ve enjoyed and shared the car but too many toys in the toy box forces us to find its next cartaker.

Based on Lee Iacocca’s K-Car platform the ’83 Town & Country wagon was part of the Le Baron line-up and was marketed as “an American wagon that combines front-wheel-drive, high mileage, room and functional luxury”. This particular wagon is equipped with all the desirable luxury features of the day including an “Electronic Voice Alert System” that gives you audible warnings such as fasten seatbelts, door ajar, parking brake on and seven other conditions, as well as all systems ”OK”. Have a listen in the short video clips below. The “Electronic Travel Computer Cluster” supplies trip data such as fuel range and MPG rate at the touch of a finger. Both these features are still working fine.

How 80’s is it to have a talking car?! Speaking of iconic 80's cars, this one is right up there with K.I.T.T. and the DeLorean - remember Ferris Bueller's sister Jeannie? She drove a like Town & Country in the "chase" scene at the end of Ferris Bueller's Day Off!

This wagon is also is equipped with the optional Mark Cross package. From the marketing materials: ”This luxurious Corinthian leather 50/50 low-back bucket seat features dual armrest, dual seatback recliners, seat-mounted center consolettes containing seat controls, and seatback storage pockets. Door trim panels are vinyl with flexan inserts and Mark Cross medallions”.

Yes, you read it right…”luxurious Corinthian leather”! I have to tell you that the front seats in this car are among the most comfortable I’ve experienced in an older car. The leather is in great condition, nice and soft and very comfortable! The Mark Cross logo is embossed on each seatback. Chrysler paid attention to details back in the day!

Our Town & Country is equipped with the available 2.6-liter Mitsubishi-built 93-hp engine. As you’d expect, this car is not designed for scintillating performance… Gas mileage was top of mind for car buyers in this era so 0 to 60 times were less of a priority.

That said, the car gets you where you want to go with 80’s flair and nostalgia. It starts up easily, is pleasant to drive and stops with no drama.

The “woodgrain applique” on the body-side and tailgate was a standard feature for the Town & Country. Ours is in terrific shape as you can see from the photos! Judging from most T&Cs and Le Baron convertibles I see these days I can tell you these materials didn’t withstand the test of time well. The condition of our car is testimony to how well it was cared for over the years.

It is hard not to be a bit of a celebrity when you drive this car around town! In a sea of silver, gray and black lookalike jellybeans these days, this 2-box, wood-clad design will be sure to set you apart from the rest!

The carburetor was recently replaced with an original type in order to allow the car to pass California emissions. We also replaced drive belts including the timing belt, water pump, hoses, valve cover gasket and engine mounts – as a matter of maintenance. I also replaced the hydraulic struts on the tailgate so you can safely load your groceries or golden retriever. Finally, I had the sagging original headliner material replaced with an identical material - very pleased with the factory look!

Lights, wipers, power windows, door locks and driver's seat all work. The factory AM radio works but it is difficult at times to tune the dial to new stations. Perhaps a belt or pulley is stretched. The air conditioner blows cold! The horn works intermittently despite my mechanic’s best efforts. The cruise control is notcurrently working.There is an electric tailgate release on the glove box. There is one small dent on one of the wheel covers and on the top of the right front fender (both pictured). I suspect the dent on the fender could be removed by an experienced paintless dent repairman but I haven’t gotten around to it. The wire wheel covers are sort of breathtaking! Overall the painted finish on the car is quite nice and all original. I have found no rust on this car nor have I found any evident of collision damage repair.

Please have a look at the many detailed photos and let me know if you have any questions. The car is in terrific shape and would be a unique part of anyone’s collection. Like Lee Iacocca said: “if you can find a better car, buy it!” I believe this to be one of the best - if not the best example of this model out there. I believe you’d have a very hard time finding a better one. Make this one yours!

Terms:

This car is a well-preserved example - however it is nearly a 34-year-old automobile. I have done my best to represent it accurately. The winner of the auction is purchasing it as-is - no warranty is offered. The buyer is responsible for local pick-up and/or transport of the vehicle. I reserve the right to end the auction early as the car is for sale locally. Payment should be a bank-issued cashier's check or wire transfer. A $500 deposit is due within 24 hours after the auction. Balance must be settled within 7 days. Please ask all questions before the auction ends.

From Ferris Bueller's Day Off