The Chrysler Fifth Avenue Was More Than Just Empty Bling, and I Love It.

Full review and test drive of a 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue Sedan
Review by Bill of Curious Cars, Vehicle to be auctioned at some point in the future (check Twitter for updates).

[@MuzixMaker]

Came for the rant, stayed for the car review.

[@StephenPhayre]

There was a car review?? ;)

[@AADX74]

100%

[@ddhsd]

The best kind of review.. "It's a gussied up Dodge Diplomat" 😂

[@slyguyaction]

I'm here for the weather report and stay for the car review.

[@teds7379]

The first 8 minutes were extra ranty...loved it.

[@joe6096]

Bill's still alive. The goats and birds haven't gotten him yet. We can all breathe a sigh of relief. Only Bill could do a half hour review of an '89 Chrysler and make you want to watch every second.

[@anthonybertone2336]

Ain’t that the truth?

[@hiitsstillme]

That 'pecker looked pretty formidable, almost got him.

[@ChazSeamus28]

I deleted this channel by accident once and it took 2 years to find it again, if you only knew the things I was typing in the search bar to try and describe this fella and his channel 😂 finally saw him on Autohaus and got his name.

[@briandesrocher6882]

BILL!!!!! Jesus Christ please don’t go this long without another video… I don’t care if u review an aluminum boat, lawn mower, golf cart, (planes not so much) Thanks for making another one and glad you actually found a not destroyed 80s Chrysler product.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I figured all those cigs and booze had delivered a fatal heart attack!...Instead, it just is/was another bout of depression. No big deal.

[@billmelcher625]

please do a golf cart

[@briandesrocher6882]

@@curbozerboomer1773 I legit get nervous when he doesn’t post anything KZbin, or twitter lol

[@scottprendergast5262]

Aluminum boat LOFL

[@danielj1063]

Those ol' beaters came and went for cheap Most rusty, but they ran to and from B.C. coast to N Alberta tar sands with two, three Canadians 😂

[@HipsterDoofus100]

A huge smile came to my face when I heard that “Good morning!”

[@100aceswid]

Me too!

[@corvettemode1556]

I thought for a minute that the birds finally got to him.

[@anthonytripp2251]

There's something not right about him. His bird thing is indicative of mental issues

[@moderateminneapolita]

29:07

[@mattgee5609]

Life makes sense again, Bill has returned!

[@Gr8thxAlot]

It wouldn't be summer if I couldn't listen to Bill complain about the heat.

[@tylernewton7217]

You know, you just don’t realize how much you’ve missed someone until they scare you that they might be dead! Watching this video was a fresh of much needed muggy/shitty humid air! Thanks for coming back, Bill!

[@mattsciarro1413]

Sooo glad you’re back, Bill! Life isn’t the same without your ongoing car reviews.

[@jeffreypaul9428]

Or his reports on Florida weather. I'm in Tampa and Florida couldn't be more disgusting right now. It's truly vile.

[@alanizsak]

For the love of God, Bill is back!

[@MetalMan73100]

"The sales just went depressed like a snowflake without wifi." Masterful!🤣

[@TheMcesar84]

Missed you, Bill! My girlfriend split with me today and hearing your perspectives on the modern societies down fall really hit the spot.

[@albertadams2095]

As soon as this popped up in my recommendations, I clicked so fast! Welcome back, Bill 😌🙌❤️ This car takes me back to an era where the makers of American luxury cars knew their audience and they delivered! There was no pretense of sport in New Yorkers, Sedan de Villes, and Town Cars. People entering their golden years seemed to do it with much more grace back then. These type of cars also had a renaissance in my small town during high school in the late ‘90s… as they were passed down from the grandparents and/or very affordable on the used market. I’m an 80s baby and - in looking back - all of my relatives and fellow parishioners that owned cars like these were the salt of the earth; with hearts of gold. 🥰 My late great uncle had one of those New Yorkers and the headlights with the indicators on top always reminded me of his bushy eyebrows. 😁 One of my great aunts had the New Yorker that talked (on the K-car platform)… and I thought it was pretty cool too (as I was a huge fan of Knight Rider). That night drive in the beginning was so soothing for my eyes as well. I love the way those gauges glow… such a contrast to the huge screens we have today. It’s great to see you back and in good spirits (pun intended 🥃😁). Stay well and we’re looking forward to more of your Curious Cars. 😌

[@kevinjokipii4260]

Is it "Sedan De Villes" or "Sedans De Ville"?

[@albertadams2095]

The model name is Sedan de Ville. It’s “Sedan de Ville” when used as a singular noun. An “s” is added to the end of the model name to express its plural form.

[@mikemoxley9477]

WE WERE AFRAID YOU HAD LEFT US !!! Great to see you back !!!!!

[@landyachtfan79]

By the time this car & it's Dodge Diplomat & Plymouth Gran Fury stablemates were finally retired after the 1989 model year, they represented 3 lasts for The Chrysler Corporation. They were the last cars to have a carburetor, they were the last cars to offer V8 power for 15 years (the venerable 318-cubic-inch, 5.2-liter unit, which became the standard engine for 1984 after the old reliable Slant Six was dropped), and the last cars descended from the Dodge AspenPlymouth Volare' chassis, first introduced for the 1976 model year.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

The last new cars in USA with leaf springs.

[@anthonybertone2336]

God, I’ve missed Bill. He wasn’t gonna rant in this video, but he managed to get 15 minutes of it in which was the best part.❤

[@frankperroni6338]

I had a 79 R-body NY5th and 3 M-body NY5th's (82, 84 & 89). Those cars were the ultimate in seat comfort, bling, and had bulletproof reliability...they were literally an army tank in a prom dress. I enjoyed every one of them immensely, even though they were basically squared off and tarted up Volare's. Never enjoyed a car more than those!

[@brianhayes7618]

I had a 88 Fifth Avenue red with red leather interior. My wife still talks about that being the most comfortable car we've ever had. It was a beautiful looking and handling car such a smooth ride. Plenty of power and mpg was decent. Nice find wish I could afford to buy it from you.

[@kroge007]

Had an 84 I bought new. One of the best cars I ever had. Sold it after 7 years with 78,000 miles on it. The only thing that stopped working was the electric power antenna

[@zfunk9]

If it was the best car, you would not have gotten rid of it after 78k miles.

[@sczuylevch13]

@@zfunk9 Sometimes it takes years and many other cars to realize the best car you ever had.

[@roxiebeagle]

⁠@@sczuylevch13that is one of the truest statements ever made on the internet!

[@281crane]

​@@sczuylevch13👍🏿

[@frankthecat]

My best friend in high schools father who was a doctor had this. Same color and everything. Iconic car for the time.

[@12yearssober]

Absolutely it was. My mom bought one new and it served her very well.

[@BeauQuillen]

@@12yearssober HEY DADDY JEFF

[@marlonrauscher5910]

Finally a new video!! We missed yiou Bill

[@vidsbychazzle2056]

Thanks Bill,the last good thing on the internet.

[@robertchristie9434]

In '82 I was working at the Chrysler Tank Arsenal & the VP of Engineering got one of the first 5th Aves for an evaluation. It was all midnight blue with a plush button tuck leather interior. The VP let me use it for company business. All I had to do was make sure it was clean & had a full tank of gas when I returned to the plant. The car received high praise everywhere I went with it & they couldn't believe it sold for under $11K. The ride was very smooth & extremely quiet. Chrysler sold a ton of these.

[@attcenter]

These were everywhere in the 80s I always liked them

[@moparornocar08]

My first car in the early 2000s was nearly an '87 Plymouth Gran Fury. It was this exact color, with these exact wheel covers, most of the external trim of this car, and was even well enough optioned to have power windows, locks, and cruise control. It was almost in as good a condition as this car too. My dad actually had plans to build a mild 360 for it and swap in a 727 Torqueflite with an 8 3/4 rear axle to turn it into a sleeper like the 340-swapped '69 Valiant sedan he drove for 20+ years, but we ended up selling it to bring home a '73 Dart Sport 340 we found a year or so later. I still have the Dart to this day, but also sometimes wish the Gran Fury could have stuck around. It was a great driving car for what it was, and I'm glad there are still some of these cars in this nice of a condition around

[@GordonJones88]

This is the luxury car of the 1980s.

[@robotcantina8957]

My dad brought one of these home back in 1987 for an extended test drive. After 24 hrs he took it back to the dealer and said NOPE!.. Actually he loved the car, but declined to buy it because he had never owned Chrysler before and wasn't going to take the risk.

[@nolarobert]

We missed you, Bill! Glad to have you back!

[@928gto]

different, classy, posh for the time-being...a really nice throwback. Would not mind owning this...better than today's high cost techno junk

[@AADX74]

Love you Bill!!! I was just talking with the wife the other day that I miss hearing from you via your videos. It doesn't even matter what the car is you're talking about, we miss hearing from you and about all the fun nonsense you talk about, beyond the car of the video. I'm pretty sure I may speak for all of us when I say, you're our extended family. Thanks for surfacing :)

[@edwardkantowicz4707]

"Pure Chrysler spooge from the 80s" You're killing it Bill! The kind of quality turn of a phrase that keeps us coming here. Hilarious!

[@weegeemike]

Oooh boy if I had the cash I'd snap that car up RIGHT NOW. I've always loved the 80s Gran Fury/Diplomat/ 5th Ave and it's almost impossible to find one that isn't completely ratted out. Sweet ride. Of course it's always great to see Bill ❤

[@Jonathan-bk3dq]

Welcome back Bill! These are beautiful, comfy cars. They don't make them like that anymore.

[@farragutspikes1]

Cool he's not dead!

[@artistnyc123]

Mike Ehrmantraut's car in Breaking Bad and Better Call Sal. I believe his was 1988.

[@patrickburke7929]

Those 5.2 Liter where very good Long Lasting used in Trucks as well. This Car came with but Rare is the 360 ci 5.9 Liters But hard to Find. My Brother had an 85 in Gold with the 318. One Summer My Bro & his Family followed Dad, Mum & Me in Dad's 81 Mercury Marquis Brougham Coupe up into New England with Treacherous Steep & Winding Mountain Highway's & Byways. The 5th Ave Kept up well climbing those Mountains behind Dad's Merc with the 5.0 Liter. I remember Dad shifting out of OD to Climb those Hills & to Help on Downing the Other side. Good Memories of a ByGone era

[@Yankee_Redneck6698]

GLAD YOU'RE BACK BILL, MISSED YA! Great find. Boy this brought back some memories of a Diplomat I owned in the mid 80's. Loved that car. I paid $300 for the Diplomat and she was loaded with all the bells and whistles also with the 318ci in a fantastic green paint. I thought I made the deal of a lifetime! Unfortunately, I never checked out under the car and failed to notice it had a cracked frame just behind the front passenger wheel. (I was only 17 so what'd I know.) Anyhoo.. One night on a date. I hit a famous Massachusetts pothole. (The kind that eats cars) Long story short... The frame snapped and the whole front end boated up like a banana, & the doors pinched shut. So my date and I just kanoodled the rest of the night in luxury listening to Meatloaf on the side of the road. (Shout out Michelle, wherever she is today) Hope all is well my dude. A few prescription shots of whiskey will keep the dreaded bird flu away. 🥃😉🤙

[@JayMalone26]

I love these M platform Chrysler's. The early 2-door Diplomats were pretty cool looking. They had some high axle ratio's: 2.26 & 2.45 were common. 2:94 was also around. Stock tires w/ a 2.26 axle yields under 2200rpms @75mph.

[@jaydlytning]

Those rpms are 4 speed auto territory! Must have really bogged them down in town, though.

[@kennyb.729]

I love these old 5th Avenues

[@jeeper5264]

about time you came back...hope you are well...dont leave us like that again damn it

[@timbullough3513]

Had an 87 Diplomat SE red velour interior ... the 318 and Torqueflite were jewels of reliable soft power. 265 lb feet of torque at 1,600 rpm man. Every car since that one has failed to match that.

[@brandonzilka1274]

What a nice car and a great example of late 80's domestic car class. If GM had hung on to the Model G Bonneville until 1989 and gave it the interior of a 1982 Buick LeSabre they'd have had a direct competitor for this. But time marches on and a different direction was forged, for better or for worse. But I'm glad you're back, Bill. 🙂

[@TheHelado36]

You tube is not the same without Bill! Good Morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@w.miller7282]

The bling on this car looks cheap but classy, not sure how the two go together but it works, definitely a better built car than today’s junk.

[@jasonchristensen6439]

Good to hear from you sir, was wondering what happened to you!

[@CS-oe8og]

Good to hear from you!

[@MrReese]

Thank goodness Bill, we thought the dangerous ants got to you!

[@JarmelSingsKaraoke]

🔥🔥 I was getting the shakes .. Glad your back with new videos🔥🔥

[@philjones9339]

Glad you’re back Bill. I rented a couple of those in the 80’s. No power, but so comfortable to drive.

[@billbowers268]

Had one ! Most comfortable seats I've ever sat on . One thing Chrysler had was nice leather interiors !

[@cortneybudau1700]

You and me both Bill! I look around most days and try to convince myself that I'm still in bed and having a nightmare.

[@Rmzkm007]

OMG Bill! Thank God you’re okay! Goddamn it we missed you dearly!

[@patdry]

I'm SO stoked for the next video haha, good to see you again Bill! Lovely Fifth Ave here too, I dig it.

[@vorsprungdurchtech]

I had a 1985 Dodge Diplomat police package a while back and have to say it was the most reliable bullet proof car I ever owned. Even more so than the crown vics. Nice to see a clean unmolested example.

[@genebigs1749]

I said, "Let me watch 5 minutes of this...." Of course I watched the whole thing! Great video, Bill. Welcome back!

[@charlesb2003]

It's not age, Bill. The world has gone crazy and people of all ages are feeling it. Love your videos btw, glad you're back!

[@craigster1234]

The version of this car that I liked best was the Chrysler Le Baron Fifth Avenue. It was fancier. Had corning lamps and a rear center armrest among other things. And a different grill and taillights.

[@TheseCurrentYears]

Hell yes! My first job selling cars was at 2nd Chance in Kissimmee FL 1995 (at rhe tender age of 19).. i sold so many of these damn cars 😂 They're definitely cooler now

[@jonathang6522]

I was brought home from the hospital in one of these, and it was our family car until I was 9. Great childhood memories in this car.

[@garthk506]

You have been missed in my household Bill. Thanks for the new review!

[@wstlndiesel]

Bill the kinda guy who will take your last cigarette and then tell you, you are out of cigarettes! ❤❤❤

[@robertdiehl9003]

Reminds me of NY/NJ Port Authority police cars if a push bar was installed in front of it.

[@K0nt4kt]

My grandma had an 89 that I'll never forget. I picked up an 87 diplomat cop car a few years ago and managed to score some 5th ave rear seats for it. SO much fun to drive, a total turd!!!

[@bigcrowfly]

For anyone who wanted a 76-79 Cadillac Seville but did not want the fastback or shrunken versions, this was a look-alike for thousands less with a more reliable drivetrain.

[@kevinm761]

omg Bill, never do that to us again. we really missed you so much! You have your youtube family here that was worried. 😀

[@philip4193]

I was actually watching some old archived Curious Cars videos just last night as I was craving a Bill fix; now we finally have a new one; YAY!!!

[@cwillmore97]

My neighbor bought one of these new in the mid 80's and kept it immaculate until he passed it to his son. The style, size and proportions were perfect mid-size, and those wire hubcaps were a touch of class.

[@danielknepper6884]

I was born in 73 and growing up of course I cared not about these type of vehicles but now I consider them awesome.

[@GribbleD]

Grandad had one of these in dark blue. Those gauges at night are one of my earliest memories.

[@SaabJitsu]

As a former 85 Diplomat State Police car owner, you had me as soon as I heard the floor mounted dimmer switch click. Great looking Mopar sir

[@robbybrown4792]

Two of my aunts had these growing up. One was an 86 silver over dark blue velour, the other was an 88 black over gray leather. I remember being 15 and driving them both around. I do love these cars and enjoy seeing on that isn’t destroyed.

[@renchjeep]

I love the New Yorker Fifth Avenues, but I gotta say I love my 79 R-Body Fifth Avenue more than the M-Body cars. Mine was bought by my grandparents new in 1979, and she's still lovely! 360 2-barrel, 3-speed auto, 2.40 something rear gear, and Rich Corinthian Leather! Glad to see you're still alive and kickin, Bill! Take care, man. And stay cool!

[@vr4787]

My grandma had an 87 in shite with vinyl top and red interior with shag carpeting. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. 😊

[@arden40]

My neighbors bought one of these when I was about 6. I loved riding in it. It was a darker blue color with a navy blue interior as well. Super plush seats, faux wood trim, all the chrome, vinyl roof with opera lights, all the bells and whistles. I totally thought they were rich because of how luxury that car felt to me lol.

[@darrinaleman4023]

hello bill from one old miserable bastard to another glad your back and enjoying the beautiful florida weather

[@JoeyP322]

Glad to see you back !! These were used as the staff cars when I was in the Air Force. Along with all things Chrysler, K-cars and the occasional mid 80’s Ford LTD’s. Loved to drive these…

[@Rugettingit]

I had the pleasure of one of these. A 85 5th Ave. With 727 Chrysler transmission. And man it was awesome to drive. Its "one of them that got away".

[@DMETS519]

Came here to hear you say "Corinthian leather" in this Chrysler. I was not disappointed.

[@scottpeterson4873]

Glad you're back, missed the videos.. Way back when, dad had phoenix like that citation but silver with maroon deluxe interior, trans am type factory rims and a 4 speed with press to reverse start button. We had family visit and used the phoenix to pick them up from JFK airport and phoenix was good in snow and had a huge trunk,/hatch area but we couldn't get six people in it because of the four speed shifter. So we rented a new '89 Gold Chrysler fifth Avenue like this, the phoenix had. a bigger hatch, trunk area but the Fifth Avenue with its pillowed leather seats could comfortably hold six people and road well and was smooth driving car. The seats were like a couch on wheels, we took it to Boston and it was easy to park and had a good ac and stereo that would play Paula Abdul , Def Lepard, Richard Marx and Belinda Carlisle. Lots of Memories, this car and the phoenix with a four speed are surprisingly pulling money and buyer interest for a clean low mileage one on bring a trailer . It was faux luxury but was easy to fix and budget rental agency preferred it to the Cadillac because it had far less engine issues and could operate twice as long for half the repair /operations cost. Really underrated comfortable car. Great Video, Thanks for the memories!

[@GordonJones88]

I assumed Bill had expired from the Florida weather.

[@arri275555]

My aunt bought an 86 new. It had a Champagne exterior with a beige interior. Her car looked as good as this one in the video. She really loved that car and took such good care of it. She had it until the early 2000s. I really liked that car.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Great to see you again. My grandpa had a Fury. Simple and reliable. Never had any issues with it. Didn't need a computer to work on it. They were the last hurrah of the old Chrysler. And I can't believe you missed the ashtray in the rear door

[@masterworksfine]

In 1989 I rented the Fifth Avenue for a weekend. I was actually quite impressed with how well the car did everything. Like this one, it was "LOADED" with just about every extra one could think of.

[@hbcaptain1]

Glad to see you’re back! Your reviews are always great!

[@MrDanielmarlowe]

My Grandfathers favorite car. He had one exactly like this he bought new. I loved riding in it so much comfort!

[@70s80sVintage]

My dad had an 1985 Fifth Avenue and I loved driving it...when it wouldn't stall. It was comfortable and classy. Bill, you were missed. And, I agree - the world has gone crazy and are time cometh soon ;). But until then, I will watch your reviews.

[@jacquesrichard3835]

My dad's boss had a Chrysler 5th Avenue. I thought it was the nicest fanciest car ever ! I was 10 yrs old at the time, I'm now 48.. ahah🎉😂

[@georgedantz3617]

It's great to see you back Bill! Even funnier and just as entertaining as ever!

[@juddydonk6570]

My one goal in life is to make it down to Naples and buy a car from this man. Preferably this one.

[@dacksster1034]

Glad you're back Bill 😄

[@dennismcdaniel1]

OMG my pops had one of these! It was Grey, and we would go south every summer in this😊 this made me smile.

[@Stevenimich]

Loves these M-Body cars! These Fifth Avenues are my favorite! Great ride, comfy... My buddy from high school, his parents had a 1985 Fifth Avenue, a white one and they invited me to go to Vegas with them and we rode in that Fifth Avenue! Loved it!

[@richardwells1709]

Bill great to hear you’re back with your rants about the weather and the wildlife. I live in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 just love hearing the backstory of these old American cars.

[@robk9685]

My Dad's fifth wife had one (true story LOL). They lived in St. Augustine at the time. It was only a few years old and I remember that headliner was dropping on your head. I liked how they flipped the front lights upside down and called it a Diplomat. Fast forward 3+ decades later, my half sisters boyfriend confused a Caprice for a Monte Carlo at Detroit's Woodward Dream Cruise. Her mother, my Dad's third wife (and a Chrysler retiree) said "Yeah, GM did that with a lot of their cars, made them all look the same and called them something else".

[@mine1username]

Keep up the great work Bill. You have the most entertaining and educational channels on our classics. Too bad all car dealers don't go through the detail and history that you do.

[@jovar.3649]

When the youtube world needed him most, he returned... (sigh)

[@michaelguilfoyle3847]

Bill..nice to hear and see you again...yes..recall these from my youth..my folks had an 81 Lebaron with a slant 6 which was slow a turd..but once rollin went pretty good..and was reliable and a comfortable ride for them for many years..thanks for bringing back a great memory for a nice clean example of American luxury...keep em comin.

[@johndorsey7510]

My parents bought this car new in 1986 after they saw it at the 1986 Chicago Auto Show. Then I learned how to drive in it during the early 90s. Great memories.

[@JacksonTownsend-nh8gg]

Nice video Bill. Good to see you back.

[@gunterpelz9291]

Bill is back 😊 And he talks about the New Yorker 5th Avenue and the 5th Avenue - the first 2 cars I ever bought after getting my license. Still have them. Gunter, Germany

[@platec4798]

Bill!! Thank you for the wonderful and comedic car review of the 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue. This was and still is one of my all time favorite cars built by the Chrysler Corporation. I worked at a dealership in 1989 as a parts driver when I was just starting out in life after high school graduation. This brought back some memories. At that time, the dealership I worked at was taking delivery of several Police Package Plymouth Gran Fury's that were being PDI'd, road tested and then delivered to the local police dept. The Gran Fury, Diplomat and Fifth Avenue all were an M Bodied car as Bill pointed out in his video. I was asked to help do road tests on some of the police package Gran Fury's as we had many of them to put through in a short period of time. On one of the cars I was test driving, I actually went flying past a police car whom eventually caught up to me at the one of the next set of traffic lights (there several city blocks invovled in this process before they finally caught up). I rolled down the window and briefly chatted with the two cops in their cruiser after they finally pulled up beside while at the red light. They never gave me a ticket for speeding as they were super friendly, realized we were testing and tuning their cars prior to delivery and were super happy to get new cars! I even punched it when the light went green and they tried to keep up in their heavy old Ford LTD that was pretty much done it's service life. A quick squawk of the tires and a plume of exhaust, and the Gran Fury was down the road. Not as fast as some of todays' cars, but the new Grand Fury held its own and did pretty good for a 318 with lean burn and a 901 transmission. They handled well. Although my story isn't maybe as wild as taking Mom's Fifth Avenue to a Def Leppard concert and catching Chlamydia (which I think wins the prize for the most hilarious story). All the best, Plate C