The Development of the Chrysler K Car

The Chrysler Corporation's K-cars were an automobile platform of compact-to-midsize cars designed to carry six adults on two bench seats and were aimed not only to replace Chrysler's nominally compact F-body Aspen and Volaré, but also to compete with intermediates like the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fairmont. Based on their passenger space, the K-cars were placed in the same "midsize" category by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as Chrysler's significantly larger and heavier M-body cars[1]
The K cars have been categorized as compact for their external size and small front-wheel drive layout. Technically, the K cars include only the Dodge Aries, Plymouth Reliant, second generation Chrysler LeBaron, and the Dodge 400, which used the K platform. The rest of the K-derivatives, including Chrysler's minivans, were based on the K platform with adaptations and modifications to suit vehicles of different sizes and intended usage. These vehicles had modified suspensions and were longer and heavier than the original K-cars, but all had the same basic architecture: a solid beam rear axle, independent front suspensions with MacPherson struts, and front-wheel drive (except for the AWD minivans). Sometimes, they also shared numerous internal components and trim pieces (e.g., the Reliant and first-generation Voyager).
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysle...
S146

[@4406bbldb]

If my name looks familiar to anybody hello. I ran the very first engine when they were starting to develop the 2.2. Actually it was the first four engines. I worked on this project from the very beginning in Highland Park and even still have a shirt from the grand opening or the release day. The year before it was released I had a company car that was a debadged green station wagon Reliant but with the 2.6 Japanese engine in it and nobody knew what I was driving. About a 3:35-6:00 is all my stuff those were actually fun days. Actually anybody that worked there had to come to my class on computerized development and testing. Great memories.

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks for sharing your memories. The K car saved Chrysler.

[@oliverrojas7117]

Agree, thanks for sharing your story. These cars do deserve a place in history.

[@p47thunderbolt68]

After the purchase of a 1975 low mileage Plymouth Duster and a 1978 225 -CI -3 speed Volare my family never bought another Chrysler product again . Drive tranes are probably still going . The bodies were awful . Leaks, squeaks, poor fitting seams . All cars back then would rust but that Plymouth Volare must of had salt imbedded in the paint . I know in Crysler came back strong but those 1972 - 1979 years turned us off. I look at them after Mercedes unloaded them and feel sorry for the once great brand that gave us the Slant Six engine .

[@p47thunderbolt68]

Awesome when manufacturers gave you a choice of power options and two door ,four door sedans and hardtops and the good old station wagon

[@jimlincoln1283]

We bought one and it was a really good car, thanks for your part in making it.

[@SandyMcInnesMagicMemories]

Love them or hate them, the K-car saved Chrysler. For that alone, they deserve a special place in automotive history.

[@KingRoseArchives]

Alexander Sandy McInnes Agreed. That's what I tried to do with my series, Great Cars. It wasn't just about Ferraris and other exotics that few couple could own but also about the cars that really had an impact. The K-car sure did. I was always attracted to its spartan looks and simplicity. The faux wood paneling on some models wasn't great though. This car and the minivan were real breakthroughs.

[@SandyMcInnesMagicMemories]

I was fortunate enough to have a 1985 Mark Cross LeBaron Convertible, a turbo in gunmetal blue. I also had a J-body LeBaron with the 3.0 litre V-6, a Lebaron LX also fully loaded. Loved them both. In all total, I had about 9 Chrysler's during the 1980's and 90's. And I still have my mint condition Jeep Wrangler Renegade from 1992. I'll have it till I kick the bucket, LOL!

[@chief1972]

The 3.0 was a super smooth engine.Of course,it was a Mitsubishi.

[@SandyMcInnesMagicMemories]

It had an impressive amount of power and torque. Definitely not a slouch.

[@michaelwallbrown3726]

that and the mini-van

[@pcno2832]

I miss 6 passenger cars. It would be such a relief to get into a new car with no center console up against my right leg and a nice flat floor. Reminds me of the old movies where the car would pull over and both the driver and passenger would get out on the right.

[@k.b.tidwell]

My wife and I call both the driver and passenger getting out on the passenger's side, "Mayberrying". As in, "We parked at the courthouse and Mayberry'd because of the traffic". 😂 No question where that originates.

[@verticlehold]

It's amazing to see this documentary and related information, today. This all came from a car company that once had the drive and passion to reclaim itself within the marketplace and then take it farther, through the eighties and into the nineties. Still owning several versions of each K-Platform vehicle and witnessing how they have withstood the test to time, has been a ownership of pride and passion that continues to this day. I sincerely miss those days but appreciated the ride along the way!

[@jasonchristopher2977]

They hit a grand slam with k car and mini van. Those was EVERYWHERE U LOOKED. And the turbo k cars wasn't half bad. Or the glh, glhs was gr8 lil cars.

[@the66volks]

the 2.2 engine is awesome! I've got a 1985 Plymouth reliant wagon with the 2.2 it still runs flawlessly

[@tonychavez2083]

my dad had a Plymouth Reliant K for many years. very reliable and roomy for a small car. That 2.2 motor was damn near bullet prof.

[@rickdevault2535]

Had a 2.2 turbo in a dodge shadow ran good but had a loud ritspin knock swapped it out for a 2.5 turbo. the 2.2 was a bit quicker than the 2.5.

[@k.b.tidwell]

Near but not quite. As a 34 year auto parts sales guy I can't count the head gaskets I sold on those engines. To be fair it wasn't the engine design that was at fault, it was the factory head gasket that just wasn't quite up to par with the movement action of a rapidly expanding/contracting aluminum head on a slowly expanding/contracting cast iron block. New multi-layer gaskets slip-slide around to eliminate those issues. A blown head gasket is almost guaranteed on the 2.2's.

[@tonychavez2083]

@@k.b.tidwell hmm 🤔 I guess we got lucky.

[@k.b.tidwell]

@@tonychavez2083once fixed with a new gasket the engines really have no issues. I always wanted one of those rare 5 speed manual turbo K cars. You may have been lucky or you may have treated it with more care than a lot of my clientele did ha ha.

[@tluns810]

My mother had an 83 Reliant. We drove it over 400 miles in -14F weather one night and it held up just fine during the whole trip, although a rough ride on frozen chunks of ice in Kentucky.

[@DataWaveTaGo]

K cars were so inexpensive I bought a new one just for the room to take 4 to 5 kids to the movies every Saturday. Worked well, lasted 10 years.

[@Viktor-14228]

Wow Very Nice

[@Nakkisampyla]

Only 10 years. Saab 900 & Volvo 240 double that without any effort.

[@erinwalter132]

@@Nakkisampyla Sure. But what did you pay for those two pieces of sh it?

[@jamespn]

Really liked the K car wagons, nice ride and a kick to drive.

[@jamespn]

All those computers in the background had as much computing capacity as my present day iPad.

[@kz1000ps]

"Aerodynamic styling is vital to both fuel economy and highway performace"

[@ravenfn831]

Compared to the Fury/New Yorker/Diplomat rear wheel drive models that preceded it, absolutely correct that it was way better at aerodynamics.

[@Timbrock1000]

MY FATHER WAS AN ENGINEER FOR CHRYSLER, WAS INVOLVED IN CHRYSLER'S K-CAR CREATION. He's seen in this video at 1:25 in the background. He was hired right out of college (B.S. in Engineering, Texas Tech) in 1961 and spent his entire 45 year career at Chrysler. When he retired in 2006, he was Chief Engineer of structure and chassis development. Supervised 4 other engineers who oversaw 4 apprentice engineers. Today, he is retired and living on his pension. So many comments here dis the K-car for it's poor reliability. Even my father will agree with you, but he was not involved in the engine/ mechanical design. He worked in structure and chassis. The K-car was designed as a "level 1" family Sedan. "Level 1" refers to lower priced cars such as Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fairmount, etc. Level 2 cars are those made with better quality materials and sound insulation such as Buick Century, Ford Granada, and Dodge 600 & Plymouth Caravelle. (He worked in designing chassis and frames for those too.)

[@KingRoseArchives]

Timbrock1000 Thank you for sharing your personal story. It was a great time to be involved in American industry. While product quality suffered from mismanagement, employees earned good wages and had pensions they could rely on.

[@robwallenberg8533]

horrific cars man.

[@DA90027]

Rob Wallenberg youre a horrific moron...you probably drive some ugly boring new piece of shit with a gas guzzling v8

[@jesseatwater393]

+Timbrock1000 Ford Granada was a level 2??? Wow. I inherited my dad's '77 and drove it for some years. POS. Worst car I ever drove by a huge margin, and the "better quality materials" were cheap plastics that broke and snapped off, vinyl, and fake wood that was basically contact paper with a wood design stuck to the plastic surfaces that after years began to peel off. Just amazing how far we've come in materials engineering.

[@REPOMAN24722]

You should see the crap we had from GMH in Australia, the Holden commodores from the 80's dashboard felt like they were made with recycled cereal boxes and then hardened slightly, the climate switches were toothpicks that broke as soon as you touched them, the only good thing about at least the VL, 1986 to 1988 model was the engine, because it was sourced from nissan, the RB30ET motor. Meanwhile ford was destroying them with the Ford Falcon.

[@district5198]

Absolutely love the Aries K car! Chrysler needs to re-start the Aries K car production line! We need an affordable car minus all the gadgets.

[@wiibaron]

Our family sure had its' share of this promo video. '81 024, '81 Aries wagon[exactly as in the vid], a '83 powder blue 4 door, '85 400, '86 LeBaron sedan, '87 E-class, 2 '88 P cars[1 Shadow ES and 1 Sundance RS],a '88 Daytona Turbo Z and a 88 LeBaron coupe that I still drive now after just hitting 100k last year. Easy to find/fix parts, even now. And that 2.5 engine with the 3 speed auto just won't quit after all these years.

[@tayninh69]

I bought a brand new 1981 Plymouth K car. I don't remember the exact mileage on the odometer but it was well over 250,000 miles when I sold it to a friend of mine. He put another 10,000 miles on it before he bought another car. The only items I had to replace was the exhaust system, shocks & struts and tires. I great car at a reasonable price.

[@JLanc1982]

My first car was a 82 reliant! Forest green metallic with a lime green vynil interior. I can still smell it!

[@xp50player]

That’s the design after 20% drag improvement? Must have been a literal cube originally.

[@cityofabscissae]

Yeah, it's hard to understand why someone wouldn't have remembered a shape called a wedge and improved the aerodynamics even more!

[@robertgsell721]

The K's were like the Chevette or Escort. If you didn't own one you knew someone who did.

[@MrGoldenwaffler]

Hell of a lot better than chevette. Those things are torture to drive

[@TheItsmegp46]

Terrence Gold I drove several Chevette rentals in Florida years ago. I didn't think they were so bad other than being slow to pick up speed

[@TheItsmegp46]

My brother owned a 1986 Escort. Probably one of the worst cars (and he owned a lot of them) he ever drove. It broke down constantly.

[@nlpnt]

The automatic transmission was a big wet blanket on the Chevette; the manual ones weren't even that slow for their times and price class (they were of course still slow by any absolute standard).

[@roaddawg3217]

@@TheItsmegp46 Well you're talking about a car where power steering was a luxury option, js...

[@DA90027]

I love my 85 Dodge Convertible and my 86 Lebaron, they get better mileage than most of the cars today are cheap to fill up and are quite roomy.

[@cowanr775]

The understeer was truly overwhelming. Someone referred to the K car as handling "like a gallon of milk." Nonetheless, I loved my Dodge Aries K. I would buy one today if they still made it...

[@k.b.tidwell]

I had limited exposure to driving K-cars with my only times being in a US Army staff car in the '80's. Chrysler Corp. should have used that understeer to their advantage though: "We engineer an exhilirating driving experience into our K-Cars!" 😛 You have to give Chrysler credit though. They turned one design into about 14 profitable car lines lol. PS - My dad had a 1984 Chrysler New Yorker based on the K-chassis that was a plush, luxurious ride, but man was the 2.2 underpowered. He loved that car though...poor man's Cadillac lol...and it WAS a very comfortable ride that I'd take today. And it talked to you!

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

I had '81 Kcar and again in the wagon I believe '87. No issues with the product. 👍

[@Shishizurui]

you know whats crazy a dodge aries is like 600lbs lighter than compact cars of today, yet its made out of thick steel.

[@4406bbldb]

Well i was on this project from day one. I ran the first 5 engines and stuck with them till they ran. (Barely) i can't believe i can't find me in any pictures. I'm directly responsible for four cam bearings. I also demonstrated the 2.2 with the turbo to the big wigs and we sold more turbo cars then anybody back then. I helped build a 2 dr. K CAR with flared wheel wells and a turbo 2.2 for the ppg pace car competition and out accelerated the Pontiac turbo V8 Trans Am in that competition I thought that was pretty entertaining.

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks so much for sharing your story Don!

[@nszotovich]

I have two of them: an 82 Town&Country and an 85 turbo coupe. Good cars for their time.

[@christianlacroix7617]

I have just been watching your videos on cars that have disappeared . I had a couple of tours in Germany that necessitated purchasing new vehicles upon returning to the US . My first one was an 1980 Pontiac Phoenix which was enjoyable after driving a Super Beatle for four years . That said , it had a number of issues over the next six years . A engine knock that was never solved but soldiered on. a bad thermostat , leaking water pump , defective oil gage , clutch had to be replaced , rears brakes that did not adjust properly and the power steering rack had to be replaced . It was replaced by a 86 Dodge Aires on my second return from Germany . It had three malfunction between New Jersey and Ohio but frankly was dependable for the rest of it's time . I I always referred to it as a third world automobile . It always felt like i was driving a vehicle that was on top of a bubble .

[@christianguenther1276]

We had a 1988 Plymouth Horizon that little front driver was reliable as an ax, and the motor was bullet proof!!

[@am74343]

I love that snazzy funky music! LOL!

[@Spennyman10]

Man I miss the 80's........we had an 82 LeBaron.

[@fentonfun]

My grandmother got a Reliant K, in light green metalic, as a retirement gift from her church in Kirkwood, Missouri. The car was in perfect operational order throughout her retirement and until she passed and we sold it to another happy owner.

[@largeautomobile]

Adorable story. & I never knew they made them in green!

[@michaelcerza871]

This series of cars saved the Chrysler Corporation from extinction way back in the early 1980'S. They were not the greatest cars in the world, and neither were the competitive models they were up against, but these vehicles did a great job and the platforms led to other more expensive Chrysler creations that all led to the rebirth and strength of the company, that helped to lead them into the future and the eventual takeover by Daimler-Benz, then eventually Fiat!

[@MrShobar]

+michael cerza For the K-Car kind of price, you don't get a Rolls. Unlike some here who appear to expect that.

[@jasonaltham7013]

Don`t forget the Corinthian leather.

[@nosoyono1081]

You mean the taxpayers save the company back in the 80s seems like everyone forgets that the Government baled them out. Along with Ford and GM later on in the 90s

[@BELCAN57]

"If you can find a better built car....buy it!" Lee Iacocca

[@loveisall5520]

I owned a Dodge Aries for 5 years. It was a great, reliable car--not exciting, but very comfortable with a great 4-speed. Sold it to friends who drove it for another 100K.

[@3DArchery]

I love the old 2.2 Engine. Can work on it with my eyes closed!

[@dantefigueroa2297]

My brother used to drive a 1984 Plymouth Reliant, that he had bought second hand, Once driving from San Diego to Indio the car stopped running, he called me long distance and I went to rescue him, and both of us not being technicians were able to diagnose and repair the little wagon, we performed a timing belt change in the middle of the Temecula mountains with limited tools, they were easy to work on

[@scdevon]

@@dantefigueroa2297 Easy to work on and dirt cheap parts even now. Like a farm tractor engine with an overhead cam.

[@Cypeq]

Hundreds of hours testing in wind tunnels to come up with square car.

[@sonnynick1]

Cypeq 😂

[@matadorman78]

Yes, a square car that sold in millions and saved a great company. Go f yourself

[@1greenMitsi]

lmfao

[@oliverdelgado6952]

Sometimes a boxy design can be more aerodynamic than a sleeker design .

[@montinaladine3264]

haha, yeah, pretty dismal result, plain, almost ugly.

[@rickdevault2535]

Now I want one.

[@VectraQS]

TRACK LISTING These tracks are all from a company called Bruton Music that was based in London. These tracks can easily be found online. I will list them in artist - title - (album number) album (year) format. 0:00 Alan Hawkshaw - Fuel Injection - (BRL 1) Auturbine (1978) 1:05 ????? 6:34 John A. Coleman - Pressing Endeavour 1 - (BRL 1) Auturbine (1978) 7:20 Alan Hawkshaw - The Speed of Sound (thematic to "Fuel Injection") - (BRL 1) Auturbine (1978) 7:57 ????? 8:49 Francis Monkman - Oblique Action - (BRL 1) Auturbine (1978) 9:40 Brian Bennett - Pop Vox - (BRG 8) Fresh Approach (1978)

[@adamtrombino106]

Once the K cars got EFI in late 84 and a better system in 86, they were true turn key cars. Rust was always a factor, but mechanically, they were easy to work on and cheap to own. They went through several headgasket designs, and even a new head for 86 with bigger bolts and new thicker gaskets, a better combustion chamber and raised compression. The 2.2 and later 2.5 stroker were non interference engines unlike Hondas or some Toyotas, which made them less costly to maintain. In 21 yrs I've worked on tons of these cars and their offshoots and they're not that bad, usually pretty reliable. Certainly their original electronics were light yrs ahead of anything GM or Ford had at the time. Carb models were troublesome though, I admit that!

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks for sharing your first hand experience.

[@adamtrombino106]

I like K cars, and their offshoots. Again, if 1 can keep them from rusting out, they weren't that bad, and certainly cheap to own. We had 3 K based cars from 85-92, all turbo cars in my family, 2 with 5 speeds. While indeed they had the typical head gasket problems, and 1 turbo failure, they did give good performance and excellent mileage. Our 92 Daytona Iroc Shelby 2.5 turbo 5 speed often returned 42+ on the highway at 70, cruise on, on extended trips. It really was a pretty good car. Our 85 also returned up to 40 on several occasions. L bodies weren't good cars. Carb K cars weren't. Again, the 2.5s were the best. I've seen several over 200k and run damned good. 1 thing of note, was the A413 auto trans, which was a very durable unit, worthy of the praise older 727 RWD transmissions got, never got its credit.. We had 1 in our 87 Lancer Turbo, and it never gave us a lick of trouble. IMO the K's were indeed ahead of their time after EFI. Bosch electronics worked good, unlike terrible GM Delco systems, and Ford's EEC 3 and early 4's. Front suspensions, and brakes were better than the GM and Ford systems of the time; lasted the longest. I worked closely with the Illinois EPA emission program from 95-05, and these lil gems rarely had trouble going straight through testing lanes. Even today, fixing up an old K car is cheap to do, and makes for a turn key, reliable car/mini van.

[@chief1972]

You needed that non-interference design because the timing belt would often fail long before it's supposed to.

[@adamtrombino106]

2 things there... 1st timing belt material got much better as the K car yrs went on, as did revised procedures for installation. 2ndly, the problem was they had no automatic tensioners to place proper tension on the belt. Too tight and they would howl. Too loose, and they would slap, or even slip a tooth or 2. I think all engines that run belts should be noninterference, saves a lot of $$$! My 85 and 87 K derived cars had belt problems at rather early stages of their lives. However, my dad's 92 had just 1 recommended replacement, and that 1 lasted w n/p until we sold it in 02.

[@harmendejong4754]

@Adam Trombino Right you are great car for the masses, Omni/Horizon where a french design made by Simca. Crysler bought Simca and their Horizon platform, first ones sold with a VW engine... 2.2 - 2.5 engines must had one of the worst starter-motor bolt locations, the inner one from the 3, of that era.. 4 extensions and a swivel socket..

[@joed6398]

They were great little cars. We had two of them in the police Department I worked for. They amazing around town ,super in the snow.

[@largeautomobile]

Were they used as patrol cars? I had heard the rumor that they were used by police departments, but was always skeptical that they would be able to use such a tiny car for hauling around detainees.

[@spencnaz]

These were a great little car. They had the stigma of poor quality control from previous Chrysler cars which was sad. My dad had a K-car, and it was always reliable.

[@icemanroyal]

Would you go as far as saying it was a Reliant automobile?

[@paddry69]

I know someone who still drives a Reliant K.

[@andrewps84]

I still have an 84, my parents had an 84 that was a carbon copy of the one I have now, and we also had an 88 that later became mine.

[@largeautomobile]

@@paddry69 still driving one in 2022!

[@akear]

The K-cars were indeed better than the GM X-cars and awful Ford Farmount. If you think about it they were the best cars in their class at the time. In 1983 Toyota introduced the Camry that looked just like the K-car. By the mid-eighties the Accord and Camry were gaining traction in the market.

[@KingRoseArchives]

+Andrew Kear Needed to improve quality even more and have a killer vehicle ready to go. Somehow they let the momentum dissipate.

[@mikecastellon3022]

+Andrew kear accords gained traction long before the eighties. I was on a 100 day waiting list when they came out in 1977. Instant success $4,145 delivered.

[@kentjohnson5544]

I had a Sundance, kind of a relative. It was excellent. Today there are better things but for 1993 it was a heck of a good value.

[@emeyer6963]

They were pretty quick with the V6

[@shawnskcars5691]

I currently have three K-Cars. A 1986 Plymouth Reliant sedan and two 1987 Dodge Aries Wagons. (One is from DavidsFarm) I love these cars they are AWESOME!! I currently have two on the road, a wagon and the sedan and they have treated me very very well. Awesome video thinks for sharing!

[@benjaminwood1131]

I owned a 88 Aries blew the head gasket twice. The car was an absolute beast in the snow, it could go just about anywhere.

[@matadorman78]

It is funny. The 2.2 developed much more compression than planned and yes they went thru headgaskets.

[@emeyer6963]

@@matadorman78 Compression got even higher as they aged and carboned up

[@matadorman78]

@@emeyer6963 really, I wouldn't think carbon build up charged compression up. I thought it would drop since the valves would not seat properly. Learn something new every day.

[@clearviewtechnical]

Great inexpensive vehicles! I've owned 4 of them. Easy repairs and maintenance!

[@brtshstel]

I really like this video, but even with the video volume and my own speaker volume maxed out, it's still whisper quiet and difficult to hear

[@mutakasata6752]

Cute box cars! Loved them.

[@dr.eisenhauer8922]

I own a 1985 Chrysler Executive Limousine… And a 1984 LeBaron Convertible. I love these Cars.

[@appleimacdude]

Still miss the 83 Reliant K-car I originally bought used, then gave to my mom. She drove it until she quit driving, then sold it at 160,000 miles - engine and trans still running great. Had to be tuned by ear, would not idle correctly if set to specs - had to mark it where it ran great, then tune it back to specs to set california's stupid emissions laws - then set it back again to where it ran great. Mechanic showed me almost no difference in emissions between the two settings. Still had original engine and auto trans, and was fun to drive - and comfortable.

[@PnnyPnchr]

Maybe my ears are going funny, but the sound seems out-of-phase to me.

[@banjo-boy-montreal126]

The front and rear bench seats were cool, I liked the front end on the 81's vs the 85's. But boy were these cars problem laden, even the mitsubishi 2.6 was not much better. Resale took a nosedive that seems to be a Chrysler tradition. Still wish I could go back to '85 Chrysler or not!

[@dejay727272]

Great video, very cool! If I remember right these cars had head gasket issues.

[@michaelbeahn5977]

Yes, my parents had an 84 Reliant. It was a dog overall. Needed to be repainted on roof, hood and trunk after a few years. I also remember it needing head gaskets more than once. If I remember, it was the aluminum heads. They warped more than expected under heat and wrecked the gaskets

[@robneville5728]

The later fuel injected models drove pretty good (for a cheap crapbox). I believe Iacoccoa attempted this car while at Ford, that car being the Fairmont/Zephyr. Both the Fairmont and K-cars being simple, cheap, boxy, roomy, and no frills. I see the similarities.

[@appleimacdude]

Our 83 Reliant had some frills, a/c, nice interior, more sound deadening than previous models, more trim outside - nicely equipped car -

[@andrewps84]

He did, yes. It was his boss Henry Ford II vetoed it because he didn’t want to downsize any Ford products nor experiment with new ideas. Same with the minivan, it was originally designed at Ford.

[@franklinwilliams8852]

The Host is Frank Converse , he was picked my Chrysler cause once he star in a TV series called "Coronet Blue" ! Like the Dodge Coronet.

[@jamesford3648]

“If You can FIND a BETTER Car, Buy It.”

[@raylopez99]

And they did!

[@kaneo1]

"Thanks for the business!" -Toyota, Honda, Nissan

[@avnrulz8587]

In 1984 I was the driver for a General Officer. Both of us were 6'4" tall. When he sat in the back, I had NO leg room up front.

[@nasiriyah110]

K Cars remained staff cars for a LONG time. They were still around in the mid 90s being saluted...

[@kennethsouthard6042]

@@nasiriyah110 In the Air Force, "white tops" or officer staff cars may have been kept around that long, but after about 4 years they would paint the top blue and would become part of the motor pool.

[@xr4ticlone]

Whoever named it a "Reliant" had a sick sense of humor.

[@rongendron8705]

I bought a first year, 1981 K car for $6,300 & it ran well, had room for six adults & plenty of headroom, but the styling was considered 'boxy' by many, (I liked it)! It was a little sluggish, but the 1982's got fuel injection, which made it much peppier! America needs to bring back, low-cost, compact cars, like the K-Car, Chevette,etc. which didn't "break the bank", to buy!

[@reints74]

It's hard to imagine that these were actually designed, engineered and built. What's even more disturbing is millions of people bought them.

[@areitu]

How come? I think the K-Car has to be compared to it's competitors at the time, not with modern cars. My guess is the K-Cars were probably no worse than GM or Fords from the same era. American car companies were still trying to figure out how to mass produce decent small cars, and foreign cars had a negative stigma about them.

[@RBAILEY57]

The K platform served Chrysler well. It was the basis for the Voyager/Caravan minivans, and a host of other products. Without it, the company wouldn't have survived.

[@jackoesterlejr.3454]

The k-cars were built in Fenton,Missouri They were @ plant #1 south U.A.W. Local 136 Made with pride! I built the Chrysler Le Baron & Dodge Diplomat

[@fentonfun]

About 1/2 mile from my childhood house. Valiant Drive.

[@jackoesterlejr.3454]

@@fentonfun That Is Awesome! I'm In Kirkwood,Missouri "Retired"

[@carminesilverado]

I worked for the Timen Co . and we made the wheel bearings for the K car it was a new design that Timken come up with where the inner and outer bearings were the same size in what we call a double cup you would call a double race , the bearing design wasn't bad , Ford used the same design in the Escort ,I am trying to remember what the GM car was called that used it ? wasn't Chevette both started with ? oh ya the Citation - I sure made millions of them and made big bucks doing it , hell the bearings were the best part of them cars

[@KingRoseArchives]

Thanks for sharing. Chevy Citation and the Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix. Those were the notorious X platform cars that had brake problems. What a disaster. Think you're right -- the bearings may have been the best thing about those cars.

[@ZeeboLaywicker]

i love the "6 passenger seating" they must mean 6 smurfs could be comfortably seated. lmao. 4 adults max in any of those tin boxes.

[@ballisonfargo]

I had an ‘82 LeBaron and an ‘89 Reliant. Neither ever failed to get me where I needed to go.

[@cth0211]

those carbs where garbage. they ran soo mush better when injected. we had a butt ugly yeller 4 door K car. it lasted 8 years without any problems other than a timing belt.

[@delavalmilker]

This is fascinating just for showing how a car is designed from the ground up.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

My 1988 Plymouth Caravelle which was a version of the K Car, blew a head gasket at 88,000 miles which also cracked the head. It was an expensive repair to say the least. It needed a new distributer at 69,000 miles. Nowhere near as reliable as my 1970 Dodge Dart swinger, my 1977 Plymouth Volare', or my 1980 Dodge Diplomat. All slant six powered and just such good cars, they never gave me any problems.

[@smithraymond09029]

Damn I almost feel like going out and buying one!

[@KingRoseArchives]

smithraymond09029I guess, Iacocca's line, "If you can find a better car, buy one" should be changed to - if you can find one, buy it.

[@plznotickets]

Own an 89 turbo caravan. It's a survivor and I love it to bits.

[@largeautomobile]

Same, and I already own one!

[@R777-RLM]

Later models were pretty reliable, with simple design and controls, roomy and easy to see out of. Just the opposite of today's cars, which are larger and much heavier, but have smaller interiors, and terrible visibility. Today's cars are going back to small engines, but Turbo's and especially direct injection with the problem of carbon buildup on the valves, is reducing their reliability and longevity.

[@tedschmitt178]

I looked at a K-Car for my first new car. I ended up with a Dodge 024 (with the 2.2 and a 4-spd) because of the styling.

[@DA90027]

I have a 85 lebaron woody convertible 83,000 orig miles drives great comfortable car...i get compliments on it daily i love the late 70s boxy design todays cars are ugly plastic bubbles with oversize hot wheels looking rims

[@KingRoseArchives]

Twaddles McGee That's great. Timeless, simple design.

[@scootergeorge7089]

King Rose Archives Functional but oh so boring.

[@DA90027]

***** it's fuel injected no carb...sorry

[@AE86ofMtAkina]

Though beautiful cars are coming back like the new miata and the Frs/Brz.

[@scootergeorge7089]

Someone in Centralia WA recently had a restored K car woody wagon. Badge said it was a turbo car.

[@brtshstel]

7:52 so, were these machines CNC? I didn't know CNC manufacturing went back that far.

[@theproximitysymbolx2682]

I still own a '84 LeBaron 2.2L 2BL in fine condition.

[@uhf001]

no wonder what happened! they blew their budget on shrinking that guy down

[@ZeeboLaywicker]

that is the largest 2.2 engine in the world!! wow!!

[@Beethoven80]

"Aerodynamic design!" Brings sheet metal into rectangular shapes with 1 inch gaps around the front lights.

[@MsJfraser]

My understanding of what evolved as Chrysler's K Car began at Ford Motor Company with Lee Iacocca and Hal Sperling. When Iacocca was later hired by Chrysler, Ford was asked if it still wanted the project. Ford was not interested and handed over the drawings.

[@matadorman78]

You asshole, that was not the K car. That was Fords thoughts of a minivan. It was not drawings that they gave L.A. Iacocca, it was the research that showed Americans wanted a smaller van for families and business. You sir, you are a complete moron.

[@hemiandersen1879]

Our family of 'K' car derivatives live on. There is the 85 Plymouth Voyager (S), the 85 Chrysler Laser (G) and the 89 Chrysler TC by Maserati (Q) all with well over 200,000 miles on the clock. Then there is the low mileage (160,530 ) Dodge Shadow (P) All in all. there is no better or more reliable car or van on the road today.

[@Toolaholic7]

Found them on the Red Green Show used on handyman corner.Used them to make projects with,one was a Zamboni

[@RageousMode]

So aerodynamic

[@michaelcuff5780]

Wind tunnel? Ha! Ha! I remember a buddy of ours. Sawzallled the exhaust off his moms brand new K car and put a thrush pack high performance muffler back on! Funny as hell! You hear her comin for miles! She was sooo mad at him! It was a riot!

[@iorioriorio]

the 2,2 was great, but they should had a performance k-car with a v-6 and black buckets...kind of like the cougar- business and speed all in one....maybe some graphics like the TCI omni...v-6 with a 4 speed manual

[@intuitive7274]

The car that saved Chrysler in the 1980,s.

[@brentmarsh1325]

wow I almost want to buy one now.

[@bennetfox]

Which plant builds the K car limousine?

[@seed_drill7135]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the K platform the last platform actually developed by Chrysler? The LH platform was adopted from the AMC/Renault designed Premier and the current RWD layout is based on an old Mercedes design. Also, the now defunct 200 was Mitsubishi derived and the Dart was Alfa Romeo.

[@Jason_The_Stooge]

This was pretty impressive for a 1980 Promo.

[@cmoore7700]

I test drove an 85 2 door reliant w/a 4 speed and a bench seat. I would swap my Equinox for a chance at a K car

[@bufordblu3338]

These seemed like better cars than the competition at the time, domestics at least...

[@youpooper18]

My dad had the 1987 K Car Wagon Aries 5 years ago.

[@MrDjh66]

I remember when they were brand new right off car carrier the whole dashboard would shake up and down when starting it

[@mattstuart7297]

Do you have any videos on the l cars

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

We had a 1982 Reliant wagon, pretty blue color with blue interior. It was a great wagon, too bad no American companies make such a practical and comfortable size vehicle today. Yes it would hold six adults. The only problem with the K cars and just about everything else in the early eighties were the wimpy engines. It took fuel injection and computer controls to finally start giving us power, economy and low emissions. If I could have a new Reliant station wagon with a modern 180 hp engine, it would be the perfect car.....well, and maybe with air bags. We shipped the Reliant to Kauai and it may still be rolling around the island but I expect the salty sea air got to it. RIP K cars, you helped save Chrysler. 🙂

[@Littlelewie151]

Was that Johnnie Fever from WKRP at 2:47

[@victorchan2887]

@2:46, the guy rocked a nice jerry curl and a 'stache, but why did he wear sunglasses INDOORS??

[@boofdfast]

Because he was a total Guido. Lol

[@MrShobar]

+Victor Chan Lights used for film were often very bright.

[@jasonaltham7013]

As Rick James once said " cocaine is a hell of a drug."

[@WinkelManBearPig]

As someone who's first car was a K car, it's hilarious to hear them gush about the precision engineering and quality construction 😂

[@fortune300]

What was the Power output from that non cross flow, two valve, carburated 2.2litre Engine?

[@KingRoseArchives]

I have no idea.

[@chrislemaster2695]

It was rated at 86 HP with the 2BBL carb and when it got fuel injection by 1984 model year it went to 91 with the 2.2L Slant 4 with the 2.5L Slant 4 you get 100 HP if you got the turbo 2.2L Slant 4 146 HP For the GLH-S OMNI 1987 they cane with the 2.2L Slant 4 turbo II With 174 hp. By 1992 they had a 2.2L intercooled 4 cylinder Sprit R/T got around 220 hp and are rare. 1991 about 3000 were made 1992 less than 2000 were made.

[@thefinalroman]

So well made you can buy one in 2022 for scrap price and get it good to drive for about $100 . I can't find any other daily driver 80's car these days they just haven't withstood the test of time. (besides overpriced garage queens) I still see a few K cars locally almost 40 years years old all beat up but still running.

[@philpots48]

The announcer is the actor Frank Converse he was in a Sci-fi TV show "Coronet Blue" in the late 60s.

[@stephaneracicot791]

we put a very small snow plow on the front just a bit bigger then a atv plow worked for years and yes it was road worthy and clean

[@tluns810]

I was working at St. Louis assembly in 1983 -86 when we built these things. They were not pretty, luxurious are even sturdy built, but they were very economical, practical and far more durable than I ever expected. In 87, we launched the J Body to replace the K which in my opinion was even worse.

[@thomasjohnson7563]

I stumbled across this video (which I enjoyed) while looking for something else. Namely, I recall a paper that was presented at an engineering conference in the 1980s that described how simulation was used to identify and correct a nasty vibration problem that arose in K-Car prototypes. I believe that the issue had to do with engine vibration setting up a sympathetic oscillation in the entire front end of the vehicles. A computer model of the entire front end of the car -- suspension, engine and all -- helped find the cause. Does anyone here know of this study and the paper that was written about it? I will keep looking. BTW, I once owned 2 Plymouth Reliants, both purchased new (1984 and 1988). I drove both of them for more than 190,000 miles. I believe I got my money's worth out of them 😄

[@leegraves8878]

I learned to drive in a 1986 Aries k. They were just bland reliable cars that is why they were such good sellers. Now Toyota has that market with the Camry and Corolla. Really don't understand companies ditching the bland reliable market doesn't make sense.

[@joelakers410]

my favorite cars