chrysler classics
62
UpscaleMedallionsfeatureda
distinctivesilvereagleinsigniaand
dualstripesonthequarterwindow
glass,bodysidestripes,left-handremote
controlmirror,premiumwheelcovers,
60/40-splitbench-seat-with-folding-
center-armrestandupgradeduphol-
stery,centerpillarassisthandles,door
courtesylamps,mapreadinglamps,
lowerdriver’s-sideinstrumentpanel
courtesylamp,brightpedaltrim,spe-
cialsoundinsulation,deeppilecarpet-
ing,andtrunkdress-upitems.Theresult
wasjustover 100 additionalpoundsin
curbweight,at3,718pounds,anda
$370premiumoverthebaseLeBaron.
Aleather-grainfinishdashpad
housedacockpit-styledinstrument
panelthatfeaturedBrazilianrose-
woodwood-tonetrim,andthelayout
includedtwolargeroundbezelsfor
thespeedometerandfuelgaugewith
smallerroundgaugesforalternatorand
temperatureandwarninglampsfor
oilpressureandthebrakesystem.A
printedcircuitboardbehindthecluster
easedservicing.
LeBaronofferedastandardbench
seatinteriorwithCortezclothandvinyl,
oroptionalall-vinyltrim.StandardVerdivelourclothoroptional“glove-softleath-
er”andvinyltrimwasavailableforthe
Medallion’s60/40-splitbench-seat-with-
folding-center-armrest.Windshieldheader
readinglampsandatwo-spokesteering
wheelwerestandardinbothmodels.
Afewinterestingoptionsbeyondthe
usualpowerassistsandA/Cincluded a
choice of two power-operated sunroofs—
one tinted-glass and the other steel;
landau vinyl roof (with decklid striping on
Medallion); 15 x 6-inch forged aluminum
road wheels; wire wheel covers; Light
Package that also included LED warn-
ing lights in the alternator, temperature,
and fuel gauges; digital clock; corner-
ing lamps; a three-spoke steering wheel;
AM/FM stereo with 8-track among other
sound system choices; Deluxe Insulation
Package; heavy-duty suspension; Sure-
Grip differential; and a tilt column. The
optional fuel pacer system was supposed
to make you a more efficient driver by il-
luminating the driver’s-side fender-mount-
ed turn signal indicator whenever you got
aggressive with the gas pedal.
It appears that luxury was in fact in
high demand among LeBaron buyers for
1977, as the $5,066 base price two-door
sold 7,280 units and the $5,436 baseprice Medallion two-door nearly doubled
that number at 14,444.1978
The Town & Country wagon was added to
the lineup for 1978, as was a LeBaron S
with less trim and a lower price than what
had been the base LeBaron. Chrysler re-
ferred to a few of its competitors, the Grand
Prix, Monte Carlo, and Cutlass, by name in
television ads.
Styling and the chassis design
were carried over for 1978, but weight
reduction measures were taken to
improve fuel economy.
The 110-hp 225-cu.in. Super Six was
now the standard Federal engine, and the
140-hp 318 V-8 and 155-hp 360 and 360
HD were optional. All had two-barrel car-
buretors. For California, the 90-hp 225 Slant
Six one-barrel was standard, a 155-hp 318,
160-hp 360 HD, and 170-hp 360—all four-
barrels—were optional. High-attitude en-
gines included the 225 one-barrel standard,
with the 318 two-barrel and 360 four-barrel
optional. The Electronic Lean-Burn system
was included with the V-8s, but not on 360
four-barrel engines. The A36 Heavy-Duty
Package (trailer-assist) was required to order
the 360 HD engines.19781978