# Chrysler Fifth Avenue
**Chrysler Fifth Avenue** was the name of a luxury trim package and later a standalone model applied to Chrysler's large rear-wheel-drive sedans from 1980 through 1989, best known as the M-body Fifth Avenue sedan sold from 1984 to 1989.[11](https://blog.consumerguide.com/review-flashback-1989-chrysler-fifth-avenue/) The name began as the top option package on the R-body New Yorker in 1980, moved with the New Yorker to the smaller M-body platform in 1982, became the model name "New Yorker Fifth Avenue" in 1983, and stood alone as the Chrysler Fifth Avenue from 1984 until the M-body version was discontinued after 1989.[1](https://fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/history.html) • [2](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1992-chrysler-fifth-avenue-the-end-of-mopars-broughamance/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Fifth Avenue badging used on high-end Chrysler versions for 1980 through 1993[3](https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a32806497/junkyard-treasure-1982-chrysler-new-yorker-fifth-avenue/) |
| Platform move | 1982: New Yorker downsized to the M-body platform, carrying the LeBaron's 5th Avenue edition[1](https://fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/history.html) |
| Wheelbase | 112.7 inches, 1981–1989[4](https://manuals.plus/m/7bff58328d3a7dc05792aba6ab89ee6c96a896545e47b90d27ac5134fa6e9992.pdf) |
| End of run | Discontinued after 1989 with the Diplomat and Gran Fury, ending a 12-year M-body production run[2](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1992-chrysler-fifth-avenue-the-end-of-mopars-broughamance/) • [5](https://autos.yahoo.com/classic-and-collector/articles/chryslers-m-body-platform-helped-200500492.html) |
## From trim package to model name
A 1981 New Yorker 5th Avenue special edition followed.[1](https://fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/history.html)
In 1982 Chrysler downsized the New Yorker to the M-body platform and transferred the LeBaron's 5th Avenue edition to it.[1](https://fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/history.html)
## The M-body years, 1984–1989
The M-body Fifth Avenue was a traditional rear-wheel-drive sedan with a 112.7-inch wheelbase.[4](https://manuals.plus/m/7bff58328d3a7dc05792aba6ab89ee6c96a896545e47b90d27ac5134fa6e9992.pdf) According to one contemporary account, there were no real differences between the 1983 through 1989 model years besides minor trim changes.[6](https://www.movinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/v02_e10.pdf)
**Sales and market position.** Chrysler promoted a five-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty on the [Fifth Avenue](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifth-avenue), the same warranty it had offered on its old [Imperial](https://www.edgepedia.org/imperial-automobile) models twenty years earlier.[6](https://www.movinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/v02_e10.pdf) [Consumer Reports](https://www.edgepedia.org/consumer-reports)' January 1985 road test reported that the Fifth Avenue's reliability record for the preceding several years had been average, and noted the warranty among the car's attractions to buyers.[7](https://www.fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/85CR2.html)
**Chrysler's last rear-wheel-drive sedan of the era.** The Fifth Avenue was not Chrysler's last rear-wheel-drive car; the [Chrysler 300](https://www.edgepedia.org/chrysler-300) was rear-wheel drive and remained in production until 2023.[8](https://www.mikescarsite.ca/fifthavenue.html) • [12](https://www.chrysler.com/300.html?context=homepage&type=top) The M-body platform as a whole was commercially important to the company: its production run exceeded 1.43 million cars, and without it Chrysler likely would have faced a tougher time getting its affairs in order during the 1980s turnaround, in which the K-car platform produced over 3.5 million cars by 1989.[5](https://autos.yahoo.com/classic-and-collector/articles/chryslers-m-body-platform-helped-200500492.html)
## Discontinuation and the name's later use
Chrysler ended the M-body Fifth Avenue after the 1989 model year and took the opportunity to bring the model back into the New Yorker lineup.[2](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1992-chrysler-fifth-avenue-the-end-of-mopars-broughamance/) A New Yorker Fifth Avenue was produced for the 1990 through 1993 model years, and federal parts-marking records note it was not produced after the 1993 model year.[9](https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?doi=f06951cc735ac5e8ff3f77cddab40cdb3fbebf88&repid=rep1&type=pdf) NHTSA fuel-economy classifications group the "Chrysler Fifth Avenue/Imperial" together for 1992–1993.[10](https://static.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/downloads/CAFE/CarGroup2007.pdf) The same discontinuation decision eliminated the Diplomat and Gran Fury, marking the end of the M-body's 12-year production run.[5](https://autos.yahoo.com/classic-and-collector/articles/chryslers-m-body-platform-helped-200500492.html)
## References
1. [Chrysler 5th Ave and M-body history, Mike's Chrysler Fifth Avenue Page](https://fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/history.html)
2. [Curbside Classic: 1992 Chrysler Fifth Avenue – The End Of Mopar's Broughamance](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1992-chrysler-fifth-avenue-the-end-of-mopars-broughamance/)
3. [Junkyard Treasure: 1982 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue, Autoweek](https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a32806497/junkyard-treasure-1982-chrysler-new-yorker-fifth-avenue/)
4. [Fundamental Car Groups, 1981–2005](https://manuals.plus/m/7bff58328d3a7dc05792aba6ab89ee6c96a896545e47b90d27ac5134fa6e9992.pdf)
5. [How Chrysler's M-Body Platform Helped It Survive The 1980s, Yahoo Autos](https://autos.yahoo.com/classic-and-collector/articles/chryslers-m-body-platform-helped-200500492.html)
6. [St. Marys size, V02 E10 (Movin' On)](https://www.movinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/v02_e10.pdf)
7. [Chrysler Fifth Avenue Road Report, Consumer Reports, January 1985](https://www.fifthavenue.mikescarsite.ca/85CR2.html)
8. [Mike's Chrysler Fifth Avenue Page](https://www.mikescarsite.ca/fifthavenue.html)
9. [Parts-marking reference, Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue 1990–1993](https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?doi=f06951cc735ac5e8ff3f77cddab40cdb3fbebf88&repid=rep1&type=pdf)
10. [NHTSA CAFE Car Groups 2007](https://static.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/downloads/CAFE/CarGroup2007.pdf)
11. [Review Flashback! 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue](https://blog.consumerguide.com/review-flashback-1989-chrysler-fifth-avenue/)
12. [Chrysler 300 - Discontinued Chrysler Vehicles](https://www.chrysler.com/300.html?context=homepage&type=top)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles › American automobile models › Luxury and personal luxury cars*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license