Chrysler M platform
title: "Chrysler M platform" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["chrysler-platforms"] topic_path: "general/chrysler-platforms" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_M_platform" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile platform"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Chrysler M platform |
| image | File:1985 Plymouth Gran Fury (18325175022).jpg |
| caption | 1985 Plymouth Gran Fury |
| production | 1977–1989 |
| manufacturer | Chrysler Corporation |
| predecessor | F-body |
| R-body | |
| successor | K platform |
| body_style | 2-door coupe |
| 4-door sedan | |
| 4-door station wagon | |
| class | Mid-size |
| layout | FR layout |
| wheelbase | 108.7 in (2-door models only, 1980-82) |
| 112.7 in | |
| engine | 3.7 L Slant 6 I6 |
| 5.2 L LA V8 | |
| 5.9 L LA V8 | |
| transmission | 4-speed A833 manual |
| 3-speed A727 automatic | |
| 3-speed A904 automatic | |
| 3-speed A999 automatic | |
| :: |
| name = Chrysler M platform | image = File:1985 Plymouth Gran Fury (18325175022).jpg | caption = 1985 Plymouth Gran Fury | production = 1977–1989 |manufacturer = Chrysler Corporation | predecessor = F-body R-body | successor = K platform | body_style = 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon | class = Mid-size | layout = FR layout | wheelbase = 108.7 in (2-door models only, 1980-82) 112.7 in | engine = 3.7 L Slant 6 I6 5.2 L LA V8 5.9 L LA V8 | transmission = 4-speed A833 manual 3-speed A727 automatic 3-speed A904 automatic 3-speed A999 automatic
The Chrysler M platform (or "M-body") was an intermediate-sized automobile platform produced by Chrysler Corporation from 1977 to 1989. It was a successor to the F-body, as used on the Dodge Aspen/ Plymouth Volare. The M-body was also the successor to the short-lived R-body, as the Chrysler New Yorker and Plymouth Gran Fury moved to it following the R-body's demise in 1981. The M platform was the final production passenger car with a solid rear axle mounted on Hotchkiss-style, parallel semi-elliptical leaf springs sold in the U.S.
The M-cars were built at St. Louis, Missouri, and Newark, Delaware, with initial debut (LeBaron/Diplomat series) in spring 1977 as 1977 1/2 models, with production shifting to Windsor, Ontario through 1983, then moving to Fenton, Missouri. Beginning in February 1987 and ending with 1989 model year, the American Motors Main plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was utilized for assembly.
By 1983–84, it became clear that most private buyers preferred the equally roomy but cheaper and more fuel-efficient K-cars; however, the M's long-proven traditional engineering, handling, and V8 engine availability appealed to police and taxi fleets, allowing the car's continued existence until the end of the decade. In mid-1988, the Chrysler M-bodies received a driver side air bag. After the M-bodies were discontinued in mid-1989, Chrysler Corporation did not build a rear wheel drive car again (outside of trucks and specialty models) until the 2005 LX-based cars.
Vehicles on this platform include:
- 1977–1989 Dodge Diplomat
- 1977–1981 Chrysler LeBaron
- 1978–1981 Chrysler Town & Country station wagon
- 1978–1979 Dodge Coronet (South America)
- 1978–1982 Plymouth Caravelle (Canada)
- 1980–1981 Dodge Dart (Mexico)
- 1981–1982 Dodge Magnum 5.9L (Mexico)
- 1982–1989 Plymouth Gran Fury
- 1982 Chrysler New Yorker
- 1983 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue
- 1983–1989 Plymouth Caravelle Salon (Canada)
- 1984–1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue
- 1979–1980 Monteverdi Sierra Convertible Three body styles offered:
- 2-door coupe – 1977–1981
- 4-door sedan – 1977–1989
- 4-door station wagon – 1978–1981
Two wheelbases used:
- 108.7 in – 1980–1981 2-door
- 112.7 in – 1977–1979 2-door, 1978–1981 Station Wagon and 1977–1989 4-door
Engines used with this platform include:
- 225 Slant 6 (1977–1983)
- 318 V8 (1977–1989)
- 360 V8 (1977–1979)
|File:1977Diplomat.jpg|1977 Dodge Diplomat sedan |File:1980 Chrysler LeBaron wagon.jpg|1980 Chrysler Town and Country station wagon |File:84ChryslerFifthAvenue.jpg|1984 Chrysler Fifth Avenue sedan |File:'86 Plymouth Caravelle Salon -- Front.jpg|1986 Plymouth Caravelle Salon sedan
References
;Inline ;General
- Dodge Diplomat, Plymouth Gran Fury / Caravelle, and Chrysler LeBaron, New Yorker and Fifth (By Ed Hennessy and by Frank Billington)
- Rear Wheel Drive Mopar Bodies, 1957–2017 (Mopar Body Types By Ed Hennessy Date 1998)
- Chrysler M-body LPG – blast from the past (Chrysler M-body LPG – Blast from the Past By Robert Markowski Date 2-13-2013)
- Chrysler Fifth Avenue & Chrysler M-body History
- http://www.policecarwebsite.net/policepackage/mbody.html
- Goodbye Gran Fifthlomat: The Chrysler M-Body Cars of 1989 (By Tom Appel Date 4-29-2014)
References
- Flammang, James M.. (1999). "Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1999". Krause Publications.
- (July 1986). "AMC PLANT TO BUILD CHRYSLERS – Chicago Tribune".
- (26 May 1988). "COMPANY NEWS; Airbags on the Way as Chrysler Gives in". The New York Times.
- (August 1979). "Chrysler LeBaron '80 (brochure)". Chrysler Corporation.
- (August 1980). "1981 Chrysler LeBaron (brochure)". Chrysler Corporation.
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