This 33,000-Mile 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue Is A Beautiful Barrage Of Burgundy Malaise-Era Brilliance
I've always had an affinity for weird, silly, and/or impractical cars. Some might call it bad taste, but I like to call it, well, my taste. So naturally as I was scrolling through various online car auction websites, ignoring all the various Porsche 911 GT models and immaculate classic Mercedes-Benzes, when I came across this steaming pile of Malaise Era magnificence for auction on Cars And Bids: a 33,000-mile (more on that later), burgundy-on-burgundy 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue, and audibly gasped. Of all the cars for sale online, this is the one that spoke to me. And I ain't just talking about its pristine wire-spoke wheel covers.
Okay, it's not perfect perfect. According to the "known flaws" section, "The attached Carfax vehicle history report indicates that this Chrysler was issued an Exceeds Mechanical Limits title in April 2009. It comes with a Not Actual Mileage title that was issued in Florida, and the true mileage is unknown." Cosmetically, though, it's showroom fresh, and more exciting than struggling Chrysler's entire current fleet of two minivans, which will soon dwindle to one minivan.
We've all got some baggage
Given that explanation for the brandished title, I'd assume that the odometer has just rolled over at some point, but I guess you never know. I can see past its flaws though, we've all got a past. What I see is an otherwise pristine example of a classic car that you don't see often. This '87 Chrysler Fifth Avenue is powered by a 5.2-liter V8 that sends a whopping 140 horsepower and 265 pounds-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission, so it's basically a muscle car.
Outside, there are hardly any imperfections to report. The deep burgundy paint, sparkling chrome, and hard angles. Even the burgundy Landau rear roof section is flawless, and so is the glorious Chrysler Pentastar hood ornament. I've always loved the way the Fifth Avenue's headlight clusters look like they have amber eyebrows but seeing them look this showroom fresh makes me love them even more.
The interior is beautiful too, with nary a tear in the tufted burgundy leather upholstery, a stain on its burgundy shag carpet, or even a single sagging spot on its burgundy headliner. This is a time capsule that beautifully exemplifies the American cars of the late Malaise Era, with its plastic wood interior panels and plenty of chrome inside and out. If Chrysler is looking for ideas for future models, maybe a revived Fifth Avenue would restore some of its former greatness. Or maybe I forgot to take my meds this morning, either way, what a car.