Plymouth Caravelle
From Free net encyclopedia
| Plymouth Caravelle | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Chrysler Corporation |
| Production: | 1978–1989 (Canada) 1985–1988 (US) |
| Class: | Midsize |
| Body Styles: | 2-door coupe (only sold in Canada) 4-door sedan |
| Predecessor: | None |
| Successor: | Plymouth Acclaim (Caravelle) Chrysler Dynasty (Caravelle Salon) |
| Platform: | FR M-body (1977-1982, 1983-1989 Caravelle Salon) FF E-body (1983-1988) FF K-body (coupe) |
The Caravelle was a Plymouth-badged successor to the Chrysler E-Class. Originally a 1983 Canadian model, the Caravelle came to the American market in 1985. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600. It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim in 1989.
In Canada, the Caravelle first appeared for the 1978 model year, as a version of the Dodge Diplomat for Canadian Chrysler-Plymouth dealers. As all Chrysler Canada dealers sold Chryslers, only the top of the line LeBaron was sold in Canada, and the Diplomat and Caravelle did not offer the top line models.
In 1983, Chrysler Canada added the E-body version of the Dodge 600, also calling it the Caravelle. The rear wheel drive Caravelle then became the Caravelle Salon, rather than taking the U.S. "Gran Fury" name. Also in 1983, Chrysler Canada added a Caravelle version of the Dodge 400 2-door coupe. Thus the Caravelle came in three sizes based on three platforms - K, E, and M.
The coupe was dropped after 1986 while sedan production came to an end in 1988. The Caravelle Salon, which was the original rear wheel drive version, survived until 1989. It and the Dodge Diplomat were replaced by the Dodge Dynasty (known as the Chrysler Dynasty in Canada).