Midstate Mopars highlight – 1985 Chrysler Executive Limousine

This year’s 18th edition of the annual Midstate Mopars was impacted by weather, but the Mopar faithful still turned out in strong numbers for this annual event. Hosted by the Central Victorian Chrysler Club Inc., Midstate Mopars is a two-day affair, consisting of a cruise on Day 1 and a show ‘n’ shine in the centre of Bendigo on Day 2.

At the show ‘n’ shine, you’re guaranteed of seeing unusual vehicles from the broader Chrysler family, but few were more unusual - or rarer – than this Chrysler Executive Limousine.

In the late 1970s, Chrysler’s future looked grim. Many factors, not least of which was a failure to adapt to the changing market, saw the company on the verge of bankruptcy. This led Chrysler to seek a US$1.5 billion loan from the federal government in 1979. The money allowed Chrysler to keep the lights on, but more importantly, it allowed them to bring new product to market. One of those was the ‘K Car’ platform of small, front-wheel drive models that started with conventional sedans and wagons, followed by coupes, convertibles and minivans. The success of the minivans in particular enabled Chrysler to get back on their feet, and repay their government loan in full and ahead of time.

One of the rare offshoots of the K Car platform was an extended wheelbase variant known as the Executive. Offering the same sort of luxury as a Cadillac or Lincoln, but in a much smaller package, the Executive was first presented as a pair of concepts - sedan and limousine - in 1982. Produced by ASC for Chrysler, the Executive sedan was available from 1983 to 1984 and the limo from 1983 to 1986. Limousine production totalled 1,494 units, including the prototype, over that period.

Where the base K Car had a wheelbase of 100 inches, the Executive sedan stretched that to 124 inches and the limousine to 131 inches. The standard engine was a 2.6-litre inline four sourced from Mitsubishi, although a turbocharged 2.2-litre Chrysler four-cylinder was available for the final year of limousine production. Chrysler’s TorqueFlite three-speed auto was the sole transmission available.

On the 1985-model Executive Limousine featured, its Nightwatch Blue paint was one of five exterior colours offered. In most instances, the padded vinyl roof, hub caps and interiors were colour-matched to the paint.

Interiors were sumptuously appointed, with a powered glass partition between the front and rear sections, multiple reading lamps inside and opera lamps outside, full carpeting, plush seats in velour or leather, a separate ‘Ultimate Sound’ AM/FM stereo cassette for the rear section, air conditioning, dual cigarette lighters, power windows, tinted glass, provision to add a phone, and much more.

Fold-down jump seats in the rear allowed the limousine to technically seat seven, although the space was best suited for four – two in the front and two with abundant legroom in the rear.

The 1985 Chrysler Executive Limousine featured was sold new to actor Larry Hagman (I Dream of Jeannie, Dallas, The Good Life, etc.), but he only kept it for a few years, selling it to an Australian couple in 1989 after upgrading to a Lincoln custom limousine. It’s been here ever since and was advertised with JUST CARS in 2018. Presented as part of the Central Victorian Chrysler Club Inc’s members’ car display, this car was not only the sole example of the type a at Midstate Mopars, it may be the only K Car limousine in Australia.

To see JUST CARS’ report from the 2025 Midstate Mopars, click HERE.