Plymouth Caravelle
Encyclopedia
- For the pre-1982 Plymouth Caravelle and 1983-1989 Caravelle Salon sold in CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, see Plymouth Gran FuryPlymouth Gran FuryThe Plymouth Gran Fury is an automobile manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation to signify Plymouth's largest full-size automobile from 1975 to 1977. The nameplate would be used on successive downsizings, first in 1980, and again in 1982, through what would originally have been intermediate and...
.
The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-size sedan that was originally a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class
Chrysler E-Class
The Chrysler E-Class was a mid-size car produced by the Chrysler Corporation. Introduced in 1983 on a stretched version of the Chrysler K platform, the E-Class was a less expensive, less equipped version of the identical 1983 New Yorker. It was targeted at those who wanted Chrysler luxury, but...
. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600
Dodge 600
The 600 was Dodge's version of the Chrysler E-Class luxury car of the 1980s. It was introduced in 1982, as a 1983 model, as a small mid-size car on the Chrysler E platform and was discontinued after the 1988 model year. It was Chrysler's attempt to compete with the GM A-body, whereas the M-body...
. It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim
Plymouth Acclaim
The Plymouth Acclaim is a mid-size sedan produced in the 1989 to 1995 model years. The Acclaim was Plymouth's updated replacement for the similarly sized E-body Caravelle; both cars were built on the Chrysler K platform...
in 1989. The Caravelle was Plymouth's first front wheel drive mid-size sedan.
The name of the vehicle was inspired by the word Caravel
Caravel
A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails gave her speed and the capacity for sailing to windward...
, a 15th century sailing ship used by the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
; the ship was noted for its speed and agility.
United States
Chrysler E platform
Chrysler used the designation E platform for two separate car ranges.One was used for rear wheel drive cars in the 1970s:* 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger, wheelbase* 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda, wheelbase...
, the Chrysler E-Class (the idea of a more mainstream Chrysler was not well received by consumers). Even though the Dodge 600 was mainstream, Dodges were not generally sold with Chryslers, so rather than only having the upscale New Yorker
Chrysler New Yorker
The Chrysler New Yorker was a premium automobile built by the Chrysler Corporation from 1939–1996, serving for several years as the brand's flagship model. A model named the "New York Special" first appeared in the 1930s...
on Chrysler-Plymouth
Chrysler-Plymouth
Chrysler-Plymouth was a division of the Chrysler Corporation, an American automobile company founded by Walter P. Chrysler. The division sold cars with both Chrysler and Plymouth brand names...
dealer lots, the former E-class was given a new grille, and thus the U.S. Caravelle was born. This model was slotted between the compact Reliant K
Plymouth Reliant
The Plymouth Reliant was one of the first two so-called "K-cars" manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation, introduced for the 1981 model year. The Reliant replaced the Plymouth Volaré/Road Runner, which was the short-lived successor automobile to the highly regarded Plymouth Valiant...
and the large rear-wheel drive Gran Fury
Plymouth Gran Fury
The Plymouth Gran Fury is an automobile manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation to signify Plymouth's largest full-size automobile from 1975 to 1977. The nameplate would be used on successive downsizings, first in 1980, and again in 1982, through what would originally have been intermediate and...
.
For its first year the Caravelle came in one trim level with a number of standard features, the Caravelle SE. These standard features including: AM/FM stereo, power windows, power locks, power adjustable mirrors, deck lid release, cruise control, air conditioning, and a 50/50 split-folding front bench seat, with dual recliners. For 1986, the Caravelle was given a facelift, which rounded many of the sharp angles, giving it a more aerodynamic appearance. Also from 1986 onward, a base model was offered, without some of the standard features of the "SE". The Caravelle continued in the U.S. until 1988, when it was replaced by the new A body
Chrysler A platform
Chrysler's A platform was the basis for smaller rear wheel drive cars in the 1960s. These cars are sometimes referred to as A-body cars.Cars using the A platform in various markets around the world include:* 1960-1976 Plymouth Valiant...
Acclaim
Plymouth Acclaim
The Plymouth Acclaim is a mid-size sedan produced in the 1989 to 1995 model years. The Acclaim was Plymouth's updated replacement for the similarly sized E-body Caravelle; both cars were built on the Chrysler K platform...
for 1989. Unlike the identical Canadian Caravelle, a 2-door coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
model was never offered in the U.S.
Engines
- 2.2L I4Straight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
- 96 hp (72 kW) and 119 ft.lbf of torque - 1985-1988 - 2.2L I4 Turbo - 146 hp (109 kW) and 168 ft.lbf of torque - 1985-1988
- 2.5L I4 - 100 hp (75 kW) and 136 ft.lbf of torque - 1986-1988
- 2.6L I4 - 1986 (replaced by Chrysler's 2.5 L engine)
Trim levels
Trim levels for U.S. version, 1985-1988- SE - 1985-1988
- base - 1986-1988
Production figures for U.S. version:
| Year | Units |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 39,971 |
| 1986 | 34,352 |
| 1987 | 42,465 |
| 1988 | 16,889 |
Figures obtained from Encyclopedia of American Cars
Canada
In CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Caravelle first appeared for the 1978 model year as a version of the Dodge Diplomat
Dodge Diplomat
The Dodge Diplomat is an American mid-size car made from 1977 to 1989. It is substantially identical to the Chrysler- and Plymouth-branded versions of Chrysler's M-body cars, including the Chrysler LeBaron and New Yorker Fifth Avenue and the Plymouth Gran Fury in the U.S. market and the Plymouth...
for Canadian Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
-Plymouth dealers. As all Chrysler Canada dealers sold Chryslers, only the top of the line LeBaron
Chrysler LeBaron
The Chrysler LeBaron was originally a classic luxury car of 1930s manufactured by Chrysler which competed with other luxury cars of the era such as Lincoln and Packard....
was sold in Canada, and the Diplomat
Dodge Diplomat
The Dodge Diplomat is an American mid-size car made from 1977 to 1989. It is substantially identical to the Chrysler- and Plymouth-branded versions of Chrysler's M-body cars, including the Chrysler LeBaron and New Yorker Fifth Avenue and the Plymouth Gran Fury in the U.S. market and the Plymouth...
and Caravelle did not offer the top line models. In 1983, Chrysler Canada added the E-body version of the Dodge 600, also offering it as a Plymouth Caravelle. The rear wheel drive Caravelle then became the Caravelle Salon, rather than taking the American "Gran Fury" name. Also in 1983, Chrysler Canada added a Caravelle version of the Dodge 400
Dodge 400
The Dodge 400 was Dodge's second K-car in the early 1980s. It was similar to the Chrysler LeBaron of the same era. The 400 was introduced for the 1982 model year, yet was renamed and added to the midsize Dodge 600 lineup just two years later.-1982:...
2-door coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
. Thus the Caravelle came in three sizes based on three platforms - K
Chrysler K platform
The Chrysler Corporation's K-cars were compact-to-midsize cars designed to carry six adults on two bench seats and were aimed not only to replace Chrysler's nominally-compact F-body Aspen and Volaré, but also to compete with intermediates like the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fairmont...
, E
Chrysler E platform
Chrysler used the designation E platform for two separate car ranges.One was used for rear wheel drive cars in the 1970s:* 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger, wheelbase* 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda, wheelbase...
, and M
Chrysler M platform
The M-Bodies were Chrysler Corporation's successor to the F-body Aspen/Volare. The platform, almost identical to the F, was introduced in 1977 and was the basis for some mid-sized Chrysler models until its demise in 1989. The M-body was also the successor to the short-lived R-body, as the Chrysler...
.
The coupe was dropped after 1986 while sedan production came to an end in 1988. Like the U.S. version, the Canadian Caravelle was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim
Plymouth Acclaim
The Plymouth Acclaim is a mid-size sedan produced in the 1989 to 1995 model years. The Acclaim was Plymouth's updated replacement for the similarly sized E-body Caravelle; both cars were built on the Chrysler K platform...
for 1989. The Caravelle Salon, which was the original rear wheel drive version, survived until 1989.