Chrysler R platform

Chrysler R Platform

Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1979–1981
Predecessor	C-body
Successor	M-body
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Engine(s)	3.7 L Slant 6 I6 5.2 L LA V8 5.9 L LA V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed A727 automatic 3-speed A904 automatic
Wheelbase	118.5 in (3,010 mm)

The Chrysler R platform, introduced for 1979, was essentially a slightly modernized version of Chrysler's 1971-78 intermediate B platform, which had its roots in the company's downsized 1962 full-size models . It was a response to the downsized 1977 Chevrolet Caprice and Ford LTD, but proved uncompetitive against the two completely redesigned and more efficient platforms. The short-lived rear wheel drive R platform was used for four models.

Models

• 1979-1981 Chrysler Newport
• 1979-1981 Chrysler New Yorker
• 1979-1981 Dodge St. Regis
• 1980-1981 Plymouth Gran Fury

Billed as "pillared hardtops", all R-body vehicles were available as 4-door sedans only. Unlike the cars they replaced, no coupes, convertibles, or station wagons were offered. The development of these additional body styles would have cost Chrysler more funds that it simply did not have.^[1] Most R-body models were built at the Lynch Road Plant in Detroit.

The only models on this platform to see substantial sales were the 1979 Newport/New Yorker. 1979 was strong year for the industry as a whole, but the second oil crisis, combined with Chrysler's ongoing financial crisis and fears of impending bankruptcy caused sales to plummet dramatically by 1980. With continued falling sales, the R-body cars were dropped midway through the 1981 model year.

Originally there was no R-body Plymouth Gran Fury, or any other full-size Plymouth for that matter. Heavy demand, especially from fleet customers, caused Chrysler to re-introduce the Gran Fury on the R-body for 1980. Although the Gran Fury outsold its R-body siblings for 1980, sales were still well below the industry average for that year and continued to slide for 1981.

Few St. Regis and Gran Fury models were built for private civilian customers, the bulk of the production being police package vehicles. The 1979 and 1980 49-state police spec cars (equipped with the E58 code 360 cu in engine) are considered by many Police Officers who drove them to be one of the all-around best squads of all time. Unfortunetally, many surviving R-body police units were destroyed in TV and film stunt work during the late 1980s and early 90s, contributing to their scarcity today.

Chrysler Newport   Plymouth Gran Fury Salon   Chrysler New Yorker   Dodge St. Regis

1. ^ "Chrysler Corporation R Bodies: 1979-1981 Downsized, Full-Sized Cars" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–11-14.