Introduced for the 1975 model year, this Chrysler nameplate was launched as a personal luxury coupe at a time when the brand was looking for a smaller, more stylish alternative to its larger traditional cars. The car quickly became one of Chrysler’s signature products of the 1970s, helped in no small part by its memorable advertising campaign and upscale image. Its early success gave Chrysler a rare showroom hit during an era when many American automakers were struggling with shifting tastes, fuel concerns, and tighter emissions regulations.
The original version ran through the end of the 1979 model year and became especially well known for its formal styling and rich, near-luxury character. For 1980, the nameplate returned on an all-new downsized design, reflecting the industry’s move toward smaller, more efficient personal coupes. That second-generation car carried the same basic mission but with a different look and platform, extending the name into the early 1980s as Chrysler continued to market it as a stylish two-door with a premium feel.
By the 1983 model year, the nameplate reached the end of its run. Today it is remembered as one of Chrysler’s most recognizable postwar-era coupes, notable both for its sales success in the late 1970s and for the way it captured the image of American personal luxury during the malaise era. Its mix of upscale styling, strong period identity, and cultural visibility has kept it popular with collectors and enthusiasts.