Although the LeBaron name had been used before on Imperials, this was the first time the name was used on a Chrysler. The first LeBaron was a rebadged Dodge Diplomat, and was sold from 1977 to 1981. It was replaced by a new front wheel drive LeBaron for the 1982 model year, as well as the downsized Chrysler New Yorker, which was now Chrysler's M-body car.

1982-1988

The 1982 LeBaron was based on the Chrysler K platform and was a rebadged Dodge Aries. It was available in sedan, coupe, and convertible versions. This generation featured Chrysler's Electronic Voice Alert, a computerized voice which admonished drivers with phrases like "Please fasten your seat belt" and "A door is ajar". A station wagon version, dubbed the Town and Country was added as well. A special Town and Country convertible was also made from 1983 to 1986 in limited quantities, which featured fake wood paneling that made it resemble the original 1940s version. The K-based Town & Country convertible went on to minor fame in both the film Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and as the Jon Voight car on Seinfeld. The coupe and convertible were completely redesigned in 1987, while the sedan and wagon were discontinued after 1988.

1985-1989 LeBaron GTS

The 1985 LeBaron GTS was a somewhat different car than the standard LeBaron and was based on the Chrysler H platform. As a 5-door hatchback still derived from the K-car, the GTS (and the similar Dodge Lancer) was more of a performance vehicle. In base configuration, the car was powered by Chrysler's 2.2 L I4 engine, later replaced by a 2.5 L TBI I4 engine, generating 93 hp. A turbocharged 2.2 L engine, good for 146 hp, was also available. The GTS moniker was dropped for 1989, after the K-based LeBaron sedan was discontinued. Production also ended in 1989.

1987-1995 coupe/convertible

After the discontinuation of the first generation LeBaron coupe and convertible in 1986, Chrysler released a new LeBaron in 1987, built on the J platform and available as a coupe or convertible. The new LeBaron featured headlights hidden behind retractable metal covers, a waterfall grille, and curved (coke bottle) style rocker panels.

Availiable engines were the stock 2.2l and 2.5l, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, and for the 1990 model year a 3.0l Mitsubishi V6 became availiable.

The LeBaron was equipped with a trip & fuel economy computer and full instrumentation. For 1990, the instrument panel was redesigned.