What saved Chrysler, the K platform, is likely the most versatile platform ever created.
Its the 1980s, you are tooling along in your Volare with its legendary slant 6 listening to a young Phil Collins telling us about the amazing Susudio. Its a fine day to be motoring along in your Volare though its starting to feel a bit…dated.
There are cars that talk now!!! This is the 1980s, the future! It may be time to move onto a car of the future and ditch that old 8 track for a cassette player.
You pull into the local Chrysler Dealer, should be an easy pick right? Well not so fast…
Do you need a 4 door family car? A wagon? A versatile van? A sports car? A 2 door commuter? A fine luxury automobile? A talking car? A convertible? A limousine!!!??? All based on the amazing and versatile K platform!
Well Lee had you covered. Much like Lee Iacoccas “little jewel”, the Mustang II was in 1974, the K platform provide the right ,vehicles at the right time.
What a time to be alive!
I argue that the K platform was the most versatile platform EVER.
The superior RWD Fox platform was also versatile, though not quite as far reaching as the legendary K platform.
It should also be noted it would be very likely the Iacocca would have still been at Ford into the 80s if not for “Hank the Deuce” and his alcoholic attitude. He really screwed up firing Lee!
Ironically enough Hank II was arrested for Dui in while driving a Mustang II which was Iacoccas “little jewel” while with one of his mistresses.
GM’s FWD X car platform. X-Cars built 1980 to '85 as coupe, hatchback 2 and 4 door and sedan. 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Sold in every brand except Cadillac, Opel and Vauxhall.
The 1985 to 1987 Pontiac Fiero used the FRONT suspension and engines off the X platform in the REAR as a mid-engine sports car!
1982-1996 FWD A platform based almost completely off the X body (renamed because of quality perception). Coupe, Sedan, and Wagon. 4 cylinder, several different V6s and a diesel V6. FWD and AWD. Sold in every brand except Cadillac Opel and Vauxhall.
1990 to present (in China) GM U platform based off the A which was based off the X platform. Minivans and Crossover SUV’s sold in every brand including Opel and Vauxhall but not Cadillac..
Same front strut suspension and rear twist axle suspension except the rear of the AWD variants.
Coupe, Sports car, Sedan, Station wagon, Minivan, Crossover SUV.
The K platform had a very basic, cheap suspension, did not perform well and not particularly durable. Every platform that succeeded the K platform was many times better. The reason so many were made was the cost/price of cheap transportation at the time.
A 2.5 L automatic got 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway. The highway mileage is about the same as a Charger with 5.7 L V-8.
I owned several F body Chryslers, each had a V-8. I’ll take an F body over a K body.
I drove several 6 cylinder A and F body cars, nothing exciting about those.
As a child, did you have the device that emits farm animal sounds after pulling a string? My Chrysler did not have the string, that was an advancement.