Watch A Chrysler LeBaron Take Nearly 150 Feet To Stop From 55 MPH

Chrysler’s K-Car pulled the company back from the brink of financial collapse. This platform and its multitude of models and body styles was the brain child of automotive legend Lee Iacocca, and they brought spacious and well-built vehicles back to the stagnant Chrysler line up. While the company sold millions and could be had with more than a few turbocharged engines, car’s on the platform came with little in the way of performance. Take MotorWeek’s 1982 test of the Chrysler LeBaron Coupe.

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Image: Chrysler

MotorWeek tested a fully loaded $13,000 LeBaron Coupe, complete with wire wheels and Landau top. Styling both inside and out was what you’d expect of the period; dash gauges that looked like a clock at your grandparents’ house and the leather seats wouldn’t look out of place in a lawyers office.

1982 Chrysler LeBaron | Retro Review

Braking performance was the worst part of the test. While MotorWeek didn’t exactly come for the LeBaron because of it, the numbers speak for themselves. Braking from 30 mph took 46 feet. This car took some planning if you found yourself in an emergency braking situation and shows just how bad a car without ABS can be. From 55 mph the Lebaron took 149 feet.

For reference, that’s worse than a GMC Hummer EV. Motor Trend’s testing of the massive EV saw it do the same deed in 137 feet. MotorWeek gave this distance the OK “considering the mission of the car.” Whatever that means, it’s wild to think engineers at Chrysler signed off on braking that’s farther than a basketball court is long.