Feb 21, 2023  •  For Sale  •  9 Comments

Cheap Wheels! 1986 Dodge 600

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The Dodge 600 was one of Chrysler’s E platform cars of the 1980s, which also included the Plymouth Caravelle and the Chrysler New Yorker. Convertibles were popular in the 1986 model year, with one of every four Dodge 600s built with a canvas top. The seller’s car looks like a nice survivor that’s spent its fair share of time in the garage, which has kept the body and paint in nice shape. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this summertime ride is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,750. This is a tip brought to us by Lothar… of the Hill People (interesting handle).

With the downsizing of the 1970s and 1980s, the Dodge 600 was now considered a mid-size car and was in production from 1983 to 1988. In many respects, it was a rebadged version of the 400 it succeeded and was positioned between the Aries and Diplomat. Dodge thought the 600 would be a viable competitor to the European sport sedans of the day but fell more in line with the likes of the Chevy Celebrity, Pontiac 6000, and Ford Fairmont. These smaller cars were powered by a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, with a 2.5-liter available as an option.

In its second year, the 600 convertible-only got an available turbocharged engine known as the “ES Turbo” which included a special sport-tuned suspension. The seller makes no mention of this car having those features, so we assume it’s a standard 600 droptop. The option wouldn’t last long and would be discontinued when Dodge pulled the plug on the open-air body style in general (1986, so the seller’s car may be one of the last ones to go down the line, but who knows). When the 600 was retired in 1988, its successor would be the Dodge Dynasty.

The seller’s auto would be one of 16,437 copies built in 1986, the best year for the 600 rag-top. We’re only privy to a few photos of this car, but what we see looks fine. Especially the interesting two-tone interior. The odometer reads 72,000 miles and we’re told the machine is a good runner, which we assume kept its three owners happy over the years. Most 1980s U.S made automobiles aren’t terribly inspiring, but if you were looking for a cheap convertible, would this car do the trick?

Comments

  1. SMcD
    Feb 21, 2023 at 7:08am

    Rather have Jon Voigt’s LeBaron with the wood on the sides….

    Like 0
  2. Stephen Coe
    Feb 21, 2023 at 8:43am

    I have a new top for the early k car convertible Mark Cross edition new in box

    Like 1
  3. steve cliff
    Feb 21, 2023 at 9:26am

    We had this same year & color combo. Heck it may be ours as it is not that far away. These had serious cowl shake. Kind of like taking the top off a shoe box.The triple white is the perfect color combo for a hot day in the sun

    Like 0
  4. David Nelson
    Feb 21, 2023 at 10:03am

    Had a maroon with white int and top 86 Lebaron convertible with turbo and wire wheelcovers. My friends teased me about it being a Mary Kay car – lol. So sold it and bought a nice Dodge 600ES in silver with 2-tone grey leather with black top and alloy rims. Way more manly looking, but I felt like a giant in both with the top down. Def not Mid-size to me! .

    Like 1
  5. Troy
    Feb 21, 2023 at 10:29am

    Nice unreliable car every one I have known to have one has had problems but this one is clean enough makes me want to see if I can get a new model dodge dart drive train and drop in it or subframe it and put a ford 4.6 up front but I would have to replace the floor with trans tunnel would make a run little sleeper

    Like 0
  6. Eric_13cars Eric_13carsMember
    Feb 21, 2023 at 12:39pm

    My mother had an 84 (pictured). It was her 4th convertible (57 Olds 88 black, 59 Catalina powder blue, 67 Lemans red, the one she offered me for FREE in the late 70s, bucket seats, console, gorgeous…that I said no to…yes, I’ve been giving my butt callouses kicking it for the last 40 years). Quite a come-down from the first 3. When we moved her to an independent living center, she gave it to one of my brothers. New York state rust was part of its final undoing, but there were other issues as well. Definitely underpowered, but with all of the power options…and how can any convertible be too bad.

    Like 7
  7. CarbobMember
    Feb 21, 2023 at 1:49pm

    I had Chrysler’s version same vintage same color combination. It had the Mitsubishi MCA Jet four cylinder. Not the best engine I’ve ever had but not the worst either. I only bought it because I wanted a convertible. This looks like a nice example of the K car ragtops. I’m actually resisting tossing out an offer. Seems like a bargain to me. GLWTS.

    Like 1
  8. Chris Cornetto
    Feb 21, 2023 at 1:55pm

    Worked with a guy ions back that had a black over red one. I put a new top on it for him. He never had any trouble with it. Looking back it was a sharp looking car.

    Like 1
  9. Old Man
    Feb 23, 2023 at 8:18am

    Where else will you find a convertible for $3,750? (except possibly for a Yugo Cabrio.)

    Like 0

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