Marketed as the first-ever Chrysler sports car, the Chrysler Laser was an upscale version of the popular front-wheel-drive Dodge Daytona. As a virtual clone of the Daytona, the Laser was only produced from 1984 to 1986 and was intended to be an “executive personal luxury coupe”.
This particular 1984 Chrysler Laser XE Turbo, was reportedly purchased new from Cascade Chrysler Center in Roseburg, Oregon, and was acquired by the seller in July 2021. Painted in Saddle Brown Crystal with Black accent stripes, the car features body-colored bumper covers, a rear spoiler, and 14-inch aluminum wheels. Without “Turbo” badging like the Daytona, the Laser feature a much more “grown-up” appearance giving the car a more premium look over the Dodge version.
Under the hood, lies a turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-four-cylinder engine (known as the Turbo I engine). It delivered 146 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, a substantial increase in power over the standard 2.2 engines. This particular car features the optional 3-speed “TorqueFlite” automatic transmission, as a 5-speed manual was standard equipment.
Changes included a lower compression ratio, special pistons, high-strength valves, higher-pressure springs (to avoid float), better-sealing rings, a special cam, select-fit bearings, a special exhaust manifold, and a diecast aluminum cylinder head cover. This car has received a tune-up under current ownership reportedly including replacement of the spark plugs, ignition coil and wires, distributor cap and rotor, and valve cover gasket.
The odometer currently reads 17,000 original miles, 500 of which were added by the current seller.
Being a 38-year-old vehicle, there is some oxidation to the 14-inch aluminum wheels. The wheels are wrapped with 185/70-14 Goodyear Assurance tires from 2018. The seller reported that the passenger-side side inner and outer CV boots were replaced and the car was aligned under current ownership.
Inside the cabin, there are front bucket seats trimmed in brown and tan checkerboard velour together with matching door panels and brown carpets, the latter of which are protected by Laser-branded floor mats. Amenities include inflatable lumbar support on the driver’s seat, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, retractable cupholders, a center console, and an Electronic Voice Alert system. The seller does mention that the edge of the front passenger’s seatbelt is frayed.
The car currently is up for grabs on the popular automotive auction website, BringATrailer.com until Wednesday, June 29th. According to a Carfax report, the car is accident-free and lists the car to be registered in Oregon, Idaho, and California throughout its life.
As 1980s turbocharged Mopars become more collectible, the Chrysler Laser is one of those cars to stick out due to its limited production run. In three years of production, Chrysler assembled just 147,396 Lasers (59,858 units in 1984), and it’s unclear how many survive today.
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