The Chrysler Conquest: Why It Was Sold Under Three Brands
Though not as famous as the Toyota Supra, The Chrysler Conquest was the pinnacle of ‘80s design. Is that why Dodge and Plymouth also sold the same exact model?
, these American brands took a stab at selling the Conquest in North America.
If you were a kid in the ‘80s, you probably have a soft spot for these classic cars. Though unappreciated at the time, why do Conquests continue to increase in value and fascinate car collectors worldwide?
So many Conquests, so little time
The Conquests we know today were inspired by Japanese sports cars. Mitsubishi, known for turbocharging its cars, sold the Mitsubishi Starion from 1983 to 1989. The identical Plymouth and Dodge Conquests debuted in 1984.
, “At that time, the Conquest looked a little different from the way it does now. It had a narrow body with no fender flares, and it looked a lot more like an early ‘FB’ Mazda RX-7 or a ‘Z31’ Nissan 300ZX than the fender-flared Conquest that came later.” The iconic fender flares were added in 1987 as well as an anti-theft system and heated outside mirrors.
During this time, the Dodge and Plymouth model names were pushed aside, and the newly branded Chrysler Conquest sold from 1987 to 1989. Basically, the Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler Conquest had the same model name but weren't sold at the same time.
Believe it or not, the Chrysler Conquest TSi and the Mitsubishi Starion were sold at the same time. The models were exactly the same, with the exception of brand emblems. According to
, “Power came from a 2.6-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 145 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque paired to either a five-speed manual or four-speed slushbox.”
The widebody was the most popular style for the Starion. But in order to comply with Japanese market dimension regulations, they offered a narrow-body version at a 66.3-inch width.
In 1986, The Chrysler Conquest TSi and Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R were introduced. The turbo cars offered a little more punch under the hood and cool widebody panels above the wheel arches. With innovative design and the addition of an intercooler, the engine was able to crank out up to 176 hp and 223 lb-ft of torque. The 16-inch alloy wheels—classic ‘80s.
The interior came with a four-spoke steering wheel, a plethora of knobs and buttons, and fun electronic seatbelts. You’d also find smooth leather seats in the TSi and ESI-R models.
Chrysler gave credit where credit was due. It even aired a TV ad featuring a bold red Conquest unleashed from its cage while a voice-over cautioned “a fire-breathing Chrysler has imported from Japan.” After its run ended in 1989, the Conquest was replaced by the Mitsubishi 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth.
Is this the only time different automakers sold the same model?
MORE:Are Japanese Cars More Reliable Than American Cars?
Surprisingly, the Neon was also sold under the same three brands! Don’t worry, the compact cars were never sold in the same place at the same time. The Chrysler Neon wasn’t available in North America, and the Plymouth and Dodge vehicles never made it overseas.
If you’ve got an ‘80s sports coupe of your own, make sure you’re getting the best rate on
super app, they do the hard work for you by sending over immediate quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year. And they can even help you cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick.
4.7
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
