Breaking Bad is arguably the greatest show of all time. The show is unanimously praised for its gripping storyline and stellar performances. The Netflix blockbuster is also renowned for its iconic characters. Be it Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Skyler White, Gus Fring, Saul Goodman, or Hank Schrader: all iconic characters that viewers cherished during the show's run.
Speaking of characters, there is one underrated character who isn't talked about enough. The character of Mike Ehrmantraut, played by Jonathan Banks. Apart from his interesting character arc, one thing that caught our attention was his vintage vehicle. Mike drove the classic Chrysler Fifth Avenue.
Just like Mike, his vehicle is an underrated beast from the yesteryears. Let's have a closer look at the Chrysler Fifth Avenue from Breaking Bad.
Production History and the M-Body
Mike's favorite car is a classic with rich production history, just like the Chrysler brand. Between 1979 and 1993, Chrysler offered its bigger sedans under the model name Chrysler Fifth Avenue. The name was a direct upmarket reference to a popular street (hub) in New York City, United States, famous for popular cultural attractions back then and in the 90s. The Fifth Avenue was a successor to the Chrysler Newport - one of the most beautiful cars the company ever produced, and the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham series. The origins of this classic were laid down when R-bodied models began carrying the nameplate of the Fifth Avenue series. The first such instance was in 1979 when a Chrysler "New Yorker" Sedan made the name debut. The car carried a powerful V8 engine at its heart and came standard with a rear-wheel drive. The 1979 edition packages were designed exclusively to attract elite customers. The company provided matching leather interiors and dual-toned beige finishing for the car. The exteriors of the "1979 Fifth Avenue" were enhanced by new standard vinyl roofs and unique opera windows.
Between 1982 and 1989, the M-body Fifth Avenue cars made their mark in the automobile market. The M-body cars were initially sold under the nameplate of LeBaron, but following the name change, these cars were consolidated and simplified. The company eliminated the 360 V8 engines, while the coupes and station wagons were also discontinued. Finally, in 1984, the company simply named the car "Fifth Avenue", a name that remained permanent for the next 6 years. Between 1984 and 1989, all Fifth Avenue cars boasted a 5.2L V8 engine. Carburetion was available in two variants during this period - either a 140 horsepower 2-barrel carburetor, or a 170 horsepower 4-barrel carburetor. These cars came standard with Chrysler’s three-speed automatic "Torqueflite" transmission. During 1985 and 1986, sales for this classic bad boy peaked, as Chrysler sold over 100,000 of them.
An Underrated Classic
The year 1988 was a special year in the production history of this magnificent car, driven by Mike in Breaking Bad. Chrysler Fifth Avenue saw a plethora of changes that made the 1988 Fifth Avenue truly special. The designers restyled the exteriors, including the vinyl roof. The previous "Fifth Avenue Edition" badge was replaced with a new "Crystal Pentastar" badge, surrounded by a gold wreath, which gave the car a royal look. The driver’s seat now came standard with a manual recliner, unlike the older models which came with adjusters. Front headrests were made cushiony and comfortable too. The panels on the doors were redone to make a style statement. New power mirrors were installed and made standard. Newer radios were installed in the cars, to replace the older versions, thereby taking care of the infotainment factor. The overhead console was restyled - it came with a new compass/temperature display as well as map-lamps. It was a common practice to take your sunglasses with you on a drive back then, hence, the company decided to provide space for sunglass storage. Safety precautions were doubled too, as the car had an airbag installed on the driver’s side. In other words, the 1988 restyling of the Chrysler Fifth Avenue was by far one of the best upgrades this classic car ever got.
Breaking Bad Appearances
While it is a well-known fact that Mike loves his Chrysler Fifth Avenue, it isn't exactly known when Mike purchased this classic beast. Going by the show's synopsis, he must have likely purchased it between his arrival in Albuquerque (in Breaking Bad) and the start of "Better Call Saul".
Mike's Fifth Avenue is a stunning looking, all-black classic. Being Mike's favorite car, the Fifth Avenue made plenty of appearances in "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul". The classic Fifth Avenue always stood there as Mike's most reliable friend. Be it countless visits to Saul's office, rescuing Heisenberg aka Walter White, or getting his hands dirty whenever Gus Fring called upon him, the Chrysler Fifth Avenue was always there, helping out Mike. The classic vehicle has trotted streets across New Mexico, including the most remote locations, given the "nature" of Mike's work. A truly underrated classic for one of the most underrated TV characters of all time.