Chrysler PT Cruiser

Name: Chrysler PT Cruiser
Item: Chrysler PT Cruiser
Author: Classic Auto Mall

Listing ID: 74845

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser WP Chrysler Signature Series

Originally, the PT Cruiser was set to be a Plymouth model. However, it was moved over to the Chrysler division after the Plymouth nameplate was slated for discontinuation in 2001, which was right when the PT Cruiser was introduced to market. Designer Bryan Nesbitt was behind the look of the PT Cruiser, and you can see his signature style all over it. Nesbitt also came up with the design for the Chevrolet HHR, which was produced from 2005 to 2011 and looks eerily similar to the PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser’s design was meant to evoke the look of an older gangster getaway car like you would see in the 1930s or a street racer. That’s exactly the look it accomplished.

Showing off with retro styling in our South Mallway, we’re proud to offer for consignment, a 1st year fairly rare version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser right out of 2005. While this isn’t the first year the PT hit the market, it is the first year for the W.P. Chrysler Signature Series. This 3-owner car, and our consignor’s wife’s personal car, has had all major services completed, has always been garage kept, and is loaded to the gills with options and conveniences that one would expect in a much higher class of car. Pull up a chair, soak in my words and the wonderful retro looks, all fresh and new in good old 2005.

Exterior
The Chrysler PT Cruiser blends the retro look of a late-1930’s American sedan with new-age styling cues such as dual-beam flush headlights and teardrop-shaped taillight lenses. But that’s not all there is to the PT Cruiser. The shape is intriguing, but underneath is a modern platform with front-wheel drive, but let’s focus on the stunning retro aspects. A chrome highlighted grille leads the way and is split from the lower grille section by a neoprene covered bumper cover. Flanking the grille and V-shaped hood are throwback style bulbous fenders with flush mount aerodynamic headlights, very 1939 Ford if I do say so myself, and down low are deeply inset fog lamps within the lower fascia. Chrome is kept to a minimum; however, the added chrome door handles and lower body side spear do a wonderful job of highlighting the semi-pontoon body lines. Mid 40’s lower body styling comes into play above the rockers with the swept outward lower doors and rockers that mimic nearly every manufacturer in the Post-war 40’s era. Lightly smoked glass surrounds the passenger compartment, and a touch of modern style shows up with the black plastic encased rear-view mirrors. Moving around back we see the large liftgate that allows full access to the rear storage area and ovoid shaped taillights grafted into the bulbous rear fenders. Down low is another body matching bumper and we note the single chrome exhaust tip peeking out on the lower left-hand side. Our consignor states that 95% of the black paint drenching the body is factory applied, and if I had to venture a guess as to the 5%, it would be the driver’s door, as it is missing the PT Cruiser and W.P. Chrysler Signature badging. A few dings and chips also make appearances in the finish, but nothing out of the ordinary for the age and mileage. Keeping this retro skate firmly grounded are mirror polished 16″ chrome wheels wrapped in deeply treaded Goodyear rubber.

Interior
Articles of the day proclaimed the PT Cruiser to pull its exterior styling themes into the cabin with painted inserts on its T-shaped symmetrical dashboard. The driver faces three white-faced gauges deeply inset within round white-faced pods, with speedometer center, tachometer right and fuel and water temperature left. Swinging away from the norm, the window switches are at the top of the center dash sandwiched between the round heater vents, slightly inconvenient for quick operation; but you do get used to them. Moving down the center T of the dash are the dials for the heater/AC controls and the standard AM/FM/CD stereo. The front seats are shod in two tone gray and ivory leather with suede inserts on the front lower cushions and have a reasonable amount of bolstering to keep driver and passenger from sliding side to side. This theme continues on the rear bench and are slightly elevated resulting in what the industry calls theater seating. The front seats are mounted on tall boxes, leaving plenty of room for rear passengers to stretch their legs underneath. A six-foot, nine-inch passenger can fit comfortably in the front or rear seats. With both rear seats out, the Cruiser provides 64 cubic feet of cargo volume, very impressive for a smaller vehicle. A low-profile console races between the seats and encompasses cup holders and the chrome trimmed long armed shifter. Off gray carpeting floats this expansive interior and above is a tight tan headliner framing the power moonroof.

Drivetrain
Opening the retro themed V-style hood reveals the original 2.4 liter 4 cylinder. A light coating of dust and patina graces the engine and the bay, and a 4-speed automatic is bolted to the back. 3.91 gearing is reserved for turning the front tires.

Undercarriage
A light coating of surface rust and road dirt covers the single exhaust system, unibody and flooring. The surface rust only appears on untreated components, and the unibody and flooring remain as solid as they were when new. Independent Macpherson strut suspension is up front and in the rear we note a torsion beam and coil spring arrangement and we note power disc brakes up front and power drums in the rear.

Drive-Ability
This retro-cruiser fired right up with the twist of the key and propelled my crack decoder and myself off to the well-hidden Classic Auto Mall test track with ease. On the track it performed well with adequate acceleration, bias free braking and nimble handling. All functions were fully operational at the time of my drive and the audiophile in me fell in love with the killer factory sound system.

Retro design is just as hot today as it was in 2005 and this Signature Series PT Cruiser evokes all the late 30’s and 40’s styling one can shake a stick at without actually hopping into a car from that era. Fully loaded with amenities galore and well maintained, it’s hard to pass this fresh breath of air from the Chrysler camp by. Hop in, turn the key, and do some retro cruising in the rare W.P. Chrysler Signature edition, but hurry before someone else beats you to the cruise.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

Price: Click the link above for price.

City: Morgantown

State: Pennsylvania

Cars-On-Line.com

America’s most popular classic car website.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Login

Sign up for Cars-On-Line.com