Shednesday: 1998 Chrysler Sebring convertible
With the sun out, Ben Carter offers up another Chrysler convertible, this time in the shape of the Sebring. Yes he has a problem.
Merry Shednesday. I’m afraid I’m still here keeping the seat warm until the grown up comes back (he is off auditioning to be the new member of Little Mix. Maybe. Probably not.). On the up side: no planet eating sharks or A to Zs this week. I’m keeping it simple with one car.
Once upon a time
In 1950, Sebring International Raceway opened in Sebring, Florida. It’s the home of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race. This was reason enough for Chrysler to launch a model called the Sebring in 1995.
It began life as a coupé, before a convertible was added in 1996. There were two more versions of the Sebring after this, including the challenging 2007-2010 third-generation version that made it to our shores. Please note that ‘challenging’ is my polite way of saying it fell from the ugly tree, before it was beaten with an ugly stick. Repeatedly. Proportionally, it's an utter mess.
The car

Thankfully, this week’s car is the best looking first-generation. It’s also the convertible, so you’re in luck if the weather holds out (although maybe consider it for next summer given its current state). While it’s from 1998, it wasn’t imported into the UK until 2003. It has a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine and an auto box, so more cruiser than bruiser.
Downsides
The challenge, however, is that it doesn’t run, has no MOT and hasn’t been on the road since 2013, when it was last MOTd. It’s also left-hand drive.
Upsides?

It’s £900 and has a potentially high value registration number. If you know any actual, or aspiring, hip-hop or grime stars then they may like ‘R4 PPR’ on their ‘whip’ (to quote one Mr Xzibit of Pimp My Ride fame). You also won’t (or are very, very unlikely to) see another one on the road, so there's an element of exclusivity.
If you’re interested in the Sebring, it’s in Luton and the ad is here.
As my third Chrysler solo piece so far, I should probably cast my net a bit wider next week. I may even make sure the next car has an MOT and runs! I guess that probably means no cheap Dodge Avenger then. Or even cheaper Plymouth Acclaim.
Over to the Major.
What does PetrolBlog think?
Maybe it's the heat, but this Sebring really appeals. It's properly good looking, a bit dark and moody, and suitably different to other budget convertibles. It's a shame it's no longer in Plymouth, as I'd be taking the short pilgrimage to take a look.
For reasons that will become clear over the coming days, my focus has been elsewhere, but words and videos should start flowing again very soon. HUGE thanks to Ben for keeping the seat warm. He'll be the first in line when the next batch of BlogNobs are ready. Crumbs!
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