Shednesday: Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
Ben serves up a trick (or treat?) in the form of a bargain Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. It's finally happened, I'm slightly mad.
Merry Shednesday. Last week I was, to quote Sam Robinson, “on me holidays” in sunny Blackpool. Cruising along the coast in the family Ford C-Max felt wrong and unsuited to the sea, sunshine and miles of tat (not French tat). What I needed was something with enough seats to accommodate the kids, but with a convertible roof to bask in the sun and feel the salty air in my hair. What I needed was a Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. (Really?! – Ed.)
American dream
The PT Cruiser wasn't America's finest export. Rubbish build quality, poor dynamics and styling which divides opinion like a modern BMW. It's a ‘Marmite’ car. However, few modern cars have the same retro Americana looks, and for that reason it has always held a place in my heart; right next to the equally terrible but also well styled Dodge Avenger (another likely Shednesday feature (victim).
DIY styling
The PT Cruiser was launched in 2000, but the Convertible didn't arrive until 2005. The example I have found is from 2006, it's in Bradford and has the petrol 2.0-litre engine and manual box. It's got a valid MOT, but the seller says it needs some body work. It looks okay to me. Importantly, the roof works. I would be more concerned about the silver tape on the driver's seat. I am sure a replacement seat would be cheap enough from a breakers, or you could chuck a seat cover on.
Not quite Route 66
The car also has the wheels from the Route 66 version, which wasn't released in Convertible format. The tin-top special featured leather seats, Route 66 badges, yellow calipers and improved suspension.
Anyway, I would sell the wheels, slap on some whitewall tyre paint and some steel wheels with moon covers to complete the retro look. Alternatively I would swap them for a set of the GT’s five-spoke wheels, which always remind me of American Racing Torque Thrusts.
Whatever you decide to do, the car has only done 95,000 miles. More importantly, it's only £695. Cheap summer cruising. Over to The Major.
What does PetrolBlog think?
When the outside temperature rises, and the meaning is, oh, so clear. One-thousand-and-one yellow daffodils, begin to dance in front of you, oh dear. Are they trying to tell you something? You're missing that one final screw. You're simply not in the pink, my dear. To be honest, you haven't got a clue.
I'm going slightly mad. I'm going slightly mad. It's finally happened. I fancy a Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible.
I'm slightly mad. And it's all your fault, Ben.
Also read:
