Vehicle Description
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.
