Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Concept

You're looking at the design equivalent of the long-bomb pass that wins the big game as the clock runs out. Never has a knockout concept car, built to today's higher standard for people packaging, ergonomics, fit, mechanical integrity, and production potential, come together so well, and so very quickly. This PT Cruiser convertible debuted to media raves and public enthusiasm at the recent New York Auto Show, and it begs the obvious question: Will they build it?

Prudent carmakers begin developing their star concepts well over a year in advance of debut-First and 10, to continue in football parlance. The PT convert, however, went from a blue gleam in a designer's eye to an auto-show centerpiece in little more than three months-think Third and Eight, late in the game, down by at least one TD, clock running. Indeed, an internal timing chart we stole a look at had "1/22" as its start date and "4/6" as completion. That's making up yardage in a hurry, even granting that this styling study has much of the structure, driveline, chassis, exterior sheetmetal, and the same compact 103-in. wheelbase, 67.1-in. width, and 168.8-in. length as the production PT. Why the two-minute drill?

In measured British tones, styling quarterback Trevor Creed, DaimlerChrysler's straight-talking vice president of design, explains. "After Christmas, we found ourselves in the position of not having anything for the New York show." We can only guess that there was another program in the oven that was killed at the last minute.

This car looks so natural as a convertible, you don't notice that it only has two doors compared to the four found on a normal PT.

"We briefly discussed a revamp of the Cobo Hall [Detroit Auto Show] cars," Creed continues, "or a business coupe. But we eventually decided to initiate the convertible because everyone had already seen the woody, vinyl-roofed, and flame-job variants of the five-door hatch. And speed was of the essence. We didn't even do a clay [styling development model]. And clearly, this was the right one to do."

Creed is proud of his team, but has quibbles with the folding top's stack height, craftsmanship, and insufficient luggage space. But these are the criticisms of a perfectionist with an eye for detail. And Metalcrafters, the Southern California-based family-owned company that builds most of DC's concepts, had to work 24/7 to get it built, as it was.

Chrysler needed this touchdown. But why call this particular play? "This one just seemed to have a special magnetism about it," says Lance Wagner, director of interior and exterior design Studio 1.