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Chrysler PT Cruiser


PT Cruiser
Vehicle Model

Topic Navigation
Wikipedia: Chrysler PT Cruiser

Subtopics
Chrysler Panel Cruiser

Page Sections
History
Photographs
Documents
Article Index
Merchandise
A retro-styled wagon/convertible produced by Chrysler.

Awards and Acknowledgements include:
The 2001 PT Cruiser was #18 on USA Today's "25 cars that made a difference" list (Cars, trucks with impact, 2007)

History

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Chrysler PT Cruiser page on 25 September 2018, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a front-engine, front-wheel drive, small family car/compact MPV manufactured and marketed internationally by Chrysler in 5-door hatchback (2000–2010) and 2-door convertible (2005-2008) body styles.

The PT Cruiser is noted for its exterior design reminiscent of 1930s styling, executed by Bryan Nesbitt, and its interior design featuring a high-roof, high h-point seating, and flexible cargo and passenger configurations — a multi-level cargo shelf as well as fold, tumble and removable rear seating.

Originally conceived as a Plymouth model, the PT Cruiser was ultimately marketed as a Chrysler model, after retirement of the Plymouth brand. By the end of production in July 2010, worldwide production had reached 1.35 million.

Internally at Chrysler during development, "PT" stood for "Plymouth Truck", as it was intended to be a Plymouth model, and certified as a truck by NHTSA standards. The name stuck, but Chrysler never revealed what PT was supposed to mean.

The PT Cruiser is a front-wheel drive 5-passenger vehicle, classified as a truck in the US by the NHTSA for CAFE fuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck in order to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards. A turbocharged GT model was introduced for the 2003 model year. A convertible was introduced for the 2005 model year.

The PT Cruiser was manufactured at Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico. On March 8, 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that it had built 1,000,000 PT Cruisers at the Toluca plant. The final PT Cruiser built rolled off the assembly line there on July 9, 2010. A Chrysler spokesperson said the last model was Stone White and was destined for a U.S. dealership. In all, a grand total of 1,050,281 PT Cruisers were sold in the United States.

The PT Cruiser was also assembled at the Eurostar Automobilwerk in Graz, Austria, for global markets (outside North America) in 2002, using the production code PG. European PT Cruisers built in 2001 or from 2003 onwards were built in Mexico under the PT production code. The US version came standard with a 2.4 L four-cylinder gasoline engine. In addition to this standard model, a 2.2 L four-cylinder diesel engine built by Mercedes Benz was also available in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. A 2.0 L engine (D4RE) was also available outside the US. It produced 140 hp (100 kW) SAE at 6500 rpm with 130 lb⋅ft (180 N⋅m) of torque at 4800 rpm. In July 2000, the PT Cruiser replaced the Neon in Japan as their small car offering. Chrysler sold over 10,000 PT Cruisers in Japan. Both the five door hatchback and the two door convertible, and the GT turbo engine package were sold in Japan in right hand drive configurations. Japanese versions were manufactured at the Austrian factory and were equipped very similar to European specifications.

From 2002 until 2007, the PT Cruiser was used in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture by the Maihama Resort Cab company to serve as a taxi in the vicinity of Tokyo Disneyland because of its fun, retro appearance. The PT Cruiser taxis augmented the Maihama Resort Line service to Tokyo Disneyland. Unfortunately, the PT Cruiser wasn't built for the rigors of taxi service, and the fleet became expensive to maintain, with eventual retirement in 2007. The PT Cruiser was offered in Japan until April 2010, when it was replaced by the Dodge Caliber.

In 2001 Car and Driver acknowledged the PT Cruiser on its Ten Best list and the PT Cruiser also won the North American Car of the Year. In 2013, Top Gear named the PT Cruiser Convertible as the worst car of the last twenty years.


Photographs

Custom 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2-Door Sedan Delivery Custom 2001 Sedan Delivery
Professionally installed full custom body kit
Custom rollpan with 1937 Ford-style LED tail lights
Custom steel hood and front fascia in late 1930's Ford style
Prowler Orange paint
Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden
for $4,500 at the Mecum 2012 Fall Premier Auction
View photo of Custom 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2-Door Sedan Delivery - 3.8MB
Custom 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2-Door Sedan Delivery Custom 2001 Sedan Delivery
Professionally installed full custom body kit
Custom rollpan with 1937 Ford-style LED tail lights
Custom steel hood and front fascia in late 1930's Ford style
Prowler Orange paint
Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden
for $4,500 at the Mecum 2012 Fall Premier Auction
View photo of Custom 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2-Door Sedan Delivery - 3.5MB
Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Photo ©2004 Bill Crittenden
2004 Chicago Auto Show
February 6, 2004
View photo of Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible - 723KB
Custom 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Custom 2004
Photo ©2009 Bill Crittenden
4th Annual Grass Lake PTO "Cars for Kids" Classic & Hot Rod Show
May 17, 2009
View photo of Custom 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser - 5,266KB
Chrysler PT Cruiser and Trailer w/Custom Trailer
Photo ©2009 Bill Crittenden
2009 Nostalgia Auto Show
June 14, 2009
View photo of Chrysler PT Cruiser and Trailer - 5,422KB
Custom Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody Custom
Photo ©2009 Bill Crittenden
August 14, 2009
View photo of Custom Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody - 948KB
Custom Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody Custom
Photo ©2009 Bill Crittenden
August 14, 2009
View photo of Custom Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody - 836KB
Chrysler PT Cruiser Model Car Built by Bob Deneen
Photo ©2010 Bill Crittenden
February 2010 Meeting of C.A.R.S. in Miniature
View photo of Chrysler PT Cruiser Model Car - 3,514KB
Chrysler PT Cruiser Model Car Built by Bob Deneen
Photo ©2010 Bill Crittenden
February 2010 Meeting of C.A.R.S. in Miniature
View photo of Chrysler PT Cruiser Model Car - 3,887KB
Modified Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody Modified Woody
Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden
2012 Nostalgia Auto Show
View photo of Modified Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody - 2.5MB
Modified Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody Modified Woody
Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden
2012 Nostalgia Auto Show
View photo of Modified Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody - 2.7MB
Modified Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody Modified Woody
Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden
2012 Nostalgia Auto Show
View photo of Modified Chrysler PT Cruiser Woody - 2.2MB
Chrysler PT Cruiser Model Car with Hemi Engine Custom "Hemi Cruiser"
Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden
2012 Cedarville Model Car Contest and Swap Meet
View photo of Chrysler PT Cruiser Model Car with Hemi Engine - 2.1MB


Documents

DateDocument Name & DetailsDocuments
August 2000Veridian On-Site Redesigned Air Bag Deployment Investigation
Vehicle - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 211KB - 11 pages
classified date 2002Special Crash Investigation Report
Case Vehicle: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 4-door SUV
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 11.8MB - 151 pages
August 2002Safety Recall No. B23: Fuel Pump Module Secondary Seal
DaimlerChrysler
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 305KB - 7 pages
August 2002Safety Recall to Install a Secondary Seal Over Your Vehicle's Fuel Pump Module
DaimlerChrysler
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 50KB - 1 page
7 August 2002NHTSA Recall 02V215000
2001-2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Recall Page - 1 page
7 August 2002To: Kenneth Weinstein, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
From: Stephan J. Speth, DaimlerChrysler Corporation
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 523KB - 12 pages
12 August 2002Acknowledgement Fax Sheet of Receipt of Defect Information Report Submitted Under 49 CFR Part 573
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 42KB - 1 page
13 September 2002Campaign B23 Chrysler PT Cruiser Fuel Pump Module
To: Jon White, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
From: Stephan J. Speth, DaimlerChrysler Corporation
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 523KB - 13 pages
3Q 2002Recall Quarterly Report -- Quarter Ending 9/30/02
DaimlerChrysler
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 198KB - 1 page
12 February 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-Door
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 8.7MB - 211 pages
20 February 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 214: Side Impact Protection
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser MPV
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 6.9MB - 276 pages
3 March 2003Follow-up notifications
To: Pat Wallace
From: Steve Speth, DaimlerChrysler
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 24KB - 1 page
1Q 2003Recall Quarterly Report -- Quarter Ending 3/31/03
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 219KB - 1 page
May 2003General Dynamics On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation
SCI Technical Summary Report
Vehicle: 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 317KB - 20 pages
2Q 2003Recall Quarterly Report -- Quarter Ending 6/30/03
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 246KB - 1 page
28 July 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 124: Accelerator Control Systems
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 1.8MB - 71 pages
15 August 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 207: Seating Systems
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4 Door Hatchback
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 3.6MB - 188 pages
25 August 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 301: Fuel System Integrity
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser MPV
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 4.6MB - 40 pages
8 September 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-Door MPV
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 2.6MB - 46 pages
22 September 2003Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 110(Indicant): Tire Selection and Rims
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser MPV
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 1.9MB - 25 pages
3Q 2003Recall Quarterly Report -- Quarter Ending 9/30/03
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 243KB - 1 page
4Q 2003Recall Quarterly Report -- Quarter Ending 12/31/03
NHTSA Recall 02V215000

PDF
- 227KB - 1 page
March 2004
crash date
[Special Crash Investigation Case Number PN35302 Technical Report]
Vehicle: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

PDF
- 11.8MB - 151 pages
8 April 2008Federal-Mogul Corporation: Part 573.6 Notitication
From: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation
To: Recall Management Division, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 323KB - 3 pages
8 April 2008NHTSA Recall 08E033000
Carquest K7147, Carquest K7329, MasterPro K8683, Moog K7147, Moog K7329, One Source K8683, Parts Depot K8683, Parts Master K8683, Treadsaver K8683, TRW 104353, 1984 Chrysler E Class, 1984-1986 Chrysler Laser, 1984-1990 Chrysler LeBaron, 1984-1988 Chrysler New Yorker, 2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1989-1990 Chrysler TC, 1990 Chrysler Town and Country, 1984-1988 Dodge 600, 1984-1989 Dodge Aries, 1984-1990 Dodge Caravan, 1984-1987 Dodge Charger, 1984-1990 Dodge Daytona, 1988-1990 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1985-1989 Dodge Lancer, 1984-1988 Dodge Mini Ram Van, 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, 1984-1990 Dodge Omni, 1984 Dodge Rampage, 1987-1990 Dodge Shadow, 1989-1990 Dodge Spirit, 1995-2000 Ford Contour, 1999-2002 Mercury Cougar, 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique, 1989-1990 Plymouth Acclaim, 1985-1988 Plymouth Caravelle, 1988-1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 1984-1990 Plymouth Horizon, 2000-2001 Plymouth Neon, 1984-1989 Plymouth Reliant, 1987-1990 Plymouth Sundance, 1985 Plymouth Turismo, 1984-1990 Plymouth Voyager
SuspensionNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Recall Page - 1 page
24 April 2008Ball Joint Recall Attachment A
Ball Joint Affected Date Codes and Applications
Federal Mogul
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 57KB - 1 page
2 May 2008Campaign #08E-033
From: Joe Stephan, Federal-Mogul Corporation
To: Distributors
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 70KB - 2 pages
5 May 2008Aftermarket Ball Joint Assemblies
From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 121KB - 3 pages
21 July 2008Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 51KB - 1 page
October 2008Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 14KB - 1 page
January 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 28KB - 1 page
4 February 2009From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 43KB - 1 page
April 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 25KB - 1 page
July 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 36KB - 1 page
October 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 43KB - 1 page


Article Index

DateArticleAuthor/Source
19 October 2002ENGLEWOOD, CO. MAN WINS NATIONAL CAR GIVEAWAYCONTEST ON HIS BIRTHDAY LINQ Telecom presents PT Cruiser to Kaleb Mickley on Thursday, Oct. 17Linq Telecom Inc.
14 May 2003Amid Slumping Popularity, Chrysler Adds New Features to PT Cruiser Car John Birchard, VOA News
17 February 2004PT Woody - Wood Kits - Why take your PT Cruiser to the beach when you can take the beach everywhere your PT Cruiser Goes!Reality Marketing and Design
4 June 2008Retro Styled Cruiser, TheAnthony Fontanelle
5 January 20142002 PT Cruiser Engine in Used Condition Now Sold as 2.4L Build at Used Engines Company WebsiteGotEngines.com


Merchandise

Type & Item #NameDetails
Die Cast x2 - Maisto 15080-16012000 Chevrolet Traverse/Chrysler GT CruiserMotor Works, small scale, dark blue Traverse, silver GT Cruiser
Die Cast - Maisto 31895Chrysler PT CruiserSpecial Edition, 1:18 scale, sliver
Die Cast - Motor Max 73200Chrysler PT Cruiser1:24 scale, silver





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