The Chrysler PT Cruiser is one of those cars with an unfortunately bad rap. People still have spicy takes about the PT even though its been over 14 years since the last one rolled off of the line. I found a Chrysler PT that even the haters will love. In 2002, Chrysler teased a possible future of the PT by rolling out the California Cruiser concept, a shooting brake with a retractable glass roof and 215 HP on deck – and oh yeah, you could even sleep in it.
You don’t have to look too hard to find an enthusiast with a strong opinion about the neo-retro era of a few decades ago. Automakers were happy to pump out cars that looked like classic hot rods but sometimes forgot about the “hot” part. The Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Plymouth Prowler appear to be two of the biggest punching bags from the era, never mind that nothing as cool-looking as the Prowler has ever been made again and the PT Cruiser was a pretty versatile car once you got past the styling.
There are about a million theories as to why people turned on the PT Cruiser back then and still dunk on it today. Regular Car Reviews spent a whole 17 minutes conjuring up an explanation involving the vehicle’s often Boomer original owners, Postmodernism, and poor second or third owners. Doug DeMuro famously crushed a PT Cruiser with a Hummer! I’m not going to dissect why people hate the Cruiser so much, but you should know that, despite the hate, Chrysler managed to sell over 1.3 million of these things over a decade. It’s no surprise that other automakers, namely General Motors, also tried cashing in on the neo-retro boom.
Appealing To Your Lizard Brain
That kind of popularity is hard to ignore, and the PT Cruiser flew off of lots early on. In 2001, buyers went home with nearly 145,000 of the cars. Chrysler never let off of the throttle and did its best to keep Cruiser fever going. For a deeper look at the PT’s rise, I highly recommend reading Matt Hardigree’s retrospective by clicking here.
The short version is that Chrysler sought the help of French medical anthropologist and psychiatrist Dr. Clotaire Rapaille to design a vehicle that would appeal to our so-called lizard brains.
As Matt mentioned, Chrysler was adrift again when Bob Lutz came on board and the brand needed a home run, something more special than just a better car or truck. Enter Dr. Rapaille and his whole schtick about that lizard-brain thing, and PT Cruiser sprang into being as a bunch of parts shared with the Dodge Neon in a package designed to evoke some sort of response out of you.
Chrysler let Bryan Nesbitt have fun designing the PT Cruiser. The automakers punched out concepts like the custom Pronto Cruizer Concept, the Euro-style Plymouth Pronto, and the weird mid-engine Pronto Spyder. Finally, the PT Cruiser Concept previewed what the production car was going to look like.
But here’s the thing: Chrysler never stopped making concepts. In 2000, the Chrysler GT Cruiser concept previewed a hopped-up PT Cruiser while the Panel Cruiser concept showed what a work van version of the PT Cruiser would look like. In 2001, Chrysler followed it up with the PT Cruiser Convertible Styling Study.
Chrysler followed through on some of these concepts. The turbocharged PT Cruiser GT hit the market in 2003 while a convertible launched in 2005. Sadly, we didn’t get an official panel van, but the later Chevrolet HHR got a panel variant and fab shops have made custom PT Cruiser panel vans.
The Shooting Brake
Another variant Chrysler proposed was the California Cruiser. This concept hit the show circuit in 2002 beginning with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance before it got shipped off to the Paris Motor Show. At the time, it was reported that this design likely hinted at the next variation of the PT Cruiser.
Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President of Chrysler Group Global Sales and Marketing, said: “With PT Cruiser, we created a whole new segment and virtually redefined the blend of design and versatility in the small vehicle market. That vehicle anticipated new consumer demands and expectations around the world. Now, we bring you a concept of what might be next, the Chrysler California Cruiser.”
At the front, the California Cruiser represented Chrysler applying its new corporate face to the PT Cruiser. That meant giving the California Cruiser the same kind of scalloped headlights found on vehicles like the Ram and the Crossfire. Then came a bolder chrome grille and a more integrated bumper cover.
But the real awesomeness happens beyond the face. Chrysler ditched the vintage hot rod and panel van roofline of the PT and instead went for a flat chopped-style roof. Yes, this turned the lowly PT into a two-door wagon, but it goes even further than that. The roof is made out of giant glass panels that, at the flick of a switch, move out of the way, creating an open-top wagon.
Look at these happy surfers!
The concept further lays down sweet touches like bucket seats for all four occupants, a stereo mounted in the rear of the vehicle for tailgate parties, and hatch glass that rolls away like some of our favorite Toyota 4x4s.
Part of the marketing for the California Cruiser was that it was perfect for surfers, so the seats folded flat so you could store surfboards in the vehicle. Chrysler also saw you folding the seats flat and sleeping in the car on the beach with someone else. It’s unclear where Chrysler expected the vehicle’s other two occupants to sleep, but look, concept cars aren’t always logical.
All of this was wrapped up in a package powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine making 215 HP. So, not only did you get your PT Cruiser as a sweet two-door wagon, but it was properly quick to match. Add the 19-inch billet wheels and Woodie-look silver side panels and this is easily the coolest PT Cruiser ever built. Schroer continued:
“An expert surfer will tell you they are after the NEXT wave, not the one in front of them. The same holds true for the Chrysler Group, as we look to new consumer demands and expectations around the world. Chrysler California Cruiser is a concept that might be that Next Wave – with us, you just never know.”
Tell me that doesn’t look hot!
Unfortunately, the California Cruiser never became a reality. Elements of the concept went to other PT Cruisers. As I noted earlier, PT Cruiser buyers did get a turbo model and there was also a two-door convertible. The 2006 facelift PT also got a new bumper, headlights, and a revised grille. But we never got a two-door PT Cruiser wagon and that’s sad.
There isn’t an explanation for what happened to this concept, but it is known that PT Cruiser sales slowed as production continued. Perhaps Chrysler lost the motivation to try to keep PT Cruiser fever going. Either way, the California Cruiser is cool. The California Cruiser is so cool that I’d dare to say that it’s the PT Cruiser that would even shut up the haters. It’s a shame we never got anything even close to it.
(Images: Chrysler)
I ended up reading the whole piece about the lizard brain you linked to instead,interesting stuff. And then I went back and remembered I was actually reading about the PT cruiser.
This is one the cars that didn’t age into it’s looks. I still shiver when I see one.
I helped a friend move on that was purple with flames and I felt like I needed a shower after driving it.
The only thing I found a PT Cruiser good for were the seats, which are a direct bolt-in replacement for the factory seats in my Scout. Which were gone when I got it; the PO had welded a set of Shelby GHS seats to my bases. Let’s just say the Chrysler seats from 2006 are much more comfortable (and sturdier) than the Chrysler seats from 1986.
Not too long ago I witnessed someone in the act of swapping MOST of the running bits (including engine) from one dull, champagne colored PT Cruiser to a different, slightly better looking dull, champagne colored PT Cruiser. And I had to wonder, why would anyone go through all of that effort when the reward is merely a dull, champagne colored PT Cruiser?
Eh, to each their own.
Lizard brain I bet.
Maybe it had sentimental value. It just blew my mind that this person put the time, money, and effort into finding a donor car for a high mileage PT cruiser. And I think it was a major swap, I saw them removing interior pieces, like various bits of trim, headrests and mats. I’m sure in the end it may have potentially probably likely been one of the nice(-er? -est?) high mileage, champagne colored PT Cruisers AT LEAST in the local zip code, maybe even the county.
I have no for certain Idea why but I immediately have a massive negative physical reaction whenever Doug DeMuro is brought up. He is on par with vileness for me in the same vein as The Whistlin’ diesel douche.
I do however find it kind of interesting how the Neon is now much loved while it was hated when the PT came out. I was provided a purple rental in San Francisco of all places 2 decades ago. I can say the raised roof and drop down seats sure made it easier to use and it did not drive any worse than any other economy car of the time. But I was not especially proud to be seen in it either, so I guess Meh?
Interior is awesome, but the early 2000s cladding and wheels are a no from me dawg.
PT Cruisers were and are fine; I’m not sure why they get the hate they do. Their only crime is being “of an era.”
It’s the Dodge Caliber that deserves our hate. To my eternal chagrin, I learned to drive on one: Dad’s refrigerator-white 2007 model. At least it was an SXT—one step up from the base trim, so it had power locks, power windows, keyless entry, and cruise control. Oh, and that nifty little rechargeable flashlight that plugged into a spot in the cargohold.
As for this concept? It’s lovely.
I saw a Dodge Caliber the other day on the highway, I heard something screaming like a Ninja blender on high, here comes on the left lane on my mirror. The speed didnt match the scream of the CVT transmission. The poor car was screaming just to keep up with traffic, it was hilarious.
The Caliber was probably most hated for the CVT, otherwise it was really not much more than a blockier PT, or perhaps a crossover Neon if you remembered them by then.
I just want to state that the PT Cruiser GT had the SRT4 engine, and all SRT4 upgrades are compatible. So you could easily make a reliable 300-400hp PT Cruiser that would smoke so many cars, for not a lot of money. Would be hilarious.
there are a few doing that. I know of one in Wichita with all manner of tacked on crap including some sort of dual rear window mod to lok even more like some old 30’s car. But it does have the turbo motor with a few mods that seem to make it run decent….of Course When it is running.
I assume the production model would have changed some things (like the door windows going beyond the door–that looks cool, but would have been expensive to implement), but this feels like it could have easily come to production and been a bit of a boost to sales of all PT Cruisers (having a cool version of something makes the normal ones just a little cooler by association).
It’s too bad we didn’t get this.
Well, really, it looks like there are secondary windows that roll down on their own, between the front door glass and the fixed quarter-panel glass. What would’ve had to happen for this to make production would’ve been increased body stiffness. I’d say they could start with the cabriolet body as a foundation, but the wheelbase is too short and the rollbar would have to be removed. Either way, it would need much thicker B-pillars.
Edit: actually, it looks like the wheelbase is just fine, and moreover, the production cabriolet and 5-door had the same wheelbase.
You’re right as to what those windows are, but they’d be expensive. No pillar between those windows and both of them moving would mean you’d need to come up with a pretty significant seal without sacrificing the appearance.
I wouldn’t think it would be too expensive. Such seals are on expensive pillarless coupes like Bentley Continental GTs and Rolls-Royce Spectres, but you’ll also find them on affordable cabriolets like the Ford Mustang and Chrysler’s own cabriolet variant of this very car.
They’re also not much effort to replace. Both of the seals in my 2015 S 550 Coupe (which is pillarless and which has front and rear windows that roll down independently) developed hairline cracks. They were perfectly functional from a water-sealing standpoint, but let in more noise than an S-Class Coupe ought to have. But they cost $30 apiece and took five minutes to replace.
Perhaps you’re right. But I still suspect they’d change things. I think it would look weird to have a visible seal shortly ahead of the pillar. The PT Cruiser convertible puts that seal right where they have a body stiffening beam anyway. What this concept does well is sell the whole area in front of the pillar as front door window, and I think it would lose that with a visible seal there. Maybe I’m wrong and they’d make the sacrifice for the effect with the windows down.
I think it would be far easier to do one of two things to mostly maintain the concept and not have the weird pillar/seal spacing: move the pillar or extend the door. Of course, positioning it as a surfer car may mean they just figure the windows would be down almost all the time.
Amazing concept. Really love the color combo and wheels
“It’s unclear where Chrysler expected the vehicle’s other two occupants to sleep…”
You clearly haven’t seen “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane”
WHAT IS THAT!? AND CAN I GET ONE!!!
Ah crap I can’t… 🙁
I’m kind of surprised the panel van never made it into production. They could have produced it much less expensively than the concept version by building it the same way Chevy did with the HHR Panel, by simply blanking out the windows on the rear doors.
I don’t know how many units of the HHR Panel actually sold, though, and I guess Chrysler decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
I think the panels were something like 10% of HHR sales, roughly 50,000 out of a total run of 537,000, a PT Cruiser van launching earlier would have done at least a bit better than that
Likewise, I’ve always wonder what would have happened it they’d “crossover-ed” both of them…just lift them a little, give them bigger wheels, some cladding, etc. Would they now be see as these minor key fun classics, given our SUV mania?
I don’t know how many HHRs sold, but I do know they were ideal for things like flower delivery. If you don’t need a tall roof or heavy load capacity, they are an excellent delivery vehicle. And there’s plenty of delivery covered by that. Given the popularity of the PT Cruiser, it probably would have been plenty popular as a panel van, too.
I bet Chrysler figured people would just convert them to panel vans if they so desired.
And they did eventually do a panel van, using the larger minivan as a basis. Remember the short-lived Ram C/V?