Chrysler PT Cruiser

by Matt DeLorenzo, John Lamm

In the past decade, Chrysler has remained way ahead of the pack when it comes to concept cars and innovative design. Fast on the heels of the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler comes the PT Cruiser, the new headturner that one Chrysler designer aptly describes as "retro-yet-contemporary." Leading automotive journalists Matt DeLorenzo and John Lamm dissect every facet of PT (Personal Transportation) Cruiser development, performance, and marketing. In addition to examining design cues which recall any number of periods in American automotive history, DeLorenzo and Lamm explain the car's thoroughly modern amenities and technology, as well as the burgeoning aftermarket that is developing for the car. Also discussed are the Pronto Cruizer concept from which it arose, and GT Cruiser and Panel Cruiser customs developed by DaimlerChrysler for aftermarket auto shows.

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2000

About the author

After starting out as a newspaper reporter at the Peoria Journal Star, I got my first auto gig in 1977 as executive editor of Automotive Fleet magazine. Four years later, I joined Automotive News, serving as a reporter in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. before becoming International Editor in Detroit.

In 1989, I became editor of Autoweek and later transitioned to Detroit editor for Road & Track. I returned to California as Deputy Editor and then Editor-in-Chief. In 2013, I joined Kelley Blue Book as a senior editor before returning to the life as a freelancer in January 2022.