2006 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66

2006 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66

Yes, you PT Cruiser fans read that right; the popular retro hauler has been given a production extension through the end of 2011. As reported by our colleagues over at GreenCarReports.com, the PT Cruiser has a somewhat “irrational” following, especially given a car that was debuted in 1999. In April, I posed the question of whether the PT Cruiser was a ‘Modern Classic or Worn Out Design.’ Check out the review for the full story, but the synopsis is that the PT Cruiser’s exterior styling and versatile interior configurations are what keep this car selling. Rethinking this, I have another conclusion.

The alternative ending to April’s review on the PT Cruiser is this: The PT Cruiser was a car that jump started the craving in the average consumer for cars that did more than just serve to take you to and fro. In 1999, when it was released, there was not another car on the road like this car that took its styling cues from the wagons of the ‘30s and ‘40s. In short, it was different and even better it evoked style that people hadn’t seen on a car for several decades. It is my hunch that the Prowler was the market testing to see if early adopters would by into the retro styling. Then came the car for the masses and ten years later it is still sell just like the VW New Beetle (we question its longevity here).

2002 Chrysler Cali Cruiser concept

2002 Chrysler Cali Cruiser concept

The “irrationality” of car buyers, as some might call it, has been something of an enigma for decades. Every time a car company tries to figure out what makes the average consumer tick, they end up with something like the Ford Edsel or the Pontiac Aztek. Both were said to be the culmination of research into what the American buyers wanted and both ended up being the farthest thing from it.

Bottom line—The PT Cruiser is going to make it until the end of 2011, but then what? Maybe Chrysler will come up with the next generation that will be styled after the ‘50s to ‘60s era models. I think the key to the PT Cruiser is that it is interesting and isn’t a wind tunnel jellybean like some other cars on the market.

 

Be sure to check out GreenCarReports.com’s take on the PT Cruiser and their list of Pros and Cons. Then, come on back to AllSmallCars.com for more blogs, reviews and more. You can even find local parts, dealers and services.

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