This custom V8 PT Cruiser is part cartoon, part dragster, and it’s dirt cheap on BaT for now
The Chrysler PT Cruiser. Depending on your car enthusiast camp, it occupies a spot among the most reviled American cars of all time, alongside the Pontiac Aztek and Tesla Cybertruck. But that doesn’t mean the oft-joked-about Chrysler can’t be turned into something wild, even desirable. Enter this custom PT Cruiser street rod, currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer for not much more than its engine swap is worth.
They didn’t ask if they should. They just did. Build a 376-horsepower 302ci V8-powered 2001 PT Cruiser, that is.
Let’s face it. The Chrysler PT Cruiser isn’t exactly the most popular used option in the pool of quirky pre-owned American cars. But this one might change the tune a bit. Instead of the typical, dowdy appearance of the Chrysler pseudo-hatchback, this one looks like something from a cartoon.
The builder lengthened, widened, chopped, and converted the standard four-door application to a two-door one. Classic street rod style is the name of the game, as evidenced by the custom front fascia and round headlamps.
Frankly, it looks a little kit car-esque, despite the effort that went into the fiberglass facelift. The body is finished in a two-tone orange and black. Around back, it’s all smooth edges and tiny, recessed bullet-style lamps donated from a 1959 Cadillac.
The reimagined body rides on a custom tubular frame. In place of the lackluster OEM PT Cruiser’s wheels, the custom street rod’s flared haunches conceal 26×6″ front and 29×15″ rear Mickey Thompson tires wrapped around Center Line 15” wheels.
Under the hood and fixed to that frame, the builder installed an ATK crate Ford 302 V8 rated for 376 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is accessed through a B&M shifter.
Interestingly enough, many of ATK’s crate 302 cubic-inch engines retail for between $4,000 and $5,900. On the other hand, this custom-built Chrysler is up for auction, and the top bid is $7,192. Certainly worth more than that sum in parts, alone.
With its 9” rear end, 4.11:1 gears, fat rear contact patch, and an additional 226 horsepower over a stock 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, this custom build is sure to move. Then again, even with all the custom work and street rod credentials, it can’t hide its origins. If this two-tone, side-piped PT Cruiser is speaking to you, you might want to hurry. The BaT auction ends tomorrow afternoon.
