A Chrysler manufactured in Germany? Get out of town. (Get out of the country, even.)
It was a real deal, and it existed for only five model years between 2004 and 2008. The Crossfire was a two-seat, rear-wheel drive sports car that was first shown in concept form at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and later shown as a production car the following year.
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Eugene, Oregon. (Click the link to view the listing.)
“Purchased new in Utah, the second owner has it in his private collection,” the listing says. “No expense spared, thoroughly sorted and serviced.”
This Crossfire is about as obscure as cars can get. To start off, it was engineered during the window of time (from about 1998 through 2007) when Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz merged. Exterior design language reportedly drew inspiration from 1930s “Art Deco” architecture, and the car could be ordered as either a convertible or as a fastback-style coupe. The Crossfire name was coined as a reference to the character line that runs along either side (crossing direction underneath the sideview mirror). The name is also a reference to the Daimler-Chrysler partnership responsible for engineering the car.
Under its skin, the Crossfire was almost entirely a Mercedes-Benz. The car shared a platform with the SLK-Class (R170) of the same era, and both available engines versions of Mercedes’ “M112” 3.2-liter V6. those seeking extra oomph, a supercharged 330-hp version became available in the “SRT-6” variant Crossfire. The fun driving dynamic was one reason why Crossfire magazine ads from the era said, “Can a car be as appealing at red lights as it is at green ones?”
Showing just 76,088 miles on the odometer, this car boasts well-preserved condition, straight body panels, newer Michelin tires, and a clean interior. The seller says that the car has a clean CARFAX and has been garage-kept. “A sporty car turned into a super performer,” the listing reads. “Car will appreciate as time goes by.”
The asking price is $9,950.
You’ll likely be the only person sporting one of these cars at your local show & shine. Then you can see spectators’ eyeballs when you tell them your Chrysler is 80% Mercedes.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, you can find it logged at Pick of the Day.
