Chrysler's PT Cruiser Special Editions Make Style Statements for Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's 
.

All Photos: DaimlerChrysler

Three very different organizations, all known for having a distinctive style -- Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's -- have seen the PT Cruiser as a marvelous palette upon which to make their own statement through the addition of subtle features mixed with unique colors and fabrics. 

"The PT Cruiser can be whatever the individual owner wants it to be," explained Tom Gale, Executive Vice President Product Development and Design for DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "It fits any lifestyle: some may see it as a tribute to the classic era -- a street rod, others as a multi-faceted and functional light truck in a class of its own. Or some as, simply, a cool set of wheels. You can love it for what it is, or fashion your own statement on this retro-yet-modern vehicle. And the latter is just what we did in concert with our partners at Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's." 

Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition

The history of luggage provider Louis Vuitton has, obviously, been long tied to transportation. In fact, in 1897 George Vuitton designed the first automobile "trunk." 

The first car trunk was just that -- a trunk fashioned to attach to an automobile. The concept was soon incorporated into the overall vehicle, but the name remained. Today, the French firm whose bags themselves are fashion statements, celebrates automotive design as art and fashion throughout history by sponsoring classic-car concours d'elegance in North America and Europe.  

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center. The concept's signature checkerboard pattern, with its distinctive "LV" logo, subtly applied to the aquamarine metallic paint, 16-inch chrome wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and a Louis Vuitton Classic 2000 sun shade visually set this PT Cruiser apart.  

The interior features exclusive Louis Vuitton "LV" fabric inserts on the doors and seats. Saddle leather accents the door pull handles and steering-wheel. The PT Cruiser's spacious cargo area is fitted with tailor-made Louis Vuitton luggage. 

Chrysler PT Cruiser TAG Heuer Edition 

Style, performance and ergonomics are the hallmark of TAG Heuer, manufacturer of the world's most prestigious sports watches. The Chrysler PT Cruiser TAG Heuer Edition's performance appearance, showing off refined materials and details, distinguish it from any other vehicle.  

The exterior's bright silver pearl paint is evocative of the company's watch cases, complemented by the understated TAG Heuer badges.Polished, 16-inch, multi-spoked wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and a full-vehicle ground-effects package complete the visual enhancements.  

This high-tech theme continues in the ergonomically-designed interior, with metallic seat and door-trim inserts and bright silver pearl accents on the instrument panel. 

Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition 

Meguiar's, experts in automotive surface care with its renowned line of waxes, has had a passion for classic and custom cars since 1901. This deep-seeded enthusiasm shows in the Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition. 

This PT Cruiser is finished in rich Black Pearl with a one-of-a-kind flame treatment in Meguiar's signature red and yellow. Five-spoke chrome wheels round off the appearance. 

The projects were coordinated by Margaret Hackstedde, James Parker Jr., Kimberly Roycroft and Anna Walkush of DaimlerChrysler Corporation's Product Design Office. According to Creed, these three new concepts are early permutations in the evolution of the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

"These special editions are the next design and styling exercises based on this vehicle. Earlier this year we showed the GT Cruiser and Panel Cruiser as the first variations and we will continue to create special editions, either with partners such as Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's, or as projects by our own design staff. In addition, we know many owners will customize their PT Cruiser based upon their impression of just what kind of vehicle it is." 

(September 21, 2000)