The first (and only) NEW car I ever bought was a PT Cruiser. They had just come out and I had to wait almost 8 months before it arrived. At the time you may recall they were considered to be one of the most innovatively styled vehicles produced. Chrysler initially couldn't keep up with the demand. The PT was never marketed as a performance car. Chrysler had more or less come up with a mini minivan with fold down/removable seating that could comfortably seat 4 (5 was tight) and could double as a cargo hauler. The size made it easy to park and maneuver traffic. But it was the retro-styling that excited folks the most.
Although there are very few people today that would herald the PT as one of Chrysler's finest, it is an example of both risk taking and innovation by Ma Mopar.
The Prowler was another foray into untested waters that Chrysler took. Although it wasn't marketed as heavily as the PT Cruiser it is a car that I doubt anyone else would have tried to put into production.
The Viper is unobtainable by those with working class pocket books, but few would deny that it's in the class of supercar.
The naysayers out there are quick to point out the lack of competitiveness in the ponycar market but they neglect to acknowledge the real reason Mopars are near and dear to us. Innovation. Chrysler has dared to be different. They aren't known for stealing designs from Ford and GM.
Although NASH had produced the first unibody car clear back in 1941, they had never been mass produced until 1960 when Chrysler began doing it. Today we see that everyone else has followed. In 1984 Chrysler was the first U.S. car manufacturer to successfully market a minivan. It didn't take long for Ford and GM again to follow suit.
And it wasn't long after the PT was released when GM copied them with the HHR. Soon after that Ford decided to make their retro Thunderbird.
Most folks don't realize how many things that became common first came from Chrysler. They were the first to have:
Sealed beam headlights
Electric windshield wipers
All-electric window lifts
Built-in defroster vents
Resistor spark plugs, standard, to avoid radio interference
Two-speed windshield wipers
Padded dashboard
Ignition-key starting (instead of turning the key and pressing a button)
Tailgate window washer
Functional hood air scoop
first to have alternators standard in a civilian car
Four wheel antilock brakes
they were the first to install Electronic ignition in all of their cars in 1973
Cruise control
And these are just a few examples.
Would I still like to see them produce a kick *** ponycar? Hell YA!!