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Pronto |
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Pronto Cruizer |
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California Cruiser |
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GT |
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PT Pickup: |
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PT Panel Van: |
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PT Wagon: |
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4x4 Cruiser: |
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Big Sky All Wheel Drive: |
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Super Cruiser Concept: |
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PT Coupe Concept: |
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The Pteazer Roadster |
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lThe Pteazer Euro Sport Cruiser |
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Ron Jon Edition |
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Building the PT Cruiser |
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| CAR NEWS PT Cruiser designer is a reluctant celebrity. Published Date: 12/10/00: Bryan Nesbitt, lead designer of the smash hit Chrysler PT Cruiser, we hear you're a rock star. "Really?'' Nesbitt chuckles nervously, "I wouldn't say that.'' Nesbitt has just gone over the philosophy behind the car by pointing to styling features on his personal black Limited Edition (with the badges removed) five-speed Cruiser, customized with Eibach springs, 18-inch wheels and tires, and a Billabonic sticker on its rear window. (It's leased--he has to return it in original condition.) "People who buy entry-level cars shouldn't have to drive cars that look entry-level", Nesbitt says. He's been there. "I had just graduated from the Art Center College of Design in California in 1993 with lots of debt, my friends got jobs at Ford and Audi, but I couldn't get a job... it was a huge disappointment.'' He was working as a telemarketer in Phoenix when GM and Chrysler finally called. GM wasn't interested in hiring him, but his meeting with Chrysler "went really well.'' Two years later he was drawing the PT Cruiser. Now he gets more attention than he wants. More and more car designers are becoming celebrities, and their employers are happy to help. When a PR guy says that people at a presentation in Milan, Italy, asked to take Nesbitt's photo in front of the car, the designer just laughs and refuses to confirm the story. Well then, if you're not a rock star we ask, at least you get all the backstage passes you want, right? He points to the leased PT Cruiser and says: " I'm just hoping I can buy one of these.'' |
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