In regards to the VIN number, I did notice when I bought the Crossfire, the Vin started with 1 instead of W. The first symbol of any Vin number states where the car was built.
W-Germany
1 or 4-USA
2-Canada
3-Mexico

The second symbol states the car manufacturer.
C-Chrysler
D-Mercedes
B-BMW

Not to debate whether the Crossfire is a Mercedes or Chrysler, but just wondering why they put a 1 on the Vin number when it was clearly built in Germany.

I also own a "Dodge" Sprinter, which on the other hand is 100% Mercedes. (Vin number WD...) Designed and built in Dusseldorf Germany, inspected, disassembled, and reassembled in the US with Dodge badges (also made in Germany with Mercedes emblems on back).

The May 2003 edition of car magazine has a article on the Crossfire which I feel sums up the car's orgins...

"Body by Motown, Soul by Mercedes"