LOL.


You are close on many things. But I believe the impetus for marketing the Crossfire came from Daimler.


The "basic body design" as you call it was the award winning Stoddard concept car I believe from 2000. Getting that design on a chassis in production within three years meant adapting a lot from existing technology and production lines.

Chrysler built 10 SLK 320's back in the early nineties with tilt wheels as a production test model. It had nothing to do with the Crossfire but clearly such an amendment was possible. But, except for Stoddard's Concept design, Chrysler designers seemed to have had little to do with the Crossfire project.


While the sticker may claim 84% Daimler parts, nothing in the car came from Chrysler.


As for Karman, they had always built the 320 slk so it was logical they got to build the Crossfire. Chrysler had no US lines even close to that platform.


The interior is straight out of the 320 yes. But Benz has never had an inspired interior. Always Spartan. Heck, I don't believe they put a cup holder in most of their cars until post 2002.


As for engines, the c32 was logical as it had always been there, along with the rest of the drive train. Components Benz still uses today. However, the electronics and engine management are not archaic. In fact, while not leading edge, were fairly modern for the times.


Suspension was also upgraded from the 320SLk. I have driven the 320SLK and the Crossie is much better handling.


Eric Stoddard tells it better. I too wish he would relate the story again.