Crossfire article published in OLD AUTOS magazine
Crossfire article published in OLD AUTOS magazine
It all began on the way to the "Tail of the Dragon" meet......
An encounter with a freelance writer and photographer on the way to the Dragon........
Canadian resident Paul Jordan pulled off I-75 in Tennessee along with us
while our Crossfire convoy from up north was traveling down to the Dragon.
He took a lot of pics and is putting together a story about our Crossfires and our forum in a AUTO magazine.
It will also tell the story of the Dragon meets we have every spring and fall.
Here's the full unedited story that was written and submitted to the publisher.....
I was on the second hour of the second day of my Oshawa to Tampa, Fla drive, Friday, Oct. 31. Good weather ahead, a fairly empty interstate (I-75) and I anticipated a 'good driving' day. Suddenly one of 'those' magical moments arrives in the 'guise' of one little, beautiful Chrysler Crossfire passing by.
Amazement as a 'second' Crossfire blows by!!! What's the chance of that? Two! These darn things are pretty 'rare'! By the time the forth Crossfire passed I knew 'something' was up. Happily, I 'fell' in behind the 9th Crossfire and increased speed to 'keep up'. I fired up the cannon digital camera and patiently waited for something to happen.
We were all rolling through the end of Kentucky and entering Tennessee (darn that would have been a 'good shot' of the state 'welcome sign'). With too much to do, balancing C.D.'s, camera, a 'curvy interstate, and a 'full' bladder of coffee, I realized I better do something as I-40 was soon coming up and not 'everyone' is heading to Florida. I passed by the last two Crossfires waving from the left lane. No recognition. Bless the young, a couple in the forth Crossfire up rolled down their window and I yelled 'I write for a Magazine and would like to talk'!). The ole walkie-talkies did 'their thing' and we, as a group pulled over. Fortunately, this was in a desolate area with the exception of a 'new' overpass.
I do tend to 'get excited' and ran from car to car like a nut explaining and meeting everyone. Happily, from doing 9 Hot Rod Power Tours I recognized a 'perfect' spot' for photos and all the Crossfires parked on top of the overpass, cross-ways with the Smokey Mountains as 'back-ground'. Hoods were opened, closed, owners stood with their cars, and 'group' shots were taken. Email addresses were 'exchanged' as were business cards (hey, Murray, how about some?) and phone numbers. They explained that their destination was 'Tail of the Dragon', in Fontana Dam , North Carolina, an amazing 318 curves in a 11 mile 'stretch' where enthusiastic drivers 'go Nuts'. Unfortunately, a few die every year!
This group explained some of the quirks of the Crossfire. I found it interesting that Chrysler dealers usually don't like them because of the Mercedes influence and Mercedes the same because of the Chrysler involvement. Many mechanics 'shy' away from them because of the highly technical mechanics and customers 'stay away' because of identity 'indecision'. This is a design that is 'in your face'...one that is either 'loved or hated! Of course, I 'Love' them!
Any-one interested, Website: WWW.crossfireforum.org
The 'beauty' of these clubs is the 'shared' knowledge and information (and most important, PASSION!!). With the availability of this, one could purchase a Crossfire (which are 'inexpensive' compared to 'what one gets') with-out worry.
Chrysler Crossfire is a rear wheel drive sports car marketed as both a coupe and a roadster. Debuting in 2004 it is built for Chrysler by Karmann at Osnabruck, Germany. It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz sourced 215 bhp (@5700 r.p.m.) 3.2 litre V6. The top speed is 155 MPH....
electronically limited! 0 to 62 M.P.H. in 6.5 sec.s with 27.2 M.P.G.! (gas tank is 15.9 U.S. gallons). Not enough?
Need more? The SRT-6 option is a supercharged 3.2 liter V6 pushing 330 H.P.! Good God, gramma, hang onto your scarf !!!
The last Crossfire was produced in December 2007. Due to slow sales the MSRP has dropped significantly. Go in with 'cash' and tell them I sent you and receive a free hat!
The Platform is shared with the Mercedes SLK and the transmission is either a 6 speed manual (my choice!) or a 5 speed autostick. The front wheels are 18 inch and the rears are 19 inch, all on excellent looking aluminum 'mags'. Visibility is restricted and the ride is a bit harsh. The steering wheel 'intrudes' on the tummy but then again, try a '61 Corvette for days at a time! My dogs would also complain about the lack of interior 'room' but as long as they are going 'somewhere' they really don't care.
I'm including my Photos, they are self-explanatory.
Paul Jordan.
UPDATE JUST RECEIVED TODAY
Hey, Gary!
I just received my issue of 'Old Autos' today and guess what!!! They used the 'Crossfire' piece!!!
The only disappointment is that they didn't include your Crossfire website address for our Canadian Crossfire owners.
I'm going to include it in the 'letters' section for the next issue.
I know I included it in the copy I sent them so they must have edited it out.
I think that was very unfortunate as that address was very important for anyone thinking of joining your forum.
Gary, what usually happens is that in a couple of weeks, three issues will come in the mail.
I am going to send you one of those issues.
Again, I will send the www.Crossfireforum.org address to them to publish next issue, out in three weeks.
I'm really hoping that you will get a few Canadian owners to join your forum.
Clubs always add much enjoyment to ownership of any vehicle. I'll be in touch,
Paul-
More here
An encounter with a freelance writer and photographer on the way to the Dragon........
Canadian resident Paul Jordan pulled off I-75 in Tennessee along with us
while our Crossfire convoy from up north was traveling down to the Dragon.
He took a lot of pics and is putting together a story about our Crossfires and our forum in a AUTO magazine.
It will also tell the story of the Dragon meets we have every spring and fall.
Here's the full unedited story that was written and submitted to the publisher.....
I was on the second hour of the second day of my Oshawa to Tampa, Fla drive, Friday, Oct. 31. Good weather ahead, a fairly empty interstate (I-75) and I anticipated a 'good driving' day. Suddenly one of 'those' magical moments arrives in the 'guise' of one little, beautiful Chrysler Crossfire passing by.
Amazement as a 'second' Crossfire blows by!!! What's the chance of that? Two! These darn things are pretty 'rare'! By the time the forth Crossfire passed I knew 'something' was up. Happily, I 'fell' in behind the 9th Crossfire and increased speed to 'keep up'. I fired up the cannon digital camera and patiently waited for something to happen.
We were all rolling through the end of Kentucky and entering Tennessee (darn that would have been a 'good shot' of the state 'welcome sign'). With too much to do, balancing C.D.'s, camera, a 'curvy interstate, and a 'full' bladder of coffee, I realized I better do something as I-40 was soon coming up and not 'everyone' is heading to Florida. I passed by the last two Crossfires waving from the left lane. No recognition. Bless the young, a couple in the forth Crossfire up rolled down their window and I yelled 'I write for a Magazine and would like to talk'!). The ole walkie-talkies did 'their thing' and we, as a group pulled over. Fortunately, this was in a desolate area with the exception of a 'new' overpass.
I do tend to 'get excited' and ran from car to car like a nut explaining and meeting everyone. Happily, from doing 9 Hot Rod Power Tours I recognized a 'perfect' spot' for photos and all the Crossfires parked on top of the overpass, cross-ways with the Smokey Mountains as 'back-ground'. Hoods were opened, closed, owners stood with their cars, and 'group' shots were taken. Email addresses were 'exchanged' as were business cards (hey, Murray, how about some?) and phone numbers. They explained that their destination was 'Tail of the Dragon', in Fontana Dam , North Carolina, an amazing 318 curves in a 11 mile 'stretch' where enthusiastic drivers 'go Nuts'. Unfortunately, a few die every year!
This group explained some of the quirks of the Crossfire. I found it interesting that Chrysler dealers usually don't like them because of the Mercedes influence and Mercedes the same because of the Chrysler involvement. Many mechanics 'shy' away from them because of the highly technical mechanics and customers 'stay away' because of identity 'indecision'. This is a design that is 'in your face'...one that is either 'loved or hated! Of course, I 'Love' them!
Any-one interested, Website: WWW.crossfireforum.org
The 'beauty' of these clubs is the 'shared' knowledge and information (and most important, PASSION!!). With the availability of this, one could purchase a Crossfire (which are 'inexpensive' compared to 'what one gets') with-out worry.
Chrysler Crossfire is a rear wheel drive sports car marketed as both a coupe and a roadster. Debuting in 2004 it is built for Chrysler by Karmann at Osnabruck, Germany. It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz sourced 215 bhp (@5700 r.p.m.) 3.2 litre V6. The top speed is 155 MPH....
electronically limited! 0 to 62 M.P.H. in 6.5 sec.s with 27.2 M.P.G.! (gas tank is 15.9 U.S. gallons). Not enough?
Need more? The SRT-6 option is a supercharged 3.2 liter V6 pushing 330 H.P.! Good God, gramma, hang onto your scarf !!!The last Crossfire was produced in December 2007. Due to slow sales the MSRP has dropped significantly. Go in with 'cash' and tell them I sent you and receive a free hat!
The Platform is shared with the Mercedes SLK and the transmission is either a 6 speed manual (my choice!) or a 5 speed autostick. The front wheels are 18 inch and the rears are 19 inch, all on excellent looking aluminum 'mags'. Visibility is restricted and the ride is a bit harsh. The steering wheel 'intrudes' on the tummy but then again, try a '61 Corvette for days at a time! My dogs would also complain about the lack of interior 'room' but as long as they are going 'somewhere' they really don't care.
I'm including my Photos, they are self-explanatory.
Paul Jordan.
UPDATE JUST RECEIVED TODAY
Hey, Gary!
I just received my issue of 'Old Autos' today and guess what!!! They used the 'Crossfire' piece!!!
The only disappointment is that they didn't include your Crossfire website address for our Canadian Crossfire owners.
I'm going to include it in the 'letters' section for the next issue.
I know I included it in the copy I sent them so they must have edited it out.
I think that was very unfortunate as that address was very important for anyone thinking of joining your forum.
Gary, what usually happens is that in a couple of weeks, three issues will come in the mail.
I am going to send you one of those issues.
Again, I will send the www.Crossfireforum.org address to them to publish next issue, out in three weeks.
I'm really hoping that you will get a few Canadian owners to join your forum.
Clubs always add much enjoyment to ownership of any vehicle. I'll be in touch,
Paul-
More here
Last edited by Valk; 09-10-2017 at 03:47 PM.
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Re: Our Crossfire story was published !!!
Originally Posted by VALKRYDERGUY
To all who want a copy ...
I will be in contact with the writer "Paul Jordan"
and find out what my options are for getting copies and how much and how many.
I will post the info once it is available.
I will be in contact with the writer "Paul Jordan"
and find out what my options are for getting copies and how much and how many.
I will post the info once it is available.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dallas, the Republic of Texas
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Re: Our Crossfire story was published !!!
With permission from Old Autos Magazine and writer Paul Jordan
we now have the edited version of the story as it was printed on the home page of CICCI....Crossfire Tale Retold: Fall Tail of The Dragon 2008
Last edited by Valk; 03-01-2015 at 11:45 PM.
