After some searching I found a contact to Eric Stoddard (for those of you that don't know Eric designed the crossfire). I asked him if he would do a write up about the crossfire and what it meant to him. I also asked if he would share the influences of the design.

This is what he wrote:



Hi Jerid,

Glad to see you're enjoying your Crossfire! That was one of those
unique projects where everything aligned almost magically. Crossfire
started life in fall 1999 as a design proposal for one of the concept
cars for the 2001 Detroit Auto show. That design was selected from
hundreds of designs submitted by the Chrysler design staff. My concept
was to create a grand touring coupe, combining European driving
dynamics with a distinctly American taste as a halo car for the
Chrysler brand. Some of my inspirations include the 1935 Auburn
Boattail Speedster, 1963 Corvette and the 1965-68 Mustang fastback. I
also took a lot of inspiration from Art Deco architecture and
streamline designs from the '30s to the '60's. The original concept
car was designed on a shortened Prowler platform. The decision to
produce the Crossfire on the SLK platform was made shortly after
public debut, and the design was adapted for production.

FYI I visit crossfireforum.org from time to time as "Creator." Drop me
a line sometime!

Keep driving,



Auburn


Stang


vette

 

Jerid, What a coup! Thank you. Thanks to Eric for his timeless design which brings so much driving pleasure and pride of ownership. I hope we can look forward to more contributions from Eric. The interest in this car is world wide as witnessed by this great forum so Eric, when you have time, please tell us more.

 

I'm so glad he still loves the car too. He did a beautiful job. I love my XF, the most fun driving in a very long time.

 

The XF is no doubt a pleasurable experiences when I take this machine out. It don't matter what mood I am in, yet when I take the XF out for a quick spin being twisty mountain roads or fuel station I feel good no wait...fantastic. Ironic as this may seem, I dreaded the fuel pump prices at the local gas station, now its a place of countless compliments from curious folks who stair with that gaze 'look' (you XF owners no what I mean) now the prices don't bother me as much. Irony I say!

Hope we seen the return of the Xf in the future, for now I am keeping this master peace.

 

As they say "TIMELESS".

 

I have always loved the spine that runs the length of the Crossfire as well as through the interior, and there it is on the Stingray.

 

Even after reading about the car's inspirations there is nothing like a Crossfire. It's one of a kind.

 

I am really thankful to Eric for creating this awesome car. I loved the XF when I saw the concept and REALLY loved them when I first saw the coupes in the fall of 2003. I love my modern classic & really can't get enough of my babies!

Thanks Eric!!

 

The first time I saw the Cross I immediately 'saw" the Auburn, one of my favorite cars of all time. The long hood even the lights of the Auburn reminded me of the design incorporation into the Cross. the drop back, I see it actually more in the coupe than I do in the roadster, but really the same. it truly is a classic design that only soem realize now.

 

Your comment shook loose a memory for me. The first time I saw it I thought Cord Cabriolet. Not so much a specific line or part but more of an overall feel for the car.

 

It's good that he still will keep in touch!

 

What a great little read from the CREATOR, hope there is more to come, when i first saw one in Melbourne Australia in May 2004, i made my mind up that i had to have one...... it took me till 2010, but i will NEVER sell it, my family will have to work it out after I go to Crossfire heaven Its sexy, incredible fun to drive, and the looks from everybody makes me feel very lucky to own one, and soon I will be adding a SRT6 roadster to the garage as well, can't wait!!!

Exocet

 

This is fascinating info and a wonderful story. Thank you! Alicia

 

inspired by Exocet's reply,

My first 'in the wild' Crossfire sighting was when I was moving into college and it was on the street below.

I made a promise to myself that day I would own a Crossfire as an attainable dream car.

And it has remained in my Top 3 cars list.

 

@ Alicia- Your very welcome and it was a pretty easy task for such interesting information may Eric Stoddard die a king!!

@ Andy- I wasn't even close to college when i saw the concept car and I fell in love! I wish the first design would have stuck but I'm so glad it didn't!!! The cost of it would have been way out of reach for me at this age!! When I laid eyes on it I looked at my dad and said I will own that car one day! He smiled and said save your pennies! 5 years later a dream come true!

 

It interesting that he places the first generation Mustangs in the list for his inspiration, but now that it's been mentioned, I see some resemblance.

On the topic of first Crossfire sightings, I went with my mom to the post office one day in 2004 (I must have been about 9), and asked her what it was and she didn't know, so I got out and went to read the name off the car. Love at first sight. So now I'm almost 17 and have my dream car. Couldn't be happier with my 2004 SSB.

 

chrysler crossfire concept car - Bing Images

I am having a hard time finding quality car to trade Xfire with, I am keeping it for its life

 

Thanks so much for posting this. I love the insight into the inspiration for the Crossfire.

 

That makes sense.. I've always loved mustang fastbacks and the 63 vette is my favorite design of all time.

 

Looking at those Bing images, what do I see but our own Li'l KimPossible in the yellow roadster! LOL! Man I am soooo sorry that the Firepower didn't make it.