The speed lines, strakes, groves, ribs, indentions, whatever, could be filled if someone wanted rid of them. i like my hood just the way it is, but if I was getting rid of them I would have the hood stripped and filled with lead filler. I wouldn't trust that much bondo on something that get slammed shut.

As far a overall looks go. I love the look of the car but am not happy to see the front of my car looking like a minivan. I can understand some corporate branding, but Chevrolet never felt compelled to make the Corvette look like an Astrovan.

 

I would not do lead, but I would use 'Lab Metal'... it's a aluminum based body filler and can be machined after it cures, so I'm betting it would be just fine on a panel that gets 'slammed' (although I don't slam mine)...

 

Interesting looking stuff. Epoxy based like JB Weld. If it was filling the hood and I am not, I would still use the lead based filler that the automakers have been using to put bodies together forever.

 

I prefer the speed lines. So what if they copied it for the Sebring and Pacifica? It still adds to the looks of the xfire and helps to add to it's long hood that other two seaters don't do.

 

Steve, some people have a home library filled with the Great Classics. I've got my bookshelves filled with old car magazines.

Calling them "Speed Lines" works for me. Especially since I don't have them anymore. (not that there's anything "wrong" with having them.)

 

The ribbed hood is part of the design of the crossfire. Lets say you see a new sebring part next to a crossfire but the hood not rib on your crossfire, hmmm ya would say why didn't they do that to the crossfire. So what would you rather be driving Sebring or Crossfire think this is a no brainer.

 

Just got my fall/winter Chrysler magazine. For the 2008 lineup the Xfire, Aspen, Pacifica and Sebring all have them. Not sure if they all had them in '07, excluding the Xfire, I don't notice any of them, but that is four out of seven models. Is this the future of all Chryslers? IMHO they would look best on the three excluded models...PT, 300, T&C. Probably see them soon on the Ram, Charger and Viper.

 

To each his own, from my view the hood strakes are the least attractive aspect of the car...kinda look like a dish drainer.

I love the styling from the A pillar back. A pillar forward I think the styling is fairly mundane overall.

 

I was thinking more along the lines of the 350Z, G35, Altima and Maxima all kinda looking alike...

 

One of my concerns with the ribbed hood is that it may make the car look dated in a few years.
I think vehicles like the latest Mustangs and Caddies will look dated in a few years - I know that their styling is more fashionable/chic/in vogue etc. so it will definitely date.
I think the rib in the center would look out of place on it's own without the grooves, and the lack of grooves would leave a large expanse of very plain looking metal.
Until that day, I like it - and on a day like this I can watch the rain shoot up the grooves when I'm moving - it's real purdy!!!

 

I would probably have a lot of old car magazines if it was not for my jobs in the past, I've been a car nut all my life. Most of my jobs in the past was 6 and 7 day's or nights a week, 70 to 100 hours a week. At the age of 30 I was working 6 day's a week (60 to 70 hours) and going to school at night, that lasted about 3 years. I just never had the time for much hobby type stuff & reading. Not to change the subject, but have you noticed that the Crossfire sheet metal seems to be a lot thicker than american built cars? I got caught in a hail storm (about quarter size) in my '04 coupe a few years ago, when I got home I figured there would be little dents all over the place. But to my surprise there was not one dent.

 

The hood "Grooves" give the Crossfire character. Without the "grooves" it will be just another plain hood. The only good reason to lose the grooves is to install an original AMX Hood Scoop. ... And keep the original hood just in case.

 

All cars look "dated" after a few years. That's the key to good automotive marketing. You buy to keep up with style.

I fell in love with the looks of the Crossfire at the auto show in 2004 and now have two. I like them stock, including the strakes. But I have no issue with anyone who enjoys modifying (read individualizing) their own. But remember the best sellers at Barrett-Jackson are all OEM. See you there in 30 years.

 

Buy a ford!

 

They do give it character... but the questions is; WHAT character lol

I've decided to replace the grille first and then see if the lines still bug me. I think it's more the grille than the lines. Interesting to see how many different people feel different ways about something we all love.

Thank you to those of you who did some photoshop work and otherwise provided excellent food for thought. I hadn't considered WHAT to fill the lines in with. I guess I'll have to just talk to the body shop I found and see what they say, if it comes to that.

I have also been wondering... if I'm going to go have THOSE filled in, what about also filling in the chrysler wing badges on the front and rear? I wonder how that would look? Hmmmmmm

 

Someone with a black SRT6 Roadster filled in the back wing emblem. There are pics on the forum somewhere.

 

See the pix on this thread, particularly posts #1 and #14. Definitely a sinister look.

 

OK Guys, here's the real deal. I have 2006 Crossfire brochure that say's, and I quote " See a hood influenced by the sleek designs of America's early 20th. century locomotives."

Thats why I really bought the car. I wanted to believe that I was driving a locomotive. Wouldn't it be cool if the whole rest of the car looked like a locomotive? I'm sure you would be the envy of all of your friends and relatives.

Just think of the amazed owners of other cars when a locomotive blows their doors off.