Filed under: Car Buying, Minivans/MPVs, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, LLC., Humor
Dealer Advertising Fun: Chrysler 300C/Town & Country mashup
Click image to see the dealer ad
"Truth-enhanced" car dealer advertising is nothing new. After all, how many times have you seen a newspaper ad for a special on, say, a base model, when the accompanying image shows a fully-optioned, range-topping version of the car instead? It's your job to read the fine print and stay informed so that you're not disappointed by the crank-window special the salesman presents when you get there.
To that end, we'd like to offer a helping hand to potential customers of Lynnfield, MA's Kelly Jeep. If you visit their website and click on "New Vehicle Specials" (under New Vehicles), you'll find a listing for an '08 Chrysler Town & Country. Okay, fine -- but the image that's paired with the listing is the one above. It's the Photoshop love child of the Euro-spec 300C Touring and a Town & Country. In fact, it doesn't look half bad with the 300's front end, big wheels, and flared fenders. One might even be tempted to ask, "Damn, that thing got a Hemi?" Whatever the case, it's more appealing than the blandtacular actual Chrysler Town & Country, which is what the nice man at the dealership will be happy to show you. We understand that the car in the photo above is hidden away in a barn where the owner also keeps a stable of unicorns. Thanks to Koko for the tip (and the laugh).
[Source: Kelly Jeep]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joey Mazz 7:38PM (11/11/2008)
Very nice, if Chrysler still exists in a couple years they should consider this for their next minivan re-design. throw in the hemi as well and I'd actually consider driving one... although I don't have a wife, kids or any real reason to own one.
Reply
AZZO45b 1:55AM (11/12/2008)
AutoBlog: Don't encourage Dumb Photoshop Activities!
Kotse 11:33AM (11/12/2008)
"We understand that the car in the photo above is hidden away in a barn where the owner also keeps a stable of unicorns..."
But not for long, if I cut and use the stock# 3875 coupon though...
Isuzu32 7:38PM (11/11/2008)
If I didn't read the article I would have thought Chrysler was selling the Dodge Journey.
Reply
The Luigiian 7:40PM (11/11/2008)
Body of a Chrysler T&C, nose of a Chrysler 300C...
...And what appears to be the rear end of a stretched-out Dodge Magnum.
Reply
The Luigiian 7:43PM (11/11/2008)
Oh, wait, it's the rear of the 300C Touring. OK, now I get it.
*facepalm*
P.V. 7:45PM (11/11/2008)
The entire thing looks too squeezed together, and that's what's ruining the whole look. I wish the T&C had the 300 front end; it looks a whole lot classier, IMO.
Reply
Kitko 7:59PM (11/11/2008)
Most cars on that page look big stretched upwards, this is what happens when you try to squeeze a 640x480 picture into 600x480.
But "that" car is a joke :-)
samgross144 7:50PM (11/11/2008)
It's not even a T&C not one bit. Look closely, it's just a vertically-streched, horizontally-compressed 300C touring with some not-so-subtle use of the blend tool (to cover up the old door handle) and the cut-and-paste tool (to move the door handle. Why anyone would spend their time on turning a cool-looking wagon into an ugly minivan is beyond me.
Reply
Andy 8:21PM (11/11/2008)
They also removed the roof rail and straightened the C-pillar. Look at the license plate, it's even the same picture of the 300 Touring with the background removed.
Torrent 8:07PM (11/11/2008)
It doesn't look right. It's way too stubby.
I think the original T&C is actually really nice.
Reply
happy_penguin 9:07PM (11/11/2008)
I live near Chrysler headquarters and I see a lot of those T&C minivans on the road around here. They really look nice and I actually wouldn't be embarrassed to drive one.
happy_penguin 9:07PM (11/11/2008)
But yeah that mashup is total balls. ICK!
CJ 8:19PM (11/11/2008)
Further proof that not only is Chrysler to blame for their downfall, but their dealers are as well. Do they think people will see this, think it's real, come to the dealership looking for it, then settle for a T&C when they realize it's not???
Or maybe the guy maintaining the website realizes his job may not last much longer and is just having some fun.
Reply
AMcA 8:21PM (11/11/2008)
Looks great.
Too bad it's WAY TOO LATE.
R.I.P. Chrysler.
Reply
Torrent 9:16PM (11/11/2008)
Chrysler is going to live. I have faith in them.
And I don't even like Chrysler.
Soccer Mom 8:48PM (11/11/2008)
Mind you, the above image (not the squeezed version, but a nice, professional and proportional photoshop) circulated the Internet two years before Chrysler released its hideousness. Even if they had no design by that time, they still could have taken this image as a base and build a nice-looking vehicle.
Stupid management = bad decision = Chapter 11
Reply
gdfogjgj 10:05PM (11/11/2008)
This van actually looks good, the new one however looks like they didn't kow what to do - i.e. take NO chances. Thus we're stuck with that weird, looks like a different designer handled each side, mess.
As for chrysler as a hole, their problem was they focused too much on the exterior - 300, and used the cheapest plastics known to man on the interior. That and they had nothing to follow up the few hits they had! The next thing after the 300s was the pacifica - nice name, and the avenger and that sebring. Add in the aspen and we knew where this ship was headed. They were a one hit wonder.
We really can blame mercedes BTW, they ran it down. Look at their contributions, the new wrangler? Looks good, but moving it up from a $13,500 vehicle to a $21,000 vehicle destroyed there sales. And the crossfire, here have an old mercedes chassis and try to do something with that. They never were serious. Leave it to some germans to screw something up. (even if its not there fault I can play the blame "Bush game." Like Bush, just blame mercedes for EVERYTHING.) lol
Reply
Jaosn 11:33PM (11/11/2008)
The Pacifica came before the 300...
Frylock350 9:21AM (11/12/2008)
Pacifica came well before 300 and was way ahead of its time. Nearly every manufacturer has a copycat vehicle now.