tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589105760911453392.post2165023364602514137..comments2024-03-28T15:08:55.350-07:00Comments on Art Contrarian: Styling Discontinuities: ChryslerDonald Pittengerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11307228686847434740noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589105760911453392.post-43889535220593583022011-01-05T07:15:07.056-08:002011-01-05T07:15:07.056-08:00derieme -- The first three cars pictured were fron...derieme -- The first three cars pictured were front-wheel drive and the latest one is offered with rear-wheel drive (with 4-wheel drive as an option).<br /><br />The K-car had only a four-cylinder motor. The cab-forward jobs had only V-6s. The recent 300s offered V-6s and the "hemi" V-8 was in the 300C model. I owned the small-block 6 which was peppy enough for most purposes. So far as I know, all engines were aligned front-rear.<br /><br />Styling-wise, the front-drive feature on Chryslers and most other such cars is associated with the considerable front overhang seen in the photos. The "traditional" rear-drive allowed Chrysler stylists to reduce the overhang.<br /><br />Actually, this car was based on early-2000s Mercedes E-series sedans. Not the body, but suspension and other engineering details. Large Mercedes never went front-wheel drive, a feature not suitable for large automobiles.Donald Pittengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11307228686847434740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589105760911453392.post-20377060729214372392011-01-05T04:24:11.605-08:002011-01-05T04:24:11.605-08:00Forgive my ignorance: are these cars rear-wheel dr...Forgive my ignorance: are these cars rear-wheel drive, with fore-and-aft engines, or front-wheel with side-to-side engines?<br /><br />V8 or V6 or something else? And do these questions matter when it comes to appearances?deariemenoreply@blogger.com