Walter P. Chrysler Museum Spotlights Vehicle Customization With Hot Rods and Cool Mods, Oct. 8, 2005 - Aug. 20, 2006

11 Free Admission, Day-Long Activities Mark Oct. 8, 2005 Public Opening

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 3 -- Hot Rods and Cool Mods is roaring into the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich., running October 8, 2005 - August 20, 2006.

A public exhibition opening is slated for 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, featuring free admission and a variety of special activities, including the installation of a new 5.7L HEMI(R) engine into a 1966 Dodge Charger. (Details are outlined in an event advisory following this release.)

This special exhibition features more than two dozen exquisitely crafted, exotic vehicles that showcase the past, present and future of the customization hobby. The collection of hot rods, rat rods, resto-rods, tuners and "blinged" vehicles salutes the Chrysler vehicles and designs that have inspired personalization, as well as the creativity of MOPAR(R) enthusiasts and the many ways they've enhanced their vehicles over the years.

"The success of Chrysler Group Design is rooted in the fact that we are a collection of people who are passionate about vehicles; we are true car fanatics," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Design and chair of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum advisory board. "Our designs exemplify that passion and that of the many MOPAR enthusiasts out there. We have a like mindset leading both groups, enabling us to harness a great deal of creativity."

Spanning more than 70 years, Hot Rods and Cool Mods' impressive array of one-of-a-kind vehicles includes:

  *  1932 Chrysler Coupe small-block-powered street rod
  *  1932 DeSoto HEMI(R)-powered rat rod
  *  The High and Mighty Ramchargers drag car (replica, powered by a 392
     HEMI(R) engine)
  *  1969 AMC George Barris-designed AMX
  *  1970 Road Runner "Hammer" Pro Touring muscle car
  *  2001 PT Cruiser Panel concept
  *  2005 "blinged" Chrysler 300
  *  Numerous MOPAR Speedshop-inspired custom vehicles

"Hot Rods and Cool Mods is a great expression of the passion, enthusiasm and creativity shown by generations of car enthusiasts. These are the people who can't just drive their cars. They have to open the hood and play a little and make it truly theirs," said Chris Cortez, Chrysler Group, Senior Vice President - Global Service and Parts. "The vehicles on display at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum are an impressive collection of vehicles from multiple eras and represent the best in vehicle customization and personalization."

Hot Rods and Cool Mods is the Museum's most ambitious special exhibition to date. It will run nearly a year with continual vehicle changes, creating a virtually new show every few months. Bold, colorful graphics and large, dramatic photographs of enthusiasts working on their vehicles create an energetically artistic backdrop befitting the collection.

The three-story, 55,000-square-foot Walter P. Chrysler Museum highlights DaimlerChrysler's American heritage. Vehicles are interspersed with interactive displays and exhibits to tell the story of the company Walter P. Chrysler founded, and its contributions to automotive design and innovation, as well as the automobile's impact on American culture.

The Museum's 125-seat theater features three continuously running movies including "Speed and Power," which highlights the corporation's performance vehicle breakthroughs. The main level gift shop is brimming with exclusive and hard-to-find collectibles and souvenirs, including Hot Rods and Cool Mods merchandise.

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is located at the corner of Featherstone and Squirrel Roads on DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills complex. It is accessible from I-75 at exit 78 (Chrysler Drive).

The Museum's general admission, which includes Hot Rods and Cool Mods, is $6 for adults and $3 for seniors (62 and older) and children (6 - 12). Children five and under are free. Discounts are available for school and group tours with advance registration.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and noon - 6 p.m. Sunday.

Visit http://www.chryslerheritage.com/ or call 888.456.1924 (U.S. only) or 248.944.0001 for additional information.

  EVENT ADVISORY

  WHAT:     Hot Rods and Cool Mods Exhibition Opening

  WHEN:     10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005

  WHERE:    Walter P. Chrysler Museum (on the DaimlerChrysler Complex in
            Auburn Hills)

  ELEMENTS:
            *  free admission
            *  tours of Hot Rods and Cool Mods, a collection of exquisitely
               crafted, exotic vehicles showcasing the past, present and
               future of the customization hobby

This special exhibition, featuring hot rods, rat rods, resto-rods, tuners and blinged vehicles, spanning more than 70 years, is a salute to the Chrysler vehicles and designs that have inspired enthusiast personalization, as well as the creativity of MOPAR(R) enthusiasts and the many ways they've enhanced their vehicles over the years.

            *  restification of a 1966 Dodge Charger by Oakland University
               PDMC Motorsports students and faculty.  Students will install
               a new 5.7L HEMI(R) crate engine into the Charger, featured in
               the 2003 Tim Burton film, "Big Fish."
            *  skill and knowledge activities and prizes:  Hot Rods and Cool
               Mods electronic trivia game and the Pit Crew Challenge tire
               changing contest
            *  remote radio broadcast featuring KT of WCSX beginning at
               noon, with a special appearance by WCSX's Steve Kostan from
               noon - 2 p.m.
            *  live music by the classic rock group Whack the Mole from
               11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
            *  free MOPAR(R) collector posters
            *  drawings for MOPAR(R) merchandise

  LOCATION: The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is located at the corner of
            Featherstone and Squirrel Roads.  From I-75, take exit 78
            (Chrysler Dr.) and follow the signs.

  INFO:     http://www.chryslerheritage.com/