Classic Car Auction To Aid Chrysler Museum

Two years ago the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation, with just 70 cars and six full-time employees at the time, switched to non-profit status and asked Chrysler dealers for $5,000 donations to assist with expenses. We aren't sure what's transpired in the interim, but whatever it was doesn't appear to have done the trick. It is now being reported that the museum will auction 20 of its vehicles in order to help its own bottom line, and they'll go on the block during the Classic Car Auction of Michigan, overseen by RM Auctions.

Chrysler, Dealerships Resolve Spat

Chrysler Group LLC said North Carolina has dropped a statute giving closed-down car dealers the right to hold their inventory rather than sell their vehicles to dealerships that remain open.

The change comes as three Florida dealers are preparing to plead their cases in separate arbitration hearings Tuesday. The dealers want the chance to rejoin the auto maker's network.

Chrysler closed 789 dealerships last year as part of its bankruptcy and agreement to merge its assets with Fiat SpA. The move—backed by the Obama administration—set off a state and federal backlash after dealers expressed outrage to their representatives and legislators.

North Carolina, along with Illinois, Maine and Oregon, enacted statutes in an attempt to override the bankruptcy laws giving the remaining dealers the opportunity to buy vehicles and brands from the closed dealers. Federal legislators also mandated Chrysler allow its closed dealers a chance to rejoin the network through arbitration.

Chrysler sued North Carolina, Maine, Illinois and Oregon arguing that the statutes interfered with the bankruptcy court sale process and federal law.

The state law said the closed dealers could release their inventory only if Chrysler paid the dealer the value of their former dealerships or filed an action showing the dealers were unfit.

"Chrysler Group is pleased to reach an amicable resolution to our issues," the company said Monday. "Such state dealer laws grant rejected dealers specific statutory rights previously afforded only to existing dealers, and are preempted in accordance with the bankruptcy court's prior rulings."

Chrysler Reveals 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Final Edition

The Dodge Viper is ending its second-generation run this year with plenty of special edition models. From the Viper ACR-X to the 1.33 Edition and Voodoo version, there seems to be no shortage of special snakes to stash in your garage. Today, Chrysler pulled the wraps off one more: the Viper SRT10 Final Edition, which will be available in a production run of just 50 examples.

Dubbed the Viper SRT10 Final Edition, this snake is available in Coupe, Roadster, and ACR (American Club Racer) versions and livens up the standard Viper appearance with a Graphite Clear Coat body color with a painted black center stripe with a red outline. A black windshield surround, Final Edition side sill badges, and six-spoke Anthracite wheels (black Sidewinder wheels on the ACR versions) round out the exterior changes.

Inside, a black interior is given red accent stitching, while red painted halo surrounds are found on the gauge panel and stainless steel screws are used in the center stack bezel. Final Edition floor mats and a numbered dash plaque complete the interior package.

Chrysler Sebring

Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger to get a new lease on life
The Chrysler Sebring is expected to get an extensive facelift in 2011. The Sebring and its sibling sedan, the Dodge Avenger, had been destined to die.

With Fiat-based replacements still at least two years away, the Chrysler Group has delayed plans to kill its slow-selling Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger, sources say. The two sedans were all but left for dead by previous owner Cerberus Capital Management. Now insiders say Chrysler intends to freshen the cars and keep them on the market until late 2012. Under Cerberus Capital Management, Chrysler had planned to close, at the end of 2010, the Sterling Heights, Mich., factory where the cars are built. Sources say the shutdown could be delayed by up to two years, but the sedans could be shifted to another Chrysler

Return Your 2010 Chrysler Minivan

2010 Chrysler Minivan

Chrysler says: Don't like your new 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan (pictured)? Bring it back in 60 days, no questions asked.