---
title: "Some Mastermind Swapped a Viper V-10 Into a Chrysler PT Cruiser"
description: "Did we mention it's also a ute?"
date: "2018-10-08"
modified: "2018-10-08"
authors:
  - name: "Eric Brandt"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/eric-brandt"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/24104/some-mastermind-swapped-a-viper-v-10-into-a-chrysler-pt-cruiser"
categories:
  - "Builds"
  - "Chrysler News"
  - "Culture"
  - "For Sale"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "chrylser pt cruiser"
  - "Chrysler"
  - "Dodge Viper"
  - "Engine Swap"
  - "ute"
  - "V-10"
  - "Viper"
---

# Some Mastermind Swapped a Viper V-10 Into a Chrysler PT Cruiser

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/10/pt-cruiser-v10-2.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

In [a listing that is unfortunately no longer on eBay](<https://www.ebay.com/itm/250830950694?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a66b09126#ht_500wt_1182>) at the time of this writing, an unsuspectingly exciting [Chrysler PT Cruiser](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/17420/why-the-chrysler-pt-cruiser-is-a-future-classic>) surfaced for sale. Chrysler’s weird-looking and strangely popular Dodge Neon-based hatchback of the 2000s wasn’t known for its performance, although the turbocharged GT models were actually pretty quick. But you know what’s even better than a 230 horsepower turbo-four? A 450 hp [V-10](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/14992/this-1962-chrysler-300-rat-rod-has-a-viper-v-10-under-its-rusty-hood>), which is what lies under the hood of the PT Cruiser in question.

![message-editor%2F1539018989466-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1539018989466-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-2.jpg>)
*eBay Motors*

![message-editor%2F1539019003515-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1539019003515-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-3.jpg>)
*eBay Motors*

![message-editor%2F1539019012184-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1539019012184-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-1.jpg>)
*eBay Motors*

![message-editor%2F1539019019864-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1539019019864-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-4.jpg>)
*eBay Motors*

![message-editor%2F1539019028527-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-5.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1539019028527-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-5.jpg>)
*eBay Motors*

![message-editor%2F1539019037383-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-6.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1539019037383-chrysler-pt10-cruiser-viper-6.jpg>)
*eBay Motors*

From what we’ve gathered, this muscle car...truck...thing was built in 2000, the first production year for the PT Cruiser. A 2000 Dodge Viper would have been a second-gen model with the 8.0-liter [V-10](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/17292/this-jeep-wrangler-has-viper-srt-10-power>) and that’s the engine that appears to be powering this PT Cruiser. It looks like it also shares the Viper’s BorgWarner T56 six-speed manual transmission, steering rack, and rear suspension. Thankfully, a rear-wheel-drive conversion happens to send all of that power to the rear wheels. Imagine the torque steer in a 450 hp FWD PT Cruiser.

But the weirdness is far from over. This thing has also been converted from a hatchback into a two-seater pickup truck. This body conversion actually looks surprisingly clean with a sort of bubble rear windshield and a bed with a tonneau cover. Other aesthetic modifications include a blue and silver two-tone paint job, a different front fascia, BBS wheels, and in classic Viper fashion, side pipes for the exhaust. Watch your legs when you’re getting out.

According to [*TopSpeed*](<https://www.topspeed.com/cars/chrysler/2000-chrysler-pt-cruiser-with-viper-rt-10-engine-ar110888.html>), the bidding went as high as $13,100 on eBay, but sadly, we don’t know if it sold or if it never met its reserve. $13,100 is an expensive PT Cruiser, but a screaming bargain for anything powered by a [Viper’s V-10](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/14740/this-bmw-m3-e46-is-packing-a-viper-v-10>). Yes—even a cutesy econocar.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/brandt004>)