2007 Chrysler 300C Hollywood Concept

On display beside Chrysler's three new concepts in Detroit were two customized models that first appeared at SEMA, and somehow escaped previous coverage. The most notable is a thoroughly revamped

300C appropriately dubbed Hollywood. Just like limousines of the '20s, the chauffeur and footman are kept outside to weather the elements, while VIP passengers are ensconced within an interior more fitting to a Maybach than anything wearing the five-pointed star.

The concept shows that the current 300C platform still has legs, at least for tuners. Its full-size dimensions, available Hemi V8, rear-wheel drive architecture, sophisticated fully-independent suspension system and luxury appointments make an excellent platform for customization, although its rather healthy curb weight and current drivetrain options aren't particularly attractive to those looking to save dollars at the pump. Still, good on Chrysler's in-house Mopar Underground design team for showing a little creativity, once again, and in doing so building something that no tuner I know of has thought of yet.

Chrysler considers the Hollywood the ultimate 300, and I'd agree if I wasn't still in love with ASC's fabulous 300C Helios Concept, a four-door convertible that stole the

2005 Detroit auto show despite being buried deep within Cobo Hall's basement stands. In order for this latest 300C concept to achieve its grand stance, it was lengthened 18 inches, and phenomenally styled multi-spoke 22-inch Super Alloy wheels were added for a larger than life look.

Mirroring the Imperial Concept that also boasted rear-hinged back doors, which also mirrored the Rolls-Royce Phantom in rear three-quarter profile, the Hollywood features beautifully detailed door handles that butt up against each other in a mirror image. And speaking of mirrors, the Hollywood's are mirror-finished in front and back thanks to chrome plating. Oddly, the Mopar Underground group didn't take advantage of their namesake parts bin and install a Mopar accessory grille insert, but rather went with the stock egg crate grille. Overall, nothing about the Hollywood's front or rear ends was noticeably changed from

stock to custom. The side profile and what you'll find inside, mind you, are entirely different stories.

With one rear-hinged “suicide” door open, it's easy to see that this is no ordinary 300C. The four saffron leather seats in back get contrasting black piping, in a most traditional high-end luxury car fashion, and like every grad prom limousine ever envisioned, a built-in “bar” with three bottles of cheap champagne and two fluted glasses take center stage. To entertain, twin 15.4-inch LDC screens are integrated into the rear seating area, piping sound through a Harman audio system.

To separate the classes, the Hollywood's staffers drive and ride in an all-charcoal colored front compartment, the leather bucket seats of which feature contrasting saffron stitching. The designers replaced the stock faux woodgrain with some bright trim touches, especially noticeable on the dash, door panels and pulls, as well as piano lacquer black surfaces on the steering wheel, center stack and lower console.

Powering the Hollywood is nothing less than Chrysler's renowned 5.7-liter Hemi V8, the only outwardly visible sign being the twin-chromed exhaust pipes poking out of the rear valance; a “5.7L HEMI” badge would be oh-so gauche on a limousine.

For

practical purposes the Hollywood, or anything remotely resembling it, will never be built, as it was purely meant for the dry confines of the auto show circuit. The late Imperial Concept and associated industry noise about a production version of it or something else wearing the Imperial badge might give some pause that this Hollywood points to a future Chrysler flagship, and while some within the brand would love to return to its glory roots of big mother ships with all-powerful Hemi engines, the stretched 300C fitted with the Walter P. Chrysler Executive Series package, offering mobile office-like amenities, will have to suffice. Chrysler's new more pragmatic owner Cerberus, the current market demand for smaller more efficient entry-level luxury cars, and upcoming 35 mpg CAFE ratings have pretty well quashed any chance of an Imperial arriving soon.

Still, it's fun to ponder on the subject of a larger 300C, something even bigger than the LWB, or long wheelbase model, or better yet an Imperial. That will take profits from other models, of course, because something as frivolous and risky as another full-size Chrysler won't come until the brand's other cars, trucks and SUVs collectively start making money, and that probably won't happen for some time yet.