Chrysler Chops a Cruiser; PT Cruiser Convertible concept is ready for production.

Isn't it about time somebody popped the PT's top?

After all, it's been four years since Chrysler revealed its segment-busting PT Cruiser concept to an adoring public, two years since the production five-door bowed and more than a year since PTs began turning heads on America's highways.

Chrysler finally does the deed at the New York Auto Show, open to the public this week, with the PT Cruiser Convertible-the first-ever ragtop version of its retro-stylish aftermarket darling. Believe it or not, among the hundreds of modified PT Cruisers on the road (some 20 versions showed up at last year's Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas), none has been a drop-top.

``I wanted to be the first,'' says Trevor Creed, Chrysler senior vice president for design. ``And I wanted to do it properly.''

This one, finished in a deep shadow-blue pearl paint job and fitted with a black modified Sebring soft-top, is the real thing. The concept came together in a matter of two months, built from parts readily available off the shelf-parts that could just as easily be channeled into a production PT convertible.

Creed's decision to turn sketches into reality came shortly after the company showed its somewhat underwhelming concepts in January at the Detroit show. The Jeep Willys, Chrysler Crossfire and Dodge Super8 Hemi were intriguing design studies, but weren't show-stoppers like the Viper, Prowler and PT Cruiser that preceded them. The press and public had come to expect more from Chrysler's concepts-stellar designs today that could become production cars tomorrow.

Creed knew he needed a hit for the New York show, and he wasn't above returning to an old favorite to please the crowd.