First Coast Gears: PT Cruiser club embraces retro look

As automakers rang in the 21st century, they also eyed the past as a new craze was about to peak: retro design. The styling of vehicles like the 1998 VW New Beetle, 2002 Ford Thunderbird and 2003 Chevrolet SSR borrowed heavily from the past.

SLIDESHOW: Brightway Regency's 3rd Annual Car Show

One of the most successful examples was an all-new model: The 2001-2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Originally planned as a Plymouth, the PT Cruiser's style was influenced by the 1934-35 Chrysler Airflow. The PT Cruiser's carefree retro design has inspired a whimsy among its owners, with clubs popping up around the country, including Jacksonville's First Coast PT Cruisers club.

Club historian Kelly Licciardi says Jacksonville's club formed the same year as the car's debut.

"We have about 30 members from all over the country - from Florida all the way up into Virginia and Ohio," Licciardi said. "Our newest member is all the way up in New York."

Like many owners who attended last Saturday's third annual Brightway Insurance Regency Car Show, Licciardi has heavily customized her PT.

"I've added some chrome parts to it, done some painting to it and I've added some bling and some decals," she said. "The theme is the basset mobile. I did it after the death of my basset hound, Flossie Bell, six years ago, in her memory."

Gene and Pam Lowery from Moody, Ala., are among the out-of-state members. Pam has owned four PT Cruisers and is getting ready to sell her 2003.

"It has been converted to a panel, a true panel. It's now a two-door and the name of it is 'Nightmare,'" Pam said.

They've only owned Nightmare for a year, but Pam decided the PT's theme just isn't for her.

"It freaks me out because of what's on it," she admitted. "It's got skulls on it. I don't like the skulls."

But that's OK because their newest ride is the "Beach Cruiser."

"The first time we saw it was at Daytona in 2004 and it was after it had been modified. [Pam] fell in love with it," Gene said. "Then in March, we went to the PT Cruisers show in Myrtle Beach [S.C.] and saw it. This October a gentleman that owned it had it for sale. So therefore she had to have it."

For 16-year-old Josh Thorson, his dad's PT Cruiser has been a learning experience. He's touched almost every aspect of the car. He installed the stereo and wiring, lowered the suspension and did some custom painting. Thorson, who attends Frank H. Peterson Academies, hopes to one day work in the automotive industry.

PT Cruisers were available as five-door hatchbacks and as two-door convertibles between 2005 and 2008. They were more about economy and style than performance with four different four-cylinders (three gas, one diesel) offered over the years, including a turbocharged GT that was introduced in 2003.

Chrysler kept PTs fresh with a long line of special editions that included the Route 66 Edition, Dream Cruiser Series 5 and even a Woodie package, although simulated wood panels were used. PT Cruisers lasted only one generation, receiving a mid-life refresh in 2006 that included a revised grille and headlights among other subtle changes.

If you own a PT Cruiser or just want to learn more about the cars, the Jacksonville club has a website at firstcoastptcruisers.org.

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Bill Bortzfield: (904) 359-4226