SUN CITY – In late 1999 (for their 2000 lineup), Chrysler turned heads (and the clock back) with their retro-style PT Cruiser, modeled after old-fashioned street rods.
Founded by: Sun City resident Anthony Luscalzo
What: Club for PT Cruiser enthusiasts.
Meets: Third Thursday of each month.
Membership: $25 per year.
To Join: Contact Anthony Luscalzo at 847-515-8110.
Upon taking notice to the Cruiser, Sun City resident Anthony Luscalzo, N.16, not only bought one, he started a club based around the car with the purpose to bring together all the people behind the wheel, PT Cruiser enthusiasts like himself.
On June 1, 2003, Luscalzo officially co-founded the Chicagoland PT Cruiser Club.
“The purpose of the club is to share goodwill and fellowship with each other and fellow PT Cruiser owners,” said Luscalzo, the current club Vice President.
The club meets monthly for regular meetings and celebrates good times and more fun when participating in cruise nights, the occasional car show, Chrysler and PT Cruiser events, their club picnics, among other outings.
Like many PT Cruiser owners and club members, Luscalzo enjoys the versatility in the car’s design and its overall nostalgic feel.
“[I like] its appearance. It has the nostalgic look to it. It’s comfortable,” Luscalzo said. “There are so many parts and [upgrades] you can add to it.”
Chrysler post-manufacturing options gives owners myriad options to continually modify the body of their Cruiser, giving it personality and style all its own.
Since the PT Cruiser hit the auto market, Luscalzo has owned two Cruisers, a 2002 model and a 2009 Touring Edition. Luscalzo said his 2002 was “decked out” with numerous upgrades, and he’s currently making modifications to his 2009, which already has white-wall tires. Luscalzo and other Chicagoland PT Cruiser Club members said that most of the upgrades can be done at home, too, which adds to the enjoyment of owning the car.
“If you’re handy, you can do some of [the modifications] yourself,” said Luscalzo.
When Chrysler first marketed the PT Cruiser, they aimed it at the 20- to 30-year-old age demographic, but it was fast realized that the car appealed most to the 40-and-above demographic and to women.
“Women love the car,” Luscalzo said. “It’s roomy, it’s got plenty of space, it’s very easy to drive, and pretty economical.”
Luscalzo said the Chicagoland PT Cruiser club is always looking to expand, and they’re trying to organize a show for Midwest PT Cruiser owners.
“We want people to join the club. You don’t have to have a decked-out car. It’s open to everybody,” Luscalzo said. “If you really like your [PT Cruiser] and you want to find people of like interest and you want to know where to get parts and accessories for these cars, the [Chicagoland PT Cruiser Club] is [for you]. It’s a club where we stick and do things together and try to help each other out.”
