|
| |
Click
on any thumbnail image below for a larger view
"I was recently invited to take part in an Annual PT Cruiser Club Show & Shine. While this on it's own isn't that unusual (I was already scheduled to judge Cruiser Fest in our own backyard of Stanton, CA). Have you ever heard the expression, "Mad Dogs and Englishmen"? Well, one member of the UK Cruiser club with the persistance of a Mad little English bulldog made my decision for me. After inviting me over for the last 3 years only to get a repeated response that I was just way to busy to leave PTeazer for a week, Joe Dart (or Darty as he's known to his mates), called me up to inform me that I needed to be at LAX by 6pm on Tuesday or he'd be one very mad Englishmen.
If you knew Darty, you'd understand why I was at LAX by 5:30pm. Arriving in London was a surreal and very exciting feeling, and as promised Joe's smiling face was waiting in the crowd at Heathrow, thank God. The English hospitality began immediately. We drove south of London to the coastal town of Rye. Rich in history the narrow cobblestone streets lined with Antique stores, tea rooms and pubs looked like something out of a Charles Dickens novel. Oh yeah, there was also a tattoo shop where I stayed, JD's Tattoo. Somewhat out of place in this fairy tale setting, but on the other hand, everyone in town knew of Joe or at least his cool cruiser.
I always said there's no better advertising vehicle for a business than a PT Cruiser two door panel delivery vehicle with your company's logo on the side. Joe's panel has a 6" roof chop, PTeazer Smoothie Front Fascia with a big snorkle type hood scoop reminicent of the old quarter milers of the past. To complete that look, on the Friday before the show, he put me to work to install wheelie bars out the back. Now as far as I know, Joe has the most hotrod style PT on the planet.
We left for the Billings Aquadrome at 4pm amist some typical English weather. However, nothing could dampen my enthusiasm as we drove the 150 miles through narrow country roads and motorways. Toto, this was definately not Kansas. The cell phone cameras and rubberneckers confirmed the cruiser was a candidate for Peoples choice, but you never know until the votes are in. The show was fantastic, and I met some of the nicest folks anywhere. I don't think I could sum it up any better than this comment I heard at the awards ceremony when one of the men said, "When I went in to buy my first PT Cruiser, I didn't realize I was also getting an extended family." I feel the same way. For me and thousands of others, it's much more than just a car and I'm proud to be a part of it.
I want to thank Joe Dart for getting me there and giving me one of the best memories of my life. Oh by the way, he did win Best of Show People's Choice, making it 4 years straight for PTeazer cars winning in the UK. Even a 4 hour delay due to a terrorist threat at Heathrow couldn't dampen my mood after such an incredible experience. I spent much of my time daydreaming about getting a group of PT enthusiasts to ship our cars across the pond next year. Imagine cruising those English backroads, stopping for high tea at some 1000 year old Inn, but best of all sharing our toys with our extended family."
As told by Ray Newton
