The Chrysler PT Cruiser was designed to make an impression. On Sunday July 25th, around 30 PT Cruiser owners will take advantage of this quality when they set off on a group cruise in Queensland’s south-east to show off their beloved PT Cruisers and celebrate the ‘PT Cruisers Downunder’ club’s first birthday.

The freeways and esplanades of Queensland’s Gold Coast will provide the backdrop for the cruising action. The group will head off in mass convoy from Brisbane and Ipswich, with a stop off for lunch and ‘posing’ on the Southport Spit, before the event climaxes with a sensational run through Surfers Paradise.

Those who catch a glimpse of the gleaming PT Cruisers are certainly in for a treat. Almost every available colour in the PT range will be represented and a dazzling array of graphics & paint jobs, from flames to murals, will give the convoy a modern Hot Rod flavour.

“The drive itself will be sensational,” said Steve Palmer, secretary of the PT Cruisers Downunder club. “Every time we park the cars people take the time to stop, have a good look and admire. The PT is an eye catching car on its own, so you can imagine the reaction you get when you have a convoy of these awesome looking cars cruise by.”

Palmer, who bought his first PT Cruiser in 2000 and has since bought another, said the club was started to cater for the many owners out there who just love the car. “There’s nothing else like the PT on the road, it sets its own standards of style and innovation and combines the best of both worlds - fun and function. It’s great getting together with other passionate enthusiasts to celebrate and enjoy great times.”

Gerry Jenkins, Managing Director, Chrysler Jeep, noted, “Chrysler is one of the most inspiring brands in the world. The brand has an outstanding history and reputation in design - renowned for bringing amazing concepts to production, and the PT Cruiser is testament to this. It offers American flair, individuality and unforgettable evocative design.

“And it’s not just good looking, it’s practical as well. With 2,820 litres of interior space and 32 different seating options, the PT Cruiser offers the flexibility to pack, stow and carry almost anything,” added Jenkins.

The PT Cruisers Downunder club was founded a year ago by a group in Brisbane. They started with 12 cars and membership has now grown close to 50 cars. A similar situation has developed in Sydney, with a group there adopting the same name and logo, and expansion is underway into Victoria and Tasmania.

There are now PT Cruiser clubs in every state in addition to the Chrysler Clubs, which have been established for many years.

“The number of Chrysler Clubs springing up and the growth in membership of the established Clubs demonstrates the appeal of the Chrysler vehicles and the passion they evoke,” noted Jenkins.

Since its Australian debut in September 2000, the PT Cruiser has sold consistently, with a total of 3,868 vehicles delivered to date (June 2004).

The Chrysler Group presented the first concept leading up to the Chrysler PT Cruiser in the spring of 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show with the Pronto Cruiser. It was followed in 1999 by the Company’s most short-lived concept car, the PT Cruiser, since the production version was rolled out within five minutes at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is manufactured at Chrysler Group's Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico.