Check out my ride: PT Cruiser is all flash

With no fewer than 60 trophies amassed over seven years, including Best of Show, Haynes, a district manager for Whiz Car Wash, is a car-show warrior who lives by one mantra: If there’s a place in town to show off his ride, he’s there.

Even before Haynes, 55, became a regular competitor, his custom-car addiction was forged as an avid spectator. During the 1990s, he recalls attending the World of Wheels and MotorTrend events that came to the Baltimore Convention Center annually. It was during those shows that Haynes decided to move from spectator to competitor. He just had to find the right vehicle.

“When I saw the PT Cruiser, I said that was going to be the car,” said Haynes, who even flies out to SEMA each year, the largest automotive aftermarket trade show in the United States, merely to browse what’s coming to the market before it gets to market.

Haynes’ work on the PT Cruiser began not as a systematic process that took him from exterior to engine bay, but rather an agglomeration of moving parts found in magazines brought to life by a handful of different shops. To mine inspiration, Haynes said he would browse car magazines. Whatever he found available for aftermarket customization on his car, he would find a shop willing to do the work. That work includes more pronounced features like an Air Ride suspension system that allows the car’s frame height to raise and lower on demand. Spinner rims create the appearance of moving wheels even when the car sits stationary. The interior sound system combines 1,750 watts powered through two Audiobahn amplifiers to dual Audiobahn 12-inch subwoofers installed by now-defunct Audio Wheel and Image of Baltimore. Visuals include a custom 15-inch liquid crystal display monitor in the back, which can be viewed through the opened hatch door.

But if there’s anything about Haynes’ Cruiser that helps it stand out, it’s the onboard light show. The Cruiser boasts an ample amount of lighting that includes illuminated pedals, under-body and under-the-hood neon, fender-well neon, and lighted seat covers that pulse with the music in his car. Strands of corded light-emitting diodes run along trim panels inside as well.

“It looks like a Christmas tree at night,” said Haynes,. “That’s why I like to do night shows.”

All told, Haynes estimates he’s spent around $70,000 on the car. But with 2009 announced as the last year of the Cruiser, Haynes said he noticed that product support has also tapered off. Haynes said he’s done all that can be done to the Cruiser, but hinted that if something new were to come down the pike, he’s unlikely to slow the brakes on his urge to customize.

What do you drive? A 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Why do you drive it?

It appealed to me because the car is really customizable, and there’s a lot for it. Basically, everything that’s available for this car I have on this car. But I usually trailer this one, although I drive it to local shows. The Air Ride on it is really bumpy.

What makes this car so special?

It’s different than everyone else’s PT Cruiser. Nobody has as much as I have tied into mine. There’s a lot of nice ones out there. But I enjoy a lot of chrome and lights and anything flashy.

What is your most memorable driving experience?

Driving in Ocean City because the people there had never seen anything like this. The young people just like the appearance of the car and all the things that are in it.

What was the first car you owned?

A 1963 Mercury Comet. My car payment was $25 a week. Since then I’ve had 43 cars. I have nine right now. I’m a car fanatic. It’s my hobby, and I really enjoy it.

What’s currently in your CD player?

Right now I have Marvin Sapp. Church music. It’s Sunday.

And your first ticket — what was it for?

I haven’t had a ticket in 20 years, so I’m not sure I remember.