Dreamcast18
06-12-2009, 09:35 AM
Car enthusiasts prepare for Car-A-Fair
By Valerie Cranston
Current-Argus Staff Writer
CARLSBAD — Dennis and Cynthia O'Leary moved to Carlsbad nearly four years ago from Ohio. She had taught school for 32 years and he worked for Chrysler Corporation. They both wanted to get away from the continual cloudy skies and snow in the winter, and Cynthia had a sister and brother in Carlsbad.
"There's nothing to shovel here," Dennis said.
As their 2002 Chrysler Prowler convertible was being unloaded from the transport in front of their house, they were immediately invited to become members of the Carlsbad Automotive Restoration Society Club.
"Stan Power came over from across the street and told us we should join the CARS Club," Cynthia said, adding it sounded good to them and seemed a good way of meeting people.
"Then we found out what CARS stood for and asked if they still wanted us," she added.
They hadn't restored anything, but the Prowler is a classic because it's not made anymore.
"We said OK and joined the club and we've made some real good friends," Dennis said.
Their silver Chrysler Prowler will be on display at the Car-A-Fair 2009 Saturday at Carlsbad Beach Park under the shade trees along the Pecos River.
The Prowler was made for only five years; four of those years under the Plymouth umbrella and the last year under Chrysler. Only 12,000 Prowlers were manufactured in that five-year period.
"The year 2002 is the last year they made the Prowler. They built them for the aluminum technology. There are only 50 of the silver Chrysler
Prowlers in the world, or should I say 49 others in the world," he said proudly. "I wanted a Viper but she wouldn't let me have one," he added.
"When he wanted the Prowler I said OK - we can get one," Cynthia said.
Traveling in the Prowler with a personalized license plate that reads "D's Cat" is a bit challenging. There's only room for two changes of clothes in the little trunk and no room behind the seat. When they travel in it for a weekend, she packed a duffle bag and pushed it forward on the floor board of the passenger side since it had a great deal of leg room.
"We take it out once a week and enjoy ourselves," she said.
"People always ask me, 'What is it?' and 'Did you make it?'" Dennis said, adding he tells them he made it in the basement and carried it up.
"Some people think it's a kit car," he added.
http://i44.tinypic.com/w86ur9.jpg
Dennis and Cynthia O'Leary sit in their 2002 Chrysler Prowler that is now a classic. The O'Leary's will have the Prowler on display in the shaded part of the Beach Park at Car-A-Fair 2009.Valerie Cranston/Current-Argus
http://www.currentargus.com/ci_12524041
By Valerie Cranston
Current-Argus Staff Writer
CARLSBAD — Dennis and Cynthia O'Leary moved to Carlsbad nearly four years ago from Ohio. She had taught school for 32 years and he worked for Chrysler Corporation. They both wanted to get away from the continual cloudy skies and snow in the winter, and Cynthia had a sister and brother in Carlsbad.
"There's nothing to shovel here," Dennis said.
As their 2002 Chrysler Prowler convertible was being unloaded from the transport in front of their house, they were immediately invited to become members of the Carlsbad Automotive Restoration Society Club.
"Stan Power came over from across the street and told us we should join the CARS Club," Cynthia said, adding it sounded good to them and seemed a good way of meeting people.
"Then we found out what CARS stood for and asked if they still wanted us," she added.
They hadn't restored anything, but the Prowler is a classic because it's not made anymore.
"We said OK and joined the club and we've made some real good friends," Dennis said.
Their silver Chrysler Prowler will be on display at the Car-A-Fair 2009 Saturday at Carlsbad Beach Park under the shade trees along the Pecos River.
The Prowler was made for only five years; four of those years under the Plymouth umbrella and the last year under Chrysler. Only 12,000 Prowlers were manufactured in that five-year period.
"The year 2002 is the last year they made the Prowler. They built them for the aluminum technology. There are only 50 of the silver Chrysler
Prowlers in the world, or should I say 49 others in the world," he said proudly. "I wanted a Viper but she wouldn't let me have one," he added.
"When he wanted the Prowler I said OK - we can get one," Cynthia said.
Traveling in the Prowler with a personalized license plate that reads "D's Cat" is a bit challenging. There's only room for two changes of clothes in the little trunk and no room behind the seat. When they travel in it for a weekend, she packed a duffle bag and pushed it forward on the floor board of the passenger side since it had a great deal of leg room.
"We take it out once a week and enjoy ourselves," she said.
"People always ask me, 'What is it?' and 'Did you make it?'" Dennis said, adding he tells them he made it in the basement and carried it up.
"Some people think it's a kit car," he added.
http://i44.tinypic.com/w86ur9.jpg
Dennis and Cynthia O'Leary sit in their 2002 Chrysler Prowler that is now a classic. The O'Leary's will have the Prowler on display in the shaded part of the Beach Park at Car-A-Fair 2009.Valerie Cranston/Current-Argus
http://www.currentargus.com/ci_12524041