Cruze fans roll into Lordstown for annual gathering

By KALEA HALL

khall@vindy.com

LORDSTOWN

Fast cars, friends who are like family, and a barbecue. It was like a scene from the long-lasting “Fast and Furious” film franchise.

Friday was the annual gathering of Chevrolet Cruze fans from CruzeTalk.com in Lordstown.

They rolled into the village to see the birthplace of their beloved compact cars.

About 50 Cruzes from all states and Canada lined up in the parking lot of the United Auto Workers Local 1112 union hall. Many had after-market additions on them to enhance the visual appeal and performance.

“It seems like everyone has done something different for their vehicle to stand out,” said Robert Morales, president of UAW Local 1714. “Right now, ‘Fast and Furious’ is a hot topic. There’s a lot of cars here that could fit right into that movie. They support us from all around the country.”

The Chevrolet Cruze launched in 2010 at the Lordstown plant. To date, 1.8 million have been built there. The Cruze is in its second generation. The car’s update, which took place last year, came with a sleeker style, more technology and enhanced safety features.

Nick Price, 20, of Manahawkin, N.J., drives a tricked-out 2014 Cruze with white with blue accents.

It’s actually his second Cruze.

“I got in a pretty bad accident,” Price said.

Price was rear-ended at a light, but he walked away from the accident unharmed. He got another Cruze because of its strength and durability.

His Cruze stands out in a crowd of Cruzes that all stand out. He did a full 3-D carbon body kit and added 20-inch rims and blue accents to his white Cruze. He also re-did the interior with blue and white accents. Internally, he replaced the engine intake and did a muffler and resonator delete.

“It makes it a little bit louder but allows the turbo to breathe so there’s less back pressure,” Price said.

“I went more for a ‘show car’ look than the performance,” he said. “The visuals are where I want them to be so now [I will work on the] performance.”

Price grew up watching “Fast and Furious,” and he used to build cars with his dad. His goal is to open an auto-design shop. His Cruze is the first car he built up himself.

Krysta Stonier, 28, of Tiffin, did several engine modifications on her 2011 Cruze for it to go faster. She also put in after-market headlights and a spoiler, an aerodynamic device on the back of the car.

“I am pushing 260-wheel horsepower,” she said. “That’s substantial.”

Stonier enjoys making her car the head-turner it is, and she likes to remind people modifying cars isn’t just a hobby for men. She’s a part of a club called the “Cruze Ladies.”

“It’s pretty much [for] any female that strives to do what I do and owns a Cruze,” she said.

Touring the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Complex on Friday tore at Stonier’s heartstrings a bit.

“I loved it,” she said. “It was kind of emotional for me.”

The event gave union leaders and company leaders a chance to interact with customers and learn their opinions of the Cruze.

“They are very in tune to [giving] feedback to us that could be critical to continuing to build world-class Cruzes,” said Glenn Johnson, president of UAW Local 1112. “We are looking forward to continuing this relationship. It’s amazing what the after-market has done to be able to make them faster, handle better. ... It has really made Cruze a fun car to drive for them.”