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Some car collections are borderline mythical. We’ve documented a few, including the Sultan of Brunei’s dusty Bugattis and one-off Ferraris. But this is something different. Instead of the stereotypical dictator’s Middle Eastern warehouse filled with seven-figure exotics, we’re talking about an impressive single-make collection located in … Erie, Pennsylvania. And they’re all 2007 Chryslers. In the same shade of blue.
These cars belong to Ryan Maruca, a 25-year-old enthusiast whose passions are different from most people’s. We spoke on the phone after I saw his full model range lined up at a car show and then posted online. After the usual formalities and introductions, Maruca kicked off our call by saying, “I got all kinds of information. I don’t want to bore you. I could sit here and talk about Daimler Chrysler all day.”
Y’know, I don’t doubt that a bit. He’s the only person I’m aware of who concurrently owns a Chrysler 300C, Aspen, Crossfire, Pacifica, PT Cruiser, Sebring, and Town and Country. It’s an impressive collection made even more spectacular by their matching Marine Blue.
Ryan Maruca
Maruca was bitten by the Daimler Chrysler bug when he purchased a Crossfire, but not the one you see here. He actually owned a white one first, with the naturally aspirated 3.2-liter V6. After learning about the more potent SRT-6 variant, he started searching. Maruca found a beautiful example with just under 17,000 miles on it in Ohio, so he flew out and drove the supercharged V6 sports car back home. It remains the anchor of his collection.
Since the winters are harsh in PA, Maruca went looking for something that could get around a little easier. He landed on a Pacifica, which used to be an SUV and not the minivan Chrysler sells now. It just happened to be the same color as his Crossfire SRT-6, and soon enough, Maruca owned a Marine Blue Chrysler for warm and cold weather. You might think it would stop there, but clearly, it didn’t.
The others followed soon after, and I have to say, he’s pretty good at choosing specs. Maruca opted for the 300C, a Hemi V8-powered muscle sedan, rather than the base model with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Then, there’s the convertible PT Cruiser with the turbo SRT-4 engine and a stick shift. He even went through the hassle of finding a top-trim Sebring with a heated and cooled cup holder, because why wouldn’t you when you’re collecting the best that Daimler Chrysler had to offer in 2007?
The Town and Country is by far the highest-mileage car in Maruca’s collection, with 180,000 on the clock. From there, the Pacifica has roughly 130,000 miles, while the Aspen—which he says was the hardest to find—has approximately 120,000 miles. The Sebring has something like 112,000 miles, the 300C is at 83,000, and the PT Cruiser has 80,000. He notes that the Crossfire SRT-6 is a garage queen with only 24,000 miles, meaning he’s put just 7,000 miles on the car in six years of ownership.
When I asked why he chose to collect this generation of Chryslers, given that he was just six years old when they were new, Maruca explained, “I love that they are German-engineered and American-designed.” He later added, “The lines go from the grille through the hood. Some of it goes through the interior, the design language. Chrysler took risks in the early 2000s with some of their design, and I love it.”
Ryan Maruca
And perhaps the biggest benefit of owning seven different cars aimed at seven different customers is that he has one for any mood. If he wants to drive fast, he can bust out the Crossfire SRT-6. If he needs to tow, he can tap on the Aspen. The 300C is great for dinner and a date, and should that go really well, he’ll have the Town and Country for his future fam. Not bad when you think about it.
In total, these cars make up seven of Maruca’s 10. He still owns his first daily driver, a Honda Accord; a Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG; and a Dodge Magnum. He plans to do a Chrysler 300 front clip swap on the latter, converting it to look like the European-market 300 wagon that we never got here. Do you even have to ask what color it is? (It’s Marine Blue. Seriously.)
You don’t need me to tell you this, but if anyone was ever obsessed with Daimler Chrysler, it’s this fella. More power to him.
Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com
From running point on new car launch coverage to editing long-form features and reviews, Caleb does some of everything at The Drive. And he really, really loves trucks.
