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Classic cars for Dream Cruise

The Woodward Dream Cruise will be rolling today, August 20, 2011 - an annual classic-car drive and party event along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan that's the cultural heartbeat of the home of US motoring.

It's a legendary stretch of road named for Augustus Brevoort Woodward, Michigan’s first Chief Justice, through the heart of Detroit's transportation links and thousands of auto fans spend all year preparing themselves and their cars for the day.

It''s a mighty procession of old and new classics, specials, oddball wheels and just about anything else that can roll in salute of Detroit steel and rubber.

FOOTBALL FUND-RAISER

As humans, we hardly outlive the vehicles that were made in our generation.  In line with Proverbs 20:29 which reads “We admire the strength of youth and the grey hair of old age” we get all excited about the superb cars built in our youth and respect the footprint they make in motoring.

But how good are we at recognising tomorrow’s classics?

The Woodward Dream Cruise, US auto pundits say, answers the question. The Cruise, which started as a small fund-raiser for a soccer field in Michigan in August 1995, has mushroomed into one of the of the world’s biggest automotive gatherings, drawing motoring fanatics from around the globe.

Back in 1995 Nelson House and a group of volunteers wanted to relive and recreate the nostalgic 1950's and 1960's when youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward. More than 250 000 people participated in the inaugural “cruise”; more than a million were expected there today.

As they say, big things start small…

...THANK TO OUR SPONSORS

Fast forward 16 years… And despite its burgeoning popularity, its main aim is to raise money for charity through the sale of Woodward Cruise merchandise and refreshments. The event is a big chunk of the Detroit Metro’s economy, raising the equivalent of R400-million a year – which is said to be more than any other recurring sporting event held in Michigan state.

It's run by the WDC, a volunteer committee from a state-registered non-profit organisation and is a free event - thanks to sponsors.

The avenue not only has a human value but the likes of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have tested their prototypes on the hallowed stretch of asphalt and have regularly graced the Cruise. Pontiac’s GTO, Chrysler’s Hemi cars and Ford’s Mustang are usual suspects and the latest incarnations of the Chevrolet Camaro, Mustang GT and the Dodge Charger all turned a wheel at the Cruise.

What about 2011’s attractions? Well Detroit News columnist Scott Burgess has named 15 cars that in 25 years' he believes will own the tag “classic”. They range from the 2012 Audi S5 convertible to a Fiat 500 so there is some international flavour to his choices, which is American-heavy as it features the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Ford’s Flex.

Here's his list:

1 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
2 2012 Nissan GT-R
3 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
4 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible
5 Chrysler 300 SRT8
6 Dodge Challenger SRT8
7 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8
8 2012 Scion tC
9 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
10 2012 Fiat 500
11 2012 GMC Acadia Denali
12 2012 Ford Flex
13 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
14 2012 Audi S5 Convertible
15 2011 Ford F-150

SOME CLASSICS ARE INSTANT

One surprise is the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which shows how deep the Korean automaker has cut into the competitive American market and held its own, as the JD Power APEAL ratings suggests.

Burgess noted that there are cars that are Woodward-ready as soon as they leave the factory and the 15 he's chosen are of that ilk; modern classics sampled from their legendary predecessors.

“Take the modern-day Chevrolet Camaro," Burgess says. "The Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang and all the variations of that classic pony car from the 392 to the SS to the Shelby GT.

“They are all instant classics. Ford even ups the ante with the 2012 Mustang Boss 302. A nod to the past but with the future in mind.

“It’s awesome.”

'ATTITUDE COUNTS'

Burgess, importantly, noted the key characteristic the Cruise, some of which ring true in many spheres of life: legacy and attitude make a legend.

“A classic cruiser needs to do more than just survive 25 years. It needs to convey attitude, brand and something a bit more. Muscle helps, but it's not the only requirement.”
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