Cruisin' Rodeo, the italian maxi meeting of US-made cars records a historic 20th edition

The Cruisin' Rodeo celebrated its twentieth birthday: the huge meeting of American cars, one of the largest in Italy along with the U.S. Car Reunion in Lignano Sabbiadoro, celebrated its anniversary in the weekend of the 8^th-9^th of July, in the stars and stripes setting of the Driver Como.

It was the 4^th of July 2004 when the first 'National’ was held in Voghera, organized by the staff of Crusin' Life magazine. With more than 150 cars, that debut turned out to be an authentic success, and since then the Cruisin' Rodeo has never stopped to bring together all the Italian fans of US-made muscle cars and more.

Two decades and 19 editions later, the four-wheeled gathering was crowded by hundreds of vehicles, confirming itself as a reference event for overseas V8 enthusiasts. In the past few years, the Cruisin' Rodeo found its ideal home in the Driver Como (Como, Italy), a location that provides a perfect atmosphere for this kind of rally, with its unique American style and ‘Yankee’ vibes. Participants, visitors, families and tourists had the opportunity to relax in this multifunctional space on four floors with pubs, lounge bars and much more: the Driver offers fun for everyone, thanks to many attractions like driving simulators, two go-kart tracks (both indoor and outdoor) and the playground area dedicated to children.

The oversize tyres of the U.S. cars started to tread the asphalt on Saturday morning, when several vehicles began to populate the two parking lots. Then it was the turn for a trip to Lake Como, to enjoy the coolness and beauty which the ‘Lario’ is able to offer to the many Italian and foreign tourists who visit the area at this time of year. In the following hours the number of cars increased to over 350, a peak reached on Sunday after the spectacular parade arrival of the Sharks Team American Cars Club. Crews from several Northern Italian regions and even Switzerland took part to the two days event aboard their Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, DeSoto, Ford, Hummer, Lincoln and Plymouth.

Many prizes were awarded by the judges of Cruisin' Life and Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), who selected 30 especially remarkable vehicles among muscle and pony cars, vans, trucks and hot rods. The title of ‘Best in Show’ went to the amazing DeSoto Coupé '58 owned by Ivano Radaelli, while the ASI prizes where assigned to five fully-original historic cars: the winners will benefit from one-year free federation membership. All participants, by the way, were greeted with a welcome bag containing samples of WD-40 lubricants, a copy of the latest issues of Cruisin' Life and Biker's Life, stickers and brochures from special partners such as CNO American Motors Club.

The US-made roar of the V8s was accompanied by the sound of the ‘Hound Dog Rockers’ band, which performed with their pure rock'n'roll and rockabilly. Not to be missed were the always awaited Pin-Ups, who paraded on Sunday afternoon under the 'direction' of Laura LC Blond: the perfect way to make this headlong plunge in the Fifties even more colorful!

A special thanks goes to the Driver Como staff and to the many Clubs and friends of Cruisin' Life who took part in this 20th anniversary, turning it into a memorable event. The appointment for all the American Car enthusiasts is now with the U.S. Car On The Beach, on stage in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine-Italy) on the 16^th-17^th of September in the context of the Italian Bike Week, and American Dreams (Padua exhibition centre), which will be held October 13-15.

TOP 30 AWARDED

n° 163 – Dodge Custom Royal 1955

n° 249 – Chevrolet Corvette 1972

n° 164 – Ford Model A 1931

n° 281 – Lincoln Continental 1979

n° 191 – Chevrolet Bel Air 1957

n° 161 – Ford Hod Rod 1929

n° 165 – Plymouth Road Runner 1971

n° 113 – Studebaker Champion 1950

n° 277 – Cadillac Fleetwood 1960

n° 171 – Jeep Grand Cherokee 1998

n° 252 – Cadillac Eldorado 1971

n° 323 – Chevrolet Bel Air 1959

n° 31 – Chevrolet Camaro 2010

n° 186 – Mustang Moss 2017

n° 123 - Chevrolet Stylemaster 1948

n° 13 – Dodge Challenger RT-10 2017

n° 297 – Ford Bel Air 1957

n° 127 – Ford Window 1932

n° 298 – Ford Hot Rod 1932

n° 128 - Chevrolet Pick Up 3100 1955

n° 262 – Chevrolet C10 Stepside 1969

n° 214 – Pontiac Solstice 2007

n° 54 – Ford Thunderbird 2002

n° 116 – Ford F1 Pick Up 1949

n° 132 – Hummer H1 2000

n° 311 – Buick Le Sabre 1960

n° 266 – Buick Le Sabre 1960

n° 222 – Chevrolet Chevelle 1969

n° 154 – Ford Mustang 1973

BEST IN SHOW

n° 221- De Soto Coupé 1958

CLUBS

CNO American Motors Club

Sharks Team

Crazy Van Club

Lake Cruisers

PT Cruiser Club

Shop Lifters

CARS AWARDED BY ASI

n° 221 De Soto Coupé 1958 di Ivano Radaelli

n° 191 Chevrolet Bel Air 1957 di Christian

n° 297 Ford Bel Air 1957 di Fatz

n° 164 Ford Model A 1931 di Mattia Fraschina

n° 163 Dodge Custom Royal 1955 di Marco Gaggi

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Cruisin’ Rodeo Staff

Telefono: +39. 0432.948570   |   Cellulare: + 39. 366.6310768 (Stand)

Mail: info@cruisinrodeo.it   |   Web: www.cruisinrodeo.it - www.drivercomo.it