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By Guy Trupiano

For any auto enthusiast, spring and summertime are synonymous with classic cars and cruising.

That means taking the cover off the car, cleaning and detailing to showcase your vehicle.  Every part of the car from the body, engine, and under-carriage, is given special attention to demonstrate the pride each owner has in his or her classic special vehicle.

The wheels are sparkling bright under the sunlight as the owner takes to the street to show their pride and joy. 

We from southeast Michigan are fortunate to have multiple venues and cruises to show off our cars. Of course, the Woodward Dream Cruise gets much attention across the country.  But just as exciting and easier to navigate is Cruisin’ Downriver, held the past five years on Fort Street in the four cities of Riverview, Southgate, Wyandotte and Lincoln Park.

What an outstanding event for classic car owners and the downriver community. Car buffs and visitors come from all over Michigan and surrounding areas to hear the sounds of mufflers rumbling and witness the labors of the owners and their classic cars. 

The several miles of the Downriver cruise route offers ample opportunity to take your car up and down Fort Street to the delight of thousands of people lining both sides of the street.

The family atmosphere is prevalent everywhere from those barbequing, eating at the local restaurants, listening to live music or just having fun watching the cars and people.

Those driving their classic cars comprise a wide range of demographics and ages. Most of us are reliving a dream and time when things seemed much simpler than today. No matter what age you are, from 18 to 80, you’re having fun driving or watching the cars.

My wife, Diane, and I can sit for hours at a time on the street viewing the various classic cars. You may see a Model A,  ’37 Cadillac convertible or a ’67 Camaro drive in front of you in mint condition with sounds that bring you back in time.

Maybe your favorite is a ’49 Mercury two door, coupe or ’59 Jaguar MK9, or a ’66 MG MGB, all of which may be seen at the Cruise. We also enjoy the opportunities to view the many makes of vehicles that are parked in the various business parking lots along the routes.

There you will have time to walk around the vehicles taking the time to view under the hood, the 5.7-liter fuel injected engine or the body design dynamics of the last 50 years and how they have changed.

Many car clubs participate throughout the cruise routes showcasing their cars in the various businesses parking lots. Proud owners sit along side their vehicles smiling and eager to answer any viewers question about their pride and joy. Some people spend years restoring their classic cars.

They could have a picture book showing every detail and history of the vehicle, including welding in their garage, paint job, and first drive of the car. These owners may tell you how they tracked down some of the original equipment needed for their car. The amazing part of all this is how beautiful the end results of the vehicle turn out. 

Diane and I belong to both the Mustang Club of America and the Mustang Owners Club of Southeastern Michigan. Each year our local MOCSEM club participates in Cruisin’ Downriver and showcase our cars at the Auto Trim Specialist business on Fort Street in Riverview.

Mustang muscle cars can be seen from every generation. We presently own a black 1995 Mustang Cobra convertible with a removable hardtop. The saddle colored interior gives it a distinguished look.

To the casual observer, this Mustang looks like a coupe when in fact it has both soft and hard tops. There were only 499 mustang hardtops manufactured that year. The ’95 model year was the last of 5.0L Mustangs Ford manufactured. 

AutoAlliance International Inc. in Flat Rock is the home of the new-generation 2005 Mustang.

Being part of the AAI team during the production of the Mustang coupe and convertible has been an exciting time.

During the 2004 cruise, I had the opportunity to drive a pre-production 2005 Mustang GT V-8 engine with 300 horsepower up and down Fort Street. The car sounded great and people of all ages gave thumbs up to the new retro design of the vehicle. Sales of the 2005 Mustang have been strong, demonstrating the positive response from cruise viewers was accurate.

One of my favorite cars is the ’69 Shelby Cobra GT350 351. What an awesome car. Just recently Ford Motor Co. announced that AAI would manufacture the 2006 Shelby Cobra. I can’t wait for this new generation Cobra to roar down the streets. 

If you’re looking for fun, entertainment, a casual atmosphere and the sounds of the dual exhaust of classic cars, then be sure to attend the sixth Cruisin’ Downriver. This is the second year AAI is the title sponsor. We are proud to participate in this exciting event that rallies the communities involved.

In addition, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber and Crystal Gardens in Southgate will co-host the second annual Cruise Kickoff. There will be cars, food and music to delight all those attending. There are many other activities that both individuals and businesses host for the cruise week. Have fun at the cruise!

Guy Trupiano is vice president of human resources for AutoAlliance International Inc. in Flat Rock. He also serves as a member of the Southenrn Wayne County Regional Chamber board of directors.