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28 WHEELS Your Auto Show Event Guide February 2006 CRUISE NATIONALS Cruise culture thrives at CIAS By Joe Knycha The most elaborate nod to "cruise culture" in Canada is back for a second year at the Canadian International AutoShow, featuring the best in clas sic cars from throughout southern Ontario, a hotbed of cruise activity. The driving force in creating the Cruise Nationals was to celebrate the "wonderful and popular phenomenon of weekly car cruises," said AutoShow general manager, Tom Tonks. Across North America, cruise events are host ed by thousands of volunteer classic vehicle enthu siasts, and attended by thousands more with their meticulously restored vehicles. It's not uncommon for many cruisers to attend several different `cruiseins' weekly throughout the season to show off their prized passions, to exchange ideas and to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals. "Southern Ontario is one of North America's most concentrated regions in the collection and enjoyment of classic cars and of the cruise cul ture," Tonks said. Of the 10 finalist vehicles on display, a panel of celebrity judges and the public, who voted online, chose the top three prior to the opening of this year's show. A $5,000 cash prize went to the Cruise National Grand Champion for 2006. A $3,000 cash prize was awarded to the silver medal finalist and $2,000 to the bronze medal finalist. Each finalist was pre sented with a commemorative jacket, cap and par ticipation plaque. The Cruise Nationals Grand Champions will be identified throughout the dis play on the 700 level of the South Metro Toronto Convention centre. The hunt for the best classic car in southern Ontario began prior to last year's-cruise season in May and continued at cruise events throughout the region all season long. The selection process was arduous and complex, Tonks said. At the Canadian National Exhibition, sponsored by Auto Trader and by Lant & Company and its Silver Wheels Insurance Plan, 60 beautiful and significant cars and trucks were displayed at the season finale at the Cruise Nationals Regional Semifmalists. From those five dozen semifinalists, 10 were chosen to appear at this year's AutoShow. Among the 10 finalist vehicles are immaculately restored and prepared cars representing the gold en age of American automotive design, including a timeless '55 Chevrolet, '54 Ford, a '70 Chevelle and a stunning '32 Ford, among others. The process begins all over again for next year's Cruise Nationals Display with the start of this year's Cruise season in the spring. So cruise on over during this year's show. The enthusiasm exhibited by the Cruise Nationals final ists might instill you with the urge to become a part of cruise culture experience. V ivian o A g re s ti's red and ch ro m e 1955 C h evro let (above). (B elow ) N orm an M u llo y 's classic 1932 Ford w ill be on display. D a v e F r a s e r 's b e a u tifu lly re s to re d 1958 Ford Fairlane R etractable.