The low rumbling of the dual exhaust note, the clatter of mechanical lifters, and the roar of open stack headers in the distance are the only clues of the coming onslaught. As the sounds creep closer, an odd stereo can

 can be heard in unison with the other sounds of the on-coming cars. 

Mothers rush their children off the street, shop owners close their doors, and all the streetlights are turned on.

The police are out in full force tonight, the local

drive-in starts cooking their burgers and fries, and all is

readied for the attack on Main Street, USA.

This American institution is known as…

                            CRUISIN’

It all starts, as does any other Saturday in Hometown, USA. The locals get out of bed, gulp down their breakfast, and rush out to enjoy a day off from school or work. But some don’t follow mundane weekend routines. Some kids, and adult’s alike dance to another tune this particular weekend.

These select few usually are found in and around their garages this day. This is where they keep, what some consider to be toys, and what others, like me; consider to be their pride and joys, their only true love. For these, it’s a day of washing, waxing, tuning and general detailing of their beloved machinery. But nothing done during the day can compare to the sheer ecstasy and overwhelming satisfaction that comes from the admiring, but jealous, stares of on-lookers surrounding your car that evening.

But don’t touch them, as even the slightest blemish, real or imagined can send the owner into a frenzy of re-waxing

and buffing! During which, grousing about those other inconsiderate, and obviously, non-owners of cars like these.

Be it a T/A, Z-28, SS, GTO, Torino, Vette, Roadrunner, or Mustang, matters little. If your taste leans towards foreign cars, don’t bother coming around here tonight. This is for super cars of the American market.

There is no membership in this club; any lover of American iron can belong. The only pre-requisite is that you believe in the old truth that America has a love affair with the automobile.

They’ve all arrived now. The streetlights reflecting off the sparkling paint jobs, is almost blinding. Two-tone paint, flames, spoilers, wide tires and gleaming chrome wheels cover the street in both directions. Names like Gimme Shelter, Heavy Metal and War Boss, painted in gold leaf and metal-flake, abound.

Stereo systems blast varied sounds from the Boss, in the newer cars with the younger occupants, to Hendrix, Zepplin, and the Dead, emanating from the older cars of the bygone super car era. Also, scattered about can be heard sounds from the 50’s. But all give each other the right and the space to cruise to their own sounds. Camaraderie is abundant between the classes and even between age groups. Tonight is a night for CRUISIN’, not for petty squabble over differing tastes.

For one night, the realities of our high-pressure world cease, and give way to the fantasies of these cruisers.

Tonight, the police, high gas prices and high insurance rates are set aside. Only showing off, laying rubber, listening to good tunes, and bullshitting are number one in everyone’s mind.

The one thing that matters are hot cars, cold beer, warm women, good tunes and…

                                 CRUISIN’