News Room
Wanted: Pre-'79 cars for test Kruze
Jim Mateja, Chicago Tribune
May 12, 2004
Jerry Robbin is looking for a few good men or women. Really doesn't matter which because what he wants is their cars.
Robbin is searching for "pristine pre-1979 model" collectibles to take part in a dress rehearsal for what he hopes will become an annual Chi Town Kruze (Transportation, March 7), starting next year.
The dress rehearsal will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 29 in conjunction with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 63rd Street and Lake Shore Drive to mark the opening of Lake Michigan beaches for the summer.
Robbin said 75 cars will gather at the ceremony before cruising along Lake Shore Drive to Balbo and on to Buckingham Fountain for display.
The 75 cars will give the city a chance to learn what it will take to help direct the 750 to 1,000 cars expected at the actual cruise next year, Robbin said.
All Robbin needs now is 50 more pristine pre-1979 model cars for the May 29 event.
Those willing to take part can visit info@mercuryclub.com or call 773-622-6445. That Web site also has information on the Chi Town Kruze next year, said Robbin, event organizer and president of the 1,500-member International Mercury Owners Association.
More than 50 Chicago-area car clubs as well as local collectors and enthusiasts have expressed a willingness to join the cruise next year.
The city has proposed Sept. 25 or Oct. 2, but the final date depends on the Bears 2005 schedule, which won't be completed until early next year.
Tentative plans call for the cruise to originate at the United Center and travel to either or both Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive to Soldier Field for a massive display and festivities.
The event would be modeled after the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit, where about 1.5 million folks gather in the city and suburbs for a weekend cruise and display of about 30,000 rare machines every August.
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