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Italy’s Cruisin’ Rodeo celebrated its 20th birthday in July 2023, with a huge meeting of American cars, coinciding with the US Car Reunion in Lignano Sabbiadoro,  in the stars and stripes setting of the Driver Como.

Fittingly, on the 4th of July 2004, the first ‘National’ was held in Voghera, in Italy, organised by the staff of Cruisin’ Life magazine and it attracted more than 150 cars.

Two decades and 19 editions later, the 2023 Yank-car gathering was crowded by hundreds more vehicles.

The Cruisin’ Rodeo has found its ideal home at Driver Como, with its unique American style and ‘Yankee’ vibes. The Driver offers fun for everyone, thanks to many attractions like driving simulators, two go-kart tracks (both indoor and outdoor) and a playground area.

The 350+ US cars took a trip to nearby Lake Como, followed by  a parade arrival of the Sharks Team American Cars Club. Rodeo entrants from Northern Italian regions and Switzerland took part, aboard their Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, DeSoto, Ford, Hummer, Lincoln and Plymouth cars.

Many prizes were awarded by the judges of Cruisin’ Life and Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), who selected 30 remarkable vehicles from the assembly of muscle and pony cars, vans, trucks and hot rods. The title of ‘Best in Show’ went to a DeSoto Coupé ’58 owned by Ivano Radaelli.

The US-made roar of the V8s was accompanied by the sound of the Hound Dog Rockers band.

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