HOT RODS OLD & NEW FIRE UP "FORD CRUISIN’ LEGENDS"

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• Classic hot rods and new models destined to be classics will be among the stars at “Ford Cruisin’ Legends” this Friday and Saturday in downtown Birmingham.
• The legendary Beach Boys will headline the activities during Friday’s “Ford Cruisin' Legends” charity celebration to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
• Top automotive designers and key Ford executives will judge more than 150 classic cruisers and hot rods competing in the “Ford Cruisin’ Legends Concours.”
• All Cruisin’ weekend Ford will pack downtown Birmingham with one-of-a-kind vehicle displays, special appearances and fun family activities.

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 16, 2005 – Start with a great downtown Birmingham location, add more than 150 cool classic cars and some of the hottest automotive designers and mix in the cruisin’ tunes of the legendary Beach Boys and what do you get? Ford Cruisin’ Legends – THE place to be all Woodward Dream Cruise weekend.

Ford Motor Company has upped the wow factor for the 11th annual Woodward Dream Cruise, hosting the Beach Boys in their first appearance at the Dream Cruise, unveiling one of the hottest new Mustang designs around and gathering an all-star lineup of automotive designers. All this and more at “Ford Cruisin’ Legends” charity celebration Friday, Aug. 19 in downtown Birmingham as Ford kicks off a cruisin’ weekend of activities where classic cars, great music and family entertainment meet Friday and Saturday.

“Ford Cruisin’ Legends brings together the coolest classics, concepts and stars,” said Jill Fannon, manager, Ford Global Events and Marketing. “We’re really pleased to have such a great lineup of talent and cruisers for our charity celebration, along with all of the great exhibits and activities for the whole family on Saturday.”

Limited tickets are still available

Tickets are still available for the Ford Cruisin’ Legends charity celebration for $175 each or $750, which earn the additional unique opportunity to meet the Beach Boys before their performance. A contribution from ticket sales will benefit JDRF. To purchase tickets, contact JDRF at cruisinlegends@jdrf.org or call (248) 827-3015.

Wraps come off unique new Foose Mustang

Ford Cruisin’ Legends charity celebration attendees will get a real treat when Unique Performance and hot designer Chip Foose, a Hot Rod Hall of Famer and lead designer on TLC’s popular series “Overhaulin’” unveil their incredible new Foose-designed 2006 Mustang. The limited production vehicle demonstrates the high performance, versatility and superiority of one of Ford Motor Company’s best-selling vehicles. The group will also show off its new Shelby GT 500E and Shelby GT 350SR.

Bid on ‘Little Deuce Coupe’ for charity

Another treat for Ford Cruisin’ Legends attendees will be a peek at the Dearborn Deuce Convertible™ – “the quintessential American hot rod” – signed by Edsel B. Ford II and available on eBay beginning Friday, Aug. 19. The Beach Boys’ popular song “Little Deuce Coupe” helped make the hot rod version of the classic 1932 Ford roadster hip again in the 1960s. Ford has done it one better, commissioning the newly manufactured 2005 version – worth at least $100,000 – for auction to benefit JDRF. “Along with Edsel Ford’s signature, this is a true collector’s item,” said Craig Knight, owner of Hot Rods & Horsepower, which donated the vehicle to Ford.

Cruisin’ Legends has something for everyone

The Ford Cruisin’ Legends charity celebration will be centered in the Shain Park area of Birmingham from 6-11 p.m. – rain or shine. Additional activities that night will include:

• Ford Cruisin’ Legends Concours, featuring legendary Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles competing for prizes and special recognition from a select panel of judges, including designer Chip Foose, Barry Meguiar of “Car Crazy” radio and TV shows and key Ford Motor Company executives.
• gourmet buffet served by award-winning Forte-Belanger Catering with a special “Chocolate Fantasy” dessert bar in the Townsend Hotel Ballroom
• silent auction of one-of-a-kind automotive items with proceeds to benefit JDRF
• in addition to the Beach Boys, the popular local oldies group Teen Angels will perform

In addition, Ford Cruisin’ Legends ticketholders will be eligible for Friends & Neighbors X-Plan Pricing on eligible Ford Motor Company vehicles.

Ford Cruisin’ Legends fun continues all day Saturday

A wide variety of displays and activities on Saturday, Aug. 20 will be free of charge, including:

• “Built for the Road Ahead” Tour: Check out some of the newest, hottest Ford vehicles while enjoying a variety of fun activities, such as the Ford Super Duty “Payload” Challenge or the Freestyle “Go Configure” Challenge, for great prizes.
• Lincoln Mark LT Chopper: Visitors will be able to take an e-photo with Orange County Choppers’ two-wheel interpretation of the all-new 2006 Lincoln Mark LT luxury truck.
• Family fun and music: Clowns, face-painters and musical and entertainment acts including My Bed Bugs, Beatles tribute band The Beat Club and Jason. D. Williams.
• Ford Racing Alley: Check out a variety of show/project cars and parts from SVT and Ford Racing Performance Parts, Saleen and Roush and score autographs:
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Mustang Hall of Famer Steve Saleen
• 1-3 p.m.: Legendary hot rod designer and fabricator Chip Foose
• Concepts and classics by the curb: Among the 150 unique Ford and Lincoln Mercury classics on display will be the 1964½ Ford Mustang specially built for Henry Ford II, a Mustang GT-R concept and Mercury Comet Cyclone GT dragster.
• Ford Mobility Motoring: Able Ambassador Chet Kuskowski will demonstrate an adapted 2005 Mustang GT while the younger set can clown around in the kids tent.

Ford Motor Company and JDRF

Ford is a longtime supporter of the local community and various children’s charities through its celebration of the American passion for cars as part of Birmingham’s Dream Cruise festivities. The country’s largest one-day automotive enthusiast event attracts roughly 1.7 million fans and 40,000 cars to Metro Detroit’s 16-mile long cruising strip on famed Woodward Avenue. Edsel B. Ford II is honorary chairman and Greg Smith is 2005 chairman of the fund-raiser event, which for the second year benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF).

“Ford Motor Company has been a dedicated partner of JDRF for more than 20 years,” said Karen Breen, executive director of JDRF’s Metro Detroit & Southeast Michigan Chapter. “Through its efforts locally and around the world, Ford contributes to fund the most promising research that is leading to a cure for diabetes and its complications.”

New stamp honors ’55 T-bird

Also on Dream Cruise Saturday, Darryl B. Hazel, president, Ford Division, will be on hand at the Michigan State Fair Grounds as the 1955 Ford Thunderbird is honored at the U.S. Postal Service National Ceremony celebrating the first-day issuance for “America on the Move ‘50s: Sporty Cars” stamp collection. The 1955 Thunderbird is one of five sporty cars of the 1950s being honored on the special set of stamps, which were introduced last year at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The 1955 Ford Thunderbird stamp will be on sale in a special display near the Birmingham Post Office as well as post offices nationwide or online at www.usps.com.</span>