{"id":29685,"date":"2022-08-22T18:16:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T22:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=29685"},"modified":"2022-08-22T18:16:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T22:16:43","slug":"class-of-96-the-new-dream-cruise-classics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2022\/08\/class-of-96-the-new-dream-cruise-classics","title":{"rendered":"Class of &#8217;96: The new Dream Cruise classics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Like a high school class reunion on wheels, the Woodward Dream Cruise celebrates not just our adolescent car fantasies, but decades of auto design.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Each year we honor the 26th reunion class\u00a0in particular as new classics that can wear historic plates (in Michigan 26, not 25, is antique). For aging gracefully, the state rewards you with plates costing just $30 every decade provided you \u2014 class, listen closely \u2014 only exercise the vehicles sparingly. August excepted, of course, so that you can cruise your pride and joy anywhere you want and reminisce about 1996\u2019s highlights: Braveheart\u2019s Oscar, the Atlanta Olympics, the Colorado Avalanche\u2019s Stanley Cup (boo, hiss).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Here are the highlights from the Class of &#8217;96.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/bb9c6faa-27c0-4ae2-9f95-171d36a2340b-Dodge_Viper.JPG?width=660&amp;height=444&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/bb9c6faa-27c0-4ae2-9f95-171d36a2340b-Dodge_Viper.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=888&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1996 Dodge Viper RT\/10\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1996 Dodge Viper RT\/10\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy Chrysler\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Dodge Viper SR II<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Raw and rowdy, the 1992 Dodge Viper roadster was a sensation. The second-generation\u00a01996 car refined the formula. Moving the leg-scalding exhaust pipes from the rocker panels to the rear of the car, SR II also gained a\u00a0stiffer chassis and a GTS coupe model (to die for in blue with double-white stripes). Oh, and the earth-shaking, Lamborghini-tuned\u00a08.0-liter\u00a0V-10 RAM engine got a horsepower bump to 450 ponies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">GTS also has a more civilized interior that won\u2019t bake you to a crisp, power windows, air bags and door handles to access it. Car and Driver clocked sub-4 second 0-60 sprints, making Viper one of the decade\u2019s quickest cars.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_cp\" aria-label=\"2022 Woodward Dream Cruise\" data-c-cta=\"DIG DEEPER\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_cp_cw\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/cc228139-979d-4024-b2b8-041d95725a6f-Dodge_Stealth.JPG?width=660&amp;height=427&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/cc228139-979d-4024-b2b8-041d95725a6f-Dodge_Stealth.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=854&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1996 Dodge Stealth R\/T Turbo\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1996 Dodge Stealth R\/T Turbo\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy Chrysler\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Dodge Stealth<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While Viper Part 2 was winning accolades, Dodge ended Stealth production the same year. Made in Japan alongside the similar, more popular Mitsubishi 3000GT, the fun sports cars shared a V-6 mill with a high-output, twin-turbocharged version pumping out 320 horses. Stealth came in multiple trims \u2014 and even optioned all-wheel drive. The Dodge got off on the wrong foot back in \u201991 when it was scheduled as the Indy 500 pace car \u2014 then boycotted by the UAW because of its Japanese origin (a Viper prototype took its place). Rick Mears received a Stealth for winning the race anyway.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/0ba873e3-b424-418e-ad3d-5b2a50de81dd-CruiseClassic1996_Corvette_Grand_Sport.JPG?width=660&amp;height=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/0ba873e3-b424-418e-ad3d-5b2a50de81dd-CruiseClassic1996_Corvette_Grand_Sport.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=824&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1996 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1996 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy General Motors\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Chevy Corvette C4 Grand Sport<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Chevy\u2019s fourth-generation sports car ended its 1983-96 production run with a $43K\u00a0performance Grand Sport \u2014 the first GS since the legendary \u201963 race car piloted by Roger Penske (among others). Just 1,000 Grands\u00a0were produced (810 coupes, 190 convertibles) dressed in Admiral Blue with a white stripe down the middle, 330 horsepower\u00a0and signature twin red hash marks over the left front fender.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/d282ecac-9ce5-43ac-b896-489d7894a0d5-CruiseClassic1996_Camaro_Z28.JPG?width=660&amp;height=493&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/d282ecac-9ce5-43ac-b896-489d7894a0d5-CruiseClassic1996_Camaro_Z28.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=986&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1996 Chevy Camaro Z28 SS\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1996 Chevy Camaro Z28 SS\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy General Motors\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Chevy Camaro Z28 SS<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">This was the era of the sloped-nose, scalloped-headlight\u00a0F-body Camaro (the chassis shared with sibling Firebird, though\u00a0the Pontiac had retractable lights). The base &#8216;Maro offered two V-6 engines and a V-8 upgrade making 275 horsepower. For \u201996, Chevy partnered with Street Legal Performance in New Jersey to produce the model line\u2019s Alpha Dog: a ferocious, V8-powered Z28 SS that, for one year, united the legendary Z28 and SS badges.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It\u2019s a rare bird for a lot of reasons (though it should be noted that its 305 ponies is, um, less than a 2023 Chevy Blazer RS). Just 2,263 Z28 SS models were built (264 of them convertibles) loaded with toys like Torsen differential and Hurst six-speed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cWhen SLP received approval from Chevrolet in 1996 to offer the &#8230; Camaro Z28 model, it marked the re-introduction of the SS nameplate after a 24-year absence,\u201d wrote SLP President Ed Hamburger in a press release. \u201cThe Camaro SS instantly became the new benchmark in affordable performance.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/fdaaeea9-9b32-46cd-a7de-2a9e743711d1-Ford_Mustang.JPG?width=660&amp;height=565&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/fdaaeea9-9b32-46cd-a7de-2a9e743711d1-Ford_Mustang.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=1130&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1996 Ford Mustang GT\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1996 Ford Mustang GT\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy Ford, Ford Motor Company\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Ford Mustang GT<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">After the 4th-gen &#8216;Stang debuted in 1994 with major chassis and styling revisions, the &#8217;96 GT showcased a new\u00a0215-horse, single-overhead-cam 4.6-liter V-8, replacing the old nail, 30-year-old\u00a05.0-liter pushrod V-8.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/b9067a88-d58c-4d19-9364-64fd81d2c313-BMW_Z3.JPG?width=660&amp;height=480&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/b9067a88-d58c-4d19-9364-64fd81d2c313-BMW_Z3.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=960&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 1996 BMW Z3 Roadster.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 1996 BMW Z3 Roadster.\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy BMW\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">BMW Z3<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Assembled in Greer, South Carolina, the Z3 roadster was the first BMW manufactured outside of Germany. First models were powered by a 1.9-liter 4-banger producing 130 horsepower, or about the same as a more affordable Mazda Miata.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Nevertheless, Z3 was hailed for its athletic handling and later models (including the inevitable Z3 M performance beast) would be available with more powerful\u00a0inline-6 cylinder engines. It\u2019s a topless sports car that can be enjoyed on Woodward or twisty M-32 Up North.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/3f965a22-fdc0-4f9c-b4b8-47016e05c73e-Lotus-Elise-S1.jpg?width=660&amp;height=434&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/3f965a22-fdc0-4f9c-b4b8-47016e05c73e-Lotus-Elise-S1.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=868&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The Lotus Elise Series 1.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The Lotus Elise Series 1.\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy Lotus\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Lotus Elise<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">This legendary Brit was introduced in &#8217;96, but didn\u2019t wash up on our shores until 2005. Thanks to the sunset of federal safety regs 25 years after production, the original Elise is now legal here. What a treat it is.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">You thought the Z3\u2019s engine was small? Elise\u2019s 1.8-liter 4-cylinder packs just 118 horsepower \u2014\u00a0but at just 1,600 pounds, the aluminum-frame Elise weighs the same as an IndyCar. With fiberglass body, sultry looks\u00a0and no-frills interior, it became the best-selling Lotus ever.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/80fd11be-af87-40ca-ba77-13d3687cb326-Ford_Taurus.JPG?width=660&amp;height=660&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/80fd11be-af87-40ca-ba77-13d3687cb326-Ford_Taurus.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=1320&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The third-generation Taurus debuted for the 1996 model year.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The third-generation Taurus debuted for the 1996 model year.\" data-c-credit=\"Photo Courtesy Ford\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Ford Taurus\/Mercury Sable<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">America\u2019s best-selling car at the time, the third-gen\u00a0$18,000 Taurus (and sibling Sable) was introduced in \u201996 in sedan and station wagon trims with different styling than its predecessors. Still aerodynamic, Taurus looked to stand apart by taking the company\u2019s Blue Oval logo and making it a theme across the car \u2014 oval headlights, oval grille, even an oval rear window.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The interior was also reimagined with (naturally) an oval-shaped console with front bucket seats standard. The Payne family enjoyed their wagon (despite rust issues), but the design proved polarizing, and in 1997\u00a0Taurus lost its sales crown to the Toyota Camry.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/04a4d11a-d5be-4bf3-84bc-637b65331be9-Honda_Civic.JPG?width=660&amp;height=431&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/16\/PDTN\/04a4d11a-d5be-4bf3-84bc-637b65331be9-Honda_Civic.JPG?width=1320&amp;height=862&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1996 Honda Civic LX Sedan.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1996 Honda Civic LX Sedan.\" data-c-credit=\"Honda, Wieck\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Honda Civic<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Though my favorite trim, the\u00a0sporty\u00a0manual Si, wouldn\u2019t debut until 1999, the sixth-generation, 1996 Civic offered good bones to build on. It featured a sippy, 106-horse, 4-banger engine mated to a CVT transmission as well as an intuitive manual box.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Inside, Civic was roomy for its class, though its amenities pale to today\u2019s electronics. Standard adaptive cruise control? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Backup camera? Fuhgeddaboudit. The base\u00a0CX three-door hatchback not only lacked those basic features found on today\u2019s compact, but it had no radio, no power steering, and came with with 13-inch wheels. Price? Just under 11 grand.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/20\/PDTN\/2cac4f1f-bcf8-4e19-939b-4bc14d1fede4-image2.jpeg?width=660&amp;height=495&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2022\/08\/20\/PDTN\/2cac4f1f-bcf8-4e19-939b-4bc14d1fede4-image2.jpeg?width=1320&amp;height=990&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"1995-96 Nissan 370Z Twin Turbo\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"1995-96 Nissan 370Z Twin Turbo\" data-c-credit=\"Courtesy Of Ryan Farrier\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Nissan 300ZX<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Maybe the best-looking Z outside of the original\u00a01970 240Z \u2014 and the current, 2023 inspired by the same\u00a0\u2014 the \u201996 300ZX would be the last\u00a0Z sold in the U.S. until 2002 as Nissan corporate struggled to find itself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Powerful and athletic, 300ZX offered a 222-horse V-6 and a 300-horse,\u00a0twin-turbo option with an adjustable suspension, depending on your mood. \u201cIt will be a black day when the last Nissan 300ZX is shipped to America,\u201d wrote enthusiast publication Car and Driver when it named Z to its 10 Best Cars list.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like a high school class reunion on wheels, the Woodward Dream Cruise celebrates not just our adolescent car fantasies, but decades of auto design. Each year we honor the 26th reunion class\u00a0in particular as new classics that can wear historic plates (in Michigan 26, not 25, is antique). For aging gracefully, the state rewards you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29685"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29685"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29686,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29685\/revisions\/29686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}