ROYAL OAK, Mich., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Troy Trepanier, recognized as the automotive industry's premier custom car designer/builder/racer, will serve as the official Grand Marshal of the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise, to be held Saturday, August 16, 2008.
The president of Rad Rides by Troy, a Manteno, Illinois-based custom car shop known for its creativity, craftsmanship and award-winning vehicles, Trepanier builds cars for many of the top car collectors in the country while working closely with major OEMs such as General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and Toyota. He is currently developing an environmentally friendly ethanol kit that is the only EPA certified e85 kit available in America.
Trepanier's many 4-wheel achievements have graced TV Shows, magazine covers and multiple trophy cases and include:
-- Hot Rod Magazine "Car of the Year," "Top 10 of Year" & "Top 10 All Time"
-- Autorama Ridler Award Winner
-- Bonneville Salt Flats Record Holder
-- Ford Motor Company's "Top 75 Roadsters Ever Built"
-- Rides TV Series on Discovery Channel
"Troy is a down-to-earth, Midwestern guy who builds incredible custom cars that people actually drive," said Don Tanner, executive director of the Woodward Dream Cruise. "He also just happens to be one of the most prolific hot-rodders ever and a huge fan of our event."
Trepanier will appear throughout the Dream Cruise, including at the Friday night ribbon cutting in Ferndale and parade through downtown Berkley. He will also serve as the Guest of Honor and Honorary Judge at the first-ever Woodward "Dream Show" -- a juried car exhibition and competition at Northwood Shopping Center (northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile) and appear on this year's official program cover.
The "Dream Show" will also feature live entertainment, including an appearance by Motown legends the Contours and a classic car auction, administered by the American Concours Foundation with vehicles available on eBayMotor.com.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is the world's largest one-day celebration of car culture, attracting more than 1 million visitors and over 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles. The 14th annual Dream Cruise is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2008. Visit www.woodwarddreamcruise.com .