The Woodward Dream Cruise is coming
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From: royal oak, mich
The Woodward Dream Cruise is coming
Saturday Aug 16 actually it's the 3rd Saturday in August each year. Come one and all. Cruise with thousands of vehicles or just chill out watching with over a million other fans. It's ez for the wife, her sis and I since we live only a mile from ground zero of 13 mile and Woodward (US1). It's all being held on Woodward from 8 mile to 16 miles north outside detroit michigan.
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From: royal oak, mich
BIRMINGHAM -- Perfect weather and gearhead eye candy for miles and
miles: This year's Woodward Dream Cruise was one of the biggest in
history.
"We had fantastic weather and, even with the gas prices, it's a
testament to this event that it continues to grow," said Don Tanner,
executive director of the Woodward Dream Cruise.
As sunshine parted to a comfortable night Saturday, Royal Oak Police
estimated 1.2 million people had turned out for the cruise.
Routes and sidewalks that were jammed all day remained so, as if
crowds didn't want to abandon the fun. The unmistakably Motown sounds
of revving engines and squealing tires that began in the morning
continued as darkness fell.
As many as 40,000 classic and muscle cars hit the 16-mile stretch
from Ferndale to Pontiac. Police at several agencies reported no
problems.
"The parking lots are full and they're staying full," said Greg
Rassel, Royal Oak's representative on the board that coordinates the
cruise. "That either means a lot of people are coming and going or
people are having a good time and staying."
Gas may sell at $3.85. The auto industry may be in the dumps.
Michigan is mired in a recession. But mixing equal parts optimism,
nostalgia and true-blue, make-no-apologies love of American muscle,
the 14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise just kept packing 'em in.
"It's still the Motor City. It's our history," said Bart Kabot of
Sterling Heights.
For the uninitiated or skeptical, this is what it's all about: Kabot
and Dawn Wishaw brought out their orange '70 Chevelle SS Model early.
All week, they made treks along the historic drag. After a few hours
on the road Saturday, they parked in a Birmingham lot, letting
admiring eyes check under the hood.
The crowds no doubt were bolstered by made-to-order weather.
Temperatures kissed 82 degrees and nary a cloud competed with the
cascade of classic cars.
"The weather's been perfect. I think that helps," said Michael
Kohler, a 58-year-old Trenton resident. "We can't say that about
years past."
Shanna Marcero and her husband, Keith, planted lawn chairs and their
yellow 1970 Torino GT on the west side of Woodward north of 11 Mile
before 9 a.m. The Chesterfield Township couple spent the rest of the
day watching the parade go by.
"The weather's beautiful -- you can't complain about that -- with the
breeze and everything," Shanna Marcero said.
Spectators were both sedentary and ambulatory in Birmingham.
Some were parked in folding chairs along the route, down for the
duration. "We're here and we're not going anywhere for the rest of
the day," said Mary McDonald, 54, of Clawson. "This spot's as good as
any."
Others, often carrying a lawn chair under each arm, were in search of
greener, or perhaps shadier pastures.
Thirty dollars bought you a parking spot in a small weeded lot off
Bowers, and on the other side of Woodward, Chevelles, Corvettes and
even a Chrysler New Yorker -- about 15 feet long -- were lined up
with the hoods popped open to admiring eyes.
Bands played around at least three venues, and digital cameras got a
workout.
"It's already been good. We're having a great time," said Paul Mead
of Mississauga, Ont., who was part of a seven-classic-car caravan
that made the 340-mile trek Thursday from near Toronto.
"It's worth the ride," said Mead's traveling companion
Tony "Hollywood" Balestrin, 39, also of Mississauga.
Some folks opted for the northern end of the cruise route in Pontiac.
There, smaller crowds enjoyed the view of more spacious streets,
where cruisers had room to rev their engines and light up their tires.
Michael Postell of Pontiac took his 1955 Chevy Belair for a spin
north of Big Beaver before parking it along Woodward. He said the hot-
rod atmosphere is just as good at the Cruise's northern end.
"I love the older cars; it's the atmosphere," he said. "Ever since I
was a little kid, I've always been into cars."
The day began early, when about 100 cars started their engines in
unison in the early dawn sun just outside the GM World Headquarters
at the Renaissance Center. Then, one by one, they started their
steady drive up Woodward Avenue.
The rare spectacle is just one way GM is marking its 100th
anniversary of making cars.
"It's amazing," said Jeb Rand, 43, of Atlanta, Ga., who was driving
his 1927 Cadillac seven-passenger sedan closely behind GM CEO and
Chairman Rick Wagoner, who was leading the caravan in an E85 ethanol
powered Corvette Z06.
miles: This year's Woodward Dream Cruise was one of the biggest in
history.
"We had fantastic weather and, even with the gas prices, it's a
testament to this event that it continues to grow," said Don Tanner,
executive director of the Woodward Dream Cruise.
As sunshine parted to a comfortable night Saturday, Royal Oak Police
estimated 1.2 million people had turned out for the cruise.
Routes and sidewalks that were jammed all day remained so, as if
crowds didn't want to abandon the fun. The unmistakably Motown sounds
of revving engines and squealing tires that began in the morning
continued as darkness fell.
As many as 40,000 classic and muscle cars hit the 16-mile stretch
from Ferndale to Pontiac. Police at several agencies reported no
problems.
"The parking lots are full and they're staying full," said Greg
Rassel, Royal Oak's representative on the board that coordinates the
cruise. "That either means a lot of people are coming and going or
people are having a good time and staying."
Gas may sell at $3.85. The auto industry may be in the dumps.
Michigan is mired in a recession. But mixing equal parts optimism,
nostalgia and true-blue, make-no-apologies love of American muscle,
the 14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise just kept packing 'em in.
"It's still the Motor City. It's our history," said Bart Kabot of
Sterling Heights.
For the uninitiated or skeptical, this is what it's all about: Kabot
and Dawn Wishaw brought out their orange '70 Chevelle SS Model early.
All week, they made treks along the historic drag. After a few hours
on the road Saturday, they parked in a Birmingham lot, letting
admiring eyes check under the hood.
The crowds no doubt were bolstered by made-to-order weather.
Temperatures kissed 82 degrees and nary a cloud competed with the
cascade of classic cars.
"The weather's been perfect. I think that helps," said Michael
Kohler, a 58-year-old Trenton resident. "We can't say that about
years past."
Shanna Marcero and her husband, Keith, planted lawn chairs and their
yellow 1970 Torino GT on the west side of Woodward north of 11 Mile
before 9 a.m. The Chesterfield Township couple spent the rest of the
day watching the parade go by.
"The weather's beautiful -- you can't complain about that -- with the
breeze and everything," Shanna Marcero said.
Spectators were both sedentary and ambulatory in Birmingham.
Some were parked in folding chairs along the route, down for the
duration. "We're here and we're not going anywhere for the rest of
the day," said Mary McDonald, 54, of Clawson. "This spot's as good as
any."
Others, often carrying a lawn chair under each arm, were in search of
greener, or perhaps shadier pastures.
Thirty dollars bought you a parking spot in a small weeded lot off
Bowers, and on the other side of Woodward, Chevelles, Corvettes and
even a Chrysler New Yorker -- about 15 feet long -- were lined up
with the hoods popped open to admiring eyes.
Bands played around at least three venues, and digital cameras got a
workout.
"It's already been good. We're having a great time," said Paul Mead
of Mississauga, Ont., who was part of a seven-classic-car caravan
that made the 340-mile trek Thursday from near Toronto.
"It's worth the ride," said Mead's traveling companion
Tony "Hollywood" Balestrin, 39, also of Mississauga.
Some folks opted for the northern end of the cruise route in Pontiac.
There, smaller crowds enjoyed the view of more spacious streets,
where cruisers had room to rev their engines and light up their tires.
Michael Postell of Pontiac took his 1955 Chevy Belair for a spin
north of Big Beaver before parking it along Woodward. He said the hot-
rod atmosphere is just as good at the Cruise's northern end.
"I love the older cars; it's the atmosphere," he said. "Ever since I
was a little kid, I've always been into cars."
The day began early, when about 100 cars started their engines in
unison in the early dawn sun just outside the GM World Headquarters
at the Renaissance Center. Then, one by one, they started their
steady drive up Woodward Avenue.
The rare spectacle is just one way GM is marking its 100th
anniversary of making cars.
"It's amazing," said Jeb Rand, 43, of Atlanta, Ga., who was driving
his 1927 Cadillac seven-passenger sedan closely behind GM CEO and
Chairman Rick Wagoner, who was leading the caravan in an E85 ethanol
powered Corvette Z06.
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From: royal oak, mich
If you got to the CVS on the east side of Woodward just south of 13 mile I probably saw your car. We got there a little before 10am and left to eat at about 3pm. Got a nice sunburn on my knees though.
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From: Buffalo NY
awww i hate you! i cant wait to get my 74 next year.
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From: Windsor, Ont.
I was about 2 weeks from bieng there. My car is needing very minor tweeking and some interior work to be driving. Oh well, better late than never. I would have probably gone during the week like Thursday night when it's not so jam packed.
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From: royal oak, mich
The 14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday was a hit.
The cruise is a staple in Southeastern Michigan and is the world’s largest one-day celebration of car culture, attracting more than 1 million visitors and more than 40,000 cars.
Classic cars enthusiasts strolled down Woodward Dream from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Automotive custom car designer, builder and racer Troy Trepanier was the official Grand Marshal of the Dream Cruise this year.
Trepanier is president of Rad Rides by Troy, an award-winning Illinois-based custom car shop.
As Grand Marshal, Trepanier cut the ribbon in Ferndale and a parade through downtown Berkley on Friday, commenced. He was also an honorary judge at the “Dream Show,” a juried car exhibition and competition that was held at the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road.
This year, marked the Dream Cruise’s first-ever classic car auction through the American Concours Foundation will happen.
The ACF organized the online auction, with classics available for bid on the eBay Motors Web site.
Money raised went toward the police and firefighter funds from the Dream Cruise’s nine host communities -- Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak. The auction will continue through August of 2009.
For sellers, the ACF handles all aspects of the vehicle sale in a turn-key manner, including inspection, photography, online listings, auction management and post-sale paperwork. Those interested in consigning vehicles can visit American Concours online or contact Don Sommer at don@bid123sold.com.
The event’s 2008 logo was conceptualized and created by highly credited automotive designer **** Ruzzin. The logo was created as a tribute to the role of the hot rod in the history of cruisin’.
“As I created the new logo, I felt compelled to go back to cruisin’s very roots and draw a vehicle that wasn’t a specific make or model but, rather, was a vehicle image that would communicate the fun, excitement and classic lines of a number of the early hot rods,” said Ruzzin about his design.
The cruise is a staple in Southeastern Michigan and is the world’s largest one-day celebration of car culture, attracting more than 1 million visitors and more than 40,000 cars.
Classic cars enthusiasts strolled down Woodward Dream from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Automotive custom car designer, builder and racer Troy Trepanier was the official Grand Marshal of the Dream Cruise this year.
Trepanier is president of Rad Rides by Troy, an award-winning Illinois-based custom car shop.
As Grand Marshal, Trepanier cut the ribbon in Ferndale and a parade through downtown Berkley on Friday, commenced. He was also an honorary judge at the “Dream Show,” a juried car exhibition and competition that was held at the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road.
This year, marked the Dream Cruise’s first-ever classic car auction through the American Concours Foundation will happen.
The ACF organized the online auction, with classics available for bid on the eBay Motors Web site.
Money raised went toward the police and firefighter funds from the Dream Cruise’s nine host communities -- Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak. The auction will continue through August of 2009.
For sellers, the ACF handles all aspects of the vehicle sale in a turn-key manner, including inspection, photography, online listings, auction management and post-sale paperwork. Those interested in consigning vehicles can visit American Concours online or contact Don Sommer at don@bid123sold.com.
The event’s 2008 logo was conceptualized and created by highly credited automotive designer **** Ruzzin. The logo was created as a tribute to the role of the hot rod in the history of cruisin’.
“As I created the new logo, I felt compelled to go back to cruisin’s very roots and draw a vehicle that wasn’t a specific make or model but, rather, was a vehicle image that would communicate the fun, excitement and classic lines of a number of the early hot rods,” said Ruzzin about his design.
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From: royal oak, mich
Sorry for the mistake. I thought it just couldn't be a chevy but..... Seen a lot of t-buckets with chevy engines and one ford engine. I'd like to put my truck engine in a kit car and build up a 3v for the truck.