By Bill Thorpe
Photos courtesy of Dave McManus
The Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan is the world’s largest celebration of the classic car culture.
In 2015 the event attracted about 1 million spectators and more than 40,000 cruisers. This weekend’s crowd is expected to be the same size. It’s all about cruising, hanging out, showing off, people watching and being seen with your car. There are street rods, muscle cars, custom one-of-a-kind “restromods” and classic collector vehicles.
The cruise starts 1 mile north of Detroit in Ferndale and goes 16 miles up and down Woodward Avenue to Pontiac. Woodward is credited with being the first concrete highway in the United States.
The event, originating in 1995 as a one-day car cruise to raise funds for a soccer field in Ferndale, has grown by leaps and bounds.
The show’s theme re-created the nostalgic heydays of the 1950s and ’60s, when young folks cruised the Motor City in great cars while playing classic rock ’n’ roll. Hanging out at restaurants and parking lots on weekends with friends and car guys was the order of the day.
Since then the show has evolved into a weeklong celebration culminating on the third Saturday in August of each year. In addition to having motorists come from all over the United States, the Woodward Dream Cruise has had fans come from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the Soviet Union.
If you are truly a classic car fanatic and an avid cruiser, this is a must for your bucket list.
Until next time, happy cruising.
Photos courtesy of Dave McManus
The Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan is the world’s largest celebration of the classic car culture.
In 2015 the event attracted about 1 million spectators and more than 40,000 cruisers. This weekend’s crowd is expected to be the same size. It’s all about cruising, hanging out, showing off, people watching and being seen with your car. There are street rods, muscle cars, custom one-of-a-kind “restromods” and classic collector vehicles.
The cruise starts 1 mile north of Detroit in Ferndale and goes 16 miles up and down Woodward Avenue to Pontiac. Woodward is credited with being the first concrete highway in the United States.
The event, originating in 1995 as a one-day car cruise to raise funds for a soccer field in Ferndale, has grown by leaps and bounds.
The show’s theme re-created the nostalgic heydays of the 1950s and ’60s, when young folks cruised the Motor City in great cars while playing classic rock ’n’ roll. Hanging out at restaurants and parking lots on weekends with friends and car guys was the order of the day.
Since then the show has evolved into a weeklong celebration culminating on the third Saturday in August of each year. In addition to having motorists come from all over the United States, the Woodward Dream Cruise has had fans come from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the Soviet Union.
If you are truly a classic car fanatic and an avid cruiser, this is a must for your bucket list.
Until next time, happy cruising.