2018 Woodward Dream Cruise Photo Gallery
Woodward Dream Cruise
The Woodward Dream Cruise is something to behold. It's been around since 1995 with one-million people gathering each year to watch thousands of vehicles take a leisurely cruise down Woodward Avenue.
Woodward Dream Cruise
It brings the best out of what we love about cars - old and new.
16-miles of Detroit passion
The cruise runs through nine Metro Detroit communities starting in Ferndale and ending in Pontiac. That stretch covers 16-miles (26 km) and everyone represents their communities from the dealers to its constituents.
It turns into a parking lot of cars
People start coming in mid-week for the one-day Saturday show. By noon on the third Saturday in August, Woodward Avenue is jammed with a bumper-to-bumper display that goes on from the early morning to the late evening.
All vehicles are welcomed
It doesn't matter what your vehicle is: hot rod, muscle car, custom design, vintage collection, or modern sensation – it all woks here. There were close to 40,000 cars running through Woodward.
All vehicles are welcomed
All shapes, sizes, even ones with a lot of rust.
All vehicles are welcomed
We really mean all...
Old and new sharing the road
Throughout the day, old, new and just average cars shared the road. Unlike Pebble beach, that's the way Detroit has always run its Woodward cruise. It gives a chance for all to experience from launch chairs on the side of the street and on the street itself.
Old and new sharing the road
Just another example of old and new on display throughout the day.
Detroit muscle was being flexed
If you're a true classic car fanatic, the Woodward Dream Cruise is exactly what it sounds like – a dream come true. Some of the all-time hottest Detroit muscle cars are out cruising including pristine Chevrolet Bel Airs, Corvettes and Chevelle SS, along with Ford Thunderbirds, Pontiac Firebird Trans-Ams, Pontiac GTOs, Plymouth Road Runners and Dodge Chargers, to name a few.
Detroit muscle was being flexed - interior
If you're a true classic car fanatic, the Woodward Dream Cruise is exactly what it sounds like – a dream come true. Some of the all-time hottest Detroit muscle cars are out cruising including pristine Chevrolet Bel Airs, Corvettes and Chevelle SS, along with Ford Thunderbirds, Pontiac Firebird Trans-Ams, Pontiac GTOs, Plymouth Road Runners and Dodge Chargers, to name a few.
First ever Mustang retail sale owner and car present
The most famous Mustang is owned by Gail Wise, who was in attendance with her husband Tom. She's the owner of the first-ever 1964.5 Ford Mustang sold in Skylight Blue back on Wednesday, April 15 1964, two days before its unveil at the New York Fair. She purchased it for USD$3,447.50 and it's now valued approximately at $350,000. As a third grade teacher at the time, all she wanted was a convertible and the Johnson Ford dealer in Chicago had a few in its back room.
Mustang Alley is crazy good!
Another need-to-see area is Mustang Alley. Over 1,000-Mustangs were set-up in Ferndale along 9 Mile. In the early morning they had their own parade down Woodward, then settled in for a $20 parking spot to be gawked at for the rest of the day. Here you will find Boss 302s, Mach 1s, a number of newly-purchased Bullitts and an entire section of Shelbys.
Weird works too
Expect the unexpected on Woodward. We saw a lot of unusual customs, but nothing like this upside down GM Rally Wagon. The driver is piloting down Woodward by looking through his rear window, while everyone else runs to take a picture.
Hot rods galore
Creativity is the name of the game for hot rods, and those were in abundance with large engines on display for all to see.
Creativity can be good or bad
There's everything here from good to wacky custom cars. Besides the hideous neon colour treatments, there was a burnt 1940 Ford car that was souped-up with a microphone for a gear shift and a meat grinder for an exhaust. But the most creative went to a Volkswagen see-through Beetle that was only covered by iron bars – an absolute stunner in so many ways!
Creativity can be good or bad - more
There's everything here from good to wacky custom cars. Besides the hideous neon colour treatments, there was a burnt 1940 Ford car that was souped-up with a microphone for a gear shift and a meat grinder for an exhaust. But the most creative went to a Volkswagen see-through Beetle that was only covered by iron bars – an absolute stunner in so many ways!
Auto show staples
The usual city show vehicles were on-hand such as the DeLorean DMC-12, Willy's Overland CJ-2A, the Ecto-1 Ghostbusters vehicle and the legendary VW Bus – both large and mini.
Auto show staples - more
The usual city show vehicles were on-hand such as the DeLorean DMC-12, Willy's Overland CJ-2A, the Ecto-1 Ghostbusters vehicle and the legendary VW Bus – both large and mini.
The Pink Cadillac
However you slice it, the Pink Cadillac always stands out in a crowd. This 1959 convertible looks to be in good shape and taken care of on this day, as it was only doing short loops in the morning.
1932 Hupmobile
This 1932 Hupmobile with accompanied matching trailer was brought to Woodward from Ohio. The Hupmobile built by the Hupp Motor Car Company honked its horn to onlookers throughout the day.
Oldsmobiles getting some love
The 1955 Oldsmobile Eight-Eight might not get enough showtime compares to the other Chevrolets and Fords on the street, but this blue-and-white number puts you back in that '50s mindset.
The new Ford GT stood out
Ford, a long-time supporter of the event has become the the presenting sponsor for the first time and had a lot of new product to show off. The Ford GT brought a lot of people to the yard with its gullwing doors, dual exhausts and 647 horses that were bursting to gallop.
Exclusive introductions
The exclusive Eagle Squadron Mustang GT one-off honours the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and members of the Eagle Squadron who flew in World War II. Its colour scheme and carbon fibre kit looks fantastic and was auctioned off for an incredible USD$420,000 that was won by a 21-year old who will surely enjoy its 700-hp 5.0-litre V8. The money raised will go to the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture.
Labatt Blue, anyone?
This beer-shaped car was originally built for a '70s TV commercial. The Labatt Blue logos fill our Canadian content for this gallery.
Interesting characters
I'm not sure if this Woodward fan has a car, perhaps he does. For this day, he chose to scoot around in a customized lazy boy scooter with his feet up and a cooler in the back. Later in the day, he was spotted smoking a cigar.
Fun for the family
The Dream Cruise is a chance for family, friends, owner's clubs and car lovers to simply get together on a Saturday and tell some stories and make many memories.
Fun for the family - more
The Dream Cruise is a chance for family, friends, owner's clubs and car lovers to simply get together on a Saturday and tell some stories and make many memories.