Jalopnik: 2006 woodward dream cruise

The Jalopnik Virtual Woodward Dream Cruise Live Picture Gallery

Ray Wert — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:59:58 EDT

Click "more" for how to add your photos and to see the gallery...

Be a part of our 2007 "Virtual" Woodward Dream Cruise by adding your very own pictures from your camera phone to our gallery by e-mailing them directly to pictures@jalopnik.com. We'll keep this gallery on top of the page through Saturday night for your classic car pleasure. If you're interested in seeing more cruisin' news — just keep checking the Woodward Dream Cruise tag.

If you're looking for our 2007 Woodward Dream...

Ray Wert — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:00:00 EDT

If you're looking for our 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage — head on over here.

Hoon Of The Day: Four Minutes Of Woodward Dream Cruise Burnouts

Ray Wert — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:10:44 EDT

Up in Pontiac at the Woodward Avenue loop, there's one spot which is guaranteed to make the ladies scream and the fellas cream — and our tipster John Harmon rocked it for us today, putting four minutes of burnouts together with a little bit of Steve Miller's "Livin' in the USA." But remember, it's all fun and games until the police show up. At least you know one of us is gonna be mad partial to the Spartan flags!

Related:
All our Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Cobra Commander'd Be Proud — Snakes On A Dream Cruise

Ray Wert — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:15:00 EDT

Downtown Birmingham was chock full of fun during this weekends Woodward Dream Cruise, whether it was two of the Big Three getting their exnibitionist shwerve on or just sitting back with burgers from Hunter House — fun was had by the tens of thousands. But if you looked closely between the two tall apartment buildings towering over the corner of Woodward Ave. and South Old Woodward, you'd see something really cool — the Great Lakes Cobra Club annual meet, one of the largest showings of Cobras anywhere with usually over 80 replicas in attendance — and even a couple of real ones! Although this year the morning rain, as well as a lack of parking, cut numbers to around 60, it was still an impressive sight seeing all of Carroll Shelby's Ford V8 masterpieces sitting there in the summer sun of the late afternoon.

Related:
More 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Where's The Donuts, BMW Isetta?

Ray Wert — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 09:21:16 EDT

Well, another year — another Dream Cruise is over. But fear not, fans of the classic cruisers, we got so much fun stuff from this years Dream Cruise, we're gonna be dropping it like it's hot over the next day or two just to remind you of all the fun we had. Like spotting this modified BMW Isetta. And although we didn't get to see it happen, we just know this bad boy was built to make donuts. So if you happen to be the owner of this funny car, let us know the next time you want to rip loose in a Kroger parking lot. [Thanks to our Woodward-based bad-ass, wohho on this one!]

Related:
All our 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Wert's All About The Party

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 19:39:42 EDT

So, we're about to end our ~~main~~ sober coverage of the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise. We hope you've enjoyed the ride — we know we have. The above photo is a "representation" of the type of fun you too could be having at next year's Dream Cruise — so by all means, stop by...next year. Not now. The party's full, and if you haven't been paying attention, you'll have to go back to the start to see all the fun we've had. We'll have some leftovers tomorrow though, so stop on by.

But also mucho thanks to James, wohho, Jon, and all the rest of Jalopnik Team Party Crash! Salut!

Related:
All of our smoking hot 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: This V-Dub Low-Ri-Der Rides a Little Lower

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:46:01 EDT

This may be the coolest VW minibus in the history of the world — and look, you saw it here — right after we saw it on Woodward Avenue the other night. Of course then we had to encode it and put it up on YouTube. But like, right after that — it was right here for you to see.

Related:
All of sweaty, hot and rain-drenched 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: The Chrysler Group Wants To Ram The Dream Cruise Down Your Throat

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:23:08 EDT

We covered the FoMoCo and General Dream Cruise exhibits yesterday, and now it's the German-American hybrids turn — and they want to prove, through sheer will — that they're the biggest and baddest of them all. Aww...isn't that just adorable? See for yourself. Of course if you decide not to look, Dodge has told us the "Raminator" will kill this small boy. Feel free to let his blood be on your hands. [Big Thanks to wohho for the photo work!]

Related:
More 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Wert'll Give You $10 To Touch Your Ferrari Enzo

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 13:43:26 EDT

Yet again, it's not just the classic cars that hit up the Woodward Dream Cruise — sometimes it's the insta-classics — like the Ferrari Enzo (no Stefan, you can't ride in it — we don't care what Dieter said). This million-dollar plus Ferrari is one of only two in Michigan, with the other belonging to former Red Wing Sergei Federov (he still owns a house here) — and we were just lucky enough our camera-stud James was quick enough to notice it while we were typing furiously away on our laptop at the Caribou Coffee between 13 Mile and 14 Mile on Woodward. All we've got to say to Tom Celani, owner of Motor City Harley-Davidson and this gorgeous Ferrari is, dude, just let us touch it. Please.

Related:
More 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Jay Leno's Tank Car Takes Woodward Avenue By Storm

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 13:16:14 EDT

The rains couldn't keep Leno's Tank Car from exhibition at the Woodward Dream Cruise, but the boys at Bosch were kind enough to drop a tent over it to make sure no damage would be done to the one-of-a-kind engine on wheels by the not-so-much torrential downpour. If y'all remember, his 9500-lb. hot rod's humongous V12 tank engine (1792 ci) was merely naturally aspirated, so Gale Banks and the boys at Bosch decided to fit the sucker with some twin-turbo action. The resulting 1600 hp and 3000 lb.-ft torque is nothing less than epic — but we'll let you judge that for yourself.

The Muscle Car Wars Continue! Top Chevy Man Ed Peper Thinks Beating Dodge, Ford To Market With The Camaro's "Very Important"

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 11:15:40 EDT

At the little GM soiree at Athens Coney Island last night, we got a few moments with Chevy's general manager, Ed Peper. We had only one question for Ed — how important is it gonna be to beat the competition to market with the Camaro? Ed had one answer — "It's very important." So what's that mean for the Camaro-loving enthusiast crowd? We don't know 'cause our camera ran out of memory. D'oh!

Related:
More Muscle Car Wars; 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Danger! Blogging While Wet!

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 10:40:00 EDT

We've walked, like the postal service, through rain and wind and a lack of adequate sidewalks, down Woodward Avenue from where we filed our initial reports at the Birmingham Starbucks at 15 Mile. So what's happened in the interim two hours? Two things. The first is that it's fucking wet outside. The second thing is that although we're inside the fine Caribou Coffee between 14 Mile and 13 Mile, we're fucking soaked. As we made the one and a half-mile trek down Woodward Avenue, the rain didn't let up (it actually intensified from spittin' to heavy drizzle) and there was only one thought going through our minds — when are we gonna see the hot chicks on hot classic cars. Well...

...we weren't able to find any of that yet. So instead, we're going to spend an hour or so while the weather gods make up their minds, posting some of the best and brightest we came across in our Team Jalopnik Party Crashing over the past couple of days. So sit back, relax, and we'll dry out.

Related:
All our wet n' wooly coverage of the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Scion's A Dead Car Walking!

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 09:58:28 EDT

Are we the only ones who find it funny that the Toyota bargain brand, Scion, not only has shown up at this motown mecca of mechanized 'merican transportation, but that its Woodward Dream Cruise outpost is at a Funeral Home? Just curious if anyone else is giggling a little.

Related:
More Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: GM's Rick Wagoner Talks Dream Cruise

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 09:00:00 EDT

We had the opportunity to hit up a GM event for a short while last night at Athens Coney Island right along M-1 in Royal Oak. We've got a few things we'll be showing you in a bit — but what we've got spun up above so far is all about Rick. You see, GM's Rick Wagoner knows all about the Dream Cruise — and according to him — GM knows all about using the Dream Cruise as a marketing tool. That makes sense...it's such a lovely time to talk about cars built by GM, Ford and Chrysler over the past 40 years — a chance to remind people of all of those positive experiences they had back in the day when cars drove big, fins were even bigger...really, any way possible they can find to tug on heart strings a bit to push sales. Both GM and Chrysler seem to understand this — they're pushing the msucle cars baby, and they want the two million plus attendees to know it (in case you're wondering what we're talking about — check through all of our coverage of this week's beginning of the muscle car wars). But we feel like one of the automakers isn't playing along...which one is it? Wait...it's on the tip of our tongue...it's...

...FoMoCo! Thanks Bill — we were all set to start up a "Renaissance of the Big Three" story arc — and you frigging had to go and kill it by idling all those plants. That Ford — such buzz kills.

Related:
All of our steamin' hot 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise: Cruising Come Rain Or Shine, But Parking? That's A Toughie!

Ray Wert — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 08:07:35 EDT

The two biggest issues at any Dream Cruise are always the potential for rain and the potential inability to find parking. That's one of the reasons we were up at 5:00 AM to hit the streets and byways looking for spots to ditch our ride and make a walking cruise down Woodward Avenue. Just our luck, the rain decided to get up early too. But that's allright, that's ok — thanks to a tip from one Jalopnik reader late in the evening last night — we've got some covered parking, which is where we took the above pic of Woodward Avenue, drenched in rain. It only took us driving through three police barricades to get there, and the use of reasons like "Dream Cruise host committee" (lie), "Press" (obvious lie), "Grand Marshall's little brother" (come on now!). Despite our blatant fibbing, we got into this little alcove of dryness without more sweat than we usually do. However...

...since we'll only have the Wert-mobile there, and we'll be exposed to the elements — it does us little good. However, Chuck and Jerry on the boob-tube this morning (plus a liberal dose of weather.com) tell us the rain's expected to clear up sometime soon this AM — and that's good, cause the thing is — the rain doesn't stop coupes — but it certainly ain't so peachy for our friends sporting drop-tops.

But if you're looking for spots to hit up today along M-1, the Detroit News has the scoop on where to be on this most storied of storied avenues. They point out all the obvs spots — and then check back here throughout the day where we'll be pointing out the not-so-obvs ones — just keep hitting refresh on our Woodward Dream Cruise mini-site. In addition, Spinelli will be providing some love throughout the day (thanks to camera-shy cam-man James LaMoreaux's pics) with something really special. We got a tour of Ed Meurer's amazing car collection out in Farmington Hills yesterday. The man must own more than 100 classic cars, many of which Spinn'll be spinning up for our readers throughout the day. Of course, if the rain continues it may end up being the only thing you see today, other than perhaps a tour of Woodward's best and brightest coffee shops.

Navigating the avenue [Detroit News]

Related:
Our ever-expanding Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

Police, Help! GM's Trying To Eat Athens Coney Island!

Ray Wert — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 14:39:13 EDT

We're only kidding, kiddies — please stop crying — GM's really not attacking the Woodward Dream Cruise — that's just "Camp GM" over at the Athens Coney Island, and try as we might, the security would not and could not let us into this Woodward Avenue hot-spot. But fear not friends — there was more to see from the hulking General from Detwa — like the "triangle," the triangular-shaped patch of land next to the "555 building" in Birmingham — where Chevy's going to be holding court from now until the sun goes down tomorrow night. Check out our gallery to see where the fun stuff is before you head on out tomorrow.

Related:
Ford's Big Bold Woodward Dream Cruise Exhibit [internal]

Ford's Big Bold Woodward Dream Cruise Exhibit

Ray Wert — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 14:25:51 EDT

We here at Jalopnik are all about giving our readers the inside story — no matter how silly that inside story is — and of course we're all about sending Wert running around like a crazed squirrel searching for his nuts. That's why we've gone and sent Wert down to downtown Birmingham, and set back a few thousand feet from Woodward Avenue, to snap pictures of the boldly erected FoMoCo exhibit for you to feast your eyes upon — all before the estimated two million car-crazed lunatics planning to attend this years crazy car cruise get a chance to do the same.

Related:
The on-going saga that is the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Pre-Cruise: Wert's Got A Full Tank Of Gas, A Half Pack Of Starbucks DoubleShot, and He's Wearing Sunglasses. Hit It!

Ray Wert — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:53:27 EDT

So we realized last night that Wert's gonna have to get some sleep, and last night he tried. Unfortunately, when he's ingested four Starbucks doppio espressos in a 6 hour period — it's much more difficult than just "going to sleep." And no, the liquor didn't help much either. But, since it worked so well for him yesterday — we've dropped a couple of double shots down our Detroit man's throat — and sent him out to do his task, because there's now only 24 hours to go before the big Cruise starts. So with that, here's his last daily pre-Cruise update before the big day. Remember that you can check out where he's been and keep up with all that's to come by checking out the mini-site we've set up for the live-blogging tomorrow of the world's largest one-day classic cruise in the world, or if you'd prefer, here's a tech-friendly feed for your fave reader. With that said, click the jump for Wert's remaining 24 hours covering classic cars:

• We now know the answer to the question "How much is a jaywalking ticket in Royal Oak?" — and the answer is $35. Don't do it, dudes...use a cross-walk during the Dream Cruise.
• There's a private viewing of the REX timerunner day planner auto collection today — Wert's gonna be trying to crash it and get some pictures for you.
• We actually agree with Daniel Howes this morning. We never thought we'd be saying this...and it's very difficult for us to say, but...Howes...is...absolutely...right. There, that wasn't too difficult. Ok, maybe it was.
• What is with The Car Connection finally starting to cover the Dream Cruise on Friday? Where were they all week?
• We almost had the chance to ride in the Camaro trailer yesterday — but like all cruising on Woodward Avenue, when it's two days out — it's pretty much impossible to actually cruise the Avenue's so packed. [Thanks to GM/Chevy race babe Jan Thomas for trying, though!]
• If for some reason you want to get away from the Dream Cruise — the Detroit News can tell you how not to be here.
• So where's the place to be tonight? It's gotta be the General's exhibits in front of Athens Coney Island — they're opening 'em up early for the public at 6:30 pm this evening. Wert'll be there at 6:30, and so should you. In case you're looking for Wert today, he'll be at the Starbucks on Woodward and 13 Mile Rd. from around 6:00 AM until noon. After that, he'll be like a roaming gnome — except 6'3" — so e-mail him at ray@jalopnik.com to find out.

By the way, in case you're wondering — the picture's of the new traffic "Crow's Nest" installed this year down in Ferndale at 9 Mile Rd. and Woodward.

Related:
All our 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]

2006 Woodward Dream Pre-Cruise: Nick's Buick Regal Grand National

Ray Wert — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:07:34 EDT

Nick here is going to talk to you today about his Buick Regal Grand National. This guy grabbed us as we were snapping some pictures of the black-as-night muscle cars as they were ready to head out and cruise Woodward Avenue, and urged us to take a look at his intercooled piece of motown metal. And we're glad he did — as he gives us the story of how an intercooler works, and why the Grand National gets attention at the tracks — and why it should be getting more.

2006 Woodward Dream Pre-Cruise: Bike Moves!

Ray Wert — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 21:42:43 EDT

Out past the cornfields where the woods got heavy
Out in the back seat of my 60 chevy
Workin on mysteries without any clues
Workin on our night moves
Tryin to make some front page drive-in news
Workin on our night moves
In the summertime
In the sweet summertime

—Bob Seger, "Night Moves"

With the congestion on Woodward Avenue during the week-long Pre-Cruise, and especially on the Saturday of the Cruise itself, it'll often make more sense to hoof it than to try to drive it. Even better than hoofing it would be to bike it, and we can't think of a better bicycle to be on than this custom piece of glowing metal. Not only is neon the thing on this here ride — it's also got XM Sirius radio, stereo speakers and a DVD player — and for a price far lower than anything you'll be seeing out on the streets! But expect to see this bike every night from here to the wee hours of Sunday morning — cause it'll be seen even with the Night Moves. [Thanks to volunteer photog wohho — who points out that sadly the rider of said contraption had no mullet.]

Related:
All our 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage [internal]