Jalopnik: 2008 dream cruise

The Sports Cars And Exotics Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

We've mentioned already the Woodward Dream Cruise attracts all types of cars. In addition to locally-brewed sports car stars like the Chevy Corvette in every imaginable model and engine flavor, and a couple of Dodge Viper ACRs, we're also talking about rarified objects hailing from Italy, Germany and Great Britain costing more than your house. Exotic cars are definitely few and far between on Woodward, but we snapped a smattering of high-buck machinery — and some lower-buck but still just as special — idling alongside the Detroit iron this past Saturday at the 2008 running of the cruisers.

The Custom Cars Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EDT

We started with the Muscle and now we're taking you to another end of the spectrum of the cult of cars at the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise, the Customs. — Ed.

Yeah, we're just gonna be generous and lump everything that's been given a custom job into this category. Our friend with the custom Nova kit car would fit in here, for example, and he'd have plenty of good company. From stretched Corvettes to metal-flake paint-shop horrors, some of the most imaginative cars on Woodward came not from car factories but from the minds of individuals working quietly in garages year in and year out. Click through for the gallery below and judge for yourself.

The Muscle Cars Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EDT

One day, 40,000 cars and over a million people spread out on a ten mile stretch of Woodward Avenue in Metro Detroit. Yeah, the sheer size of the Woodward Dream Cruise is hard to express unless you've actually been there. Luckily, one good way's through photos, so here's our first of a series of round-up galleries we'll be running this afternoon showing off the best of the metal from Saturday on Woodward. First up are the muscle cars. — Ed.

Otherwise-sedate midsize American sedans and coupes with massive engines stuffed under the hood: That's the recipe for a muscle car, and it's the bread n' butter of the Woodward Dream Cruise. Muscle machines are out in force every year, with the Detroit three well-represented, along with independents and oddball makes (and we're lumping the "pony cars" in here too). What doesn't change is the police presence keeping these monsters from frying the treads at every stoplight. Oh well — they're still fun to look at even without turning their tires to smoke, so be sure to click through our full gallery to see the classic and modern muscular machines found at the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise.

The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise: What You May Have Missed

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:20:00 EDT

Surprise, surprise: Wert has a KITT-gasm driving the Knight Rider KITT Shelby GT500KR. Or maybe KITT had a Wert-gasm. We're still sorting it out.
Classy cars and not-so-classy ladies are a match made on Woodward.
A 2010 Mustang GT tries to sneak through the traffic unnoticed.
2009 Cadillac CTS-V police car is really giving the cops the wrong idea.
Classic rods are more than the sum of their parts, but those parts are damn important.
A local community college answers the question of whatever happened to the engine from Jeremy Clarkson's Ford GT by mounting it in a Ford Five Hundred. The result — a 550 HP Five Hundred.
Who says you have to keep engine parts tucked in an engine block? Not Buick!
The Ramchargers drag car shows you how it was done: Sitting on a metal chair.
The Devil's Joke may not be funny, but we bet it's fun to drive.
Nothing says mullet quite like a Turbo Trans Am Pace Car.
Despite what the Detroit News thinks, wagons are awesome and we've found one of the best.
There's more coming, but for the moment hit the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise tag.

Community College Students Build 550 Horsepower Mid-Engine Ford Five Hundred

Andrew Stoy — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:20:00 EDT

At Washtenaw Community College near Ann Arbor, MI, you can take algebra and English lit. You can also take Custom Cars & Concepts, where your assignments might include building a mid-engine Ford Five Hundred with a supercharged 5.3-liter Ford GT engine putting out 550 HP. What course would you choose? Instructor Scott Malnar told us this beast was entirely student-built and took first place at the Autorama show two years ago in the "street exhibition and performance" category. One look at the gallery below will tell you it was well-deserved.

Follow the fun at our Woodward Dream Cruise tag for all of our coverage of the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise, the largest one-day automotive event in the world!

Jalopnik Discovers Jake's Unofficial Successor At ZR1 Ice Cream Break, Meet Elwood

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:40:00 EDT

We were cruising Woodward a couple minutes ago, scoping things out for spontaneous conflagrations of coolness, and we got way more than we bargained for. Parked outside the Dairy Deluxe, an ice cream parlor staple along the Ave, was a pair of Corvette ZR1s. So of course, like moths to a flame we descended for picture taking. Only thing is, the ZR1's kept coming, in all, five of the super-Vettes had been driven in by various members of the GM engineering squad, and that wasn't all we saw, we discovered the unofficial mascot of the ZR1 — he's blue, he has horns, and his name is Elwood. Get it? Jake and Elwood, like the Blues Brothers. Jump for more.

The "Jake" logo originally born of the Corvette C5R racing program has been officially nixed from all ZR1 activities. That doesn't mean the GM Design Studio couldn't work up a new, unofficial logo to act as the mascot for the ZR1. The little blue devil skull borrows elements of the Jake logo, but also hearkens back to the originally rumored name of the car, the Blue Devil, an homage to Rick Wagoner's Duke Alma Mater. Anyone else think these should come standard on the car? Because we think this whole idea is both totally awesome and damn funny.

Remember to come back Wednesday the 20th of August for our first impressions of GM's Corvette ZR1, where Wes tests the limits of his sanity, and his pampers.

2008 Woodward Dream Cruise Schedule Broken Down In Excruciating Detail

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:20:00 EDT

Chalk it up to personal style, but some folks prefer to wander aimlessly through the sea of cars during the big Saturday Woodward Dream Cruise event, while other like to have a plan of attack for the whole day. If you fall into the latter category, the Detroit News has breakdown of every event, by town and price, put together for your planning pleasure. We tend to be more of the former though, so we don't need no stinkin' plans. [Detroit News]

People-Powered Quadcycle Makes Stop At Woodward On Way To Burning Man

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Last Saturday we wandered down to metro Detroit's progressive little berg of Ferndale for the Green Cruise, an anti-Woodward Dream Cruise, billed as a gasoline-free alternative to the Big Event. We were hoping for electric cars and grease-burners, but it turned out to be mostly just a big bicycle parade — with one marked exception. Dubbed "The Dogsled" by the father-and-son duo who engineered and built it (each of whom refers to the other as "Dog"), the Dogsled is actually destined to roam the playa at Burning Man.

The entire thing is hand-built out of a combination of scavenged parts and steel. The 500-pound machine centers on four huge-diameter wheels built out of salvaged drainage pipe, modified golf cart wheels and chopped up old tires. The four peddlers generate power, which is combined to turn the right rear wheel — the left rear runs on a separate axle and does the stopping with a disc brake. Steering is done with a chain-driven drag link and pitman arm system.

It won't be winning any drag races, but the Dogsled will be cruising Woodward this year alongside its gasoline road mates, undoubtedly collecting a heck of a lot of stares and questions. If you're interested, you can check out the build blog for the beast at Dogsled homepage.

Woodward Dream Cruise Pictorial Potpourri

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The tough part about the Woodward Dream Cruise is the staggering array of awesomeness that shows up. Focusing on any one car for more than a couple of minutes would test anybody's concentration. That said, here's a collection of various forms of superlative automotive excellence from last night's wanderings. Also, let us know if you've got something you'd like us to keep an eye open for — might as well provide some cotomer sevis during this festival of style.

Seriously Awesome '34 Ford Hot Rod Hits Woodward

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

We were doing our Woodward Dream Cruise thing again last night and amidst the sea of classics, this gem stuck out like a pin-striped offering to the hot-rodding gods. Name the goodies and its got it: white-walled Coker bias-plys, a supercharged Chevy 350 wearing vintage Corvette valve covers, six single-barrel carbs, individual straight pipes with fish-tailed tips, and the details... oh, the details. We best be seeing this baby win something at next year's Autorama or there is something wrong with the world. Many more pictures after the jump.

Woodward Dream Cruise Week Kicks Off Tonight With Hot Latin Nights

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Click on our Woodward Dream Cruise tag for all of our coverage of the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise!

This year the Woodward Dream Cruise gets expanded to eight days of automotive celebration, kicking off tonight with the Hot Latin Nights low rider show in downtown Detroit at Campus Martius. Sure, lowriders might not be everyone's cup of tea, but we think they're cool as hell. Where else can you see a kustom dance like Fred Astair? Okay, well, maybe a drunken, hydro-powered Fred Astair, but you get the idea. We'll be down there tonight geeking out over acres of chrome and airbrushed masterpieces. And check out the Jalopnik Guide to the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise for the scoop on the goings-on over the next week. [Official site: Cruising Motorcities, Photo from Coolchaser]

NextCruise To Drag Woodward Dream Cruise Kicking And Screaming Into Future

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:20:00 EDT

At a press event earlier this morning, representatives from Ford, GM and Chrysler, along with reps from The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and event chairman (and TheCarConnection.com guru) Paul Eisenstein announced details on the first inaugural "NextCruise." Billed as a "Lean, Mean, and Green" element to the Dream Cruise, NextCruise will take place August 15th and 16th alongside the normal cruise, and will feature ride and drives of current and future green technologies from major automakers.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: We love everything about the Woodward Dream Cruise — the cars, the people, the events, the after hours hoonage, but it's suffering from a touch of backlash as of due to a combination of gas prices and NIMBYism. The hippies at the south end of the cruise have already started running the "Green Cruise" a week prior to the Dream Cruise as a sort of hemp and patchouli-scented alternative. With gas at record levels, now's the perfect time to mix things up a bit. We think this is a great way to make the cruise more relevant. A way to celebrate the future of the automobile, while simultaneously celebrating everything great from the past.

Nine Auto Manufacturers - and Two 'Green' Motorsport Series - To Display Technologies and Provide Public Ride and Drives
PLEASANT RIDGE, Mich., July 23 /PRNewswire/ — The 2008 Inaugural NextCruise(TM), to take place on August 15-16, is a new event - new in both concept and content. Staged in the City of Pleasant Ridge, NextCruise(TM) introduces an environmentally friendly and future-looking dimension to the Woodward Dream Cruise, widely viewed as the world's largest automotive spectator and participation event.

Nine of the world's largest automakers are supporting NextCruise(TM), by providing the public with multiple opportunities to check out - and drive - the latest in "Green Machines" (including hybrids, clean diesels and those with other, new super-high-mileage and ultra-low-emission technologies).

"NextCruise(TM) marks a number of important firsts," said Paul Eisenstein, Event Chairman." It's the first-ever public event that brings together such a large array of leading automakers, specifically to display environmental vehicles and technologies; the first-ever event where the public has the chance to drive such a wide assortment of clean, high-economy cars, trucks and crossovers; and it's the first-ever official Woodward Dream Cruise event that is specifically future-focused.

"NextCruise(TM) helps expand the relevance of the Woodward Dream Cruise from what is primarily a retrospective into a celebration of the automobile, past, present and future," Eisenstein added.

NextCruise(TM) will also feature displays of even more advanced green concepts and technologies, such as fuel cells and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, together with experts to provide insight into how those developments can reach production in the not-too-distant future.

"As Pleasant Ridge has the longest stretch of green space on the entire Woodward Corridor, it's highly fitting that the City should be the host of this "Green" event as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise," said George Lenko, Pleasant Ridge Commissioner and NextCruise(TM) organizer. NextCruise(TM) will be based in Memorial Park, immediately adjacent to Pleasant Ridge City Hall.

"Today's and tomorrow's Green Machines challenge the stereotype that environmentally-friendly automobiles require customers to make significant sacrifices: in size, features, comfort and, especially, performance," said Eisenstein. "NextCruise(TM) provides a venue for manufacturers to display current and future Green technologies and engage the public in understanding that the newest Green Machines are roomy, well-equipped and, in keeping with the spirit of the Dream Cruise, able to deliver surprising performance and fun."

NextCruise(TM) also will include a look at the next generation of "green" motorsports, including the ethanol-fueled IndyCar Series, and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which features a unique Green Racing Challenge this season. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix - which takes place on Labor Day weekend - includes both IndyCar and ALMS races. The motorsport display will include race cars and appearances by key IndyCar and ALMS drivers.

"Because of the press of competition, motorsport has traditionally developed technologies that have found their way to production cars," Eisenstein stated. "Motorsport can be exciting, competitive and environmentally friendly, all at the same time.

"NextCruise(TM), put simply, is lean, mean ... and green."

NextCruise(TM) will be held in Pleasant Ridge's Memorial Park along Woodward Avenue, north of Nine Mile Road. There will be a public preview on the evening of August 15. NextCruise(TM) itself takes place concurrent with the Woodward Dream Cruise on August 16. Major auto manufacturers supporting include General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen. Other sponsors and exhibitors include Bridgestone, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, IndyCar Series, American Le Mans Series, PR Newswire, G-2 Communications and ESI. For information go to www.nextcruise2008.com or email nextcruise2008@aol.com.

2008 Woodward Dream Cruise Expands To Include Nine Days of Unofficially Unsanctioned Events

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:40:00 EDT

The Woodward Dream Cruise is a perennial favorite here at the house of Jalop and we're happy to see the joy of the event is spreading. For the first time in the Cruise's history, the festivities will be extending below 8 mile, though not by way of the official organizers of Woodward Dream Cruise Inc, but through the work of MotorCities National Heritage Area — an affiliation of the National Parks Department. WDC shot down a plan to modify the run from its current route between Pontiac and Ferndale, to Pontiac all the way into Detroit, but this unofficial change thankfully begins to chip away at the suburban-only aspect of the cruise.

As long as we've been going to the Cruise, we've been pining for an expanded course. The route of the cruise has been powerful evidence of the overall impression suburbanites have about Detroit, many of whom haven't been downtown in years. They haven't seen the incredible changes and rejuvenations taking place along the Woodward corridor. Maintaining a route in the northern burbs seemed somehow unfair to the city which was the original source for all we celebrate during those long hot days in the summer. Well, that and Wyandotte. OK, maybe not Wyandotte.

So now, despite the official route remaining between Pontiac and Ferndale, events will be happening throughout the metro area for a total of nine days leading up to the orgasmic happy ending that is the official Dream Cruise on Saturday, August 16th. This is a doubly great thing because despite its official edict of a one day event, the Dream Cruise actually starts about a week in advance. Having shows and events all around the region will hopefully help to spread the madness around instead of concentrating it between Maple road (15 Mile) and 8 Mile. So without further ado, here's the lineup for this years dream cruise:

Schedule of Woodward Dream Cruise Events

August 8 - Hot Latin Nights at Campus Matius, lowriders car show, Latin entertainment and food
August 9 - Jefferson Avenue cool car cruise, Campus Martius to Gross Pointe Shores, including a loop of Belle Isle
August 9 - Green Car Show in Ferndale (which totally fits for Ferndale)
August 10 - Juried Classic Car Show, Campus Martius, motorcycle cruise
August 10 - Motorcycle cruise from Auburn Hills to State Fairground
August 11-13 - Summer Auto Show
August 13-16 - Big Boys Worlds Largest Drive-In, State Fairgrounds
August 14 - Model T rides, Cadillac Square (downtown next to Campus Martius for those unfamiliar)
August 14 - Dream Cruise Downtown, Comerica Park and Opera House start
August 15 - GM's 100th anniversary car show at the RenCen, including a concert by the Blue Oyster Cult
August 16 - Woodward Dream Cruise - The worlds largest single day drive in car show and cruise

So there you have it, a telegraph of what we'll be bringing you — and participating in — come mid-August. A bigger, hopefully better and expanded Dream Cruise. We can barely wait for August. [DetNews]