Had it been held only a few days earlier, this year's Woodward Dream Cruise could have been a complete catastrophe. On 11 August, a massive rainstorm inundated metro Detroit's sewer system, closing all the major freeways; gridlock ensued all over town and tempers flared. Thankfully, the mess was cleaned up by Saturday and car enthusiasts flocked to Woodward Avenue for the gridlock they had actually been planning on.
It may be tempting for some to say that once you've seen one Dream Cruise, you've seen them all. But against the backdrop of the more expected fare of Grabber blue Mustangs and bright red Chevelles, the emerging categories are easier to spot.
In the past, you may have seen one or two small vans from the mid-1960s, but this year it seemed to be a category that is widening its appeal. Apart from the well-known Econoline, the Dodge A10 and GMC Handi-van were well represented. Many owners had trimmed the inside of their vans with unique fabrics and some functional upgrades -- most notably, cup holders. Stylistically, these bread boxes are far more expressive than their profiles would indicate. And the family resemblance to passenger cars from the same brand is fun to pick out.
Each year, the North Oakland Mopar Muscle Club gathers at the same bank parking lot. This year they had a very large turnout, including a rare Chrysler 300 Hurst edition. Apart from the distinctive white and gold Hurst livery, this 300 featured a clever rear spoiler design and subtle orange trim details, and provided a welcome contrast to the high-impact Chargers and Barracudas parked next to it.
On Old Woodward, a most unusual vehicle was parked in the Corvair corral -- a 1968 Ultra Van, powered by an air-cooled Corvair motor. Made in Kansas, this was one of only 300 Ultra Vans produced. It can sleep two adults and four children, or alternately up to eight adults. With its wrap-around windshield and protruding lamps, the design theme is an interesting counterpoint to other classics like the iconic Airstream.
But of all the cars on Woodward this year, one definitely stood out -- a hot rod powered by a Caterpillar motor. This Frankenstein creation combined an International frame with a Studebaker body. A CAT front loader grille attested to the power behind it, and the yellow finish completed the overall look. Indeed, photographing this vehicle was a challenge for two reasons: one, it was huge, and two, the swarms of people around it were of comparable size!
Don't forget to visit our gallery of pictures from this year's event.
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Woodward Dream Cruise 2013