by Paul A. Eisenstein

(2006-08-21)

The summer may be drawing to a warm close, but for countless thousands of gearheads from all over the country - indeed, from all over the world - the season's big event is fast approaching. Come Saturday, the 12th annual Woodward Dream Cruise rolls into Detroit , and for anyone into classic muscle cars, hot rods, and just about any other type of collectible car, it will be the ultimate feast for eyes and ears.

The Dream Cruise began almost by accident, an afterthought by a Ferndale, Michigan car collector who wanted to stage something a little bit different from your typical car show. Instead of parking cars in a lot, why not use them, he asked, the way they were intended?

Woodward Avenue was the logical location. Back in the 1960s and well into the '70s, it was the place where any serious muscle-car fanatic went to see and be seen. You never knew what was under the hood of that mysterious car in the next lane.

Things have changed a lot along Woodward over the last 40 years. Back then, the 20-mile strip resembled a scene out of "American Graffiti," with plenty of drive-up diners, each with its own little clique. There wasn't much traffic, and the stoplights were few and far between.

Today, the eight-lane avenue is one of Detroit 's busiest thoroughfares, with lights at virtually every corner. The diners have been replaced with upscale eateries. And there are plenty of cops ready to write tickets as soon as you squeal your tires.

But that doesn't keep folks like Bill Gray from taking out his perfectly restored GTO and cruising the strip after work these days - just like he did when he was 16, with a newly-minted driver's license and the keys to the family sedan. "I would drive up-and-down," he recalls, never bothering to check the odometer. But his mother did, "and one day she asked what I was doing the night before. I told her I'd gone out to get a pizza. 'Where?' she asked me? 'In Chicago?'"

By some estimates, there'll be as many as a million people lining Woodward Ave. on Saturday, from the Michigan State Fairgrounds, in Detroit, all the way up to the City of Pontiac . If past is prologue, there'll likely be at least 60,000 hot rods, muscle cars, antique and other collectibles cruising the strip.

Actually, some gearheads avoid Dream Cruise Saturday entirely. Traffic can be pretty intense, and the police presence intimidating. So savvy cruisers have discovered that some of the best times to watch - and drive - come during the week before the official event.

That's where we caught these classics. Check them out and keep coming back all weekend for TheCarConnection.com's complete coverage of the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise!

Detroit Revs Up with Dream Cruise by TCC Team (8/20/2006)
Automakers show up in style, including Wagoner and the Camaro.

Dream Cruise Grows Bigger Yet by Mike Davis (8/20/2006)
Organizers estimate 1.5 million visitors.

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise I by TCC Team (8/20/2006)
Toronados, GTOs, hot rods and more.

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise II by TCC Team (8/20/2006)
Olds generations, Marauders and more garage queens.

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise III by TCC Team (8/20/2006)
Marauders, Volkswagens, Bel Airs and Cobras.

2006 Woodward Dream Cruise IV by TCC Team (8/20/2006)
Corvettes, Cobras, Imperials and Marks.

SEE coverage of Dream Cruises past

Read more of TheCarConnection's Classics coverage