Not Just for Car Guys: Reflections on a Dreamy Weekend

Believe us. We understand that the car culture isn’t for everyone. While millions of people can’t get enough nuts and bolts car talk, lots of folks can’t tell the difference between a V6 or an inline six and don’t care to ever know.

That said, the reason we’re so fond of the Woodward Dream Cruise, which attracts upwards of 1 million gawkers to our backyard every year, is that you don’t have to be a gearhead to enjoy this car show. (See a wrap of the event in the Detroit News here.)

Think about those times driving down the highway when a car you haven’t seen for 10, 20 or 50 years happens past. Or maybe you haven’t ever seen it before. From old cars to rare cars to exotic and ultra-expensive cars, seeing a car that stands out always seems to provoke the thought: “Hey, that’s not something you see everyday.”

Well, the Dream Cruise is basically a weeklong, “Hey, that’s not something you see everyday.”

Jump on a curb and take a look. First, you might see a three-wheeled car. Then an American classic from the 40s, followed by one from the 50s, followed by one from the 60s. Maybe you’ll see 20 Dodge Vipers in a row next. Then 40 Plymouth Prowlers. Or a couple Gremlins. Then a classic Italian. A preserved Japanese import from the 70s. A classic Mercedes. A Charger from the 70s. A hybrid. A lowrider. A muscle car. A tiny clown car. A custom painted and supercharged school bus. A van with every square inch covered in stuffed animals.

After seeing a similar line of cars pass, a man polishing off a candy bar turned to us and said simply, “This is unbelievable, no? Unbelievable. Unbelievable.”

The point is, if you can drive it, you’ll find it at the Dream Cruise. And be you a daily commuter with a minivan or a weekend warrior with a project car, the magic of automobiles comes through to everyone in attendance. (Though, it didn’t seem to hurt having awesome food, friendly crowds and stuff like a NASCAR simulator, custom posters and rock-climbing wall at the Dodge display to ensure the festival atmosphere.)

Sure, we’re proud as peacocks that Dodge and our pals at Plymouth, Jeep and Chrysler happened to have produced a rather sizable number of cars you see coming down Woodward this time each year. (Darts, Coronets, Chargers, Challengers, GTXs, Roadrunners, Cudas, 300s just to name a few.) It’s a slice of our long history and an inspiration to make the New Dodge as special as it’s been in the past.

It reminds you that these aren’t just appliances – they’re part family member, part work of art, part jewelry, part project and part expression of self. Cars are a huge part of who we are. And for as interesting, diverse and rich history as we’ve had here in America, it’s fun to see our personalities come out in our vehicles.