14TH ANNUAL WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE

CRUISIN' D TOWN 2008 Pictures by Mark Dapoz What started as a a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan, has turned into the world's largest one-day automotive event. In August of 1995, a group of volunteers looked to relive and recreate the nostalgic heydays of the 50s and 60s, when youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward Avenue, America's first highway. That year, 250,000 people participated - nearly ten times the number expected. Today, the Woodward Dream Cruise draws 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars from around the globe - from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the former Soviet Union. For the 14th time in 14 years, muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles flocked the streets of Detroit. Despite $4 a gallon gas prices, the aficionados all came for Dream Cruise 2008.

Cruisers and spectators drive along a 16-mile route of nine communities including Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak. Mark Dapoz captures the more poignant moments from The Cruise for LA Car.

The lowriders are well-represented

Hot rods galore!

Even flaming hot ones

Wagons and convertible rods get in the act

Dream cruises take to the street

Dream cruises come in all sizes

The 15th annual Woodward Dream Cruise is set for August 15, 2009! For more information on the Dream Cruise, go to www.woodwarddreamcruise.com.