I know the Dream Cruise was almost a week ago but here is one last bolg on some of the most interesting finds on Woodward. This is my favorite part of the cruise. What can people think up to stand out in the crowd? Here are a few of the highlights.
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This Jeep was on display at the cruise. Does anyone know what this is all about, the Jeep Access? Is it a production specialty model or just some concept.
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You never know what the OEM’s are going to slip into the Woodward Dream Cruise. Here was one surprise. The new Pontiac G8 is what I assume to be all production ready. First thoughts…this is a really nice car. Nice looking craftsmanship and detailed design work on the interior. Way to go Holden (the G8 is a rebadged Holden). If starting price is in the low 20’s this will be a sure seller and get back to Pontiacs’ “Driving Excitement.”
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After going to SEMA last year I saw a lot of over the top vehicles displaying there latest gadget or accessory. These companies would let shops like Orange County Choppers design their vehicle. Usually making tasteless design decisions. (Sorry OCC, but I do watch the show, very entertaining) Check out this Kicker Crossfire that was at the Dream Cruise last weekend.
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Well another year of odd weather for the cruise. A day in the sixties maybe seventies and light rain in the afternoon still didn’t keep people away. The cruise brought in a huge crowd and some interesting sights. Stay tuned for Dream Cruise highlights throughout the week and I will have the gallery up by the end of the day.

I was out to visit Woodward a few days ago curious to see how crowded it is getting already. Sure enough once everyone got home from work and had something to eat the parking lots started to fill and the lawn chairs were unfolded. Two weeks before the country’s largest intentional traffic jam is supposed to start people are already waiting, picking their spots for the long day of watching cars move at a speed a turtle would laugh at.

The Dream Cruise brings people from all around the country and is a great day for the auto enthusiasts. Screw going to car shows and walking for hours in a dead field when it is 90 plus degrees out. I would rather sit in the back of a pickup filled with water and an umbrella. Bring some snacks and a cup that doesn’t show what I am drinking and I’m set. Let the cars roll on by like they are supposed to.

It is also great to see classics driving in the their environment. Me being a youngin’ and all, this is a chance to see what it was like in the old days. With big fenders, gobs of chrome and and room for eight….in a sedan. I’m looking forward to the official cruise next week and I’ll be sure to put up the highlights in the gallery. If you see anything of interest send it our way or put it in the gallery.

So grab your sun screen and walking shoes and I’m sure I will unknowingly run into you fetishers somewhere on Woodward. Enjoy the pre-cruise pics below…
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Yesterday’s Rally was a good one. The X Games have a way of making every sport more exciting than ever. Like building a Rally track that rivals something from Hot Wheels. The track had a jump with an 80 foot gap. That sounds cool enough, but while the one car was in the air the other was passing underneath. The track conditions were also great. Sand, dirt, pavement, a little mud from crashing into the water barriers, made it a challenge for the drivers to adapt to all the surfaces. They were also only allowed to run gravel tires. Not the best for pavement while drifting around corners.

Pastrana had a great race in the semi’s but slid around the corner to the finish line, hitting Foust and crossing into his lane. At first it appeared Pastrana had one but they DQ’d him for going out of bounds. The final was another good race. Again coming down to the last corner. Foust / Beavis took home the Gold and Block / Gelsomino got Silver. Pastrana didn’t go home empty handed, he ended with a Bronze.

If you missed it, hopefully you can catch it on reruns. It was a great race and now I guess I have to wait a year to see another.

Sunday, 3-6pm, probably around 5pm on ABC

I don’t know about you but I would like to get some rally action in the states. Here is your chance to show your support and watch the race of the year. I am talking about the the Summer X Games 13. They started last night and run thru Sunday night with the finale being Rally. ESPN doesn’t state the exact time of the race except for a 3-6pm time frame. There are two other skateboarding sessions before the Rally, so I am guessing be ready to sit down around 5pm with your TV dinner and Beast Light. Last years race was incredible with an all out sprint to the finish and a rollover landing back on its wheels and finishing. Check it out and see if Pastrana can pull it off again.

X Games TV Schedule

Summer parties are the best when they involve your best friends and great cars. Probably not the typical set up for the backyard bbq, but when you are a car enthusiast, this is how it’s done. And don’t think you have to live in Detroit to make this work either. This particular party I went to last weekend was in the Cleveland area and I was not the only out of towner. As I woke up in the back of my truck I could here a cop rolling by asking why the yard looked like a used car lot…..ah what a good night.

Thanks for throwing a great party Andy! Check out the pics below…

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The 20th annual Eyes on Design car show is this Sunday the 17th. This is always a great show as well as always 90 degrees and sunny. If you have never been there it is a show with a different theme every year, so there is always a good mix of vehicles. This years theme is Aerodynamics and Streamlining - by Design. 200 vehicles in 15 categories celebrating automotive design.
I will be there and will take pics of the highlights and post next week.

For you designer types, don’t forget the Eve of the Eyes Design Reception held this year at Toyota’s Calty Design Research in Ann Arbor. A couple of us fetishers will be there drinkin’ up and schmoozin’ with fellow designers. Here is the party flyer for info.

Show Info;

Father’s Day
Sunday, June 17, 2007
10 AM - 4:30 PM

Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
1100 Lake Shore Road
Grosse Pointe Shores MI 48236

eyesondesign.org