Marty Padgett's Inside Scoop on Auto News and Woodward Dream Cruise

Dream Cruise Gets Latest Chrysler PT Cruiser Special Edition

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, August 12th, 2008

It's become a tradition for Chrysler each August--the arrival of a new limited-edition PT Cruiser retro wagon, themed for the upcoming Woodward Dream Cruise. Chrysler's 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 is the latest in a series of PTs, and it will be on display this weekend as classic-car fanatics descend on the Detroit suburbs to cruise Woodward Avenue and meetup with like-minded folks. The latest special edition gets a two-tone paint job with a black roof and spoiler atop a coat of white pearlescent paint on the remainder of its panels. Aluminum grilles are fitted on the front end, along with chromed molding and door badges.... It's become a tradition for Chrysler each August--the arrival of a new limited-edition PT Cruiser retro wagon, themed for the upcoming Woodward Dream Cruise. Chrysler's 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 is the latest in a series of PTs, and it will be on display this weekend as classic-car fanatics descend on the Detroit suburbs to cruise Woodward Avenue and meetup with like-minded folks. The latest special edition gets a two-tone paint job with a black roof and spoiler atop a coat of white pearlescent paint on the remainder of its panels. Aluminum grilles are fitted on the front end, along with chromed molding and door badges.... Read More

Tags: Woodward Dream Cruise

Posted in: 2008, Chrysler, PT Cruiser

Mustang Alley Coming to Dream Cruise

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, August 4th, 2008

While the Pebble Beach Concours hosts the heavy cream of the auto world, the Woodward Dream Cruise is getting the red meat--thousands of classic cars, and, Ford says, the biggest collection of Mustangs new and old. The Ford display will be the biggest of any automakers, the Dearborn-based car company says, and it's going to be open from August 15 to 17. The special "Mustang Alley" will put about 450 'Stangs on display on August 16. Ford will raffle off Mustang merch to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Along with the Mustangs, Ford will also show off from its collections of Model T cars. The Model T turned 100 this year,... While the Pebble Beach Concours hosts the heavy cream of the auto world, the Woodward Dream Cruise is getting the red meat--thousands of classic cars, and, Ford says, the biggest collection of Mustangs new and old. The Ford display will be the biggest of any automakers, the Dearborn-based car company says, and it's going to be open from August 15 to 17. The special "Mustang Alley" will put about 450 'Stangs on display on August 16. Ford will raffle off Mustang merch to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Along with the Mustangs, Ford will also show off from its collections of Model T cars. The Model T turned 100 this year,... Read More

Tags: Woodward Dream Cruise

Posted in: 2008, Ford, Classics

Green Protestor: End the Dream Cruise

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, April 15th, 2007

There’s been a constant battle, out in California, between those who want to celebrate our automotive heritage and those who’d like to banish it. Environmental activists have repeatedly moved to bar cars older than a certain age, ostensibly to remove the biggest polluters from the highway. There’s a bit of truth to the campaign. A subcompact 1980 Chevette, with a non-working catalytic converter and a misfiring spark plug, can dump more pollution into the air during its daily commute than a big Bentley coupe would emit on a cross-country round-trip. The problem is that such legislation could also ban true classics, those hot... There’s been a constant battle, out in California, between those who want to celebrate our automotive heritage and those who’d like to banish it. Environmental activists have repeatedly moved to bar cars older than a certain age, ostensibly to remove the biggest polluters from the highway. There’s a bit of truth to the campaign. A subcompact 1980 Chevette, with a non-working catalytic converter and a misfiring spark plug, can dump more pollution into the air during its daily commute than a big Bentley coupe would emit on a cross-country round-trip. The problem is that such legislation could also ban true classics, those hot... Read More

Tags: Woodward Dream Cruise, Shoppers

Posted in: 2007