Detroit, Flint roar with car cruises that draw on history, today’s news
Woodward Dream Cruise, Back to the Bricks provide dual blast of vintage vehicle nirvana
8/18/2013BERKLEY, Mich. — Classic car enthusiasts in the state that put America on wheels were getting a dual blast of eye and ear candy on Saturday.
The Woodward Dream Cruise was drawing thousands along the Detroit-area route for which it’s named to view, drive, or display classic and vintage vehicles.
It’s the 19th year for the event, which is called the world’s largest one-day automotive event, luring people and vehicles from as far away as Asia and Australia.
“It was a different time,” Mitch Carlson, 33, owner of a red 1956 Chevy convertible, said. “You could tell something about someone by what he drove.”
A big cruise show also lured auto enthusiasts an hour or so up I-75 to another historic auto city. Flint was hosting its ninth annual Back to the Bricks show.
The Flint event kicked off with the unveiling of a statue depicting General Motors founder William “Billy” Durant. The sculpture was dedicated Saturday in a downtown plaza between automotive giants Louis Chevrolet and David Buick.
GM North America President Mark Reuss used the occasion to promote the automaker’s purchase of the Durant-Dort Carriage Co. factory.
Mr. Reuss said the company plans to invest millions of dollars to restore the historic facility, known as GM’s birthplace.