Unique builds and vintage emergency vehicles steal the spotlight at Woodward Dream Cruise
Car enthusiasts from across the country are converging on metro Detroit this weekend for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, where one-off creations and rare classics share the spotlight with the familiar staples of Mustang and hot rod lore. The event along Woodward Avenue is drawing a wide array of imaginative rides that push the boundaries of traditional car culture.
A standout entry travels all the way from Cleveland: a completely custom chopped-down box truck that began life as a 1996 International with a 24-foot box. The builder transformed it into a head-turning creation, adding a 1950 white front end, a self-made bed and fenders, and custom stacks. The project, which took about a year to complete, even wears vintage license plates on the front visor. “You won’t see another one like this,” the creator said.
Nearby in Ferndale, a 1983 Plymouth Gran Fury with just 58,000 miles on the odometer has been repurposed as a vintage fire chief vehicle. Restorer Charles Reed spent two years bringing the car back to life, outfitting it with working emergency lights and a Dalmatian mascot. Reed explained that his aim was to showcase something different that wasn’t commonly seen in the sea of classic cars crowding Woodward.
Up the road in Royal Oak, a 1959 Ford Anglia from Buffalo, New York, stands out for its distinctive look and story. The owner, Robert Niznansky, describes the car as “sour apple,” a playful nod to its color and persona. It’s not your typical European Ford; under the hood sits a small block 327, and the car features hand-painted graphics crafted by Niznansky’s wife, adding a personal touch that makes the vehicle even more unique. “It’s basically a Ford English car,” Niznansky noted, emphasizing the Anglia’s rarity at Woodward on any given day.
The Dream Cruise continues to celebrate creativity as much as craftsmanship, expanding beyond the traditional lineup of classic Mustangs and hot rods to include custom-built trucks and vintage emergency vehicles. The weekend offers a chance for builders and enthusiasts to share their passion, tell the backstory of their projects, and inspire others with their ingenuity.
Editor’s note: The event highlights the collaborative spirit of car culture, where builders often involve family and partners in the design and paintwork, turning personal stories into eye-catching displays.
Summary: This year’s Woodward Dream Cruise features a broader mix of vehicles than in the past, including a one-of-a-kind chopped box truck from Cleveland, a vintage fire chief Plymouth Gran Fury with a working Dalmatian, and a rare 1959 Ford Anglia with hand-painted graphics. The showcase reinforces the community’s creativity and the enduring appeal of Woodward as a destination for automotive imagination.
Positive takeaway: The growing diversity of vehicles on Woodward underscores the ingenuity and camaraderie within the car-enthusiast community, making the Dream Cruise a celebration of imagination, craftsmanship, and shared passion.