The Story of Michigan's Most Jalop Street - Woodward Avenue 

"Matt Kirsch" (makirsch) 08/02/2015 at 12:30 • Filed to: None

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It was the site of the world’s first four-way electric traffic light. It has seen everything from horse-drawn carriages to muscle cars cruise its streets. And it has served as a meeting place for young and old petrolheads alike for over a century. This is the story of Michigan’s most Jalop street - Woodward Avenue.

Woodward Avenue, also known as M-1, can be traced back as far as 1701 when !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! used dry river and lake beds as transportation routes. These routes would eventually become City of Detroit roads in !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

As Detroit and the surrounding cities continued to grow, the need to connect such cities was critical. This project, headed by Thomas Jefferson-appointed Judge Augustus Woodward, assumed his name. Augustus Woodward honestly tried to deny naming Woodward after !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . “Not so. The avenue is named Woodward because it runs wood-ward, toward the woods,” he said. Sure, Mr. Woodard. Sure.

Woodward would go on to become a street of firsts. The first automobile to come out of the Motor City was driven on Woodward on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . This occurred only three months prior to Henry Ford’s historic first drive. In 1909, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! mile of concrete road was paved on Woodward. The nation’s first crow’s nest traffic tower complete with a police officer atop directing traffic was unveiled in 1917. And the world’s first four-way red/yellow/green electric traffic light was installed there in 1918.

Ninety-seven years later, Woodward stretches 21.5 miles northwesterly from Detroit to Pontiac and is as Jalop as ever.

Pick any time of any day of the work week, and you’re guaranteed to see something driving on Woodward that makes you smile. On the weekends, crowds of young and old alike gather to watch locals cruise in every type of vehicle imaginable. People literally drive to Woodward on any given Friday or Saturday summer night for the sole purpose of watching the flow of enthusiasts’ cars. But that’s nothing compared to the third Saturday of every August.

The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! officially began one August Saturday in 1995 as a fundraiser for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan. Roughly 25,000 people were expected to attend. 250,000 people showed up, and the rest is history. Today, 1.5 million people assemble annually at the Dream Cruise to show off their rides. People travel from across the globe to participate in what has been called the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! one-day automotive event.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Woodward has been called many things. It is the road that “ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .” It is “Detroit’s main street.” And it is the “Father Road” to our nation’s “Mother Road” - Route 66. Whatever you want to call it, Woodward is truly something special.

If you’re ever in the area, go cruise Woodward Avenue. You never know what you might see.

Photo Credit 1: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! first picked up a DSLR in 2012 at the age of eighteen. In three short years, he has shot for Jalopnik and Dupont Registry at the North American International Auto Show, the Michigan Gumball Rally, and won numerous contests. Remember the name, Alex Tillman. Better yet, go like him on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
Photo Credit 2: Detroit News Archives

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Matt Kirsch 08/02/2015 at 12:25

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I know Alex. We go to the same school, he's a really nice guy and his shots are incredible!

William Byrd > Matt Kirsch 08/04/2015 at 07:09

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Great story, incredible shots. Definitely FP material.

450X_FTW > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:02

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And the world’s first four-way red/yellow/green electric traffic light was installed there in 1918.

Sounds like woodward was responsible for the first street race.....

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:04

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I still want to DD a 1st gen Viper.

Kevin Barrett > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:07

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Dafuq is this? It looks like Will.i.am tried to make a C2 out of a C6.

skipstheboss > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:08

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What is this?

J-Tenno > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:10

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SEX SEX SEX GIMMI

rUDy Flyer 41 > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:12

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This photo brings back the feelings I felt the first time I saw a Viper. Love it.

LongbowMkII > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:16

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One year I’ll go up there. Seems awesome. The pictures don’t do much for me, they look like renders. Maybe it is just Kinja mobile

5 Liter Beater > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:20

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The best hangout on Woodward. Shell at 13 mile.

Arsenal > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:21

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Can you have some one un-edit the pictures?

idriveayak > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:21

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Going to Murica to meet some of the G8 boys from south of the border next week at Woodward. Perfect timing for this piece.

crowmolly > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:25

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Of note: this was an actual GM ad that got pulled.

pierce is a b > LongbowMkII 08/05/2015 at 15:26

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it is awesome but go the week before it. the actual day of the cruise is a massive cluster

Milky > 5 Liter Beater 08/05/2015 at 15:27

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I mean its cool for cars. But the “best hangout on Woodward” is Wright & Co. downtown.

Sweet Trav > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:27

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There really is nothing that matches the feel of Woodward. I’m there most Friday and Saturday nights in the summer with my Monte Carlo, and my SO shows up with her Camaro as well. Good people for the most part, and always something interesting. The street racing and the people out to cause trouble generally get theirs. So obey the laws, enjoy the cars and have good time. Oh and be respectful of businesses that let you park (especially if its for free), buy something from them and dont leave your trash behind.

The Dream Cruise really is a week long event in southeast Michigan. It’s too much to take in. I’ve been to Autorama at COBO, A few legs of the HOTROD Power Tour and nothing compares to the sheer volume and quality of the cars on Woodward.

Oh, and another thing, make sure your car's cooling system is up to idling for hours in 90 degree heat, electric fans are your friend. Even with my 3 inch thick aluminum radiator my temps can spike if I dont pay attention. AC is always nice if yours still works...

Just Cars for Joe Bryant > Kevin Barrett 08/05/2015 at 15:28

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It looks like a photoshop to me.

Sweet Trav > Kevin Barrett 08/05/2015 at 15:28

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I actually kind of like it... usually I hate retrovettes

Just Cars for Joe Bryant > skipstheboss 08/05/2015 at 15:29

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My guess, a photo chop.

TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising) > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:29

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DROOL

Gonemad > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:30

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What’s that word again? Right... giphuckinormous rear wing.

guestdude > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:31

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Nice panning shots, but far too much HDR for my tastes. They look like screenshots from a video game.

SixSpeedSteve > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:31

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That black Ferrari is incredible.

The RUF CTR is not an attractive car at all.

That last shot of the red viper really shows how awkward that model really was.

xequar > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:32

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There’s an interesting bit in Michigan law for Historical vehicle license plates. They’re only meant to be used for driving to or from a car show or for maintenance. Or during the month of August. Because the Dream Cruise happens. It’s not explicitly stated, but effectively the State of Michigan just designated the month of August as a car show. Because of the Dream Cruise. On Woodward.

Matt Kirsch > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:32

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A note about the pictures.. none of these are from the Dream Cruise. Some are from local cars and coffee, but most are from regular weekdays and weekends just to give a sense of what you might see. Literally anything from an original AC cobra to the Ruf CTR3 to Ralph Gilles driving a Viper.

PNW20v > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:33

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Uhhhhh. What is this? Some sort of Boxster or Cayman?

scoob > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:33

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RUF, right?

fairlady78 > Kevin Barrett 08/05/2015 at 15:35

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My thought as well... Google reverse image search isn’t coming up with anything for that one. I need to see more angles before I say I like it or not, but I do like that split front bumper.

The Professor > Kevin Barrett 08/05/2015 at 15:37

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But really... what is it?? are there more pics somewhere?

tehserver > LongbowMkII 08/05/2015 at 15:37

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It’s not just you. It’s his excessive use of HDR that makes the pictures look over processed and hard to look at.

vsdgdfh > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:38

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Start working at home with Google! It’s by-far the best job I’ve had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail.

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+ http://www.online-jobs9.com

fairlady78 > Kevin Barrett 08/05/2015 at 15:39

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It’s a Rossi SixtySix: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/17/ros…

fairlady78 > The Professor 08/05/2015 at 15:39

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http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/17/ros…

Vox Calamitous in Deserto > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:40

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God how I miss Woodward. A bunch of us Subaru guys (ESSO shoutout) used to gather at the Caribou just north of 13 Mile on Friday and Saturday nights and just shoot the shit and watch people zooming by. Such a great time. Did that, rain or shine, snow or sun (because Subaru) for nearly five years.

I miss it. I wish there were something remotely like it here.

Vox Calamitous in Deserto > 5 Liter Beater 08/05/2015 at 15:40

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Lots of great muscle cars!

The Professor > The Professor 08/05/2015 at 15:40

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Found it... http://jalopnik.com/5575720/rossi-…

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > PNW20v 08/05/2015 at 15:41

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Some sort of Cayman, yes, as in completely modified Cayman. Apart from the chassis, everything is redesign and rebuilt with either bespoke or other Porsche parts by Ruf (for example, front subframe and steering are from a 997 GT2). The car is called Ruf CTR3 Clubsport and makes about 770hp.

Me Boosta > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:41

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While Woodward is cool and all, it’s most definitely NOT the location of the world’s first traffic light...

https://www.google.com/doodles/101st-…

Vox Calamitous in Deserto > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:42

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To a guy in a rotary powered Suzuki Samurai to the guy in the first gen Grand Caravan with the 4G63 swap...

Tombay > scoob 08/05/2015 at 15:44

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Yep, CTR3

Loki240SX > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:48

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I think that speaks more to how incredible Woodward is. You don’t only get to see amazing cars during that one weekend in August. It’s like that almost every nice weekend .

Except this past year ROPD has been nigh despotic. A small car group legitimately has a signed contract allowing them to park in a private parking lot on Woodward, but one lady cop still gave them parking tickets. People have gotten parking tickets for legitimately parking at Pot Belly’s to eat. It’s getting absurd.

Omega_Alex > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:49

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I’ll tell you what you’ll see on Woodward, 1. a shit load of normal vehicles stuck in massive lines for hours. 2. Camaros, Mustangs, Camaros and Mustangs. 3. Oh an exotic! 4. Oh some awful thing from the 50’s! 5. A camaro. 6. A mustang.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:51

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Mexico Blue is good blue.

Johnnyma45 > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:51

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Protip - know someone who works at Royal Oak Beaumont, and park there on Dream Cruise week. Dad’s a dr there, easy walking to the Dodge stands and you’re in the heart of it on 13 mi.

GearHeadClutch > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:51

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The fuck is this? Carrera GT ass, but its got 991 front????

GearHeadClutch > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:52

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Shell Penzoil official oil of dodge

Yimmy_D_Yo > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:53

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Eyyy and I’ll be racing there Friday night. Hate all you want

Cdnite > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 15:53

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Umm Hello! Lets talk about this!

I NEED THIS YESTERDAY!

PNW20v > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 08/05/2015 at 15:55

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Dear god. I am so glad you chimed in, thanks! I was soooo confused by the front end, all I could think was 911 so I’m glad I was at least right about that lol. Thanks for the info.

RazorGP > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:00

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I’m not 100% sure but it looks RUF

GTillman > Kevin Barrett 08/05/2015 at 16:05

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http://www.purerossi.com/frameset.html

WillyJimmy > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:06

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Pretty pictures and all, but the first traffic light was in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914. Just so happens it was on this day, August 5th. Woops.

Secret_sqrl > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:07

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?!?!?!?

5 Liter Beater > Milky 08/05/2015 at 16:11

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I’ve never been. I’m relatively new to Detroit so i'll have to check it out.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:11

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My word is that good looking!

Hirsch > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:11

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Woodward was not the site of the first traffic light, that distinction belongs to Cleveland, OH. They installed the first traffic light, at the corner of 105th and Euclid in 1914.

RWD_Volvo > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:14

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15 years ago, there used to be a weekly Friday night meet at the O’Reilly lot I took my DSM to a few times. Then Royal Oak started really cracking down and everyone moved to Gratiot. Gratiot was the place to be for a few years, at least until I left SE Michigan 11 years ago.

GTillman > LongbowMkII 08/05/2015 at 16:15

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Not really HDR. A lot of these are from my early days of shooting.. so I hadn’t really grasped some of the technical and visual aspects of photography... plus on top of that I’m not sure the site is doing a lot of them justice. There’s good, decent, and bad in there.

hussflier > pierce is a b 08/05/2015 at 16:20

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Massive cluster is an understatement. I live a block off woodward at 13 mile. I am tired of listening to cars burning tires and reving till 2AM everyday!

MoparMap > fairlady78 08/05/2015 at 16:22

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I like this more than the standard “retro rebodies”. This one takes it further and makes it look more custom. I want one.

GeneMack > Hirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:28

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True, but he said “the world’s first four-way red/yellow/green electric traffic light was installed there in 1918.”

The first traffic light in Cleveland didn’t have a yellow light, it used bells to warn it was changing. I also believe it was only two-way.

GeneMack > WillyJimmy 08/05/2015 at 16:28

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True, but he said “the world’s first four-way red/yellow/green electric traffic light was installed there in 1918.”

The first traffic light in Cleveland didn’t have a yellow light, it used bells to warn it was changing. I also believe it was only two-way.

rofltrain > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:29

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I’ve never seen my last name typed out so many times before.

Bad72AMX > Loki240SX 08/05/2015 at 16:32

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ROPD will be the death of Woodward if something doesn't change. I'll be shocked if they aren't out giving parking tickets the day of the cruise.

Milky > 5 Liter Beater 08/05/2015 at 16:37

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If you can appreciate a good drink, do it.

5mtFXT > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:38

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Holy crap, is that a RUF CTR3?

detailer4u > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:40

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Just imagine a Cars and Coffee that goes from roughly 10 am until midnight every Saturday in the spring, summer, and early fall. During the weekdays in the summer you will see all kinds of cars, but once it starts to get into the afternoon the show starts! I love Woodward!

Antipasto > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:40

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Want. Hard.

greencow > Loki240SX 08/05/2015 at 16:41

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They only start handing out tickets once the local businesses close, and people don’t disperse. Usually at least. Once Caribou left, that lot kinda died out. Luckily, the Starbucks at 13 is moving to the old Caribou building, if they keep current hours, they’ll be open till midnight, so hopefully that lot will liven back up again. It was a nice place to hang out and drink coffee....

5mtFXT > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:41

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The “Official” Dream Cruise is August 14-16 this year but you can see things like this all summer on Woodward. It is a gearhead’s “must-go at some point”.

Paullubbock > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:48

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The motion pictures are great, the hipster filters, not so much.

Demon3PWood > pierce is a b 08/05/2015 at 16:49

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Agreed. Especially if you want to drive in it. yes the actual weekend has a ton to look at but it is super crowded and bumper to bumper. Great for looking at cars in a parking lot. If you want to see them drive or drive yourself go either Thurs/Friday night right before it starts or during the day on the previous weekend.

Skamanda > pierce is a b 08/05/2015 at 16:50

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Best advice in this thread. On the weekend of the cruise, the freeway access is all messed up (read- closed), and you’ll be lucky to move 1/2 mph. The whole month before and after is like a giant car show. It’s already started, really.

It’s a whole lot quieter down south of 696, but there’s a lot less to see...

JimHallChaparral2F > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:51

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Woodward was basically the testing ground for the Big 3. They used Woodward to see how their latest creations would perform against ‘the competition”. The most famous street racer, with factory support from Plymouth was Jimmy Addison’s Silver Bullet Hemi GTX. It was the fastest car on Woodward. Even though I am not from Detroit, his fame spread to even where I lived.

http://www.silverbulletgtx.com/history/bullet…

Skamanda > 5 Liter Beater 08/05/2015 at 16:52

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There’s also Union Street Saloon in midtown. If you like spicy food, their “Dragon Eggs” are amazing .

Skamanda > Milky 08/05/2015 at 16:53

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Their website looks a bit hoity toity...For just having a drink, are they appreciably better than the Oakland?

bre92ser > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:53

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I don’t want to know anyone that doesn’t like Vipers.

Skamanda > 5 Liter Beater 08/05/2015 at 16:57

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The Kroger parking lot used to be the best, but I hear they’ve really cut down on letting people hang out there. :(

Jake Stumph Racing > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:57

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I’ve never noticed how gorgeous the F12B is, until now. Wow.

Skamanda > Bad72AMX 08/05/2015 at 16:59

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They’re just jealous that Woodward is taking money away from the food court on Main Street, and the paid parking lots in RO that weekend...

Soylent Green is Burners > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 16:59

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I don’t care what anyone says or even about the Camaro-esque greenhouse: I love these Art Deco bullets.

Vincent Davidson > J-Tenno 08/05/2015 at 17:01

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Nice Fiat.

hussflier > pierce is a b 08/05/2015 at 17:03

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Cluster is a massive understatement! I live at 13 and woodward and for the last month all I hear going to sleep is tires smoking and engines revving!

DaytonaViperFirebirdLotus > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 17:08

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Booking a business trip to Detroit right now!

Joe Stevenson > greencow 08/05/2015 at 17:21

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That would be reeeally cool if that happened

StoneColdSteveErkel > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 17:23

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I was wondering when this article would pop up. Woodward has been on FIRE these past few months!

Home Sweet Home!

StoneColdSteveErkel > Milky 08/05/2015 at 17:24

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Townhouse is pretty damn nice too. A bit overpriced though.

StoneColdSteveErkel > Jake Stumph Racing 08/05/2015 at 17:27

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The word I use is ‘bella’.

Milky > Skamanda 08/05/2015 at 17:29

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Their food is good too but the drinks are great. Im not sure what the Oakland is though.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 17:29

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One day I shall have you.

Skamanda > Milky 08/05/2015 at 17:41

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It’s in Ferndale. Drinks only, but an amazing and creative selection. No standing room. None. If the seats are all full, they make you wait outside.

And honestly, that’s one of the best things about it. The atmosphere never gets ruined by being so loud that you have to shout everything.

Fergo > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 17:54

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CTR3, yes please.

GreenN_Gold > crowmolly 08/05/2015 at 18:00

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Just curious, why?

CaptDale - is secretly British > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 18:01

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Why do I like this?

CaptDale - is secretly British > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 18:02

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MMMMMM C6 ZR1

Hotelsoap > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 18:05

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For any interested every Saturday morning from 8 to 11-ish there’s a great cars and coffee event every Saturday through most of the summer at a shop called Pasteiners.

ANGRYAUTOENGINEER > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 18:06

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Sneak in a rendering, eh? clever girl...

Master Cylinder > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 18:37

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There are some nice photos in there! I used to live with a couple of buddies just half a block from Woodward in my early 20s. I spent more than a few summer evenings driving up and down or just hanging out and watching the show. Now I live on the east side and haven’t been over there in a while. Gratiot just doesn’t offer the same level of spectacle.

Xyl0c41n3 > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 19:02

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I love the editing of this photo. The almost monochromatic hues totally add to the juxtaposition of the sharp, modern lines of the car and the sense of history of the old building behind it. It’s a bit like time travel — looking at something modern tucked inside a moment of the past.

Blakkar > Matt Kirsch 08/05/2015 at 19:03

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Is it moving or is the world moving around it?