Mopar Muscle on Woodward: 2024 Woodward Dream Cruise

The Woodward Dream Cruise is an annual automotive event that draws car enthusiasts from around the world, kicked off today along the iconic Woodward Avenue. Known as the world’s largest one-day automotive event, the Cruise runs through Detroit’s northern suburbs, stretching from Ferndale to Pontiac. Despite scattered showers, the event attracted crowds eager to witness a blend of classic and modern vehicles and special exhibits from several manufacturers and suppliers highlighting the industry’s latest innovations.

A Brief History of the Woodward Dream Cruise – 

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The Woodward Dream Cruise has its roots in the mid-20th century, but the story of Woodward Avenue dates back even further. What originally started as a plank road in 1848, Woodward became a hotspot for horse carriage races and, later, for the youth-driven street racing culture that took hold by the late-1950s. The wide roadway, numerous drive-ins, and local dealerships created the perfect environment for car enthusiasts to gather, race, and showcase their vehicles. When the muscle car era peaked in the 1960s and early 70s, Woodward Avenue was firmly established as a key part of Detroit’s automotive heritage.

The idea for the organized Woodward Dream Cruise emerged in 1994 when Nelson House of Ferndale sought to raise funds for a children’s soccer field. What started as a small event to attract 30,000 people quickly ballooned into an automotive phenomenon, with over 250,000 attendees at the first official Cruise in 1995. Today, the event attracts about 1.5 million people and 40,000 vehicles yearly, making it a significant contributor to the local economy and a beloved tradition for car lovers.

Dodge’s Display on Woodward –

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Dodge has once again made its presence felt at the Woodward Dream Cruise, continuing its tradition of celebrating August as Brotherhood of Muscle month. Fresh off the excitement of the Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event, Dodge brought an impressive display to the Cruise, including the highly anticipated all-new 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T and Daytona Scat Pack First Editions. Both included several enhancements from the Direct Connection catalog.

The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack First Edition represents the future of Dodge muscle. It boasts 670 horsepower and earns the title of the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car.

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The Dodge exhibit at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bloomfield Township featured a range of Direct Connection performance parts, including the new 550 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter HurriCrate Cat3 engine. The exhibit, open until 6:00 p.m. today, was a hub for fans of the brand, including members of the Modern Street HEMI® Shootout car club and the Windsor Area Mopar Muscle (WAMM) group from Canada.

Jay Leno’s Visit and the Chrysler Turbine Car – 

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Adding to the day’s excitement, renowned car collector and television personality Jay Leno made a special appearance at the Dodge exhibit. Leno, a Dream Cruise regular, brought a piece of automotive history: his 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car. With its distinctive turbine engine and striking Turbine Bronze paint, this experimental vehicle is one of only nine surviving models out of the 55 originally produced by Chrysler. Leno’s car, often a subject of automotive lore, drew significant attention from attendees eager to see this rare piece of engineering up close.

Mopars Along the Woodward Route – 

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The Woodward Dream Cruise celebrates automotive diversity, with tens of thousands of vehicles lining the route. Among the many cars on display, classic and modern Mopars held a special place, reflecting these powerful machines’ rich history and ongoing appeal. From meticulously restored muscle cars of the 1960s and 70s to cutting-edge models like the supercharged HEMI® V8 Chargers and Challengers, the event offered something for every Mopar enthusiast.

Despite the occasional downpour, the spirit of the Cruise remained undampened, with spectators and drivers alike braving the weather to enjoy the sights and sounds of Woodward Avenue. The 2024 Woodward Dream Cruise once again proved why it is a must-attend event for anyone with a passion for cars, blending the past, present, and future of automotive culture in a uniquely Detroit experience.

Catch our coverage of the Dodge display on Woodward and Jay Leno’s appearance below.