Woodward Dream Cruise 2006: the funny cars of Woodward gallery

In addition to classic, exotic, and muscle cars inching up and down Woodward Avenue this weekend, there were also vehicles that defy discription and brought a smile to the face of everyone they passed. Take this one, for instance. We saw the Metro hot-rod cruising the avenue and finally caught it parked, but sans owner. The Geo Metro's stock three-cylinder motor has been replaced with a more potent mill and rear-wheel drive drivetrain.
Follow the jump for a full gallery of funny cars and shots from the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise, along with our own commentary in some cases. We expect your commentary and captions to fill up the comments section soon after. Enjoy.

When your garage lacks a proper cruiser, you improvise.

We've seen the Hemi-powered Big Wheel before, but in person we were able to check exactly how the thing is operated. Check out the foot pedals and steering bar one uses to operate the machine. This Big Wheel must make for some pretty hairy trips down the drive way.

Popeye is a Dream Cruise veteran and can be seen nearly every year driving around in his little car. For those wondering, the sign reads "Poppeye, the DJ with the Blast from the Past." Now that's marketing, if you ask us.

The other side reads "Rev It Up"

Military vehicles were well represented on Woodward, and this was one of the few we didn't recognize. Anyone else out there know what it is?

Burnouts were few and far between on Woodward this year, as police have been ticketing the practice aggressively the past few years. That didn't stop this guy, however, and fortunately we whipped around and snapped a pic in time to catch the evidence before it blew away.

Another marketing tactic, Best Buy littered Woodward with Geek Squad mobiles, complete with husky nerds to drive them.

This bus is headed to the City of Drink. Hopefully the driver wasn't.

Duggan's Irish Pub is considered by many to be the epicenter of the Wooodward Dream Cruise, and S.W.A.T. was out in full effect to protect it. Seriously, you did not want these guys to catch you jay walking.

The people with the best cruisers often had really big heads.

This is one cop car you don't want on your six when trying to evade authorities.

No mantra could better describe the essence of the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The exhaust fumes from the perpetual traffic jam on Woodward were enough to keep these deer docile and tethered to the roof of this SUV.

One of several Urkel-mobiles caught cruising Woodward.

Keith Crain, Chairman of Crain Communications that publishes AutoWeek and over 30 other publications, joined the cruisers with a nicely pimped golf cart. Autoblog has decided to measure its own success by the acquisition and subsequent pimping of a golf cart for Woodward.

Eric Bryant's next technical feature on Autoblog will detail the installation of custom woodgrain flames on a Chevy Caprice, Impala SS or Buick Roadmaster.

The award for Best Hood Ornament goes to this guy.

Not one, but two DeLoreans were cruising Woodward, and the lead car was in full Back To The Future trim (note the Mr. Fusion poking out the back).

Just think, in a few years we might see a stretch Lincoln MKS monster limo. Yeah, right...

Four wheels was definitely not a requirement to cruise Woodward.

We only found the affable Dr. Z on the rear fender of this NASCAR racecar with the cover conveniently folded back to reveal that glorious 'stache.

The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve. Sweet, huh?

You're not a true Detroiter without a bullet hole in your car.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mb 9:55PM (8/20/2006)
the military vehicle in question is a pinzgauer. think swiss army hummer.
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Colin 9:55PM (8/20/2006)
That military vehicle was a Pinzgauer...
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Blind 10:22PM (8/20/2006)
oh man, that popeye one is HILARIOUS!
i also like the trike :P
http://www.carchops.com
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Raoul 10:30PM (8/20/2006)
Yes, it's a Pinzgauer. Official Swiss army vehicle. The emblem in the front reads
Steyr-Puch (designer of the 4x4 system, Austrian brand).
It's the same compagny that built many 4x4 systems for major euro manufacturers. The (4x4) syncro vanagon was built by them.
http://www.4wdonline.com/Steyr/Steyr.html
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naggs 11:32PM (8/20/2006)
that hemi bigwheel must be LOUD, look at the exhaust on that thing.
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Jeff Banks 12:49AM (8/21/2006)
The "urkel" car is a BMW Isetta. Basically what Europe was producing post-WWII. Historically interesting cars and not too many left.
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Galley 9:56AM (8/21/2006)
I love the paint job on that Isetta. They should display it in the BMW Zentrum museum.
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Ryan 12:44PM (8/21/2006)
One Ticket to Drinkopolis, Please!
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trustfundkid 12:47PM (8/21/2006)
There are a lot of pictures at http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/ . the Geo Metro is a promo for an apparel/motorcycle company called Lucky Devil - http://www.luckydevildetroit.com/ , their site didn't have much information on it, let me know if anyone knows of a more detailed site on it.
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David Ebert 5:18PM (8/21/2006)
Hi I think the military vehicle you are asking about is an Austrian made Halfinger made in the late sixtys early seventies. Developed primary as a military vehicle I think it is powerd by a 350 cc two stroke motor. regards David.
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unimog 6:58PM (8/21/2006)
autobloggers not recognizing an Isetta or a Pinzgauer??
kidding, right?
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Mike 7:47PM (8/21/2006)
LOL, the junk it sign is pretty funny.
What the heck is that little grey thing, fourth picture from the bottom?
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Ripper 8:05AM (8/29/2006)
I love the caption on the ME 4-12... thats a classic... its a shame, as its such a beautiful car
that 3-wheeler is sweet too
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Seanmac2005 4:25PM (8/29/2006)
Holy crap a monster limo!!! Why hasen't anyone thought of it before?
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Charlie 3:41PM (8/31/2006)
I believe that little three wheeler is a Morgan from the Malvern Link, England shop
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C. 3:09PM (8/31/2006)
See? I KNEW you could high perf a G-G-G GEO! LOL
;o)
Great photos!
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John Conaty 4:42PM (8/31/2006)
If Autoblogs are considering building a golf cart, I would like you to check out what one of our members did by building a golf cart out of a wrecked 1954 Ford.
It is a head turner when ever he takes it out for a spin. See pic on the Colonial Beach Cruisers homepage.
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Tim 10:16AM (9/05/2006)
Love the Chevy Camaro getting the, "junk it" sign next to it! Go Ford!
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colin koran 4:04PM (8/31/2006)
That little grey thing is called a "lomax". I pulled up next to it and asked, so I know that ID is accurate...
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JOHN RUBERT 7:09PM (8/31/2006)
TO BE ACCURATE THE WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE ORIGINATES AND IS HELD IN ROYAL OAK, MI.ITS ORIGIN STEMS FROM THE EVENTS OF THE FIFTIES WHICH I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF.
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