The first images from the 2007 Woodward Dream Cruise have begun to trickle into The Garage. We’re a few days behind some of the other blogs, but there are a ton of images in this first submission alone. There are over 500 photos to sort though, so I’ll be a busy boy tonight. For now, let’s start things off with the beginning of the trip.

James and Rob Tong took their blue Mustang Cobra, along with other members of a couple of local Mustang clubs down for their annual trip to Woodward. The first stops were at Saleen and Roush, where they saw some pretty cool stuff.

More images from the Cruise later today.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Strictly by chance we came across a car show at Ajax Downs yesterday, while on our way to Costco. The intent was for this to be a big affair, with a huge, visible lot and a full stage complete with Torte Elvis, but we hadn’t seen or heard boo about it.

Likewise, there was apparently a pretty big 2 day Bug show here in Durham but I didn’t see anything about it until Sunday afternoon.

It never ceases to amaze me how poor a job the local car show promoters do. Let’s face it, I’m pretty much hooked up in the automotive world, yet somehow I haven’t heard about these decent size local shows. Come on guys, there is lots of free and easy promotion to be had if you really want to promote your show.

Anyway, there were a handful of really cool rides on hand at Ajax Downs, and a ton of OK drivers. No wicked rats, no race cars and no muscle cars that mattered, so it took us about 10 minutes to walk the show. The cars that were interesting were sitting unattended, so there were no stories to be had either.

Grabbed a few cool shots though.

Oh yeah…the quote of the day comes from some 50 ish guy…

Hey, there goes that Corvair. You know the engine’s in the back!

He just figured that out…40 years later.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

I was pretty impressed with the quantity and quality of cars in attendance at a local cruise a couple of weeks ago, but that show pales when compared to an open house at the birth place of hot rodding. Coop took his bum leg and his Leica to the annual open house at the So Cal Speed Shop and took about a zillion photos. Visit Positive Ape Index and then follow through to Coop’s Flickr page.

The Road Legends Cruisers in Durham, Ontario have been organizing cruise nights for years. On Saturday evening I decided to take the boys over the the Ajax Canadian Tire to check out a few cool cars. While they have the occasional big one every year, most of these weekly cruises are weekly events with 30-40 cars. Imagine my surprise then when we arrived to find a huge car show in progress. I would guess that there were over 200 cars, ranging from Rods to classics, Muscle to mouse. Not to mention a few rats, elephants and the like!

If you are in the Toronto area and have a sweet old ride, or just want to get out and gawk the Road Legends Cruise nights are a great way to spend an evening. Be sure to visit their site to get the schedule.

More photos after the break
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As promised, we’ve got a few more shots of the Savage Speed 49 Merc on it’s maiden voyage to the Paso Robles Cruise Nationals.

Over the next few days I’m sure we’ll have shots of the cruise.
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When our west coast contributor Aaron Von Minden picked up this 49 Mercury back in February, he had one goal in mind. Drive the beast to the Cruise Nationals at Paso Robles in May. Well, Paso was last weekend and mission accomplished!
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That’s right, some wigged out greenie retired teacher with nothing better to do with her life has decided to crusade against one of America’s most loved events. The Woodward Dream Cruise. It’s not that she minds the fun, but she’s supporting the noble Step It Up campaign to reduce greenhouse emissions. I’ve got a better idea. Why not protest the Superbowl. It’s just as American as Woodward Avenue and I’m pretty sure all those rednecks in one place, eating tailgate food and swilling Milwaukee’s Best are creating some excessive Greenhouse Gas. Better yet, one of the leading contributors of methane to our ozone is cows. That’s right, cows! Why not force cattle farmers to put vapour recovery devices on each and every bovine in the herd!

Long live Cruising!

News via Autoblog

Last night I had the chance to cruise Yonge Street on a nice, clear, warmish evening just like I did when I was 17. Except that now I’m old and it was a coffee in my hand, not a mickey of Captain Morgan’s in my coat pocket and it was a Tuesday, not the weekend.
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A lack of time seems to becoming more common around here, so today i’ll just give a few mentions to some of the lucky bloggers who are out cruising this weekend.

Over at Jalopnik, the boys are cruizin’ (and jaywalking!) on Woodward Ave.
Phillip at Classical Drive has been at Monterey all week leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours and he’s got some great storys and shots. The photo above will give you some idea of the fun he’s having.

The new kid on the block at Autoblog is also at Pebble and has some great shots too.

Some GM student interns were lucky enough to head to Bonneville. I bet it changed their outlook on speed forever.

World Car Fans have a great Ferrari story from Pebble Beach.

Here in The Garage, we’re a tiny bit jealous of all of you this weekend. Hopefully our old buddy Mike will deliver the pics he’s promised from Woodward next week.

Imagine the excitement last Friday when the new Camaro Concept rumbles up to the weekly cruise at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank(say that 5 times fast). But wait, who’s that driving? None other than Jay Leno of course. Being a rich and famous car guy sure has it’s perks.

Visit Leftlane News for more pics