NEWS

13th annual Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise revs up the east side

Rick Maynard pilots his 1902 Nash Rambler northbound as classic cars of all makes, models, and eras motor along the avenue during the 13th annual Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise on Aug. 2, 2015.
Rick Maynard pilots his 1902 Nash Rambler northbound as classic cars of all makes, models, and eras motor along the avenue during the 13th annual Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise on Aug. 2, 2015.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Dean Gallucci, 7, Shelby Township, gears up for the Kids Pedal Car Cruise that kicked off the day at Cruise Headquarters located at the intersection of Gratiot and Metro Parkway.
Dean Gallucci, 7, Shelby Township, gears up for the Kids Pedal Car Cruise that kicked off the day at Cruise Headquarters located at the intersection of Gratiot and Metro Parkway.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Hot rods drag neck and neck along Gratiot.
Hot rods drag neck and neck along Gratiot.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Dwayne Major, Detroit, prepares to take a photo of this pink and black 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner.
Dwayne Major, Detroit, prepares to take a photo of this pink and black 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Interior of a 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner.
Interior of a 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Front badging on a 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner.
Front badging on a 1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Classic cars like this vintage Ford turn the heads of crowds lining Gratiot Avenue Sunday.
Classic cars like this vintage Ford turn the heads of crowds lining Gratiot Avenue Sunday.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Violet Guzman, 3, Mount Clemens, gets a little help with her posing from Ms. Michigan America 2015 Rachael Adams, Belleville, who will compete in the national pageant August 29th.
Violet Guzman, 3, Mount Clemens, gets a little help with her posing from Ms. Michigan America 2015 Rachael Adams, Belleville, who will compete in the national pageant August 29th.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A purple Hot Rod pushes north along Gratiot.
A purple Hot Rod pushes north along Gratiot.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
"They aren't really cars," said Bob Cannon, Clinton Township supervisor during opening ceremonies, "They're parts of your family."
"They aren't really cars," said Bob Cannon, Clinton Township supervisor during opening ceremonies, "They're parts of your family."
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Martino Gilson, 6, Clinton Township, front, takes off in the Kids Pedal Car Cruise up Gratiot Avenue.
Martino Gilson, 6, Clinton Township, front, takes off in the Kids Pedal Car Cruise up Gratiot Avenue.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Seeking refuge from the blazing sun, spectators watch the show from beneath shady trees lining the Avenue.
Seeking refuge from the blazing sun, spectators watch the show from beneath shady trees lining the Avenue.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A two-toned Bel Air motors north.
A two-toned Bel Air motors north.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Jerney Bondhill, left, 11, Clinton Township, checks out a flame-painted Chevy with her dad Willie.
Jerney Bondhill, left, 11, Clinton Township, checks out a flame-painted Chevy with her dad Willie.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Motorists cruise in a painted Hippie Chic car.
Motorists cruise in a painted Hippie Chic car.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A Dodge Challenger Super Bee parks along Gratiot near 15 Mile.
A Dodge Challenger Super Bee parks along Gratiot near 15 Mile.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Dodge Challenger Super Bee badging.
Dodge Challenger Super Bee badging.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A SMART bus cruised with its customized  fiery paint job.
A SMART bus cruised with its customized fiery paint job.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A 1957 Oldsmobile is shown.
A 1957 Oldsmobile is shown.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Demetrius Mahone, 13, Detroit, has his picture taken with this red miniature airplane parked next to a matching Chevelle.
Demetrius Mahone, 13, Detroit, has his picture taken with this red miniature airplane parked next to a matching Chevelle.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A Dodge Coronet boasts an impressive set of fins.
A Dodge Coronet boasts an impressive set of fins.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
More than 225,000 people and thousands of classic cars were expected for Sunday’s event.
More than 225,000 people and thousands of classic cars were expected for Sunday’s event.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Classic cars lined nearly every available parking lot between 14 mile and Metro Parkway.
Classic cars lined nearly every available parking lot between 14 mile and Metro Parkway.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Emerson Kurkierewicz, 7, left, visiting from Florida, paints the wheels of a Plymouth Voyager van, part of a community art project sponsored by Clinton Township Parks and Recreation,  which donated the vehicle and invited the public to add their personal mark.
Emerson Kurkierewicz, 7, left, visiting from Florida, paints the wheels of a Plymouth Voyager van, part of a community art project sponsored by Clinton Township Parks and Recreation, which donated the vehicle and invited the public to add their personal mark.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
The chrome of a ruby red Bel Air glistens in the sunshine.
The chrome of a ruby red Bel Air glistens in the sunshine.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A Plymouth pulls into a bank parking lot to park.
A Plymouth pulls into a bank parking lot to park.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A Ford Deluxe pulls into the parking lot of Cruise Headquarters.
A Ford Deluxe pulls into the parking lot of Cruise Headquarters.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A pink Thunderbird motors north.
A pink Thunderbird motors north.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A pink Thunderbird motors north.
A pink Thunderbird motors north.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
A fuel-injected Chevy races north on Gratiot.
A fuel-injected Chevy races north on Gratiot.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News