Chevy Celebrates 100 Years with 50 Volts, Classic Cars on Woodward

From a 1911 Series C Classic Six to a cluster of 2011 Volts, showcased 100 years of automotive engineering as it made its way down Woodward and back this afternoon.

The 25 mph parade began at the , traveled south down Woodward, doubled back near the Detroit Zoo and returned to the Radisson for a Chevrolet "homecoming" celebration.

"We would be out on Woodward for the Dream Cruise even if it wasn't for this event," Chevy Volt owner and West Bloomfield resident Linda Tost said. The parade featured 51 Volts with owners from as far away as Arizona.

"I'm just really excited about this about the enthusiasm people have for this car."

Excitement was in the air just before the parade began as Chevrolet Vice President of Marketing Chris Perry took to the stage in the Radisson Hotel's parking lot.

"How many Chevrolets have we sold in the past 100 years?" Perry asked the crowd. "Any guesses? Two hundred million. In fact, in the first six months of this year, we sold more than 2.3 million in more than 120 countries – that is our best first half of any year in our history. That tells you is that Chevrolet is alive and well."

The parade nearly coincides with Chevrolet's 100th Anniversary on Nov. 3 and featured NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, who waved green flags to signify the start of the parade in Bloomfield Hills. Both Gordon and Johnson have Volts for off-track driving.

"I'm excited to be here and see everyone," said Johnson, who also spoke before the parade. "I started off at 15 years old testing off-road trucks for (Chevrolet), which led to a job at 16, and I've been a Chevy racer ever since."

"Chevy's been a big part of my entire racing career," said Gordon. "This is my first time here at Woodward, and this is a treat for me. ... I can't wait to see more of the classics and the heritage and what made Chevy this great company, great manufacturer for 100 years."

Chevrolet is this year's Woodward Dream Cruise sponsor.