Woodward wasn't big enough Tuesday morning for two classic Detroit muscle cars that will soon roar back into showrooms.
The Woodward Dream Cruise provided the backdrop for the first salvo in a much-anticipated showdown between the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger.
To set the scene, the Chrysler Group was hosting a media event in front of Duggan's Irish Pub in Royal Oak. The automaker was showing off its Dodge Challenger concept muscle car and the 1970 Challenger that inspired it.
Without warning, a Chevrolet car hauler embossed with a massive bowtie logo and carrying two Camaros — the 2006 concept car and a 1969 classic — came rolling by, turning the head of media members.
Jason Vines, Chrysler's top PR official, took the slow-speed Camaro drive-by as an invitation for a Dream Cruise rumble.
He (jokingly) called it a “wuss” move to haul the Camaros in a trailer rather than driving the vehicles by Duggan's.
Chevy spokesman Terry Rhadigan denied a turf war. General Motors Corp. has been showcasing the Camaros for days on Woodward as part of the Dream Cruise and they were en route to two GM events Tuesday, he said.
“We'll definitely do battle with them in the showroom in a couple of years, but right now this was more or less an opportunity to display the iconic brand,” he said.
Both Dodge and Chevrolet have promised to build production versions of vehicles in the next couple years.
The muscle car tussle caught the attention of Jalopnik.com, a popular auto Web site, which likened it to a Sharks-versus-Jets feud.
“Chevy made a point of letting the Chrysler folks know that they were stepping on the General's turf
