Mustangs rev their engines into 28th Dream Cruise in Ferndale

FERNDALE — Hundreds of cars packed into downtown Ferndale this past weekend for the city’s annual Dream Cruise festivities.

The Woodward Dream Cruise was held Aug. 19 across several cities in metro Detroit, including its hometown and birthplace in Ferndale. The city’s Dream Cruise event was highlighted by the massive Ford Mustang Alley on both sides of Nine Mile Road.

Pam and Mike Compson, of Remus, brought their unique 1967 Mustang that’s painted dusk rose. It previously was owned by Mike Compson’s aunt, Lois Compson Eminger, who used to work at Ford and who they said helped patent the color “dusk rose.”

The Compsons came into the Mustang when their aunt was moving and gave the vehicle to them, although they are considering putting it in a museum because of wild animals possibly damaging it where they live.

“It means so much to us,” Pam Compson said. “It was (Lois’) car and if it gets crashed, there goes her history.”

This is only the second year the Compsons have brought the Mustang to Mustang Alley, and Pam Compson said they’ve liked learning new things about the vehicle by bringing it to the alley.

“That’s why we’re here,” she said. “We always take something away. … We always find out another something about this little car, whether it’s the hood or the color — well, we know the color — the custom seats, and it’s just fun to listen to people.”

Also parked along Nine Mile was Richard Kocan, of Novi, with his 2006 Mustang GT. Kocan has owned the car since it was first released and has owned several Mustangs over the years.

Kocan said that once you have a Mustang, it’s hard to get rid of them.

“I’ve always been a Ford guy, so I had to stay within the family, but it was an easy choice to make. You just keep the windows down and keep cruising. It’s just enjoyable,” he said.
This was the 28th year for the Dream Cruise, and Randy Delamielleure has been able to bring his 1966 Mustang to every single one. He has owned the car for 50 years.

Delamielleure, of Williamston, is a former employee of Ford. He said he actually built his Mustang.

“I built this whole car. I’ve had it apart many times. I’ve had probably 10 different engines in this car. I’ve raised children; I had car seats in the car. They’re grown ass men now that have Mustangs,” he said.

The 1966 was the first Mustang Delamielleure ever owned, of which he said he’s had around 100 over his lifetime, but this Mustang was one he never wanted to part with.

“I was married for 38 years. I just went through a divorce and this car had to be sold, but I wouldn’t sell it, so I had to buy my ex out to keep the car,” he said. “That’s how bad I wanted to keep it. So it was actually in storage for three years until we decided what we’re going to do. But it’s always been here at Mustang Alley or ever since they’ve had Mustang Alley.”

Delamielleure said he likes coming back each year to the Dream Cruise, as he likes being able to check out all the other Mustangs and how the car has evolved over the years.

“It’s important to see what other people’s ideas are, get ideas, and to see what the younger generations are coming up with, and then the newer cars and designs,” he said. “It’s just kind of overwhelming.”