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Community Corner

Dream Cruise Snapshot: Berkley Man Savors Memories of The 'Old Days'

Three classic automobiles keep John Matyas busy during cruise season.

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles leading up to the 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 20. Click here for related stories and photo galleries.

Name: John Matyas

Residence: Berkley

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Age: 72

Vehicles: 1941 Buick Special, 1970 Electra Convertible and 1973 Triumph Spitfire, all stored in a 3 ½ car garage

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How long you have had it: “I have had the Special since the first Dream Cruise in 1995, then I bought the Electra the next year. The Spitfire I bought at a garage sale about 5 years ago.”

Why this car? “My Buick Special is a rare car, a compact that they came out with that year. It has a Chevrolet body straight from the factory. Only 13 or 14 exist today and I know this car’s whole history, including everyone who has owned it and how much mileage they put on it.”

What is special about Woodward and the Dream Cruise? “Today, it’s all just memories. Woodward is nothing like it used to be and it never will be like it used to be. I just love to recall the memories of driving down Woodward when I was younger. Back then you had more freedom. Now we are very restrained compared to the old days.”

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