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Sandra Aquilina’s 1934 Ford with a 350 H.O. Chevy engine

Sandra Aquilina, who is featured in these photographs. She owns a 1934 Ford and will participate in the Woodward Dream Cruise.

At first glance, Sandra Aquilina is a girly-girl. The retired manicurist’s hair was in a curly ponytail, and she wore a trendy bandana headband. But, when she began describing her 1934 Ford, Aquilina meant business.



“It’s a 1934 Ford with a 350 H.O. Chevy engine, 700 r4 transmission, and 4:11 gear,” she said, looking at the car with a smile.



Red furry dice hang from her rearview mirror, and a Betty Boop figurine sits on her dashboard.



Aquilina is one of thousands who will bring her car to the Woodward Dream Cruise Aug. 18. The Dream Cruise is the world’s largest one-day automotive event, attracting 1.5 million people and 50,000 classic cars each year, according to the official website.



Aquilina’s husband, Maurice, built the car for Aquilina as a gift. She chose the 1934 Ford because she liked the ZZ top.



“He started the car in 2005. It was supposed to be a five-year project, but we finished it in 2008,” Aquilina said. In 2008, I was able to take it for the first time down the Woodward Cruise.”



Sandra remembers driving with her father in his 1957 Chevy. She said she has loved cars since she was a kid.



“We used to live in Lake Orion and drive that Chevy down Woodward. The Cruise brings me back to those days,” Aquilina said. “I decided I’d like to have (a classic car) of my own.”



“The cruise is so fun. We’ve met so many wonderful people,” Aquilina said. “We also attend a lot of local car shows. It’s great to meet people as crazy about cars as we are.”



Aquilina said she keeps her car in excellent condition by protecting it from the elements.



“We don’t drive it too often. We only drive it in good weather, like today’s,” she said. “I’ve been to Romulus, Romeo, all over the place. The best thing about these cars is the adventure.”

Last Updated: 8/17/2012 9:58:59 AM EST