Best Classic Car Patina Seen at the 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise

Although the dictionary describes patina as "a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period," MotorTrend sees it differently. Every August, during the annual Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise north of Detroit, MotorTrend describes patina as an awesome ode to au naturel classic cars and trucks and the people who appreciate them.

Anyone who has worked on a car knows the paint job is painstaking and expensive. Some cars might not be worth it. In Michigan it's not hard to find early-model vehicles where oxidation has robbed them of color and left them basking in a form of their birthday suit. A good sealer can preserve that.

But rust takes its toll on a lot of Midwest vehicles. One trend today is to take a vehicle with a body still in good shape and add a little faux patina using a chemical spray or maybe just a vinyl wrap depicting patina.The 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise is a great place to see and celebrate authentic patina. And for those who want to fake it, well it's a good place to take inspiration from. Just don't assume that the old looks belie some unwillingness to spend money. Note the fifth-gen Ford F-series pickup with body panels in four different faded colors, but with tubbed bodywork and a pricey hydraulics system installed.

You've also gotta love the presentation of some cars like the "pre-owned" 1940 Ford surf-mobile with the wire wheels, fireplace and iron bumperettes, and brass ducks poking out of the hood.

Here are patina-mobiles that caught our eye during the 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise.