It is hard to believe that it is already time to begin the 2004 version of the PPG/Street Rodder Road Tour. It seems as though I had just pulled into Tampa after the grueling Sacramento to Florida "Iron Man" bonsai. The winter went by very quickly.
The craftsmen at Randy Clark's Hot Rods and Custom Stuff in Escondido, California, had assembled a very beautiful and very high-quality Deuce highboy Roadster for this year's travels. Starting with their Deuce steel chassis, they combined a steel Brookville Roadster body and power from a very potent Gen-III small-block Chevy engine, and they added the finest parts and accessories that the industry offers. The finished package rivals any of the previous Road Tour cars in looks, performance, and craftsmanship.
Gen-III owner Scott Turvey hopped in the passenger seat as we made a stop at the Joshua Tree National Park outside of Palm Springs to finish work on this year's 2004 Road Tour DVD. On the way to Phoenix, Scott, with his trusty laptop, made some final adjustments to its Gen-III powerplant. With his work done, Scott headed back to the Gen-III facility in Escondido, California, while I headed north to Flagstaff, Arizona on east I-40. My destination was Oklahoma City: the site of the 2004 National Street Rod Association's Southwest Nationals. I stayed in famous Tucumcari, New Mexico, on Tuesday night. Then on Wednesday, I traveled to Oklahoma City. The 1,500-mile trip was flawless, and the weather was beautiful the entire way. The ride proved to be very comfortable thanks to the forged aluminum axle and front suspension from Pete & Jake's and the plush bench seat from Wise Guys.
The weekend in Oklahoma was great in all respects. The weather was excellent with temps in the 70s and abundant sunshine all weekend. There were 1,880 street rods registered, and the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds was covered with cars and spectators from Friday morning until the awards on Sunday afternoon.
Getting the Roadster back to Los Angeles after the event was a different story. It had nothing to do with car trouble. It had everything to do with weather trouble. A look at the Weather Channel on Sunday morning gave me the chilling news. It would be snowing in Flagstaff if I decided to take the shortest route back on I-40. There was flooding in Albuquerque if I elected to drop south on I-25. There were thunderstorms predicted for west Texas if I chose that southern route. I decided to take my chances on the thunderstorm in west Texas. At least it would be warmer.
Well, it was not that warm, and I did manage to find the thunderstorms about 30 miles west of El Paso. There was even some hail thrown in for excitement. Given the fact that I had a great car under me and this was not my first rodeo, the Roadster and I made it back to Los Angeles by Tuesday night in very decent shape.
Now it is back home to Ohio for two weeks and then back out west for the NSRA West Coast Nationals. Then it is on to the Nationals South in Knoxville. Get complete coverage of my Oklahoma adventure in the September issue of Street Rodder. Get the latest Road Tour news here at www.streetrodderweb.com, and be sure to check out our beautiful Road Tour Roadster at all of the NSRA events this summer.
See you on the Road Tour...
The Joshua Tree National Park...
The Joshua Tree National Park was the setting for the 2004 Road Tour DVD filming. On hand were Director Mike Slee, Primedia Promotion Director Michael Simpson, and Gen III's Scott Turvey. The DVD will cover the complete buildup of the Roadster and will include some great driving footage.
From Phoenix, Arizona I traveled...
From Phoenix, Arizona I traveled north on I-17 toward Flagstaff. This 200-mile stretch of interstate is one of the most beautiful in the country. This is the view as you make the long descent into Camp Verde, Arizona.
In Flagstaff, I-17 meets I-40....
In Flagstaff, I-17 meets I-40. Los Angeles is about 475 miles to the west, and Oklahoma City is 865 miles to the east. I turned right and headed east toward Oklahoma City: the site of the NSRA Southwest Nationals.
After spending Tuesday evening...
After spending Tuesday evening in the famous tourist stop on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, I rolled out at dawn. This was the sight at sunrise as I crossed the New Mexico-Texas border.
In a Stonehenge-like tribute...
In a Stonehenge-like tribute to our car culture society, the famous Cadillac Ranch is located in a field off Helium Road just west of Amarillo, Texas. Plant ten Cadillacs nose first in the ground, and they will come...from all over to see them.
Very close to the Oklahoma...
Very close to the Oklahoma border lays the little town of Shamrock, Texas. I have stopped at this '36 vintage Conoco station and diner many times in past travels. The restoration is now complete, and the classic building now is home to the Shamrock Chamber of Commerce.
It was a beautiful weekend...
It was a beautiful weekend in Oklahoma City at the NSRA Southwest Nationals. There were 1,880 registered street rods for this year's edition. The huge B-52 Flying Fortress provided some shade from the Oklahoma sunshine.
There were over 50 vendors...
There were over 50 vendors displaying their wares both inside the exhibit building and outside around the famous tower. The Oklahoma State Fairgrounds was covered with rods and spectators from Friday morning until Sunday afternoon.
Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Event...
Sunday at 2:00 p.m., Event Director Tom Biles was the host of the awards ceremonies. There was special recognition given to over 30 vehicles in attendance. The Long-Distance Award went to Myra and Perry Brochner who drove from Bremerton, Washington.
The fun and games ended on...
The fun and games ended on Monday afternoon at about 1:00 p.m. about 30 miles east of El Paso, Texas, on Interstate 10. That was the view to the south outside the Roadster window. When I finally met the storm a few minutes later, it was time to pull off, put the nose into the storm, and ride it out. The Roadster and I both survived to drive another day!