Morrison Enterprises was the...
Morrison Enterprises was the starting point for the NHRA Museum Road Tour. Morrison fabricated the chassis on our '52 Chevy. Owners Art and Craig Morrison gave us a tour of their fabrication facilities and we all enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers with the entire staff and crew.
The NHRA Wally Parks Museum is known for its incredible collection of hot rod artifacts that tell the story of the history of our hobby. A visit to the facility on the grounds of the Fairplex in Pomona gives visitors a look at hot rodding's roots and the men and women who pioneered what has become a passion for so many of us.
On display in the museum are vehicles and memorabilia that show what things were like in the early days, when hot rodding was in its infancy and drag racing was born. The NHRA Wally Parks Museum is more than just a shrine to our past. Each year the museum organizes two events that showcase the cars and the activities that helped shape the hobby. In June at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and in October at Fomoso Raceway near Bakersfield, California, the Hot Rod Reunion events feature vintage drag racing and attract race cars and hot rods from those early years.
In June, the Vintage Air Road Tour traveled again to the Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was, once again, a fantastic event. We'd already made plans to attend this year's California Hot Rod Reunion in October. Our starting point for the NHRA Museum Road Tour was to be the Pacific Northwest. Always a hot bed of hot rod activity, this marks the first time that we have been in the Pacific Northwest since our "come along for the ride" program was instituted four years ago.
The fellow on the right has...
The fellow on the right has spent some time behind the wheel of high-performance vehicles. Rob Bruins was the NHRA Top Fuel National Champion in 1979. He was joined on the tour by Chris Horn who was an important part of that championship team.
The Seattle area is home to Morrison Enterprises, located in the suburb of Fife. The folks at Morrison fabricated the chassis and front suspension on the '52 Chevy hardtop, and after 22,000 miles of smooth travels the Morrison chassis still makes each and every day on the tours very comfortable. Morrison Enterprises was the perfect place to begin the NHRA Museum Road Tour to the California Hot Rod Reunion.
Waiting for us at Morrison Enterprises on Saturday evening were owners Art and son Craig Morrison and their crew of craftsmen. Burgers and hot dogs were already on the grill, and we were given a tour of the facilities. It was interesting to see the wide range of chassis applications that are available from Morrison Enterprises and the engineering and craftsmanship that go into each product. The Road Tour participants had plenty of questions for Art, Craig, and the crew and it was an educational evening at Morrison Enterprises. Craig's talents extend to the barbecue grill and the great food was appreciated by everyone in attendance.
Sunday morning we decided to make a stop at the LeMay Auto Museum in nearby Tacoma, Washington. Harold LeMay's love affair began at an early age. He began collecting all things automotive about the same time that he began his refuse and waste services business when he returned form World War II. His auto collection grew as rapidly as his business and his success helped him continue to build his collection of autos and auto-related items. It is an understatement to say that Harold LeMay had a collection of vehicles. At the time of his passing some years ago he had accumulated 3,500 vehicles of all makes and models from every era of automotive history. His family has continued LeMay's dream and with the help of dedicated volunteers many of the vehicles from LeMay's collection are on display in Tacoma. Plans are in the works to break ground this year for what is projected to be the largest auto museum in the world and LeMay's collection will be the centerpiece of America's Auto Museum in Tacoma.
Sunday morning we visited...
Sunday morning we visited part of the Harold LeMay car collection in Tacoma. At one time the collection numbered over 4,000 vehicles of all makes and models. Plans are in the works for the construction of America's Auto Museum in Tacoma, which will showcase many of the cars from the collection of the late enthusiast.
It was a two-hour drive south...
It was a two-hour drive south from Tacoma to the headquarters of Chevs of the 40's in Vancouver, WA, just north of Portland. The showroom showcases the products of both Chevs of the 40's and their sister company, Street Rod Headquarters.
Owners Rob Logsdon (front...
Owners Rob Logsdon (front left) and Ron Wade (front right) greeted us at Chevs of the 40's. The Road Tourians were treated to a great dinner at a local restaurant and on Monday morning Logsdon and Wade joined us on the first leg of the tour.
Our first stop on Monday morning...
Our first stop on Monday morning was at Steve's Auto Restoration in Portland. We were given a tour of the facility by owner Steve Frisbee and staff. Their reproduction '34 Ford coupe is beautiful and definitely on every street rodder's wish list.
From Steve's Auto Restoration...
From Steve's Auto Restoration it was a short drive to Eagle Creek and the beautiful home and car collection of Wendy and Bill Jab. The Jabs have a wide ranging taste in vehicles and their collection includes large classic touring cars from the '30s, hot rods, sports cars, and some Corvairs among others.