Event Coverage Hot Rod Power Tour 2024

If this thread is not HAMB appropriate, please feel free to whack it. Won't butthurt me...

Thinking about doing some or all a Hot Rod Power Tour. Our interest would be some nice drives and seeing a shit ton of customs, classics and hot rods out on the road. Is that what we me be able to expect or just long lines of modern Challengers, Camaros, Mustangs and pickup trucks?

thanks,

Rick

 

I haven't done one for 20 years, but I'm going to do the Power Tour West next month. I'll find out.

 

I've never been, but follow it closely as it's high on my "someday" list. From what I've been told, if you want to see a ton of early iron rolling down the road, HRPT is not your best bet. Yes, you'll see some, but it will be far from the majority. You're more likely to see stuff from tri-five's on up.

Hot Rod magazine has tons of galleries of HRPT on their website where you can see crowd photos and get a rough idea of the mix. Go here https://www.motortrend.com/events/hot-rod-power-tour/

 

The only one I went on in 2000 (and I guess part of one another year that I can’t remember) were mostly later model stuff, but there were a few HAMB friendly cars as well. Even the car I drove was too new for here since it is what I had at the time. But, it was something that was a fun adventure even though not necessarily the kind of cars I am into.

 

...watched one roll thru Illinois a few years back, maybe one in 10-12 cars was 55 or older,...not that much fun really. if you can't drive a new or 2-3 year old car across the country, somethin is really wrong!

 

I did it 2008, 2009 and 2012 and each year it got to be more and more late model cars. I have heard it’s a lot worse now (no shame in driving your minivan now) a fair amount of 50s and 60s but almost no hamb friendly cars and yes long lines every day.

 

I wanted to do it back when they first started it but it has gotten too big to suit me now. Personally I'd rather run with 20 or less Cars out of the PNW headed to Lone Star Roundup or one of the other bucket list events a couple thousand miles away and run at a 500 mile a day or less pace.

 

That must have been Americruise to Lincoln Nebraska, huh?
Did that one with my dad 3 years before he passed..
our starting point was Mooneyes in Santa Fe Springs..
Had a memorable trip

 

I’d did about 20 miles worth once
They rolled through Birmingham.
Had a huge show. I enjoyed it.
New and old stuff.
I’ve kept up with their FB page. The biggest complaint is long lines entering venues.
The 2nd is old cars over heating.
3rd is probably stolen cars.

 

I think it has changed a bit since I first went on the beginning leg in 1996

 

Someone should organize a HAMB tour.

 

We could all go to Kentucky.

 

there is a metric crap-ton of videos on Youtube from participants and the public, alike. You could spend days or weeks watching footage from both inside the destination venues, and thru small town America and the backroads. Watch some coverage for the past couple of years and you'll get an idea of the participant make-up. My personal wish is they would have a year cut-off for the cars, but alas... they don't.

FWIW - it is a bucket list item for me. I watch the annual videos as continued inspiration to (slowly) work on my junk.

Gotta56forme/Scott

 

Lloyds power tour 24. Pre 65 only. Could be a thing.

 

Now we are talking.

 

Heck I’m game, when are we going

 

I’ve been on a few of them and yeah there are a lot of “newer “ cars but if you’re a true gear head it’s a must do thing on your bucket list

 

Great info guys... I really appreciate it.. As you may have noticed, my truck isn't exactly HAMB friendly, it's more like HAMB adjacent. But, I built the entire thing (less paint) and enjoy the hell out of driving it. Which is why I thought HRPT might be a great match for what we like to do.

I mean, what could be better than a rolling car show? Yeah, I know a HAMB Friendly rolling car show. Unfortunately, my COE would be excluded.. I'd have to watch you guys from lawn chairs in the aforementioned small town... Next best, IMHO, would be all special interest of some sort especially cars where someone has poured their blood, sweat and tears into them. That's essentially my feeling on rat rods... I don't really get the genre, but I do appreciate the creativity in many of them. I recently saw a 50s Ford pickup with an Eldorado front drive setup mounted in the bed. Could anyone here NOT appreciate that?!

But I digress... A cruise with cars that left the factory at least 40-50 years ago would interest us. An event with everything built after Y2K, not so much... I've looked at pics from recent HRPTs and either they were carefully aimed at hot rods and muscle cars or the mix isn't 10-1. Admittedly, just the fact that a minivan or a rental Nissan Rogue is allowed is kinda disheartening but if the proportion is relatively small, who cares... There do seem to be very few prewar cars. I think there are a number of reasons why which I won't bore you with...

The issues with long lines are the same problems you see at larger sporting events. 6000 cars are trying to get into/out of someplace.. Better bring patience, cold drinks and electric fans.. On theft, I don't know how prevalent that is, but that sparkalator guy sure seems concerned about it so I suspect it's not just idle chatter.

I think I'll reserve judgement for now and wait to see what the schedule and route might be.

 

Pretty much what I'm thinking... You said it far more concisely than I did!

 

I’ll say this I got to see quite a few home built off the wall hot rods that were engineering feats with a LOT of imagination involved!! That’s why I really enjoyed going on them, that and it is a rolling car show

 

It’s enjoyable other than the lack of hamb cars and long lines. If you skip the drivers meeting and get ahead of the crowd it’s manageable. Stuff to see just not hamb friendly cars. Doing the power tour in a minivan is like kissing your sister, you can do it but it’s not right.

 

Something you may consider in lieu of the HRPT do one of the many cruises prior to the Goodguys events. Lots of rodders and they make stops at various venues along the route.

As for me, seeing it’s mostly east of the Mississippi oriented event and usually is packed with too many people I think I’ll pass.

 

The West version is coming up next month....LA to LV to LA. Not a very scenic drive, but I'm going anyways.

 

In 2022 I did the whole tour in my HAMB friendly (mostly) car. I’d say around 15% of the cars were somewhat HAMB friendly. I had a blast, and I would highly recommend all of you do at least part of it if you can. Who knows how much longer it will continue.

 

Where is Power Tour going this year?

 

Don't know yet... From what I've read, that news comes out by January and the rumor mill seems to say the next year's tour usually starts where the last one left off. Last year's end was Bristol, TN. Selfishly, I'd love to see it head north from TN, maybe even NE but I suspect the logistics of doing anything in New England are far more difficult than more rural areas. Even I cannot imagine 6000 special interest cars trying to navigate any roads near Bawston.

 

I like the way you guys think.

 

Crap! I’ve been looking for something like that all year and just heard about it now. What world do I live in? I’ll keep it on my list for next year (brr, leaving from northern Oregon in December - might need chains for the Model A).

John

 

I found a video from the entrance to Bristol, TN this year... It sure supports the idea of nearly all modern vehicles (Corvettes, Challengers, Camaros, Mustangs, SUVs and pickup trucks), a metric shit ton of C10s, a sprinkle of muscle cars and some tri-5s. Nearly nothing pre 1950.

Also a strong showing of "Hey, I dragged this POS, 4 door Nova out of my aunt's barn and made it to Bristol".... That seems like a regular theme also....

So, when is this 1965 and earlier tour??

 

I did the "Hot Rod" Power Tour this past June, 2023. I counted a total of maybe 20 HAMB appropriate hot rods the entire tour. As others have said, lots of 60s cars and trucks, a strong representation of 70s - 2000s "old" cars, and a ton of modern muscle. I think it's time they drop the "Hot Rod" off the Hot Rod Power Tour.