Event Coverage Hot Rod Power Tour 2024

I did the HotRod power tour in 2002 with my family in my wife's o/t '69 Barracuda convertible. One of the best car events I've ever done ,but the lines of cars backed up onto interstate off ramps was a real cooling system test . One with HAMB friendly cars to Lloyd fest would be off the charts fun !

 

I have kicked around the idea of doing it for years, never have. If the tour comes somewhere near me I would do a leg of it.

 

I went this year and was disappointed to find LOTS of late models and 60's muscle cars. Several drove "everyday" vehicles, pickups and sedans, just to get some cheesy Long Haul plaque.

I guess it is the Power Tour, so anything might apply to that defination.

 

The first 10 years or so of power tour was pretty cool, it started out as a torture test from CA to FL in 4.5 days and it was still small car count as it was very long days (5-600 miles per day) and still during school so there weren't any families doing it that I saw so it just wasn't desirable to someone that wasn't a hardcore car person. Then they moved it to after school got out and shortened the distance and it really started to get big.

Last one I did was I think 2004? Long haul a couple times, total I went on 4 or 5. By that time there were getting to be 2,500-3,000 cars at a stop and while it is pretty cool, it just got too big for me to really enjoy. I've been all over the country with them and had a blast. I think alot of it for me now is that I remember how it was before so I keep comparing.

Wetskier, I think if it is close enough you can afford it, do at least a part of it. I think you will stand out from the crowd for sure and have fun.

 

The first few years it always went to Michigan. I went in 97, drove my blown 55 to LA then up to Mt Clemens, MI then back home. 5500 mile trip, it was in May, so school was still in session.

 

That pre 65 tour is sounding better the more I read through this thread. I have nothing in common with late model muscle cars and trucks, see them everyday, and don’t want one. But here in the inland Northwest, it seems to be a long drive to get to the start of a long drive. But if something cool happens in the future, before I get too old to drive, I’m in.

 

Hmmm, you didn't read the post just...two posts above yours !?
It was spelled out perfectly.
I'll assume that you were talking the West Coast version ?

Mike

 

I was wondering if it will be close to Michigan in '24. It used to be there was one Power Tour, but I guess now there is a west coast version- or maybe more? Wifey and I and another couple went in '97 I think it was. it was fun. The cars we took were OT but old cars-71 and 68. I think I may want to do some of it in '24 if not too far with my F100.

 

The West Coast is new. I've done PT most years since '05. Yes, a lot of 60s & modern muscle cars, but more older stuff than mentioned in these posts. If you like cars do it!

 

I did the Long Haul last year, in an admittedly not HAMB friendly car. This year, that may change if I can find the time (and money) to swap out the trans on my 62 Skylark. The old dual path is still shifting, but it's leaking fluid from . . . pretty much everywhere.

It was a great time. Yes, the lines were long, but there's something special about cruising along with a couple of thousand hot rods and interesting cars for a few days. When each evening the hotel parking lots are car shows unto themselves, and all you need to do is walk around and talk with folks, it's hard to beat. We all go to car shows that last a day. Just imagine that for a week, and you get to drive together from venue to venue.

I'm also a big fan of the open door policy of the event. Yes, you end up with cars that don't really fit the aesthetic, but the goal is to get people together who love cars and celebrate the hobby.

It would be great to see more HAMB cars, but I understand why there aren't more, especially in the Long Hauler group. I ended up driving 3500 miles that week, and spent my share of time on the side of the road helping out folks who had overheated or had other problems. The heat down south was brutal, and there's a lot of time sitting in traffic watching the temp gauge creep.

Next year, I fully intend to go again. I probably still won't be HAMB friendly, but I might be able to swing it. I hope to see some of you there!

 

I think the occasional break down is mandatory in a long distance old car cruise. It brings people together.

If you fellas organize a HAMB cruise, I volunteer to be the guy who forgot to tighten up the fan belt etc

 

I’ve wanted to do Power Tour for along time.
We’re currently working on my friend’s ‘57 BelAir and keep telling ourselves the goal is next year’s power tour.

I would love to do it in my ‘54 Country Squire but the way it is currently setup with tires and gearing it would be a lot of high rpm driving. I really need to do an AOD swap.
I do have a nice 40 year old convertible with a v8 and overdrive but that would not be HAMB friendly.

the other problem is it would be a day+ of travel just to get to the start!

is there an event within a few hundred miles of buffalo?

 

As do I. It's part of my motivation to work my project. I belonged to a local car club until about 10+ years ago. Part of the reason I left it was lots of people wanted to be in the club, but didn't want to participate in a meaningful way - including getting out with their cars. Regardless of car demographics (for the most part), it's getting out and having an adventure with hobby cars that makes the HRPT appeal to me.

Gotta56forme/Scott

 

heh...there's finally a "local" Power Tour (West) this year, it starts and ends only 500 miles from home. So close that I have to go!

I drove 2000 miles to and 2000 miles home from Drag Week this year, my 62 Vette. C'mon, step up...

 

Seriously we need to try and plan a get together or small cruise this next year or so. I think that it would be a blast and we could hang out with other HAMBers which would be the bomb!!

 

The West event may or may not be a one-off. They were very straight saying it may not ever happen again.

For me it's on my someday list, but it's usually something like 2-3,000 miles for me just to get to the start, then do the tour, then 2-3,000 miles home. I know many people would throw the car on a trailer, but that sounds like the most boring way I can think of to get to/from HRPT.

That's why on one of my cars I'm making improvements every year slowly moving towards my goal that it is one day well suited to comfortably make that trip.

 

Actually way better than last year when events ranged from 99 to 102......

 

We will make home movies with ya all , here in KY !

 

Now this sounds like fun. Kind of a Road Tour (Street Rodder Magazine's annual thing) with different starting points and a single destination (MO or KY would be cool) so that everyone, regardless of where they live, can reasonably participate. Think Hot Rod Hundred on steroids.

As far as the minivans go, to be fair, I used to go to the Bloomington Gold Corvette show in Bloomington, IL every year (even the ones in Springfield) and there were years when the 'Vette was mid-repair or mid-update, and because we always paid far in advance, my buddies and I took other vehicles - including my minivan! - just so that we could attend. We camped at the campground, walked the fields and swap meet, and spectated because it was too stinkin' cool just to be there.

 

Americruise style to Lloyd's . Start where you are , join others along the way. All roads lead to Ky.

 

Apparently all roads do lead to KY. Hot Rod Power Tour dates and route are available.

https://www.motortrend.com/events/hot-rod-power-tour-2024-route-announcement/

 

I've decided to organize and ALL COE HRPT knockoff. I know most COE guys are over on the Social forum, but in case some are only over here, I'll post it up if that's ok with the mods.

This will be a 3 day event in Massachusetts and NH in August all on secondary roads so stockers can participate. Probably 250-300 miles total stopping at various motorhead venues. Any COE is welcome.

Here's the early "teaser brochure".

 

I'd be for that. Do regional tours.

 

Actual Brochures, must be official now.

 

Went to stage 5 start point 2024 Ohio. What a mess, nothing was spectator oriented, 2hrs is all I could take.
We were 2hrs early....10a.m. shame on us, were asked to go look at cars in grass area, sit under shade trees... Until 12noon.

Talk to rodders, many cars were bought, got tired of hearing I did not build it, so-and-so did like every backyard wrench is famous.

Large % had no air cleaners.. unbelievable, eating dirt all day on road.

Everyone had a 12sec car (talking) 1hr watching races 1 car went 12.95, rest were 13s, and more 14s - 15s. Watching brand new pickups, factory muscle was like driving down freeway.

Spectator entry if there was one, Free... we paid too much. $4/water, $5/pop, $7/hotdogs... we went without. Me and my buddy at end, never took one pic. Nothing special... resto mod any car you would have crushed 30yr ago... Never go again. IMHO. My view, not everyone's.

 

I have heard many of the same comments over the years like yours. Sounds like a pass on this event for me.

 

It was as if you somehow were handed a LS engine and trans, and you were like empowered to place it in the first car you saw driving past. I saw cars that I could not identify, Volvo merged with a VW, a suburu suv with turbo poking our hood, a lowered 4dr Malibu wagon Why? A matador AMC clearly did not get the memo.... sad.

 

Only good part was the Oems, Vendors...cool to talk, lots of free trinkets.

 

I’ve been when they come near me.
Had a blast.
I’ll go back when they get close.
When you drive your junky ride in you bring your own food and drinks.
Made some great contacts for parts.
As far as driving the entire route, I’d probably skip that. A day or two sounds fun. Keeping up with all the breakdowns this year was something. Several wheel and a couple rear end bearing failures. Most blamed China. Kinda odd they probably had no clue where the bearings came from and couldn’t admit user error.

I got a cheap LS. Putting it in the first step van I could afford.
A Volvo sounds fun.

 

I admit, it does look like fun. And all types of cars, just not the place for a hot rod like mine, I guess.