I was up bright and early...
I was up bright and early on the first day of the cruise, and with the help from my father Pat, signed in West Coast Americruise entrants while the Westech crew made some dyno demonstration runs and filled our bellies with doughnuts and coffee.
West Coast Tour: Two-Lane Trippin' to Lincoln
What could be better than a week of cruising America's great two-lane highways in your favorite hot rod for a trip back in time when life was not so hurried and mega-lane highways were not the preferred route of travel? The only thing better would be a great event to attend at the end of that week. For the rodders who participated in the West Coast Americruise Tour and the following weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska, that week had more fun packed into it than they could ever have imagined
The return of the Americruise was welcomed by both veterans of the event as well as new attendants wondering want the buzz was all about. The West Coast leg of the tour, sponsored by the transmission experts at TCI Automotive, began at Westech, and after touring their facility and getting a full dose of California hospitality, the group set off on the journey across America. Along the way, the group, led by Kevin and myself in a '32 Ford roadster graciously loaned to us by Roy Brizio, stuck to two-lane roads as much as possible and all involved enjoyed the slice of Americana not seen from the fast-paced "super highways."
Visits were made at shops and businesses like Streamline Hot Rod Parts and Pinkee's Rod Shop, as well as plenty of local eating establishments, giving a very comfortable and un-corporate feel to the tour.
Plans are already being made to make next year's event bigger and better, so make your own plans to be a part of it all because you wouldn't want to be left out, would you?
Who wouldn't be smiling rolling...
Who wouldn't be smiling rolling down the road in a beautiful '32 roadster? Making our trip very enjoyable and equally memorable was the '32 Ford roadster Roy Brizio graciously loaned to the R&C staff. Lack of a top and triple-degree weather didn't even put a dent in the fun we had on this trip.
The only mechanical failure...
The only mechanical failure encountered by the West Coast group was an expired fuel pump. An electric pump was quickly swapped in to bypass the wounded mechanical pump, enabling Steve to get the '55 to Pinkee's Rod Shop where they had a new pump waiting.
Streamline Hot Rod Parts in...
Streamline Hot Rod Parts in Denver, CO, was one of many interesting stops along the way. Known for an extremely well-stocked supply of original early parts, as well as a huge selection of new products, their showroom is an adult's candy store.
Assembled decades ago by forward-thinking...
Assembled decades ago by forward-thinking preservationist Harold Warp, Pioneer Village is an unbelievable collection of Americana, chronicling many of the major advancements made in this country over the last 200 years. The history of American transportation is a large part of the museum, and extremely rare cars like this six-cylinder 1906 Ford Model N racer tell the tale to visitors.
Pinkee's shop owner and operator...
Pinkee's shop owner and operator Eric Peratt gave Kevin a guided tour of the projects in the works, including an up-close look at the amazing custom work on this Caddy convertible.
This Chevy wagon rolled through...
This Chevy wagon rolled through Pinkee's doors as a mint stocker (that's the factory chrome showing on the bumper and grille). Can you tell where the top has been perfectly cut just slightly? Amazing work!