Americruise Updates
By now, you've probably heard that there will be two Americruise events this summer. The 11th Anniversary Mid-Americruise returns to Lincoln, Nebraska, on June 27-29. The inaugural Americruise East rolls into Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, on August 22-24. Both events are sponsored by Flowmaster; hosted by ROD & CUSTOM, Street Rodder, Custom Rodder, and Classic Trucks; and open to all pre-'65 rods and customs and pre-'73 custom and classic trucks. Registration is $50 in advance, which includes one vehicle, one driver, and one passenger. To register by phone, call (877) 413-6515.
Americruise Tours Times Two
Heidt's Hot Rod Shop is the official tour leader of Mid-Americruise and will lead a caravan from the new Heidt's headquarters in Wauconda, Illinois, to Lincoln with tours of Billet Specialties, Roadster Shop, Hooperstad Customs, and Yogi's along the way. The three-day tour begins on June 25.
Vintage Air in San Antonio, Texas, is the official tour leader of Americruise East. The five-day road trip from Vintage Air to Bloomsburg starts on August 17 and includes visits to So-Cal Speed, Coker Tire, Lokar, and Posies. For more information on both of these tours, look for the full-page Americruise ad in this magazine.
The Unofficial Tour
We're surprised that it took 11 years for a rogue Americruise tour to pop up, but one finally has. We've been in contact with Matt Basher at DropTear Trailers in Seattle, Washington. Matt has organized the Unofficial Americruise Tour, which starts on Tuesday, June 24, heading for Lincoln, Nebraska. The tour will begin at the LeMay Collection in Tacoma, the largest privately owned car collection in the world. Participants will travel through the historic Black Hills of South Dakota. Scheduled stops along the way are the Hot Rod Caf in Post Falls, Idaho, and Ravon Street Rods in Billings, Montana. Unofficial or not, this sounds like an awesome tour. For details on joining up, call (866) 803-1836 or go to www.droptear.com.
Learn Metalwork Right
Ron Covell is taking his tinwork tips on the road. Throughout 2003, Covell will hold weekend workshops at shops across the USA. Saturday is Advanced Steel; Sunday is Advanced Aluminum. For information on registration, fees, and other Covell workshops, call (800) 747-4631 or visit www.covell.biz.
April 12 & 13, Lokar Performance Products, Knoxville, TN
May 3 & 4, Roy Brizio Street Rods, South San Francisco, CA
June 28 & 29, Renton Technical College, Renton, WA
August 16 & 17, Rad Rides by Troy, Manteno, IL
August 23 & 24, D&D Classic, Covington, OH
October 4 & 5, Boyd Coddington Garage, La Habra, CA
November 8 & 9, Sachse Rod Shop, Sachse, TX
Ford Has Its 100th Birthday and You're InvitedWhere were you in 1903? On June 12, Ford Motor Company will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with a five-day celebration at the Henry Ford II World Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The Road is Ours is the name of the program being held from June 12-16. The event will feature one of the largest displays of classic, current, and concept Ford vehicles, as well as displays and exhibits, activities for kids, and a concert series featuring some big-name bands. In addition, the Ford Rouge factory will be open for public tours, and the admission costs to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Estate will be discounted. For info on Ford's 100th birthday bash, visit the Ford Web site at www.ford.com.
Cyber Roddin'
Quick Stops on the Info Highway
We keep running across more great rod-related info on the Internet. This month, it's a trio of 5-star Web sites, featuring information on Roth's crazy customs, tin-bending tips and tricks, and facts on '50s-era favorites.