Having just returned from my very first Americruise (Americruise East), I just couldn't wait to share my experience. Next to the Asphalt Ego-Rama, Americruise was by far the most fun I've had since getting into the publishing business, and like the Ego-Rama, it's absolutely due to the fact that it's a driving event. Sure, shows are fun places to gather with friends and acquaintances who share our love for rods and customs, but there's nothing like spending a day (or days) behind the wheel with a gaggle of cool rods and customs traveling across the state or country. Those who have participated in Americruise, Ego-Rama, or the Power Tour know exactly what I mean-those who haven't can only imagine.
Until participating in an Americruise, I really wasn't sure if I was part of a minority that enjoyed the drive to a car show or event as much or more than the actual time spent at the destination (especially when the trip was made in the company of other rods and customs) or not. But after witnessing and participating in the fun and excitement of my first organized cross-country tour, I realized that I'm not alone in my viewpoint. And, at the risk of pissing off a few, it's truly nothing like making a trip in an air-conditioned pickup with your pride-and-joy strapped to a trailer behind it. Rods and customs, in my humble opinion anyway, should be built to be driven-not carted around and displayed like lawn sculptures, but that's another story for another time. So let me get back to babbling about my experience.
Another thing that made Americruise an extremely memorable event for me was the fact that not only was I able to make the trip behind the wheel of one of the finest street rods I've ever had the pleasure to drive (Pete Chapouris' original So-Cal Speed Shop Deuce roadster), but I also brought along my 15-year-old nephew Josh Dunlap.
Josh was, until this trip, a typical young teenager-interested primarily in BMX bikes, skateboards, and video games. Of course, with an uncle who's a car nut he was familiar with rods and rodding but, since he'd just recently moved to the West Coast, had yet to really become involved. Americruise was my first chance to take him along and really give him a taste of what the hobby was all about-and I took full advantage of the opportunity. He had a ball, I had a ball, and the hobby gained a brand-new Young Gun who's already planning the construction of his first hot rod-mission accomplished!
Americruise East 2003 was hosted by tour leaders Jack Chisenhall and Rick Love of Vintage Air (as well as the staff of ROD & CUSTOM, hot rod artist Tom Medley, and world renowned rod builder Roy Brizio). The tour started out from the Vintage Air home base in San Antonio, Texas, with a kick-off party on Saturday evening August 9th. Sunday morning at 8 a.m. a long line of cars and trucks headed out for a five-day, nearly 1,900-mile, fun-filled road trip to northeastern Pennsylvania (see next month's issue for the full scoop on the trip).
I'd be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to thank everyone who came along on the trip-your companionship, comaraderie, and joyful attitudes made this a monumental and memorable trip for Josh and me. I'd also like to thank So-Cal Speed Shop for the use of their flagship roadster (it really is an awesome car, guys), as well as Jack, Rick, Roy, Ray, and DeEtte for accepting us as part of the Americruise family. And we can't wait to do the same for next year's new Americruise participants. -RIZ