8:00 am. — The clock is ticking. In just four hours we undertake the first step in a nine day odyssey across America. It’s been a full year since our ’63 Chevy Nova SS was on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Unfortunately we had a few problems on last year’s Tour. It all started when we reached the Colorado Rockies. We were going over one of those high mountain passes when the Nova’s clutch suddenly decided to go south (while we continued east).

1:00 pm. We arrive at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles with the Mothers® 1959 Chevy Sedan Delivery. Gary Turnau, our resident mechanic extrodinaire (pictured above), stays at the shop to do a little last minute preventive maintenance. Few people have arrived yet, but things quickly change

3:00 pm. Petersen Publishing knows how to throw a party. And those of us in the automotive industry know this fact all too well. In just a few hours the top of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s parking garage changes from desolate urban wasteland to Petersen Party Central.

I was once warned never to use the word “beautiful” and “Edsel” in the same breath. It may have been bad advice, since this was one of the nicest vintage cars at the party.

All my Ford buddies said, “What ever you do, make sure you get a picture of the 6.1 liter Cobra R concept car.” Well here it is (more 6.1 Cobra R reports to follow).

Now repeat after me: “’97 Red Corvette” (drool, drool, drool), “’97 Red Corvette” (drool, drool, drool). . . 

Linda Vaughn’s hot rod Lincoln. Super high tech, with an exotic, carbon fiber body.

4:00 pm. The ’63 Chevy Nova shows up with its just installed (as in yesterday) Kicker sound system. Pictured behind the Nova is our ’59 Chevy Sedan Delivery. And if you look closely at the top of the Nova’s rear radio antennae, you’ll see a couple of the infamous Jack-In-The-Box heads tagging along for the ride.

Jaguar Ultra. The kind of British sports car a secret agent would kill for. . . 

Once again Hot Rod Magazine’s custom rod makes an appearance. Trivia note: this car was painted at the same time and place as our ’59 Chevy Sedan Delivery — California Street Rods in Huntington Beach, California.

Finally, to celebrate a job well done, one of Petersen’s dedicated employees submits to a random drug test. Sadly, a less fortunate dedicated Petersen employee mistakes the sample for a refreshing glass of frothy beer. Personally, I’ll stick to the diet Coke. It just seems the smart thing to do.