Monday, May 12
9:00 am. It’s strange how things change. Yesterday, just as the cruise night was ending, the sky was dark and
threatening. But when I woke up this morning it was clear, crisp and sunny. Just below my hotel window, I see hundreds of hot rod aficionados cruising the parking
lot looking at all the cool cars. It all seemed too good, too perfect. A pessimist by nature, I once again wondered when the other shoe would drop. Then it occurred to
me, it already had — twice. Heck, it was time to stop and smell the roses. Or at the very least, stop using stupid cliches.
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Not just any roadster; it’s a Brizio-built roadster.
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A ’73 Trans Am 455 HO. Definitely one of the more sought-after models.
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A classic 1970 Olds 442 W-30.
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9:30 am. When he’s not busy rescuing our ’63 Nova from the brink of mechanical disaster, Gary likes to
unwind by rescuing other hot rods from similar fates. This particular repair takes a little longer than expected, so I jump into Forrest’s “Way Cool
Mothers® Vortech Mustang” and press on to the next stop.
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Gearhead, thy name be Gary.
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This shot of a Viper GTS Coupe, taken moments before it launched down the freeway on-ramp, was the last we saw of the car until Goodland, Kansas. Definitely built for speed.
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115 mph? Darn, another broken speedometer. Hope we don’t get a fix-it ticket.
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This Mercury has been with the Tour all the way from Los Angeles. Sporting a deep purple metallic paint, this is one of those
cars that can’t be fully appreciated until you see it in person.
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Long, straight roads as far as the eye can see. . . must be Kansas.
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I’ve likened the Power Tour to being in a parade — a ten-day-long, 2300-mile parade. Here we see local
residents turning out to enjoy the Power Tour Parade as it approaches the Goodland exit.
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The Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour winds its way through the sleepy residential streets of Goodland.
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A warm, balmy day can mean just one thing to a Hot Rod editor — girls in halter tops. Here we see an editor
maximizing his “halter spotting trajectory.”
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Later that day, after our stop in Goodland, I had a premonition of things to come. At first it was distant, then it became
crystal clear. It said,
”6 LEGGED LIVE STEER
SEE LIVE RATTLESNAKE
PET THE BABY PIGS”
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Our Vice President at Mothers® likes to quote the famous phrase, “when life
gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I like to say “when life gives you Kansas, ridicule it unmercifully.”
I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a VERY good day. . .
Story and photos by,
Ken Holland
Mothers® Polishes•Waxes•Cleaners
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1997 Cruise Night Schedule
Thursday, May 8
Petersen Automotive Museum,
Los Angeles, CA
Friday, May 9
Las Vegas Motor Speedway,
Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, May 10
The Hilton, Grand Junction, CO
Sunday, May 11
Elitch Gardens Amusement Park,
Denver, CO
Monday, May 12
Kansas Vocational Tech School,
Goodland, KA
Tuesday, May 13
Metcalf South Shopping Center,
Overland Park, KA
Wednesday, May 14
Forest Park; St. Louis, MO
Thursday, May 15
Rock ’n Roll Hardee’s,
Springfield, IL
Friday, May 16
Downtown, Lansing, IL
Saturday, May 17
Downtown, Mount Clemens, MI
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