Another year — but not just another Power Tour. When it began four years ago, there were about 20-30 hot rods that made the entire cross-country trip. Now it’s in the hundreds. But for the first time, the route has changed. This year we’re driving the southern route, from Los Angeles, California to Nashville, Tennessee — traversing the southwest along old Route 66. Things will also be different for Mothers®.

Just beyond the ’59 on the lift sits a contender for next year’s Power Tour, Gary’s 1966 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Wagon.

Before we hit the highway, there are two essential things we need to take care of: first, we have to drop off Gary’s Oldsmobile 442 at his house.

For lunch, we order turkey sandwiches with hot peppers and a side of baked beans. Gary points out that our meal is not in the best interest of our car’s leather seats.

Finally we’re off to Glen Helen Regional Park.

Our 60 mile drive to Glen Helen takes us through Orange County via the 55, through Riverside County on the 91, then north on Interstate 15. As we cruise past Norco, we smell the dreaded dairy farms. This high density cow menagerie is one of the most reviled spots in all of Southern California.

As it turns out, these dairy farms sit along the drainage basin of the Santa Ana River. Occasionally, during especially rainy seasons, manure from the fields gush into the river’s basin, were it runs down to the river and out to sea. Local surfers, rarely deterred by anything short of two-for-one burrito night at Taco Bell, will swim in the goo, and refer to riding the tainted waves as “Shooting the Swill.”

Finally we arrive at Glen Helen Regional Park.

No long lines, no confusion — unlike last year, everything goes smoothly.

Pictured are two of the Holley cars. On the left, a 1957 Bel Air. On the Right, a 1948 Cadillac with a 454 engine.

For the first time, we get to see the new Nomad concept car in person.

Currie’s “Old Man Nip” borrows some desperately needed Showtime® Instant Detailer for his roadster.

Nip demonstrates the difficult and death-defying back-handed Showtime® spray technique.

Probably the most beautiful car on the Power Tour — aside from our ’59 Delivery — is this classic Pontiac Convertible.

Look at the detail on the front of this car.

Another beautiful classic.

The publishers of Petersen’s Hot Rod Magazine are always on their guard when it comes to the competition. Here we see Hot Rod Magazine’s publisher, Brad Gerber and his boss, John Cobb, going undercover to weed out any possible Popular Hot Rodding sympathizers lurking in the crowd.

Rivals to the end: on the left, a Chevy Nova II. On the right, a Ford Falcon.

Hey, where’s the engine.

It’s in the back (fine, but where do you put the golf clubs?)

Pictured left, Petersen’s Automotive Group Division President, John “Chip Tooth” Dianna.

We’re still waiting for one of the Hot Rod Bike editors to do the the Power Tour on a Harley.

The late afternoon rocks to live music.

Brad Gerber, sans his disguise, gets up on the stage to go over the driving directions for the next day.

Having sat through quite a few of Brad’s sales presentations, I decide to try some local home brewed beer — it helps smooth out some of the rough spots in Mr. Gerber’s speech.

Man this stuff is strong.