Two exceptionally clean cars — Mothers wouldn’t have it any other way. That they’re both red is all the better. On the left is our 1959 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. On the right is the car I’ll be riding in today, a 1966 Dodge Dart. This “new” project car was recently purchased by our VP of sales in the midwest, Cliff Waller.

So it’s no wonder that we find it funny when Titus arrives in the parking lot to pull his Chip Foose-built 1956 Chevy from the trailer.

We head out to the driver’s meeting. Through the back window of the ’59 Delivery, you can see the camera crew filming Titus for an upcoming “Rides” episode on TLC.

At the driver’s meeting we cool our jets as more filming is done. I should probably mention that most of our waiting was for the production crew and not for Titus; but for today’s title, “Waiting for TLC’s Rides Production Crew” didn’t seem nearly as clever, nor as easy to roll off the tongue, as “Waiting for Titus.”

The driver’s meeting was huge. Rip-roaring, Texas-style huge. Just how big is Texas-style huge?

The crowd was so large, the event staff had to use a bullhorn to scold the attendees:

“Burn-outs — BAD.

Smoking tires — BAD.

Overflowing Port-A-Potties — BAD.

Handsome, young man in jaunty red shirt with loud, shiny bullhorn — GOOD!”

Line O’ Vettes.

After sitting at a gas station and waiting for Titus, we discover he’s passed us by. But they’re going to the Covercraft lunch, so we will meet up there — not! Instead, Cliff and I skip the lunch, as there is someplace much more interesting we want to get to.

No, not Oklahoma. Though this state does have interesting local, tasty treats like Hardtimes Extra Dry Beef Jerky.

Ingredients: 1/2 oz. of meat, 2-1/2 oz. of salt. Yes, the salt is what makes it extra dry. In fact, so dry that at one point it felt like my gums had shriveled up and pulled away from my teeth. Don’t get me wrong, I ate the whole bag, and I enjoyed it in the same way one might enjoy a mouth full of rock salt or a couple of salt licks stuffed between their cheeks and gums. It’s just good eating!

Gratuitous Deuce Coupe and Roadster shots.

Here’s where we were heading, RK Machine Inc. Rick Kirk owns this little piece of hot rod heaven. Forrest was here on the 2001 Hot Rod Power Tour and covered it extensively. But this Nash Metropolitan wasn’t here then. Kicker Car Stereo has put over $300,000 into this car.

This Kickin’ Metro rocks!

Three years later, we see Rick is still working on his mid-engine, Econoline Step Van.

After about an hour, Titus and the TLC crew arrive at RK Machine.

RK Machine’s custom Falcon Sedan Delivery.

We leave the production crew behind and speed on into Tulsa in Cliff’s Dart. The show is already packed.

Up near the top of the hill is this unbelievably beautiful, bright yellow lead sled — a ’49 Merc that belongs to Ted Dzus, of Dzus Fasteners fame.

I thought this was a pretty amazing comparison: this 1959 Impala waiting to be restored at RK Machine.

And a finished Biscayne at the Tulsa Power Tour.

Here’s a pristine, black 1934 Buick

And the unmistakable lines of a 1958 Ford Fairlaine Sykliner Convertible.

One more comparison: big, carnivorous RK Machines dog.

Little itty-bitty, Tulsa “city” dogs.

Another great day filled with cool cars, TV stars, and canines of all shapes and sizes. (By the way, Titus says he’s not out of work, he’s just between gigs.)