Mobile is a city I'm really familiar with, having been born in Pensacola, less than 50 miles away. I remember going through the tunnel under Mobile Bay in 1968, while being chased by hurricane Camille all the way to Hattiesburg. The tunnel flooded and was closed just shortly after we went through. When I took my family back to visit Grandma and Granddad, the kids and I tried to hold our breath the entire drive through.
I never could — guess I should have driven faster.
But, faster wasn't an option today. We decided to switch things up for the last day of the Power Tour, so I rode with Mark in the beast of an Olds 442. It has a 496 cubic inch stroker motor and burns regular gas, yet has prodigious amounts of power and torque. It even has that air conditioning like I grew up with — known as 2-60.
You know, 2 windows down and 60 miles per hour. Shorts and t-shirt ready, we loaded up at that terrific new Embassy Suites in Birmingham and hit the road.
Cars seemed slower than normal today — I'm not sure if it was the 70% humidity or the 90º+ temps. But, thanks to that terrific 2-60 a/c, we motored along.
This is a great looking 1961 Impala wagon, but I'm not sure I'd use that long board out in the gulf, what with that oil floating around.
Dig those fender skirts.
Mark qualifies as the ultimate driving machine. Since he doesn't fly anywhere, his cars are built for long range running. Mark seems to be, too. He can drive for hours until the tank runs dry before stopping.
Me? I can make it from rest stop to rest stop.
Barely.
Thanks to our constant stopping, and an accident that closed the route, we ran a little behind, so Mark detoured from the route to the interstate. Crossing over the bayou north of Mobile,
I knew we were almost there.
It didn't hurt to have a GPS counting the miles down, either. We stopped for a quick bite to eat and while leaving the restaurant, met up with one of the locals.
I'm not sure how, but she claimed we ran into her. That's kinda hard to do when it's the front of her car, and the back of ours.
Note the considerable damage to her import SUV, compared to the damage to Mark's All-American Oldsmobile. The bad news is, due to the location, the repaint is going to be substantial.
The good news is, no blood was spilled. The police said the insurance companies can sort it out.
Back on the road, we came in to sight of downtown Mobile.
Just a few traffic-filled miles on surface streets, and we arrived at the end of Power Tour 2010.
We parked, noticed the temperate climate and mild humidity (I feel like Pinnochio with my nose growing right about now) and set out to see the sites of downtown.
Some great coincidence — a flamed Corvette in front of the Fireman's museum.
Our new Billet Metal Polish commercial featuring Chip Foose on the Jumbotron.
Streets lined with hot cars.
My pictures are easy to spot — I'm shorter than Shane so my perspective is closer to the ground.
Paul "Bear" Bryant was one of my heroes growing up. Every time I see an Auburn fan, I just have to trade jokes with them. I'm sure you remember two of my favorites:
Q: What are the six most common words spoken by an Auburn grad?
A: Would you like fries with that?
and my personal favorite:
Q: What do you call a pretty girl in Auburn?
A: A visitor from Tuscaloosa.
Bless his heart, this gentleman gave as good as he got.
"The most reliable things in life... My dogs. My truck. My team.
We both left happy.
Inside, we saw 2 young ladies sitting by a three cylinder Geo Metro. When gas was $4.00-plus a gallon a year or so ago, everyone wanted one of these.
I hope she takes care of it, because her ride's worth it.
Looking at eye level, I found what I thought was the original Dodge Ram hood ornament.
Come to find out, the Dodge Wayfarer was only in production from 1949 to 1952.
I guess it wasn't a big hit post-war.
Speaking of hit, and feeling sorry for Mark about the damage to his 1968 442, I decided my last pic of Power Tour coverage would be one he'd approve of — a Hurst/Olds.
My plane leaves Mobile regional airport at 6:10 AM headed back home. I won't make it back in time for our Komen Race for the Cure, but my wife and kids will be there. My immediate goal is just to wake up in time to make that flight. I hope to get the Epilogue up Monday or so.
Maybe by then that GM from the Hampton Inn in Carbondale, Illinois will have given me a call.
Enjoy your reading, drive safe, and start planning for 2011's Hot Rod Power Tour - I'm going to.
