The 2011 Hot Rod Power Tour with my son Kurt in a 72 Pontiac Trans Am.
We started on Friday the 3rd of June with a 50 minute drive to the Amtrak Auto Train in Lorton VA. Two good friends one with a 1967 GTO and the other driving a 2009 SRT/8 Challenger also doing the HRPT drove with us to Lorton VA. I had booked the Auto Train back in January but never use the Auto Train before and was apprehensive as to how they would handle the cars. The price was incredible reasonable, just $425.00 for the Pontiac, sleeper car for two, a nice linen table dinner with all the wine you can drink, and continental breakfast the next morning. Every one of the Amtrak people we met from the front gate to the driver of our car, to the conductor and the people at the check in counter were friendly, helpful, and very cautious with our car. Before getting into the car they video the body for any damage, then put plastic over the seat and paper on the floor. The driver then slowly drove our car up the ramp and into the train car.
Day 1 ready to hit the road with 360 mile on the car after a 2+ year restoration.
With all 3 of our cars loaded on the train, along with 8 other HRPT cars we got on board the ¾ of a mile long train, the longest passenger train Amtrak runs.
After a 17 hour overnight train ride we arrived in Sanford FL. And with the same friendly & cautious attitude as the VA Amtrak people our car were driven off the train with a spotter checking the front spoilers at the bottom of the ramp. All the cars were damage free, just a little dusty. For the money it was a great deal and I would do it again!
The yellow 442 parked with us in this picture belongs to a conductor with Amtrak who was Long Hauling his 1st HRPT. He road with us most of the way to Detroit, great guy and a nice 442!
Not many pictures in Cocoa Beach but I did see another 72 Tans Am that is owned by the son of the original owner.
Georgia Motorsports Park was hot, but a Lucerne blue raspberry snow cone help cool things off!
A few pic on the way to Montgomery AL and a little cool off for the Goat at the exit for US-231 Eastern Blvd.
The T/A develop a rattle at start up that sounded like it was coming from the trans, so the next morning I parked in front of Tony’s Transmission shop that I found online with a 5 star rating. Tony Mcglaun the owner showed up at 7:30 and by 7:45 the T/A was on the lift. 10 minutes & 3 flywheel to converter bolts later it was back on the road. Tony was great and when I ask for the bill he said no charge! You can’t be that southern hospitality!
On the way to Nashville the T/A turn 1000 miles!
My best mirror shot.
No good pictures in Nashville but on the way out Joe Sebergandio with Motor Media stop us looking for a car to install a new Pioneer stereo system when we get to Muskegon, MI. I volunteered my friends 67 GTO and they agreed!
The next day in Indianapolis Joe ask if we could stop by the Pioneer tent to confirm a few things, and he had a gift for Kurt a UPS Nascar coat signed by David Ragan! That was cool! Thanks David & Joe!
Driving on the Indy 500 was hot & slow but for the last two turns where we made it to 75 mph.
The town & people of Muskegon, MI were the best on the tour! And the Pioneer people did an awesome job installing a complete stereo system in the GTO in about 6 hours.
On the drive to Detroit my navigator was a sleep.
The GM Proving Grounds was awesome and a great way to end a great Power Tour!
Thank You GM & Hot Rod!
The 600 miles drive back home was uneventful and welcomed. Next time we do the HRPT it will be in Kurt’s 68 Bullitt replica!
Thank !