Now that Jim and I have completed one and a half Power Tours, a handful of folks we know are claiming they’d like to join us next year. Personally, I think a Power Tour Posse would add to the overall thrill and zest of the trip. Mostly because adding multiple cars will almost guarantee breakdowns and many mechanical issues. Then there’s the aspect of getting several more personalities involved who have never braved the Long Haul slog. Will they be cool? Can they chill? Will they crack when the going gets tough? Will they even get their car ready in time to make the trip?
What follows is an introduction of potential Power Tour Posse participants, their cars, odds of them actually showing up for the start in North Carolina and odds they’ll finish in their original car.
- Bill: As you already know, the Duster did fine last time out. I plan to address some occupant comfort issues like better heat and noise control. The Duster’s exhaust system is very loud and the noise is quite taxing after awhile. I’m researching electric cutouts so I can bypass the side exits and route the exhaust to the back of the car when I want some peace and quiet. More Hush Mat style stuff will also be deployed at strategic locations. These additions should make the Duster more pleasant place to be for long stretches of time. My one performance oriented scheme will rely on whether or not The Judge sells. If it does, I just might have to splurge on a Magnuson supercharger for the 6.1. Otherwise, no changes. Odds to start: 1-1 – Odds to finish: 2-1
- Jim: Although a grizzled Power Tour veteran, Jim has yet to roll in his own ride. I have no problem with this fact because I like having him as a ride along mechanic and co-pilot in my car. Plus the conversation and hair flipping is terrific. That said, Jim has been searching for a suitable car for at least a year now. And by suitable, I mean perfect. How else does it take that long to find a jalopy? I’m not going to steal his thunder by announcing what kind of car he plans on acquiring. You’ll find out soon enough. Maybe. Whatever it is, I suspect it will feature an old school engine with Mega-Squirt fuel injection and an electronic ignition. Probably a big block. I imagine the transmission will be a similar deal; old technology automatic with overdrive added. It won’t have any of the fancy, modern stuff at the time of purchase. Just my $.02. Could be wrong. Jim gets two sets of odds due to his present car-less situation. Odds to start in his own car: 8-1 – Odds to finish: 3-1. Odds to start in somebody else’s car: 4-1 – Odds to finish 2-1
- Michel: His Power Tour 2013 plan was to hook up with Jim, Me and the Duster in Chattanooga, TN and continue on to the last stop in Concord, NC. His 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 Convertible did not cooperate in the weeks leading up to the tour. He and Jim had slaved over the car to get it ready and all was going well until the 396 lost oil pressure and started making bad noises. With less than a week to go before The Tour began, Michel made the bold decision to purchase a GM 502 cubic inch crate engine. He and Jim had the car back on line a couple days later. All systems go. then Michel’s system went. He was knocked out by some hideous flu bug and missed the tour. All that work. All that money. Painful to think about. Anyway, I’m pretty sure Michel and his Camaro will make the trip in 2014. Odds to Start: 4-1 – Odds to finish: 3-1
- Tim: He’s has made the occasional post to this blog discussing his 1964 Chevrolet Impala. He’s owned the car since high school and last year picked up a GM LS engine and automatic transmission. To my knowledge the car and associated parts are languishing in a barn somewhere in Georgia. Jim has taken on Tim as a special project in an attempt to get the LS Impala project rolling in time. Jim can be very persuasive but he faces a huge obstacle in Tim’s obvious indifference to his neglected old Impala. This situation will likely suck up time and energy that Jim could be putting into his own car search/project. Oh well. This story line could be fairly interesting if Jim and Tim can muster some momentum on this project. Odds to Start: 15-1 – Odds to finish: 3-1
- Jonathan: This Brit has pledged to join us for 2014 and I’m taking him seriously. Due to the cost and logistics of him bringing his own car, Jonathan will be coming along for the ride. I’m reminded of Ralph Steadman hopping over the pond to do Illustrations for Hunter’s dispatch from Kentucky Derby. Hopefully Jonathan can draw. It’s for his sake I really hope we have more than one car next year. Being stuck in the back seat of the Duster for the better part of a week might transform this fun-loving Englishman into a listless, jabbering half-wit. Odds to Start 2-1 – Odds to finish in the Duster: 4-1
- Tate: Like Tim, he still has the car he drove in his youth. This time it’s a 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 four-door. It’s powered by a small-block V8 and is equipped with factory A/C! Tate is originally from Dodge City, Kansas. In 2003, He and I headed west to pick up his old Ford, which was in the process of being reclaimed by the earth at his Dad’s farm. We pushed it onto the trailer with a tractor and got the hell out of Dodge. Sadly, the Galaxie has been collecting dust in Tate’s garage for nearly ten years. The good news is that steps have recently been taken to get the car going again. It really just needs to be gone through and freshened up. Tate is not exactly a “car guy” and presently lacks the mechanical skills to pull this off. He has enlisted some help, however, and I am going to help him however I can. Oh, he’s also family man with two young children and a very difficult wife. I’m hoping these aspects of his life don’t dash his Power Tour dreams. Odds to start 25-1 – Odds to finish 5-1
- Lee: Pfft, nobody knows what’s up with that guy at least 75% of the time. 1971 Pontiac Lemans convertible with a beefy 400. 455? Odds to start 250-1 – Odds to finish 2-1
- David: Another family man with a Ford Galaxie. This time it’s a 1967 four-door powered by a 390 V8 and also equipped with factory A/C. From what I can tell this car is pretty much in working order and only needs a nice going over to ensure long-term road worthiness. David’s children, wife and overall slothfulness give me pause when it comes to him actually embarking on the 2014 Power Tour. He has the mechanical skills to diagnose and repair just about any system on the Galaxie but I may have to push hard to get him motivated. He is a bit gluttonous so maybe I can bribe him with food. Odds to start 35-1 Odds to finish 4-1
- Ralph: Ralph is my old friend from Texas. He met Jim and Me in Arlington for the 2013 Power Tour kick off and almost instantly declared his intent for 2014. Ralph owns a 1972(?) Oldsmobile Cutlass SX powered by a 455 Rocket. He’s probably had the car for twenty years or more. Word on the street is that the entire drive train will be overhauled and made more bad ass over the coming months. I for one am excited to hear this and I think Ralph and the Cutlass would be would bring a welcome dimension to The Tour. I should probably mention that he is quite mad. Odds to start 6-1 – Odds to finish 2-1 – Odds of incarceration 3-1
So there you have it. Maybe with a little luck, a lot of pestering and maybe even some intimidation, these cats will manage to make it next year.
Note: odds are supplied for entertainment purposes only… nooo wagering.
