2001 Hot Rod Virtual Power Tour--Day One, May 3

We knew it would be big this year, but nobody expected this many rods. Least of all the city fathers in Pontiac, Michigan, who had blocked off almost the entire downtown area for the kick-off of the 7th Annual Hot Rod Power Tour. Despite their best-laid plans, we still had to beg them to cordon off even more streets to make room. The cars just kept a comin', a river of rods all flowing unstoppably into an awesome sea of big engines, fat meats, and loud pipes. Maybe it was all just too much hot iron for one little town to handle, and too much fun as well, but hey--too much is just about right when it comes to hot rodding, right?And we're just getting started, man.

Who would have thought seven years ago that the Power Tour would grow from a few dozen cars roaring down the turnpike into a massive flood of street machines? Like the Mississippi overflowing its banks, there’s no way for us to funnel all these roiling rods into one upload. So bookmark these web pages as we keep pumping out as many photos and videos as possible over the next 10 days on our cross-country convoy to San Bernadino, California.

And what would a Power Tour be without some sponsors and all the cool stuff they show? Chevrolet has been our biggest supporter right from the start, and no wonder, considering how many hot rodders use Bow Tie blocks and other speed equipment. As the event has grown tremendously in size, so has the number of sponsors. One of the highlights of the Midway, though, had nothing to do with hot rod products. Taking center stage before the driver's meeting was long-time Power Tour long-hauler Cliff Greenough of Anaheim, California, who proposed to his girlfriend Bonnie Bertram in front of the entire assemblage of hot rodders (she accepted, by the way).

Don’t forget to click on the filmstrip icon under the lead photo to see a video download. And check back for the following day’s updates.

LIST OF ALL DAYS