A few of the Power Tour cars gathered in the Midwest Travel Plaza parking lot.
Last night we received a tip from car buff Jerry McLain that the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour of classic cars would be traveling down Highway 19 to I-44 Exit 208 where they would turn right and travel west. Thousands of cars were expected to make the trip, and they were expected in Cuba between 10:00-10:30 am.
Around 7:30 am on Wednesday, while on an errand, I started seeing some of the cars at the Huddle House, Super 8, and the Midwest Travel Plaza. I stopped to take some photos and talked to some of the tourers. One driver told me that they were part of the early wave and that cars would go by for several hours. The tour directed them to I-44, but a few of the cars made it into Cuba. We are use to classic cars traveling Route 66, but not as many come to Cuba from Hwy. 19, so this was a treat.
We saw these beauties at Huddle House.
Some of the drivers stopped off for breakfast at the Country Kitchen.
Super 8 had this cool ride and a few motorcycles.
Even a few trucks made their way into Cuba.
A couple of spyders were in town too. This one was from Ohio and his driver caught breakfast at Huddle House.
Then I ran into these guys who were huddled around a map on their car while I was taking photos. I heard them say ZZ, so I asked them if they were looking for ZZ? They said yes, and so I told them how to get to Washington Street, which was also Route 66 and then ZZ. While giving directions, I mentioned the restored Phillips 66 station at the 4-way, and their eyes lit up. One man said, “That’s what we are looking for.” It seems that this group from North Carolina wanted to get off I-44 and see some attractions. They ended up going into Cuba to take photos and visit the Wagon Wheel Motel, the Phillips station, murals, and when I left them they were going to look at rooms at the Wagon Wheel with the idea of bringing their car club back to Cuba. They were also planning a trip to the rocker. Below are some photos of their cars and a few other scenes in town. Too bad more of the drivers didn’t realize what they were missing as they traveled down I-44. We enjoyed seeing them in Cuba.
These smart drivers wanted to get off the interstate for a more scenic drive. Our conversation took them into Cuba.
The drivers appreciated the Phillips 66 Station, owned by Wallis Companies.
This scene is a blast from the past.
The tourers took some photos with the murals.
A few cars stopped at Shelly’s Route 66 Cafe.
Some of the tour members checked out the rooms at the Wagon Wheel Motel with the idea of returning for a car club cruise.
This spyder driver returned to Cuba and was lunching at Frisco’s. His group had been in town for Spyderfest.
scenes from around town during the Power Tour
For more on the Hot Rod Power Tour go here.
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