Twenty-five years ago when I was younger, living and working in southern California, I attended the LA Roadster Show. I’ve been trying to get back to this most excellent show since and it looks like 2014 will be the year I finally make it.

The title of this tale, Night Train to the Coast, has absolutely nothing to do with the actual trip, it just sounded like a cool title and is a bit of an homage to my very first car, which I named Night Train.

I’ll be in my Deuce Coupe, with seven other 1932 Ford Hot Rods; all roadsters except me. The plan is to travel great distances at a rapid rate, avoid encounters with the local constabulary, and arrive in Pomona, CA in four days from departure near Charlotte on June 6th. We’ll cover 600+ miles per day and there will be little time for sightseeing and lollygagging on the way. Truth be told we will be traveling at night as little as possible as the headlights on these old cars leave a lot to be desired; coupled with “old guy eyes” it’s best to stop at night.

For many of the participants this will be a repeat of past trips west. For me, it will be the first time driving a great distance in a car that came together in my basement beginning before I retired six years ago. I’ve driven the coupe to Baltimore to the Rodder’s Revival show and out to Joplin, MO for the HAMB Drags; but never cross country and back. I’m really looking forward to this.

The itinerary calls for stops in Vicksburg, MS; Big Spring, TX; Tucson, AZ; Avondale, AZ; Pomona/(LA), CA and returning via Kingman, AZ; Amarillo, TX; and Forrest City, AR before arrriving home to North Carolina on June 18th.

I’m still in the process of getting the car ready. The front end is aligned, wheels balanced, oil changed and the punch its grows shorter daily. It won’t be long now.

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