Rags to Riches
09/02/07 10:19
On Saturday, August 18th, Allen McDaniel of the
North Mississippi Cruisers
and Greg Banks of the American Muscle Car Club lead
numerous car enthusiasts on a fabulous cruise
from Olive Branch to Tupelo. A number of MCCC
club members were in attendance as well
including Gerald Raymer, Jim Cohen, Danny &
Ginger Ford, and Dave West. Dubbed the "Rags to
Riches" tour, it departed Olive Branch at 9:30
AM and traveled down the two lane road that is
old Highway 78.
The theme is about Elvis' journey from rags to riches, and retraces the route his destitute family took when they moved from Tupelo, to Memphis where his career later took off with a bang. There were enough cars to cause quite a stir and it was really reminiscent of the Hot Rod Power Tour. Spectators that stumbled onto the cruise would pull their cars over to the side of the road for a better view. Pedestrians and townfolk in their yards stopped what they're doing to observe the parade of high performance vintage autos. People were waving, making photographs, and a couple of folks were even shooting video from the road side. A police escort was arranged in New Albany allowing the tour to run stop signs and red lights through town funeral style.
The first stop in Tupelo was the Elvis Presley birthplace museum. A group of tourists from Europe really enjoyed the bonus attraction of the sudden invasion of American automotive machinery as it descended on the birthplace museum.
The next stop was the first rate Tupelo Automobile Museum, where tour participants filled the museum parking lot. The only downside was the oppressive 100+ degree temperatures that made it difficult to spend much time ogling the sea of hot rods. Once in the museum, participants not only welcomed the air conditioning but a nice barbeque lunch as well.
At 2:00 p.m. the tour departed from the museum to head back north. A short jaunt on the four-lane section of Hwy. 78 helped bypass jogs and intersections in town so everyone could stick together easier. We soon returned to the two lane portion but not before the skies opened up with some much needed, but ill-timed rain.
Once the tour arrived in Holly Springs, some confusion arose as we attempted to navigate the spread of noted hot rodder George Poteet. After dozens of cars successfully made simultaneous u-turns, we finally found our way to George's place. And so did the wind & rain!
Everyone initially gathered in a nice air conditioned building that houses about 10 of the untold number of autos owned by Mr. Poteet. Just outside the
doors an impeccably restored turn-of-the-century John Deere one cylinder engine chugged along with the assistance of a heavy iron flywheel. The drive
belts were connected to two home made ice cream churners. Once finished, everyone was treated.
George was gracious enough to open four of his buildings and provide unlimited access for all visitors. What a variety of automobilia! From a new Ford GT sports car to an early 60s Dodge station wagon; or a genuine NASCAR stock car to a hot rod 1930 Ford pick up. That man definitely has a lot of toys and everyone had a great time!
Greg
The theme is about Elvis' journey from rags to riches, and retraces the route his destitute family took when they moved from Tupelo, to Memphis where his career later took off with a bang. There were enough cars to cause quite a stir and it was really reminiscent of the Hot Rod Power Tour. Spectators that stumbled onto the cruise would pull their cars over to the side of the road for a better view. Pedestrians and townfolk in their yards stopped what they're doing to observe the parade of high performance vintage autos. People were waving, making photographs, and a couple of folks were even shooting video from the road side. A police escort was arranged in New Albany allowing the tour to run stop signs and red lights through town funeral style.
The first stop in Tupelo was the Elvis Presley birthplace museum. A group of tourists from Europe really enjoyed the bonus attraction of the sudden invasion of American automotive machinery as it descended on the birthplace museum.
The next stop was the first rate Tupelo Automobile Museum, where tour participants filled the museum parking lot. The only downside was the oppressive 100+ degree temperatures that made it difficult to spend much time ogling the sea of hot rods. Once in the museum, participants not only welcomed the air conditioning but a nice barbeque lunch as well.
At 2:00 p.m. the tour departed from the museum to head back north. A short jaunt on the four-lane section of Hwy. 78 helped bypass jogs and intersections in town so everyone could stick together easier. We soon returned to the two lane portion but not before the skies opened up with some much needed, but ill-timed rain.
Once the tour arrived in Holly Springs, some confusion arose as we attempted to navigate the spread of noted hot rodder George Poteet. After dozens of cars successfully made simultaneous u-turns, we finally found our way to George's place. And so did the wind & rain!
Everyone initially gathered in a nice air conditioned building that houses about 10 of the untold number of autos owned by Mr. Poteet. Just outside the
doors an impeccably restored turn-of-the-century John Deere one cylinder engine chugged along with the assistance of a heavy iron flywheel. The drive
belts were connected to two home made ice cream churners. Once finished, everyone was treated.
George was gracious enough to open four of his buildings and provide unlimited access for all visitors. What a variety of automobilia! From a new Ford GT sports car to an early 60s Dodge station wagon; or a genuine NASCAR stock car to a hot rod 1930 Ford pick up. That man definitely has a lot of toys and everyone had a great time!
Greg
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