Anti Tour 2012

Car Craft is all about having fun with cars. It's that simple. Over the years, we've invited our readers to pull their cars off the jackstands and apply the vulcanized steel belts to the highway. In the past, we've been to Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada, braved the heat in Phoenix, Arizona, for some dragstrip fun, stayed local and hit the dragstrip in Barona, California, and even combined Anti Tour with our Engine Swap Drags. Like last year, we headed north for the Cruisin' Morro Bay show that hit sweet 16 this year. While huge car shows are fun for their sheer size, we also dig events like the Morro Bay show because it combines the classic elements of plenty of cars and a crowd to make it interesting, but it's small enough that you don't have to line up at 4 a.m. to find a good parking spot. The weather was perfect, the locals were incredibly hospitable, the cars were fantastic, and despite a minor fender bender with one of our Tour cars, we couldn't have asked for a better event. So thanks to organizer Ken Vesterfelt's team. It's important to remember that it takes a small army of volunteers to put on a show like this. Without their long hours manning barricades and directing traffic, shows like this never become this good. Because of their efforts, we had a great time.

The Anti Tour began with a tour of Wilwood's fantastic facility in Camarillo, California. High-tech tools include this digitizing equipment that creates templates for design work using solid modeling programming.
The Anti Tour began with a tour of Wilwood's fantastic facility in Camarillo, California.
Among the bitchin' cars that arrived at Wilwood's facility is former Car Craft staffer Jim McGowan's '70 GTO Judge. Jim has owned the numbers-matching 455 four-speed car for six years. Jim didn't come on the Tour, but calling him out here should shame him into driving it with us next year.
Among the bitchin' cars that arrived at Wilwood's facility is former Car Craft staffer Jim
A minor hiccup occurred when Brian Cosby's big-block '65 Chevelle abruptly died just after our second photo opportunity in the Los Padres National Forest. This necessitated a trip back to town for a new distributor, but Brian clearly had plenty of help. This looks like a typical Cal Trans worksite, with one guy working and 15 others standing around.
A minor hiccup occurred when Brian Cosby's big-block '65 Chevelle abruptly died just after

This is Mario Fenu's second Tour with his Arizona-based '66 Mustang. The 'Stang features Global West suspension parts, a carbureted 392ci stroker 351W, and a Viper six-speed. It's run a best of 146 mph in the standing mile--and that's gettin' it.
This is Mario Fenu's second Tour with his Arizona-based '66 Mustang. The 'Stang features G
We passed a group of MG enthusiasts halfway through the canyon, and they caught up with us at the Burger Barn in New Cuyama. While original MGs are cool, this '61 MGA roadster caught our eye because it was stuffed with a B&M-blown, small-block Chevy.
We passed a group of MG enthusiasts halfway through the canyon, and they caught up with us
Even after waiting for Johnny 'Cuda (who now owns the Anti Tour record for running out of gas twice in as many years and in the same spot), we still arrived in time to participate in Friday night's cruise that kicks off the show.
Even after waiting for Johnny 'Cuda (who now owns the Anti Tour record for running out of

Robert "Aqua Bob" Austin was driving Brian Cosby's familiar Anti Tour '30 Model A coupe in the parade when the throttle stuck. With seconds to react, Bob smacked a beautiful Chevy pickup just ahead....
Robert "Aqua Bob" Austin was driving Brian Cosby's familiar Anti Tour '30 Model A coupe in
...folding up the right front suspension on the Ford coupe. Note the smoke coming from the locked front tires in Douglas Glad's amazing action photo. Fortunately, no one was injured, and mangled metal can be repaired.
...folding up the right front suspension on the Ford coupe. Note the smoke coming from the
Major points if you knew this was a '51 Nash Statesman Airflyte. Chopped 2 inches and heavily wacked, it's owned by Bob and Jackie Sorensen of Salem, Oregon. The show sign reads: "No, it's not a hovercraft." We saw it cruisin' the parade, so we know it's fully functional. Yes, it does require patience to remove the tires and wheels. It's motivated by a GM LS ZO6 motor, a 4L60E, and a 9-inch.
Major points if you knew this was a '51 Nash Statesman Airflyte. Chopped 2 inches and heav

Mark Mensen cruised with us in his '68 Dart 270 powered by an enhanced 360 that is now 408 inches. He's got a 904 automatic behind the small-block with a Gear Vendors overdrive and a 4.10:1-geared Dana 60. So far, it's run a best of 12.10, and he says there's more left in it.
Mark Mensen cruised with us in his '68 Dart 270 powered by an enhanced 360 that is now 408
Kevin's refrigerator-white Biscayne was so nice that it earned the Car Craft Magazine editor's choice award. Staff Editor John McGann handed the award to Kevin, since there's no room in Car Craft's editorial budget for a trophy girl.
Kevin's refrigerator-white Biscayne was so nice that it earned the Car Craft Magazine edit
Cruisin' Morro Bay allowed us to assemble all the Anti Tour cars together at the top of the hill. With a whole day to swap stories, the first liar didn't stand a chance.
Cruisin' Morro Bay allowed us to assemble all the Anti Tour cars together at the top of th

Among our faves from the show was Bobby Jackson's immaculate '65 Impala from Ventura, California. The big Impala is one of the few '60s cars that make a 20-inch wheel and a 295/40ZR20 BFG tire look right.
Among our faves from the show was Bobby Jackson's immaculate '65 Impala from Ventura, Cali
The story behind Brian O'Hoy's '67 more-door Chevelle wagon is classic old-car fare. Hidden rust adjacent to the driprail necessitated removing the entire rail a couple of inches at a time. He had to fabricate a replacement piece over the entire roof distance to tie into the pinch weld in the interior. It was an arduous task, but Brian's efforts testify for the results.
The story behind Brian O'Hoy's '67 more-door Chevelle wagon is classic old-car fare. Hidde
It's not Bike Craft, but we think antique motorcycles like this foot-clutch '23 Indian Scout 101 are just plain cool. The owner bought the bike as an eBay basket case, got it running, and rode it to the show.
It's not Bike Craft, but we think antique motorcycles like this foot-clutch '23 Indian Sco