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HomeMediaStandin’ on the Corner with Route 66 National Tour

Standin’ on the Corner with Route 66 National Tour

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Classic participating in the Route 66 Motor Tour | Nicole James Photos

Standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, you can feel the sense of comradery among  the Route 66 Motor Tour participants as they joke around with one another, talk about highlights from the day, and talk cars. The comradery is one of event organizer Craig Parrish’s favorite things about this event.

The Route 66 Motor Tour began in Joliet, Illinois, and over the course of 14 days, visits 15 citys on the way to Santa Monica, California.

“In my little world, I am very humbled and fortunate for the opportunity to do this tour,” Parrish said, “I called the towns, told them what I wanted to do and gave them references from other mayors and chambers of commerce I had worked with before and they all called back within two days and were excited.”

Parrish told Classic Car News that he isn’t concerned with the numbers of participants just yet. “I’m starting something from scratch and this is only the second year. It’s not like your regular cruise-in down the street you go to on the weekends, this is a national cruise across the country.”

Route 66 Motor Tour participants

Over 95 cars have registered for the cruise. Nearly 100 turned out for the stop in  Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the past two months, Parrish said, “Our website has seen over 20,000 visits. The word is getting out there and I think in the next four to five years this will be a major event.”

What makes the Route 66 Motor Tour unique is that participants have the ability to join the tour when they want or exit the tour when they want. At each leg of the tour, Parrish hands out an itinerary at the start of the day but participants are free to see and do what they want.

“I say, let them go, let them have fun, let them explore, let them see and experience the old diners, neons, and what Route 66 has to offer. It is their vacation and they should do what they want.” Parrish said.

The cost to participate in the tour is $66, and that includes a window sticker and T-shirt. Accommodations, gas, meals, and any attractions are the responsibility of the participant,

According to Parrish, the most asked question he gets is what type of vehicles participate.

“Some people have a lot of money into the car, they don’t get good gas mileage or have AC and don’t want to mess up their classic so I tell them to bring what they drive every day. I ask them to participate and spend money in these towns. The tour is all about bringing money to these towns and old Route 66.”

In addition to different makes and models of vehicles, people from all over the world participate as well.

“This year we have a couple from Australia, we also have several from Canada,” Parrish said.

Today, the tour makes its way from Winslow to Williams, Arizona, where it will  partake in a local classic car show at 6 p.m.. The tour departs Williams on Friday  morning and heads to Kingman. From there, it makes its way along the final stretch of the Mother Road across California, concluding the tour on Sunday at Santa Monica Pier.

To see how the tour is getting its kicks on Route 66, you can  visit its  Facebook page and the Route 66 Motor Tour website, where there will be information about the dates for the 2016 drive.

Photos by Nicole James

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Nicole James
Nicole Jameshttp://nicoleellanjames.com/
Nicole James has been involved in the automotive world her entire life. Her dream car is a 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe. She currently drives a 2005 Mustang affectionately known as Marilyn and uses the car to participate in track events, car shows, and explore the world around her. Nicole joined the ClassicCars.com Content and Marketing team in 2014. Nicole is an automotive journalist and the creator of Pretty Driven - an online source for car culture and news for millennials, as well as a contributor for ClassicCars.com. Follow Nicole on Instagram and Facebook - @Nicoleeellan
  1. Hey People..I just became aware of this GREAT GIG, and would LOVE to participate! I recently purchased a car that I’ve wanted dearly since around 1970. It is a 2015 MUSTANG GT, and I’ve got to say, DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!!! Of course, in 6 or 7 years when it’s paid for, the DREAM will be complete! But, the day I drove out of the Ford dealer, a trip such as this was front and center in my mind. So, how can I get involved?? THIS IS A GREAT IDEA AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE A PART OF IT!!

  2. I just completed the tour in my Yellow 2015 Mustang Convertible as seen in a couple of pics. Outstanding performance and drivability ensured a great trip. Man what a great adventure in a truly outstanding car. Thank you FORD!

  3. hi guys we are in the u.k. we would seriously like to do the road trip with you next year ,please can i have contact details for 2016 when you have them.

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