The Drive Home VII Caravan Cruises Through Oklahoma
The first of several caravans recognized by the US Route 66 Centennial Commission made their way across Oklahoma this past weekend. The Drive Home VII, organized by America’s Automotive Trust, left Santa Monica, California on January 3rd and will reach the other end of Route 66 in Chicago on January 12th. Afterwards, they’ll continue east to Michigan to the Detroit Auto Show, where the nine official cars will be on display.
Hanging with Harley at the Sandhill Curiosity Shop in Erick. Photo courtesy of America’s Automotive Trust.
Considering the fact they only had ten days to get from the Pacific Ocean to Lake Michigan, they made the most of their time in the Sooner State. The group crossed into Oklahoma from Texas on January 8th, making their first stop at the Sandhill Curiosity Shop in Erick. There, the cruisers were warmly welcomed and entertained by the one and only Harley Russell. In Clinton, they stopped and received a tour from the folks at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum and ended the day with a visit to Weatherford’s new Spaceman statue downtown.
The Drive Home VII stops at Lucille’s Historic Station in Hydro. Photo courtesy of Lucille’s Roadhouse.
After a night at Lucille’s Hotel, they continued east. Their first stop on January 9th was Lucille Hamons’ historic station in Hydro. They were later met by the Route 66 Cruisers at Pops Soda Ranch in Arcadia before stopping again in Luther to visit with Ed Threatt and hear the story of the Threatt Filling Station. Their final stop of the day was in Tulsa’s Meadow Gold District, where they met Buck Atom and his giant friends.
By the time the caravan reached Tulsa, a few of their vintage automobiles were in need of adjustment. Their 1960 Chrysler 300F needed a local expert to help with part that had taken the car offline in Amarillo and they found what they needed at Atlas Automotive, right on Route 66. “Their generosity, hard work, and expertise got us back on the road […] headed east as we continue down Route 66 to Chicago,” the Automotive Trust said in a Facebook post. “These are the moments that make our Drive Home so special - all of the amazing folks who have helped and supported us along the way really exemplifies how the Mother Road and car culture brings us all together.”
Cruising in northeast Oklahoma with friends. Photo courtesy of America’s Automotive Trust.
The caravan’s final day in Oklahoma took them to Claremore, where they stopped at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, and then on to Miami’s Coleman Theatre before having lunch at the Main Street Café. For several members of the group, it was their first time in Oklahoma and they said they were they can’t wait to return and spend more time.
The next centennial caravan recognized on the US Route 66 Centennial website is the Main Street of America Caravan in June. That cruise is being organized by statewide Route 66 organizations, including the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The schedule is still being finalized, but that motor tour will take 20 days to drive from Santa Monica to Chicago. People interested in learning more about that event can sign up to receive updates at www.route66caravan.com.
