Event Coverage '54 Ford Club of America convention - PHOTO'S ADDED

Brenda & I will be heading to Memphis, Tennessee next month for the '54 Ford convention and looking at Google maps there seem to be two different routes and they is not much difference in the mileage or the traveling time.

I have never been to Memphis and would like to know if anyone knows of any interesting places to stop and visit on the way.

One route is I-85 to Atlanta, Georgia on I-20 to Birmingham, Alabama then I-22 to Memphis.

The other route is I-85 to Huntsville, Alabama and on to Memphis. HRP

 

Graceland. ‘Nuff said.


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Get downtown, Beale Street, music, BBQ, neon and more. We ate at B.B. Kings, awesome.

 

Don't forget The Peabody Hotel and the duck parade twice a day, morning and evening through the lobby. It's been happening for years.

 

If ya go through Huntsville there’s some nasa stuff

 

If you decide to go I22, let me know. I live about 30 miles south of it off exit 39. Depending on what day you come through I might be able to meet y’all.

I would think that would be your best route. No good way to get to Huntsville from Atlanta. Just be careful in Birmingham, lots of construction downtown.

East of Birmingham in Leeds Al is the Barber Motorsports park and museum. Mostly Motorcycles dating back to the early 1900’s. Track is a road course, they run SCCA races there as well as a Indycar race and motorcycle races.

Be careful in Memphis, it’s dangerous in some areas! I figure y’all will be on the north side at the racetrack, that’s a pretty safe area. If you do go to Graceland, be careful, it’s close to the worst area of town. I truck in that area sometimes, so I somewhat know my way around.

 

I will have to tell my buddy with the 54 RanchWagon about this! Do you have the dates for the convention? I know he is not a member of the 54 Ford club, can he still attend?

 

Safe travels, Danny. Have fun. Pictures are required.

 

That's the kind of information I'm looking for,things to see on the way;

I appreciate the information but I am told there is a lot of construction in the Birmingham area and I will probably avoid that route the other route takes us near Atlanta but not through there.

The show will be at the Marriott Memphis East, 3076 East Parkway.

And to be totally honest I have no interest in visiting Graceland. HRP

 

He is welcome to stop by but registration has closed and arrangements for dinners have been sent to the caterers, show credentials are also in the mail. HRP


The dates are September 13 - 16

 

What is that route, US 278 to I22 or up AL 157 to US 72? I've traveled most all the roads across AL and GA in that area. Never did find a real good one, lots of two lanes and traffic lights in the towns, but you might feel more comfortable on those types of roads than the Interstates and 4 lanes. For sure better scenery!

 

Yeah, it's not about how quick we can get from point A to point B but to enjoy the drive,the 2 lane roads,the small towns make for a more relaxed trip when your on a vacation.

The 4 or more lanes of billboard lined interstate traveling is something I tolerate if time is of the essence, but this isn't the case. HRP

 

And I suppose it drives them, umm, quackers?


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Sun Recording Studio

Elvis , Jerry Lee , Johnny Cash , Carl Perkins , Ike and Tina and soo many more.

At least get the T shirt

Oldmics

 

Walker Radiator down the street from Sun Records.
Gave a cool presentation at Sun, photos and artifacts there also, photo op with your car at the curb.

 

Can't give much advice on the route, except if you're going interstate, it's a prettier ride Atlanta to Chattanooga (Coker and Honest Charlie) then to Nashville and then Memphis. Been B'ham to Memphis lots and it's BORING!

If you take US 72 across MS and go through Corinth you will be close to Shiloh National Battlefield. Very moving and lots to see if you're a Civil War buff.

But having moved away from Memphis after living there for 30 years, I can only warn you to stay away from lots of areas at night. My son-in-law retired from MPD as head of homicide. Talk about job security!

You might like the huge Bass Pro off I-40 in the Pyramid at the river.

Graceland, if you like cheesy décor in a setting designed for the tourist dollar. Once was enough for me in 30years. Bad area at night.

Sun Records is interesting and Walker Radiator will give you a tour as well.

Beale Street is ok, but still trying to be New Orleans. Be careful where you park and walk off Beale at night.

NSRA is hq'd in Memphis, but is just an office.

If gambling is your thing, Tunica, MS is only a short drive down US 61. Lots of big casinos and hotels built in the middle of soybean fields.

George Poteet's huge car stable is also in MS., but it's invitation only.

For Brenda's shopping pleasure, there's Wolfchase Mall, but not at night.

As said, Rendezvous BBQ downtown, conveniently across from the Peabody, which is beautifully restored in it's original art deco style.

There's nothing West of the river in Arkansas except flat land and bean fields.

If you're going to be at Motorsports Park, it's state of the art drag strip and road course.

 

Last time we were going to Sun Studios in Memphis, I stopped the rod next door in front of Walker Radiator to get a photo. The signs made it clear that Sun visitors not park there. Guy came out of Walker to look at the rod and said to leave it there, he would keep an eye on it while we took the studio tour. How's that for hot rod hospitality?!


Phil

 

Bill, thank you so much, I have always been a student of history having traced my heritage and having relatives that served & died during the civil war so taking some time to visit Shiloh National Battlefield is a excellent recommendation.

Visiting Graceland, Bass pro or gambling doesn't appeal to us but you have got be thinking about some other spots to see.

 

What ever you do in Memphis, Danny, Don't let anyone step on your Blue Suede Shoes!

 

Pretty much echoing what I said, don't be out at night! I think Memphis is the murder capital of TN, not a good feeling to know when you're driving around.
Not trying to scare anybody, just making sure folks know Memphis can be a dangerous place, especially after dark.

 

I don't plan any late evening shenanigans and I always travel with my American Express card for unexpected expenses and my old friends, Smith & Wesson for unexpected surprises.

The host Hotel is in the German town area. HRP

 

By now I'm sure most of you have heard the latest weather outlook for South Carolina and it doesn't look good but we have made our plans to go to this show and staying home isn't going to make any difference, our daughter will be house sitting while we are away and if any problems arise she is more than capable to handle them.

The wagon is loaded up and we plan on leaving first thing tomorrow morning before Hurricane Florence causes trouble in the upstate, coming back home Sunday the predictions as of now don't look good and if the storm is too sever we might just stay another day in Memphis.

I purchased a new camera since the other one did so I will take some photos, I' hoping I'm not the only one there! HRP

 

What route did you decide to take?

 

Danny, if you like donuts, check out Gibson’s Donuts! Corky’s BBQ is very good, and if you like chicken, try Zaxby’s. For fast BBQ, try a chain called Top’s BBQ. The chopped pork sandwich and bbq beans are great. My wife and I honeymooned in Memphis 20 years ago, and we go back at least once a year. Have a great trip and be safe!


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enjoy the journey - be safe in this wild weather - no rush to get home with lingering flooding likely - look forward to pics & stories

 

bn ..

Good plan! Stay in at night. Don't forget that extra S&W mag.
Germantown is a nice adjacent suburb, and safe. But I can't place that Marriott, may be new.
Corky's BBQ is good, also. There's one in Collierville

 

We finally got safely to the Marriott in Memphis on Kirby parkway yesterday afternoon around 3: 30 PM and it is hotter than a 4 balled tom cat,both yesterday and today.

We spent a hour and 45 minutes sitting on what the folks in Atlanta call I-85 and I call a giant parking lot, it took us that long to drive 8 miles, I'm still fuming about that stupid route.

This evening we were treated to a catered dinner at a members home and was told the BBQ we had was the best in Memphis, I got to admit it was some of the best I have ever had.

Our main show is tomorrow in conjunction with the huge show in Collierville the local Ford dealer has removed the new cars of the front row of his dealership and will line it up with '54 Fords.

We have the only wagon here but there are some beautiful cars both original and modified, the club president ask me,Jim & Allan to pick one car we liked as the Club tech advisors and we have had some spirited conversations, you guys know I'm a hot rod guy and Alan our tech advisor for California is a die in the wool restorer and the wild car Jim like both and he is the guy that owns the '54 Ford Museum in Virginia Beach and owns at least one make of every '54 Ford.

The car that really got in my eyes is the '54 Ford GT, this is his maiden trip.
the car has a 460 / 4 speed roll bar and it's just bad arse and sounds wicked.




Slow loading and it's getting late, I'll post more tomorrow evening. HRP

 

For some reason I am not seeing the love for the 54GT. It just looks wrong to me. To each his own, that's what makes this hobby so interesting. Please keep the pictures coming. Love your wagon by the way.

 

Have fun, stay safe, and remember: "The best way to see Memphis is in your rear view mirror".