We’ve come to expect the unorthodox or unadvisable from the new Rod Magazine editors, and even though it might make for his or her discomfort or loss of sleep, it makes for some great storytelling and entertainment. During this episode of Hot Rod Unlimited, Hot Rod Magazine staff editor Thom Taylor goes back to Nashville, Tennessee within the dead of winter to drive out Bill Akin’s 1932 Ford roadster that graced the quilt of the December 1979 edition of Hot Rod magazine, to be featured on the Hot Rod 65th Anniversary event, the new Rod Homecoming in Pomona, California.

Except for a contemporary engine rebuild, and a few basic maintenance, the automobile is largely almost like it was 34 years ago, when it graced the canopy of the magazine. Just outside of Nashville, Taylor experienced freezing rain, and the shortcoming of wipers at the roadster made forward visibility a challenge. After an overnight’s stay in Memphis, and a temporary stop on the Sun Records recording studio, of Elvis Presley fame, it was back at the interstate toward Oklahoma City.

With an oil mist popping out of the crankcase breather at the valve cover, Taylor improvises a paper towel “diaper” which cuts down at the windshield splatter. Unfortunately, the elements outside of Oklahoma City is even chillier than Tennessee. Akin was so confident in its reliability, he told Taylor to do anything he wanted with it, which he took to heart by doing a couple of burnouts on an extended, lonely stretch of country road.

A planned detour to the Hoover Dam was dashed by an oil leak, however the car ultimately made it to its destination in a single piece. Despite the punishing, exposed climatic conditions, Taylor said he’d do it again, but next time, not during winter.

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