MONROE, MI – When word got out that the popular Hot Rod Power Tour would be making a stop in Monroe, Michigan, we knew Ford super-enthusiast retiree-turned-roving Ford Performance.com photographer Bill Cook would be there with his trusty camera in hand to seek out all the cool Fords that were sure to attend. This yearly event calls itself “America’s largest traveling car show,” and features more than 6,000 participating custom cars and trucks, drawing tens of thousands of people during a week-long, multi-city tour.
This year marked the 31st annual Hot Rod Power Tour that ran from June 9-13, making a stop at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Thursday June 12 as the fourth destination in the five-city run that followed events in Indianapolis, Indiana, Joliet, Illinois, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. The show brought an estimated 10,000 spectators to southeastern Michigan city of Monroe where they enjoyed the hundreds of cars and trucks of all stripes on the grounds, as well as several show-and-shine displays, drag racing, autocross, live music, vendors and meet-and-greets with MotorTrend personalities. Spectators attend for free but must register for free tickets.
The Power Tour was launched back in 1995 by Hot Rod Magazine, who explained the concept behind the event by saying, “Classic cars and hot rods travel city to city, while car-lovers and Hot Rod editors and photographers follow alongside the tour, all cruising through small-town America like one, big family reunion road trip." The tour has made stops in 37 U.S. states since it began, with the MotorTrend Group now an event sponsor.
“On Thursday morning I drove to Monroe and arrived just as the gates opened for Day 4 of the 2025 Hot Rod Power Tour,” Cook told us after submitting a couple hundred event photos for us to review. “The last stop is Friday in Norwalk, Ohio. It was a big turnout in Monroe, and I stayed well into the afternoon. Take a look!”
FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BILL COOK
