So, how was your weekend? Were you at this year's Mopar Nats? Wish you were? How about wishing that you road-tripped across the country to get there?

Come on in for a look at the run that we made to Ohio from Mopar Muscle World HQ, with the '69 Chrysler Newport droptop that Dave's been updating and upgrading (as seen in our recent C-Body tech stories).

What's a road trip without a little rain? Or a lot of it? What's left of the OEM top and windshield weather stripping, combined with duct tape and towels, kept Dave and Garrett Struck(from Inline Performance) dry. (Well, sort of.)

The only problem we had on the way up was when the oil-pressure gauge line started leaking oil. The line came in contact with an exhaust manifold...and you can guess what happened to it.

Fortunately, we noticed the leak while in south Georgia, and a stop at Layne's Truck Parts in Valdosta turned up the right size fitting we needed to stop the leak and get back underway.

As the gas gauge wasn't working, we calculated fuel stops based on the Newport's 24 gallon tank and an MPG rate of about 14-15. As a result, no pushing was needed. Popping the hood at each stop was more a precaution than a sign of any trouble with the Newport's 383. Oil level was checked and topped off as needed, and the B engine was also given a good look at each stop to see if any other problems were cropping up. (Turns out that none did.)

After the rains went away, the top came down, and Dave and Garrett got some non-liquid sunshine for the first time on the trip.

Just outside of Cincinnati, we started seeing some  participants who were headed toward National Trail Raceway for the Nats.

Once there, we awaited the arrival of our Engine Challenge participants and their engines...

...who combined with their engines for an informative booth display.

By the way...thanks to all of you who opened or renewed your Mopar Muscle subscriptions while you were at the Nats, and by doing so scored the latest Mopar Muscle T-shirt!