Rolling like Outlaws at First Annual Bonnie & Clyde Reliability

The Inaugural Bonnie and Clyde Reliability Run was held on February 11, 2012 in Austin, Texas. Presented by Austin Speed Shop, the run was open to entries of 1939 vintage and older. According to sources at the run, about 30 cars participated which is a nice turnout for a first time event. Photos posted at Jalopy Journal and also at Bang Shift are proof that a good time was being had by all.

The theme of the event was taken from the long-distance crime spree of 1930’s outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. They rampaged throughout the Midwestern states but Texas was their home and the place they always returned to. What really connects the pair to hot rodders concerns Clyde’s letter to Henry Ford. In it, Barrow related that he drove Fords exclusively when he could, “…get away with one.” Clyde went on to rave about the performance of the V-8. He wrote, “For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has every other car skinned…” then signed the document Clyde “Champion” Barrow.

The letter’s authenticity is disputed by experts and is quite possibly a fake created by a Ford ad executive to sell more cars! But contradictory facts surrounding a good story are never enough reason for interrupting a good time…especially in Texas! I’ve spent a good deal of time in Texas and Austin is a great place to be. Maybe a road trip is in order for the Second Annual Bonnie and Clyde Reliability Run.