The Roadtourians enjoyed a 25th anniversary celebration by taking a bus to popular car enthusiast locations in the western part of the country at the end of January. The 11-day excursion stopped at many top automotive museums, car collections and events. Here, Jerry Dixey and his wife, Mary Ann Karas, far left in front, are joined by car enthusiasts from all over the United States in front of the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., on Jan. 30.

The Roadtourians, the name given to car enthusiasts who enjoy cruising the country to see thousands of custom cars, hot rods and street machines, wrapped up a 25th-anniversary tour last week.

The 11-day tour began in Scottsdale, Arizona, as car enthusiasts who signed up had to fly to that city and register.

“Everyone on the tour flew into Scottsdale from all over the country,” said Jerry Dixey of Youngstown, who, along with his wife Mary Ann Karas, organized the tour.

The bus tour was a way to close one chapter and open the next for Dixey. For 25 years he toured the country in a hot rod, the first being a 1934 Ford Coupe in 1997. The vehicle build was featured in “Street Rodder ” magazine. In 2005, the tour started adding hot rod owners who also wanted to make the trip.

“It showed car owners they could build a car and then drive it across the country,” Dixey said.

Eventually, the magazine would cease the tours, but Dixey formed the Roadtourians and kept it going. The final one, called the “Last Road-eo,” took place last year.

As a way to celebrate 25 years of tours, Dixey planned a new way of touring. He said with people growing older, long-distance trips were not as welcomed, but traveling by bus was a good option. The first trip was put together and started Jan. 23.

The first two days of the tour were spent attending the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, where some high-end vehicles were sold.

On Jan. 26, the group boarded their bus and headed to San Diego, where they enjoyed the sites and restaurants after touring the San Diego Automotive Museum. Jan. 27 saw the group stop at Randy Clark’s Hot Rods and Custom Stuff in Escondido. This stop was special for Dixey as this was where the crew came from who built the 2007 tour vehicle — a 1932 Ford Roadster.

From Clark’s shop, the bus stopped at Deer Park Winery and Auto Museum. The tour then proceeded to Orange County to see a private collection before stopping at the famous Huntington Beach Pier.

On Jan. 28, the tour had a full day with visits to the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum, Petersen’s Museum in Los Angeles, and the Galpin Speed Shop, where famous vehicles such as the original 1960s Batmobile was located.

Jan. 29 saw the group hit the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum, and then on to Griffith’s Observatory known for the dramatic scene from “Rebel Without a Cause.”

Jan. 30 saw a stop at Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory, So-Cal Speed Shop, and a few private collections.

The tour wrapped up with VIP passes at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex. The group spent all three days from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the show, concluding with the awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Feb. 2.

On Monday, the group had an early morning bus trip to the Ontario International Airport, where attendees said their goodbyes and headed home.

One of the biggest thrills for Dixey was to see the 1955 Chevy he drove in the 2011 road tour. He drove that car 25,000 miles that summer and said it felt good to sit in it once again. The only big difference with the car was the new owner changed the wheels to chrome.

“The Roadtourians Bus Adventure to Barrett Jackson Scottsdale and the 75th Grand National Roadster Show was by all accounts a huge success,” Dixey said. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves at all of our stops.”

Dixey said he is now getting inquiries about future trips. While nothing is on the table right now, he did say there is always a possibility.

“Hmmmmmm,” Dixey said. “Anyone want to go to Bonneville for Speed Week in August? Stay tuned.”