When it comes to a love of hot rodding, Australia just can’t match the United States.

That, says Aussie Alan Stewart, is why he shipped his 1938 Ford Standard Coupe Ute to Long Beach, Calif., and began driving.

Thursday, he pulled into the parking lot of Speedway Motors in Lincoln, where caravans from California and Texas met in anticipation of this weekend’s Americruise car show.

It’s a trip you’d think a person doesn’t make unless his or her love of cars goes well beyond hobby status, but Stewart was more nuanced in describing his motivation.

“I guess you could say I like it a little bit,” the Ocean Grove, Victoria, resident said. “I’ve got more than one, I’ll put it that way.”

While not official, it’s likely Stewart could take the prize for traveling the furthest for the 15th Annual O’Reilly Hot Rod & Custom Magazine’s Americruise car show set for State Fair Park this weekend.

But he’s not the only one whose travel plans included an over-ocean leg.

Jack Hiraishi, of Honolulu, Hawaii, put his 1932 Roadster on a 747 to Los Angeles so he could make his fourth Americruise appearance and second trip to Lincoln.

Along with 25 other drivers who left Placentia, Calif., last Friday, Hiraishi said traveling stateside was the only way to put some mileage on his classic car.

Over the past four years, Hiraishi estimates his odometer has turned just 200 times.

His 65-day road trip on the mainland promises to add at least another 15,000 clicks, he said. 

“You can’t beat Honolulu, but for traveling, you can’t beat the lower 48,” he said. “You really can’t go anywhere in Hawaii except the ocean.”

The long-distance arrivals speak both to the car show’s allure and the dedication of the drivers involved.

About 1,400  cars are expected to plant their tires at the park for some 40,000 observers, organizers said.

“There's a great base for support for the whole hobby that is one of the strongest in the country,” said Victor Ruthig, Americruise’s vice-president of marketing.

This year marks the car show’s ninth visit to Lincoln, the only city to host the event more than twice.

Reach Drew Kerr at 473-7223 or dkerr@journalstar.com.