With our feet on the road, we headed towards Minas Gerais, our first neighboring state. The first stop was in Patos de Minas. The sun was determined to roast us alive, but we arrived in the late afternoon, still toasted but in one piece. My parents, who were driving the Mustang, left Goiânia a little after us, but we ended up meeting at the hotel at the end of the day – the Mustang must have air conditioning, right? Smart move.
In Patos de Minas, I reunited with my uncles. I swear it was a coincidence. There was dinner, conversation, and, of course, some quality gossip. The next day, we set out to explore the city and search for a pamonha as good as the ones made in Goiás.
The Dodge Starts Acting Up
Here began the first mechanical issue of the trip: the Dodge's starter motor had a strong personality, working whenever it felt like it. Some electrical issue between the switch and the starter motor. But I discovered that, with a screwdriver and a bit of desperation, I could start it using a makeshift trick. The result? A small burn on my arm. Because if there’s no scar, it’s not a true road trip.
Besides that, the heat was so intense that the Dodge started spitting out some water when idling. Nothing that a few extra bottles of demineralized water in the trunk couldn’t fix. Survival kit updated.
Destination: Belo Horizonte (But First, Food!)
From Patos de Minas, we headed to Belo Horizonte. But first, of course, there was a strategic stop at Restaurante Barril, because no one is made of iron, and a road trip without good food is unnecessary suffering. Restaurant approved! With full bellies, we continued our journey.
The Dodge Plays Another Trick
We arrived in BH and, surprise (not really): the Dodge’s headlight switch decided to retire mid-trip. I had already made a clever fix to turn on the headlights, but now even the parking lights refused to work. So there I was, crawling under the dashboard, trying to figure out where the problem was. After much fiddling, the switch decided to cooperate. But for how long? Mystery.
The next day, we visited Pampulha Lagoon and then headed to the Central Market of Belo Horizonte. It was quite crowded. I really enjoy these markets; you can learn a lot about a city's culture by visiting them.
Meeting with the Mopar Club Crew
After visiting the market, we arranged a meetup with Bazolli, president of the Mopar Club of Minas Gerais. I had messaged him saying I’d stop by just to say hi, but true to Minas Gerais hospitality, they don’t miss a chance to throw a wedding-worthy reception. First, we got to see his Dodges and automotive relics, including old sound systems that are true works of art.
From there, we went to Nilsinho’s house. I didn’t know him well before, but I quickly realized that, besides being extremely welcoming, he has an automotive collection that’s jaw-dropping. My Charger, poor thing, looked shy next to his toys: two '68 Chargers, a '69 Charger, a '70 Charger, plus Brazilian Dodges and some 750 Four motorcycles. Everything in pristine condition. Seriously, the kind of collection that makes any enthusiast tear up.
To top off the day, Bazolli took over the grill, and we had an amazing afternoon. We even made a video call to promote Mopar Uai, happening in April 2025. Nilsinho, proving that besides having great taste, he has a big heart, lent me a spare starter motor in case mine decided to die completely. Obviously, I accepted in the classic "I’ll return it later" style. The day was perfect.
From BH to Ouro Preto – Mustang's Struggles
From Belo Horizonte, we headed to Ouro Preto. The city is incredible, but the Mustang suffered. With its low profile, it spent the whole journey polishing the city’s speed bumps. Result: the next day, we decided to give the cars a break and took the famous vintage buses to explore.
The drivers of these buses are true steering ninjas. Seriously, the way they maneuver those giant buses through tiny alleys defies all logic. In Ouro Preto, we visited old mines, churches, and, of course, indulged in the local cuisine. We also celebrated my mom’s birthday, and she had the privilege of spending her special day in one of the most beautiful cities in Brazil.
Ouro Preto made it onto my list of places to revisit, but next time, I’m bringing a 4x4 truck. Better safe than becoming part of the city’s pavement. Well, that’s not the only reason. I also want to drive the Royal Road route.
Time to Move On
It was time to say goodbye to Minas Gerais and head towards Vitória, in Espírito Santo. One thing is certain: traveling with these cars always leads to making new friends along the way. And that, without a doubt, is one of the best parts of the journey.
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