The fact that the new rules will be letting in cars built in 1980 or before means people can register them and bring 'em. But will they? The owners of rods and customs will most likely but the tuner generation probably won't unless they have an interest in other cars as well. Most of then that I know won't because they aren't going to lay down the money to join the NSRA and then pay to register their rides. They got other things they want to spend their money on, like go fast parts and young women. And their friends aren't going to want to pay spectator prices just to hang out when they can do it for free elsewhere.
You will see a number of '50's - 70's cars that were never allowed in before. But if they are tastefully done, I have no problem with that. Besides of all of the newer NSRA event where that is already allowed, there has not been a doubling of participants. More like maybe 25 - 30% more cars then when they were all pre-49.
Nearly all of our local shows are open events, so I am use to seeing things other than just pre-49. These are not small events. Average participation runs 500 - 800 cars at each event. Plenty to see and do, easy to avoid the ones you wish to avoid. But nearly all participants, regardless of age or vehicle type, act civilized and rarely cause any ugly situations, other than an occasional burnout. If the same crowd showed up for the next NSRA event, it wouldn't bother me in the least.
NSRA is a for-profit organization, not a democracy. We are members not shareholders, so we have no vote or say in the business. The only vote we have is to refuse to participate in the events or refuse to be a member.
And if that's your thing go for it. I will likely continue to attend events until I have a more justifiable reason to stop.
