Thread: Last trip to nats?

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The fact of the matter is, I have fun wherever i go. Car people are car people... doesn't matter if they drive a 79 Camaro or a 32 Ford, if they're into it they're one of us. When I was 16 I had a '72 Nova I built myself with part time working money. I was as "into" it and the whole car cruisin'/showin' scene as anyone. I met lots of guys at local cruises (and major shows) who had what you old timers consider "true" hot rods... learned a bunch from them, and actually got interested in pre-48 cars as a result... ultimately ending up with my '32. While its "just" a 'glass car, that will one day change too, as I make some more money and can afford a real steel car like Deuce has a pair of. If everyone who owned a pre-48 car treated me and my car the way I hear some folks speak here, I don't know if I'd have ever got an interest in pre-48 "hot rods" at all. I've come a long way, and owe alot of it to the older guys who were cool enough to allow me into their "circle" and showed me the ropes.

I have a younger brother who has a really nice 70 Chevelle he fixed up himself, and he's really excited to be able to come to the York show next year with me, and be "part of the action". He loves 32 fords and hot rods in general as much as anyone, he just doesn't have the means (yet) to afford to buy or build one. I think having him get the chance to hang out with, talk to, and learn from the seasoned hot rod veterans will really help build his desire to one day have a pre-48 car. If everyone mocks him and makes a fuss that he "doesn't belong there" that whole idea might change. I sure hope not!

I guess this is why I don't think its a terrible idea to let folks without the premier pre-48 stuff into NSRA events... in most cases, these folks don't own 79 Camaros or 75 Novas because that's their premier ultimate ride, its because they aren't in a financial position to own the car of their dreams... cars like they'll see at the NSRA shows (if you guys that have them still come!) Instead of making fun of them, of shutting them out and refusing to associate with such "lesser" enthusiasts and cars, take the time to show them around your car, compliment them on theirs, and encourage their dreams.. you never know, in the not so distant future they might built or buy their own hot rod like I did, and will owe it all to the courtesy and helpful friendships of you guys.

I understand the whole "tradition" thing, and why it upsets folks to break a tradition of a pre-48 show... really I do, but at the same time, don't blame the folks who show up in post 48 cars or look down on them... in most cases they're just workin' their way up the hotrod ladder and are just car guys the same as you. Like it or not, these old cars are going to outlive you, so it would be a much better scenario to encourage and inform the "next" generation about them, and give them a reason to aspire to, and be interested in them, so that the whole hot rod thing can live on forever. Younger folks who don't currently own a pre-48 car are not going to pay to walk into the NSRA shows to LOOK at your cars, but if they can bring the car they currently own and can afford they will be way more likely to show up and see/learn about how cool the pre-war hot rods are. Even the ones who DON'T aspire to own a pre-48 car aren't bad folks, and share a common passion with you, they just drive something a little different than you "like" to see.

If the NSRA shows turn into a big free-for-all drunkfest of rowdy kids in ricer Hondas and brings out a bunch of disrespectful, immature, and impolite punks well THEN boycott the events and come back and say "i told you so" and I'll retract my statements... But I personally doubt that's going to happen, and believe most of the folks who pay to join the NSRA, pay registration fees, and bring a post 1948 car are actually going to be nice folks who are truly interested in the hot rod scene. I believe most will respect the fact they're allowed in to an elite group of rodders, and will fit right in with the rest of ya'll.

Sorry for the long post, I've heard and understand both sides of the argument and just felt like speaking my mind on the subject. Give 'em a chance, that's all I'm saying.

Originally Posted by joeybsyc

I've heard and understand both sides of the argument and just felt like speaking my mind on the subject. Give 'em a chance, that's all I'm saying.

Every one has a right to their own opinion ... BUT if you look back at most of the posters on this thread ... who are for the NEW RULE ... They them selves could get in the shows if they were a car. ( meaning they were born after 1980 ). Or they have a vehicle that will be able to now get in with the new rules.

GoodGuys lets in up to 1972 ... and the atmosphere at their events is NOT the same as it has been at a pre 49 NSRA event ... IMHO. I rarely go to a GoodGuys event ... and the Charlotte event is only a little over 100 miles from my home. Got TIRED of wading thru rows and rows of Chevelles, Camaros, Mustangs and Tri 5 cars.

I suspect that the new NSRA events will be even worse than the GG events ... with the Pintos, Vegas and BIG Donks added.

bingo!! you broke the code!!! nicely said!!! thanks pete

This was my first trip to the nats and I have a fresh perspective on the show and atmosphere of the show itself.
I want to start out by saying that I am one of the young guys (21) and love all old cars (72 back). I have attended the past four goodguys shows in Columbus and have enjoyed them a great deal. I was told by the local rod shop that I really need to go to the nats because it is one of the best shows around. I had heard about the +30 year limit for next year but did not put a lot of thought into it. I was really looking forward to the fact that there would be no 50's cars and no muscle cars, I have never been to a car show like that and it sounded great. I arrived at the nats and there was cool hot rod after cool hot rod and it could not have been any better. There is no way to describe how cool the show was. The people were great and laid back (not loud and annoying like some shows; but not all), the cars were the best I have seen in a long time, the feel of the car show can not be described. This show was as close to the time when rods ruled the roads as I could get close to.
When I left the nats I could not help but feel sad that next year the show would be different. The next visit to the local rod shop I told the guy that it trumped the columbus goodguys event. I have never been to a cooler car show than this years nats and I will always remember this years show. That weekend was by far one of the best weekends in my life so far.
In short if it is not broken don't mess with it and the nats was not broken from what I could tell from my first trip to it.

Originally Posted by 68Chevelle

This was my first trip to the nats and I have a fresh perspective on the show and atmosphere of the show itself.
I want to start out by saying that I am one of the young guys (21) and love all old cars (72 back). I have attended the past four goodguys shows in Columbus and have enjoyed them a great deal. I was told by the local rod shop that I really need to go to the nats because it is one of the best shows around. I had heard about the +30 year limit for next year but did not put a lot of thought into it. I was really looking forward to the fact that there would be no 50's cars and no muscle cars, I have never been to a car show like that and it sounded great. I arrived at the nats and there was cool hot rod after cool hot rod and it could not have been any better. There is no way to describe how cool the show was. The people were great and laid back (not loud and annoying like some shows; but not all), the cars were the best I have seen in a long time, the feel of the car show can not be described. This show was as close to the time when rods ruled the roads as I could get close to.
When I left the nats I could not help but feel sad that next year the show would be different. The next visit to the local rod shop I told the guy that it trumped the columbus goodguys event. I have never been to a cooler car show than this years nats and I will always remember this years show. That weekend was by far one of the best weekends in my life so far.
In short if it is not broken don't mess with it and the nats was not broken from what I could tell from my first trip to it.

Wow, a "young guy" that gets it.

That was the same way I felt about the nats. I went back the next 15 years...mostly as a spectator (yes, I drove to Syracuse, NY to just look at cars).

The Richmond Nats will be here on August 28 and I am looking forward to it since I am only a few miles from the RIR complex. In past years it has been neat to see a bunch of cars drive in from all over and hear some modified exhaust systems and see cars with blowers running on the street. I am of course one of those dastardly folks with a SBC in a 'glass car but the basic reason is that metal cars started to get really rare until Brookville production got going. Anyway there are enough local Friday night meets for drivers that I can just enjoy the car and go to an occasional meet where often the parking lot is as interesting as the cars in the meet. I am attaching a very nice local car that is a repaired roll-over wreck of a Shay model A and it is in the parking lot of last year's Richmond NSRA Nats. It is a 'glass replica with a Pinto engine but still a mighty fine car. If you have a real steel car that is great but I like any early replica with nice paint and an inspection sticker. It will be interesting to see what modern cars show up this year. It may be worth mentioning that about ten years ago I did find a metal '29 Ford roadster body and a rusty Model A frame but the body was total archaeology and after sand blastingl the frame I ended up with metal lace! To me my Brookville frame looks VERY GOOD! The Brookville cars are now available for even a very nice Three-window '32 but once again my pocket book limited my project. I once lost out buying a running '30 Ford roadster for a mere $700 because I did not have the money. The roadster goal always seemed beyond my means so when I got a little ahead by paying off the house finally I chose the Bebops 'glass body as cheaper than the Brookville. It is a catch-22 thing, my wife asked me whether I did not want an all steel Brookville roadster (like IC2 has) on the one hand but then everytime she sees a bill for parts on the cheaper Bebops-based option she asks why it is so expensive! So we have these mental obsessions and the Nats renew our images but time moves on and when you talk to some of the younger folks a Dodge sedan with a 440 engine is the ultimate and they never had a ride in a '30s car because those cars were few when the kids of today were not even born. I am still waiting for a show car Prius with a bigger motor, more batteries and flames, but it may come yet! So the whole hobby is based on nostalgia. If I had my wish I would want a 1940 Ford convertible with a flathead Merc engine but how many of those have you seen lately? Maybe there will be one at the Richmond Nats? So check out the Parked Cars for the modern stuff but maybe this year they will be inside?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/Teen Rodder

The Golden State Nats last year was the first time for the new 30 year cut-off and I thought to myself "Oh Crap, there goes the neighborhood" But I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. There were a few really hot Camaro's and such but I was really pleased to NOT see anything out of order. Now the Goodguys get-togethers on the other hand, is a completely different story. I couldn't believe the number of soccer moms station wagons (complete with soccer junk and other crap) that were allowed in. Some people actually paid to park there daily driver inside the show rather than to walk from the spectator parking lot. I really hope that the NSRA events don't go that far adrift because it WILL destroy their events.

So far it's been OK but we will just have to wait and see.

Originally Posted by volksrod

The Golden State Nats last year was the first time for the new 30 year cut-off and I thought to myself "Oh Crap, there goes the neighborhood" But I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. There were a few really hot Camaro's and such but I was really pleased to NOT see anything out of order. Now the Goodguys get-togethers on the other hand, is a completely different story. I couldn't believe the number of soccer moms station wagons (complete with soccer junk and other crap) that were allowed in. Some people actually paid to park there daily driver inside the show rather than to walk from the spectator parking lot. I really hope that the NSRA events don't go that far adrift because it WILL destroy their events.

So far it's been OK but we will just have to wait and see.

Its cheaper to be a participant than it is to be a spectator...especially if you factor in the fact that you can bring an ice chest and not have to pay $5 for a beer and $6 for a brat. Not to mention the fact that you don't have to hike a mile to get from spectator parking TO the show.

If you open the door for anything to get in...everything WILL get in. There is somebody out there that thinks a low mileage 1976 Chevette is "show worthy" ....because I saw it displayed at the Delta River Cruise-In last year.

Believe it or not, the Street Rod Nats are a thing of the past.

Originally Posted by volksrod

I couldn't believe the number of soccer moms station wagons (complete with soccer junk and other crap) that were allowed in. Some people actually paid to park there daily driver inside the show rather than to walk from the spectator parking lot. I really hope that the NSRA events don't go that far adrift because it WILL destroy their events.

So far it's been OK but we will just have to wait and see.

The walk is even further at the NATIONALS ... so I suspect a floor of soccer mom and " back row used car specials " at the NSRA events in the future. I saw many, many 60, 70's and 80's vehicles crusing the road in front of the NATS ... ( Headquarters Hotel ) ... with " SEE YOU NEXT YEAR " shoe polished in the back window.

The Nationals will be more like the Shades of the Past event @ Pigeon Forge TN ... a big old used car sales lot. 4 door Falcons, Mor-Dor ugly mobiles and JUNK ... all dug to the event in hopes of finding a unsuspecting buyer ... for their POS. The streets are lined up the Parkway on both sides ... so bad that a lot of the motels have had to hire security to keep the used car slaesmen from parking their junk as early as Tuesday ... so the motel patrons can have a place to park their cars.

I do understand that not everyone can afford or wants a pre 1949 vehicle ..... that is why there is GoodGuys events and all the local cruise nights.

You cannot show your Chevette at a Corvette event. You have to have a Corvette ...

Pretty SIMPLE concept ... really.
You should have a street rod ... to go to the NSRA Nationals.

I will be going to Richmond tomorrow...hopefully the rain holds off! I will reserve my judgement until tomorrow. I do enjoy a mix, but only as long as there are plenty of "street rods" to look over as that is what I am building now and that's what I want to look over. Richmond has been 30 years for the last several years i've been going and i can't say I mind really..

Don- how would you say the turn out was? (although on a rainy sunday i'm sure many cars will leave early...damn work today!)

Don thanks for the pics. I agree with the last paint job was too much fo my tastes too, nice truck though, just distracting with the paint scheme! I think the maple panels are a mix of bird's eye and quilted maple. I have some planks in the garage, which are going to be a Shaker tall chest(dresser) once the truck is done!
Or maybe they will be the new bed wood!

we went for the first time loved it,drove our roadster from salinas to louisville and back5241 miles roundtrip. its a bussines and they have to make money. we might take our 70 chevelle ss, next year.
YA GOTTA DRIVE EM

I cant believe there so many people crying about the NSRA new ruling letting these cars in. Goodguys put shows all around the country. Everybody has a great time. Nobody puts there nose up on what year car is next to them. Right Coast puts on a show in Syracuse NY that draws 7,000 cars. Lets just move on.

This is an old thread, but I have not changed my mind. I will not be going to nats this year for the same reason. I go to Goodguys and have you heard what they are doing? They are going to change some events to open Sundays for "any" year American made car. I am not sure if that means actually made in America because I think maybe the Camero is made in Canada or Mexico? If Goodguys do this everywhere then I will not attend on Sunday. I know these organizations are about money but if they are not careful they will shoot themselves in the foot.

Just set a damn year 48/57/58/72 whatever it is and stick with it. If I want to look at a bunch of new cars I will go to a Walmart parking lot.

Danny, 2 years later and you're still carrying a grudge at NSRA? Sorry you feel that way but life goes on, with or without you, it's entirely your choice if you chose to participate, I'm sure no one has twisted your arm yet. We'll be having fun with all those that show up at these events, we'll wave at you sitting on the front porch as we drive by.

FWIW, I haven't seen a WalMart parking lot yet with the quality of cars that I see at an NSRA or Goodguys event, I hope you enjoy your next trip to Wally World.

Mike