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.