Photography by THE AUTHOR & George Keelt feels good to be back “on the road” attending our favorite rod runs. One of our very favorites is the Hot Rod Roundup (HRR), this year the 38th, hosted by Shades of the Past Street Rod Association at Dollywood’s Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For as long as we can remember the Top 25 was, is, and most likely will always be one of the coveted awards handed out at any regional event. Why? The quality of the cars in attendance is truly second to none and with 2,269 registered participants this event should be on everyone’s list to see. It’s always held on the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day, making the 2022 event to be held on September 9-10.
Taken from the Top 25 is the Magnificent 7, as these seven are held to a higher bar, but then the proverbial noose tightens as three hot rods are taken from this group and represent the Triple Crown of Rodding (TCR) with the awards sponsored this year by Modern Rodding, Advanced Plating, Classic Instruments, and Vintage Air. The TCR is made up of three build disciplines: Best Street Rod, Best Street Machine, and Best Street Cruiser. That’s a bunch of truly amazing hot rods for all to enjoy. There’s one judging crew who does all of the reckoning and makes all of the picks. Not an enviable job at all. These judges select the Top 25, from here the Magnificent 7, and then the TCR. Aside from a monogrammed gear bag, which contains a custom jacket and a host of other cool goodies, two of these 25 will become the cars represented on the next year’s event T-shirt. The cars and trucks are divided into two categories; one represents pre ’49 and the second represents post ’48. One from each grouping is selected and for the 2022 event you will see Jim Houston’s ’34 Chevy as the pre ’49 representative and Chip Caldwell’s ’71 Camaro as the post-’48 selection.
The HRR is held yearly at Dollywood’s Splash Country, which lies between Dollywood and the DreamMore Resort all nestled within the town of Pigeon Forge at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. You would be hard pressed to come up with a more idyllic setting for a rod run. Nearby towns are filled with plenty of sights for family or individuals to visit and there are plenty of great eating places. (Well, did you think I would get through an entire event and not sample the local cuisine–multiple times?)
The event is also known for its numerous specialty awards, with this year’s event handing out around 33 such recognitions. All of the awards are cool and the cars/trucks that win are also very cool and any hot rodder would be happy to drive any of them home. It’s also known for its 50/50 drawing and this year was a doozy. Holding the winning ticket (#09509) was Bobby Beatson Jr. who purchased two tickets and for his investment he went home with $30,000. Now that’s a 50/50 drawing. The remaining funds are used by the club for numerous local charities. Another cash prize winner was James Hudspeth who had preregistered (#1139) for the event (May 15 deadline) and walked off with $10,000. Those are some pretty impressive cash prize awards but one would have to think that the winner of the ’32 Ford highboy roadster built by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop was the truly big-time winner. This year the silver highboy was driven home by Bobby Boone (#1095). Talk about all smiles and miles of smiles to come! (We should mention Bobby was the second number picked–now that’s just a bummer to have come oh so close only to go home with just one hot rod, your own. Well, that’s not really a bad thing but one rodder came oh-so close only to come up “not present.”)
The seven hot rods taken from the Top 25 represent the Magnificent 7. This year they are Bob Johnson with his ’36 Ford roadster (#316). Many of you will remember it as a former America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winner when owned by George Poteet. Next up is the stunning ’41 two-door Chevy (#1626) that began life as a four-door sedan belonging to Wes Rydell and built by Rad Rides by Troy, the ’71 Maverick (#1074) belonging to Jimmy Shaw built by Greening Auto Company, the ’51 Merc (#1705) belonging to Waren Wbker and built by Frank Tetro, the ’69 Camaro (#1940) built by Steve Cook Creations, Jason Graham’s own ’63-1/2 Ford Galaxie (#1801) built at his shop Jason Graham Hot Rods, and the ’66 Charger (#51) belonging to Doyle Thomas and built by Mike Rutter of Rutterz Rods.
It was good to see that the Triple Crown of Rodding award (all three) survived the crazy past year and a half to look as good as ever. It was also rewarding to see the winners and the crowd at the HRR very excited by sticking around and cheerfully applauding each of the winners who themselves were very excited.
From this magnificent grouping comes the next cut off of three who were selected as the Triple Crown of Rodding winners in the following three categories, Best Street Rod, Best Street Machine, and Best Street Cruiser. Once again, the judging crew who selected the Top 25 and the Magnificent 7 were also responsible for selecting the final three representing the TCR. Again, that’s a brutal job.
The Triple Crown of Rodding (TCR) has its home at the Shades of the Past event held at Dollywood’s Splash Country. A very special thanks to the founding and supporting companies, Advanced Plating, Classic Instruments, and Vintage Air.Each took home one of the three incredible trophies representing each assemblage. The trophies are built through the corporation of Steve Tracy of Advanced Plating who is responsible for all of the polish and plating (well, what did you think?), assembly, and packing into the specially built wooden crates. The custom wooden crates, that are a work of art in and of themselves, comes by way of John McLeod of Classic Instruments. Classic Instruments is also responsible for taking the original Tom Gale (think retired VP of Chrysler design) artwork and turning it into CAD data. Originally Classic Instruments built the trophies and now that segment is handled by Advanced Plating. The lettering masks used by Advanced Plating on each of the trophies were designed and then lettering masks cut by Vintage Air. The four companies (In The Garage Media, Advanced Plating, Classic Instruments, and Vintage Air) all participated in covering the costs for these one-of-a-kind awards.
Taking home top honors in the Best Street Rod category was the ’36 Ford roadster owned by Bob Johnson while Best Street Machine went to Jimmy Shaw for his ’71 Maverick, and Best Street Cruiser went to Waren Wbker for his ’51 Mercury.
Well, there are many great events around the country and all of us should try and see as many as we can. Sure, there are many great cars to see but there are even more great hot rodders everywhere to share all of our personal stories with and that’s why we do this–it’s the people who make this all worthwhile.
In the TCR the Best Street Cruiser award went to Waren Wbker for his ’51 Merc custom built by Frank Tetro. (Modern Rodding future feature.)
The ’71 Maverick belonging to Jimmy Shaw and built by Greening Auto Company took home the Best Street Machine category of the TCR. (Modern Rodding future feature.)
Bob Johnson went home with the TCR for the Best Street Rod grouping with his ’36 Ford roadster.
No stranger to amazing hot rods, Doyle Thomas with his ’66 Dodge Charger built by Mike Rutters of Rutterz Rods was one of the Magnificent 7.
Another Magnificent 7 was the two-door (originally a four-door) ’41 Chevy sedan owned by Wes Rydell and built by Rad Rides by Troy.
Another in the running for the TCR was this Magnificent 7 belonging to Jason Graham with his ’63-1/2 Ford Galaxie. (Modern Rodding future feature.)
From the world of Bowties is this ’69 Camaro capturing one of the Magnificent 7 awards for Steve Cook of Steve Cook Creations. (Modern Rodding former feature.)
For all of the awards and cash prizes handed out at the HRR on behalf of the Shades of the Past SRA the giveaway roadster has to be the “MacDaddy” of all awards. Bobby Boone (driver) is ready for the road after winning the drawing. Builder Bobby Alloway (standing) of Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop hands over the keys and sends the winning “pair” off into the sunset wrapping up the 38th annual event.
Jim Houston’s ’34 Chevy was both a Top 25 and selected as one of the two cars to be on next year’s event T-shirt.
Joe Horisk is a proud hot rodder today as his ’61 Pontiac Ventura convertible took home Top 25 honors. (Modern Rodding future feature.)
Another Top 25 is the ’64 Chevy II Nova belonging to Paul Doggeh.
Larry Olson’s ’56 Chevy Nomad fresh off of major awards at the Tri-Five Nats managed to garner a Top 25 at Shades event.
The ’67 C10 belonging to Mike George took home Top 25 honors with his pickup.
Corvettes and hot rods are synonymous so it should come as no surprise to find this ’58 Vette belonging to Scotty Hooper carrying off a Top 25 award.
From the garage of Mike Goldman is this highly modified ’55 Chevy Cameo as a Top 25 winner. He took home other major awards from the Tri-Five Nats this summer as well.
Fresh off of Best Tri-Five at the Tri-Five Nats is this ’55 Chevy Nomad belonging to Tim Helms; now he can lay claim to a Top 25.
This Ford highboy Deuce Tudor sedan belonging to Johnny Hall easily captured a Top 25 with this ’32 hot rod.
Another specialty award winner is this ’34 Ford roadster belonging to Bernig Conrad.
One of our favorites is this ’37 Ford belonging to Jim Boruff. It won The Right Look Specialty Award–and we can see why!
Mike Stowe was another Specialty Award winner with his ’55 Chevy Post hot rod.
Winner for Engine Excellence went to Mark Shaver for his ’57 Chevy powered by a Magnuson blown 572-inch big-block Chevy.
Pete & Jakes’ Lady’s Choice was awarded to Randy Weaver for his ’61 Ford wagon.
Cool Deuce award winner (and we couldn’t agree more) went to Shane Wright for his ’32 Ford highboy roadster.
One of the five Shades Mighty Muscle awards went to Jimmy Arnold’s ’67 Chevy Chevelle complete with big-block power.
Like trucks? How about this ’50 Chevy pickup belonging to Keith Layne and complete with LS power.
On hand with an early Chevy II were Tim and Carla Brasher with their ’66.
Painted in beautiful Olive Drab is this ’32 Ford rpu (Brookville Roadster) belonging to David Laird.
Wanda Gattin had her ’34 Ford highboy closed cab pickup with late-model power on hand for all to enjoy.
Big cars are cool and Bill Hill’s ’60 Buick Invicta convertible is a prime example of “low, wide, and handsome.”
Mike McCallum with his triple black ’61 Caddy de Ville ’vert is more proof that big cars are oh-so cool–and make great drivers.
Patina is still alive and well as seen here in this ’32 Ford highboy Tudor sedan belonging to Glenn Nakada.
Your basic four-door Chevy wagon, such as Tracy Taylor’s, is a very cool ride for you and your buddies. Proving hot rods comes in all sizes!
Natalie Bolea was on hand with her ’30 Ford highboy chopped coupe. Don’t be fooled, that’s modern LS power disguised to look like a Ford. We know, we messed up the first time we saw it! (Modern Rodding future feature.)