Photography by THE AUTHOR Videography By Tommy Lee Byrdne thing about Louisville, Kentucky, is if you aren’t fond of the weather hang on as it will change shortly. 2022 was no different, with a little rain on Thursday and Friday followed by a predominately dry Saturday with loads of participants and spectator traffic and a sunny Sunday. For the record, there were 8,825 participants, 209-plus exhibitors, and 54,723 spectators.
The 53rd National Street Rod Association Street Rod Nationals calls the Kentucky Exposition Center “home” for their annual event (28th time in Louisville). It’s been held there continuously since 1997 and for the foreseeable future this looks to be an enduring trend. And why not? The grounds are as fine an area as there is in the country, the exposition building is approximately 1.3 million square feet (sixth largest facility of its kind in the country, and that’s over 300 acres under roof), and it has what can be described as the “greatest air conditioning system” in the country and there are plenty of housing and food choices. Oh did I mention there is also a theme park located on the grounds and available to all of those participating at the Nats?
One thing about the NSRA Nats is if you want to see lots of any type of hot rod they will be there. Here is a row of Deuces right across from a line of Camaros, a line of Model As, and the list goes on.
It should also be noted that this was the 50th year of participation by the Early Times Custom Car Club (Mentor, Ohio) who work the registration area. Then there is the Michigan Hot Rod Association and their Rod Repair Shop (RRS) who also celebrated their 50th anniversary of helping countless rodders over the years. It was in Detroit that the cycle began for both clubs.
The competition for the overall yearly award winner for 2021-2022 began with the 2021 Southwest event and ended with the 2022 East event. This year’s winner was the ’58 Ford F-100 belonging to Dan Bouchard.
While looking at 8,000-plus hot rods and over 200 exhibitors should keep just anyone busy for four days, there is more to see. There was the NSRA Autocross presented by Gateway Mustang that made it back. It’s always fun to see what your car can do. If this isn’t for you, sit back and watch as others who have built their street rods to handle with the best of them make the rounds. Plenty of fast action to see. There is always Women’s World to give the ladies something to do when they have seen all the hot rods they wish to view. It is loaded with lots of arts and crafts, making for a full-on fair. Always a favorite is the Education Days sponsored by the Hot Rod Industry Alliance. A great way to gain expert knowledge you will be sure to use in the building of your own hot rod. And what hot rod event worth its spent fuel happens without a swap meet area. As always, the swap meet section was once again loaded with plenty to see and some “must-have” items to take home for your latest build.
There are numerous other happenings on the grounds and as we mentioned earlier if you work your way through all the cars and exhibitors then there are lots more happenings to take in. There is always the Giveaway Car; this year it was a ’34 Ford highboy three-window coupe built by the staff of Nichols Paint and Fab out of Watseka, Illinois. It is given away at the Sunday drawing to a registered participant who is present. (Check with the NSRA for complete details.) This year’s winner was Jeff Whelan (#998) from Fisherville, Kentucky.
Well, that’s another Nats in the books. Make sure to follow along with the photos for more info on what types of hot rods and builds were present. See you next year … if it’s the first full week in August then it’s Louisville, Kentucky.
Kati Compton from Illinois arrived with her ’65 Buick Rivi.
This ’34 Ford fenderless coupe was the NSRA giveaway hot rod built by Nichols Paint and Fab that went to Jeff Whelan (entry #998) who won the drawing on Sunday.
Mike and Ellen Dyer of Illinois brought their ’55 Chevy to Louisville.
How about a ’47 Ford sedan delivery? You don’t see many of these but this one comes from Illinois and was brought down by Phil and Deb Becker.
The Michigan Hot Rod Association’s Rod Repair Shop celebrated 50 years of helping rodders at the Nats. Once again, they were present and helped many a rodder with their mechanical woes.
Joe Faso’s ’35 Ford roadster was built at Roger Burman’s Lakeside Rods & Rides and his efforts took home the America’s Elite Builders award sponsored by Moser Engineering.
This great-looking ’32 Ford highboy three-window coupe was brought by Jerry Migletz of Ohio to participate in the 53rd Nats. Louvers, wires, SBC, trick headers, filled roof, and Moon tank give it the “correct look.”
Bob Oney of Ohio brought out his latest ride, a ’27 Ford lakes-modified that was once a former cover car but now sporting flames.
This great-looking ’65 Chevelle belongs to Doug and Beth Cope of Ohio is complete with stick shift, Redline rubber, and steel wheels.
A former Modern Rodding cover car is this ’68 Plymouth Roadrunner belonging to Jamey and Melody Hyder and built at Charlies Custom Creations.
Keven Zerby of Kevens Hot Rod Service was on hand with this Hemi-powered and proper-sitting ’36 Ford coupe in the Builders’ Showcase, complete with nerf bars fore and aft, stack injection, three pedals, and Lokar pedals.
It was raining on Thursday when we spotted this ’56 Buick wagon complete with Corvette subframe and LS powerplant. The owner tells us this is a “drive anywhere” hot rod.
Ronny Stoess from South Carolina is giving his ’55 Chevy 210 a going over after one of the rainstorms.
Chad Adams from Adams Hot Rod Shop brought out his ’32 Ford highboy five-window coupe for display in the Builders’ Showcase. Adams Hot Rod Shop always has great-looking hot rods … they have the eye.
John Sutherland was on hand with his ’32 Ford highboy roadster pickup. Built by Nichols Paint and Fab and on display in the Builders’ Showcase it made an impact.
Dick Thorn’s ’33 Ford fenderless three-window coupe was one of our favorites. Beautifully built.
Squarebodies are in as shown by Mark Pait of Kentucky. This truck has been in the family since his dad bought it 1989. The ’86 Chevy sports a small-block, lowered 4-1/2 inches in front and 6 inches in back, running on 20-inch American five-spokes with BFGoodrich rubber.
Joe Mudd of Kentucky was on hand with his ’49 Chevy pickup in flat red with a great stance.
This ’37 Ford Tudor sedan comes by way of Kentucky and belongs to David McAdams. Great look with five-spokes.
Taking home 2021-2022 NSRA Pros Pick of the Year, sponsored by Classic Instruments, went to the ’58 Ford F-100 belonging to Dan Bouchard.
How can you not like a Hemi-powered ’61 Nash Metropolitan? Arnie Dyer out of Illinois was on hand with this one hell of a ride!
Another one of our favorites is this ’31 Ford channeled roadster featuring an ARDUN-equipped Flathead, Halibrand quickie, oversized Moon tank, and a stunning set of headers. Brought to the Nats by Mike Tyskiewicz from Florida it could be seen in the Ridetech outside booth.
The ’71 Chevelle belongs to Michael and Sharon Stearns of Arkansas. Big-block Chevy for power matched up to an automatic makes this a potent street machine.
Another great-looking Tri-Five Chevy is this ’55 belonging to Aaron McCarley out of Kentucky.
Jason and Heather Rayburn from Kentucky brought out their ’50 Ford “shoebox” sitting with the great look and plenty of louvers in the hood.
Also in the Pros Pick area was this ’63 Buck Riv that took home a selection for Thomas Duty and Eileen Papas from Indiana.
David “Chris” Vannarsdall, a local hot rodder, was on hand with his fenderless ’30 Ford–powered pickup with a Chrysler Hemi topped with twin fours. The channeled pickup shows off the rear cheater slicks, skinny fronts, and Deuce grille shell. Inside we did see some fun autographs on the glovebox: Norm Grabowski, Keith Weesner, and Gene Winfield, to name a few.
We found this good-looking ’34 Chevy on Friday in the Classic Instruments Pros Pick area where it would eventually take home one of the selections. Congrats to Jim Houston from Ohio.
John Bailey down with the Cincy Street Rods had his ’30 two-door phaeton on hand. Complete with tonneau, note the much-chopped windshield posts and the small-block Chevy with the popular seven-fin Corvette valve covers, factory ram’s-horn exhaust manifolds, and twin four-barrels (prepped for some rain).
Group D NSRA New Product went to Burr King for their surface grinder. An impressive piece of at-home equipment.
One of the recipients of an NSRA New Products Group A award was given to Lokar Performance Products for their AxiShift.
Another NSRA New Product winner in the Group B category was Woodward Fab for their English wheel.
Taking home the NSRA New Product award in Group C was the constant velocity disc joint presented by Inland Empire Driveline.
Holley took home the NSRA Safety Related Product of the Year for their Retro Bright LED headlight.
Ron Ernsberger brought out his ’36 Willys sedan built by The Tin Man. Brian Limberg of The Tin Man’s Garage gets the credit. Look for a feature in an upcoming issue of Modern Rodding.
We really liked this ’32 Ford highboy roadster that was another Classic Instruments Pros Pick recipient belonging to Shane Wright of Georgia. The Stan Wanlass laidback windshield gives an extreme look.
Another Pros Pick winner is this ’34 Chevy three-window coupe belonging to Ronnie James of Kentucky. Color, stance, and wheel selection all go well together.
If you like your Chevy IIs how about this ’64 Nova belonging to Paul and Shari Doggett from Florida that took home a Pros Pick? Weber induction sits on a transplanted LS sitting underhood with Vintage Air Front Runner and Wilwood disc brake system.
Another proud recipient of a Pros Pick award went to Jeff Bennett of Virginia for his ’31 Ford fenderless and channeled roadster.