The Nats 2003

NSRA New Product Award Winners Over 200 new products were on view for rodders but only four captured top honors.

One of the yearly highlights at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals is the new product section. Here rodders can see what the latest product offerings are from every aspect within the world of rodding. We have the winners of the three price point categories as well as the safety award so without further delay:

In Group A, which are products up to $100 the Aluminum Trunk Entrance Latch from Rocky Hinge, Inc. is designed to protect rodders from themselves was selected b y a panel of industry judges. Yes it's electrical in operation but there's a cable release mechanism should the cars electrical system become inoperable.

In Group B, which are products from $101 to $500 the Sequential Taillights from Lambert Enterprises was picked by the judging panel as the recipient. The system will operate three, four or five turn signals per side. There is also an option to this kit that will allow the front signals to now become part of the four-way flasher hookup.

In Group C, which are products from $501 and above the Stromberg 97 EFI carburetors from Mooneyes took home the top honors. You have the option of any number of Stromberg 97 appearing carburetors for your engine but, truthfully, they are really set up for fuel injection. You now have the best of the old world traditional look with modern technology and drivability.

Taking home the NSRA New Street Rod Product of the Year Safety Award for 2003 is the collapsible steering column from Flaming River. The product meets the street rodders desire for something good looking and engineered for our safety. On behalf of the staff of Street Rodder magazine congratulations to all the companies who went home with this years awards.

Friday evening was great for cruising, as the weather cooperated thoroughly, but come late-night Mother Nature took over and treated those who were brave enough to go outside to a lightening and thunder spectacular. However, Saturday morning the weather cooperated and lots of rodders made the trek back to the fairgrounds.

Something of interest Saturday was POSIES' introduction of POSIES 100,000 miles Crew on Super Slide Springs. POSIES was taking delivery of the coveted jackets from Charlie Ashton of Hot Threads of Rochester, Minnesota, a division of Tea's Design, as the SRM staff walked up. Bruce Kaiser a longtime artist friend of POSIES designed the jacket artwork.

The three recipients of the POSIES 100,000 jacket are Rick Love for his '39 Ford coupe (105,000 miles), Steve Christman and his '34 Ford fenderless coupe (150,000 miles), and Gene Boothby with his '34 Ford Tudor sedan (183,481 miles). Rick and Gene were present but Steve will have to get his jacket by mail.

Congratulations to all for a job well done. Now it's time to get back out onto the fairgrounds.

Friday, August 1, 2003

Friday has turned out to be everything an afternoon at the Street Rod Nationals should be--sunny, dry, hot, and humid! Yes the weather is hot but the rods are even hotter. For a taste of Louisville, street rod Nats style, here are several mini-features that we have selected from the fairgrounds this afternoon.

First off, we should give a big "thank you" to the Michigan Hot Rod Association and their Rod Repair Shop. Once again, these hot rodders are spending countless hours helping other rodders who find themselves in need while attending the Nats.

We have also found another new product that we believe is very interesting from Brookville Roadsters--their new '32 Ford roadster pickup body.

In the realm of hot cars we have selected a pair of little Deuce coupes; one is from West Chester, Pennsylvania, while the second is from English, Indiana.

It's Friday morning and the skies are clear, for a while! The local weather report says that it should be sunny but humid with thunderstorms later today or tonight. Oh well, the rainy weather is here to stay this summer, so why should today be any different than any other day.

This morning we have taken a quick look inside the exhibit building and have come up with a small sampling of what you might have seen if you had been able to attend. We will give you a look at a 1990 Corvette that was outfitted with an all aluminum Falconer 600 cubic inch V-12 engine that has 686 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. The intent here was to "explore the limits of the chassis design envelope" according to Chevrolet.

If you like books and other automotive literature the Nationals is the place for you. You will see many books you probably haven't seen before, covering aspect of the hobby. This is a book collectors paradise.

Other tidbits include Ol' Editor Brennan finding the perfect solution for staff members who find it hard to meet editorial deadlines. You will like this photo.

We stopped by Fatman's booth and took a look at the Vintage IFS system and snapped a few photos. Stay tuned to an upcoming issue of Street Rodder as we do an installation story on the Vintage IFS.

Another booth visited was Hot Rods and Custom Stuff and viewed their new American Peerless cabriolet, which is also in the NSRA Best New Product of the Year judging. Another product of interest is their new Deuce Steel frame for Model A bodies. This is sure to be a hit. HR&CS will also be building SRM's Road Tour roadster for 2004.

Our last stop this morning was at GEN III Performance. These folks will be preparing the LS6 powerplant that will go into the 2004 Road Tour roadster. While this engine pictured isn't the one that will end up in the Road Tour car it, or one like it, could be in your street rod.

Thursday, July 31, 2003

It's early afternoon here in Louisville, the rain has stopped and the sun is warm--real warm. It may only be 85 degrees outside but the humidity is climbing, however, everyone is excited about starting this years Nationals.

A quick look down exhibitor row has us very interested in something new from Boyd Coddington street rods out of La Habra, California; it's called the Sparton Speed Shop line of aluminum components. Mister innovator himself has come up with a very nifty approach to front and rear suspensions. Taken from Boyd's creative Aluma Truck he is introducing to street rodders at the Nats, available for purchase in October '03, an aluminum quick-change rearend based on a Winter's third member with Boyd's axle tubes, and his own disc brake calipers. (Boyd's disc brake calipers will be something that many rodders will enjoy if they pass on the quickie.) Boyd is also introducing a front suspension based on the Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts drilled-aluminum axle that features Boyd's own radius rods, batwings, perch bolts, king pins, and, very kool torsion bars. The torsion bar frontend should make for an outstanding ride in many a street rod as well as making for a very "clean" looking and aesthetically pleasing frontend. Also available in the aluminum component line are 3D machined motor mounts. The entire product line is made from 6061 and 2024 alloy aluminum metals.

Stay tuned as we bring you more updates this evening from the 34th running of the street rods from the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

This has been a wet summer and it looks like the NSRA Nats in Louisville will not be spared. It has started out on a wet note but as I write this update the rains are slowing down and it looks like it is going to clear.

Even though it is wet there are plenty of rods showing up early at the 34th annual get-together and all the signs of another 10,000-plus street rod gathering are evident. Chevrolet once again has an outstanding display of vintage machinery and powerplants in the main exhibit hall and it obvious after a quick walk around the exhibit halls that there are more exhibitors displaying their street rod wares than ever.

Okay, let me get back outside and I will snap some more web photos to show you, those who can't make the drive to Louisville, what's happening.