The 2006 street rod season in the mid-South began with a bang on March 10, 11, and 12 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Most street rodders don't spend much time as indoor show participants. Hunter's Auto exp is the exception in the South; due to the short winter in this region, most rodders spend this time making repairs and giving their rides a good cleaning before hitting the road again. After the rod runs and weekend cruise nights get started, most don't stop long enough to treat their rods like show cars. This show, known simply as Hunter's, provides this opportunity.
The "King of Chrome" Johnny Freund plays show host and has managed to take a show that began over 30 years ago as a venue for local builders to display their talents and highlight the quality of products available from Hunter's Custom Automotive and turned it into a national, high-caliber show, attracting participants from across the country. For most, it was their first close look at the magnificent craftsmanship of builder Bobby Alloway from nearby Louisville, Tennessee, or the intricate detailing that has come to define the Malverb, Arkansas, shop of Rick Hall.
Ted Jones and Claude Wood with Masters Entertainment were roaming the show all weekend filming the "Mothers Polish Car Show Series" for "ESPN II" while Craig Burnett, aka Mr. Chemist, gave demonstrations on how Mothers products can give even a daily driver that show car appearance. The Texas Bikini Team provided entertainment with four daily performances. These lovely ladies worked ceaselessly,either performing, signing autographs, or posing with the participants' vehicles.
Hunter's Auto exp may not yet be the Detroit Autorama, but thanks to host Johnny Freund, show directors Linda Freund and John Richardson, and the great staff at Hunter's Custom Automotive, it's as close as you can get south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The Inaugural Destination Daytona CruisePut a talented group of people together like Bruce Rossmeyer and his Destination Daytona staff, Mickey Lauria and his Total Performance staff, and the Right Coast Association to promote a cruise-in, and add in the perfect locationDestination Daytona-along with a perfect Florida day, and how can you lose?
Over 400 rods, customs, and special cars were on hand for the inaugural Destination Daytona cruise. Restaurants and specialty food shops served an array of goodies and several large tents were set up to provide some relief from the Florida sun. Door prizes were plentiful, and rock 'n' roll filled the air.
The "Worlds Largest Harley Store" was also open for business. This mega-size, two-story facility in itself is worth the trip. It is part museum, part Harley store, part 24/7 motorcycle service center, and totally mind-boggling.
Located just north of Daytona Beach, Florida, along I-95, Destination Daytona continues to expand, as specialty automotive and motorcycle shops, apparel shops, etc., are all under construction. The Harley Hotel is complete and the Destination Daytona condominiums are nearing completion. When completed, this facility will truly be a motorhead destination.
The Destination Daytona Cruise will be a monthly affair, scheduled for the third Saturday of each month from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Total Performance Inc., home of the T-bucket kit, and other street rod-related kits, cars, and parts, will soon be opening a facility at Destination Daytona, and the East Coast Association will be hosting a national event at the facility in March 2007.