The Annual Daytona Beach Turkey Run Car Show

Thirty three years attest that the Turkey Run has established itself as a premier event. One of the largest rodding events along the Southeastern Seaboard, the four-day extravaganza over the Thanksgiving weekend drew 5,000-plus entrants, nearly 1,400 car corral spaces were filled, and 1,200-plus swap meet/vendor spaces were available to those who like to root through old parts, browse, and shop.

In order to grasp the enormity of the Turkey Run, keep in mind that the event covers the entire infield of the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway-garage areas, road course, motor coach areas, all of it. And when you get hungry, a giant food court splits the infield into the show area and the car corral/swap meet/vendor area.

There were activities just outside of the speedway supported by the host club; the city hosted a Saturday night cruise on historic Main Street; and Total Performance teamed with the staff of Destination Daytona (home of the world's largest Harley-Davidson dealership) to stage Turkeyfest 2006, a combination cruise and block party-all of this in addition to just hanging out.

Unlike many major rodding events, a local club, the Daytona Beach Street Rods, continues to stage the Turkey Run, and the proceeds from the car show portion of the event are distributed to local charities. The Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District stages the huge car corral/swap meet, and those proceeds are used to support recreational facilities and recreational activities in the Daytona Beach area. While the revenue brought into the area is a plus, the money that is given back to the local community is heart-warming in this day of big business.

We spotted some trends within the sea of street rods. We saw more 1940 Willys than we have ever seen, and most sported huge engines, big horsepower, big tires, and the modern gasser look. There were also a number of Tri-Five Chevys sporting the same hardware and look. Orange seemed to be a predominant color, while 1932 Fords seem to be multiplying like rabbits. Traditional street rods with rubber running boards, door handles, cowl lights, mirrors, etc., are continuing to make a comeback.

Real steel was still available in the swap meet, as were many traditional parts, like early Ford brakes, Buick drums, and split wishbones. Based on the brisk business we witnessed (we bought some parts as well) at both new-parts vendors and swap meet tables, street rodding is alive and well.

If you are looking for warm weather in November, a great beach, a giant swap meet, a lot of fellow rodders, and a friendly town, circle Thanksgiving weekend on your 2007 calendar. (Editor's Note: You can get more information on this year's upcoming event at www.turkeyrun.com.)