At the northeast edge of town, Riverview Drive changes its name to Beech Bend Road. When the residential and business districts of Bowling Green, Kentucky, disappear in the rearview mirror, you've got about three more miles of rural two-lane. Eventually the yellow line disappears and you're on an tree-lined country road with no outlet. At the end of that road, it's 1965.inline_mediumwraptextrightGassers had just been called to the staging lanes at Beech Bend Raceway when we photographed this pair of Willys coupes. Ron Doran's Ferdinand is followed by the Airoso Brothers car, owned by Ron Normann.28143814/events/1004sr_annual_goodguys_nostalgia_nationals1004sr_01+annual_goodguys_nostalgia_nationals+gassers.jpgTrue

As most folks have known for the past couple of decades, when the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association comes to town, it's party time. And no one gets it done bigger or better than the folks in and around the Dallas/Ft. Worth region of Texas.inline_mediumwraptextright27029831/events/1004sr_goodguys_17th_lone_star_nationals1004sr_01_o+goodguys_17th_lone_star_nationals+racing.jpgTrue

On the third weekend of May a very successful car show happens in a very unlikely place. It's called Lost in the '50s, and in the past quarter century it's grown to the point where it takes over the entire town of Sandpoint, Idaho, for almost an entire weekend.inline_mediumwraptextright28183129/events/1004sr_lost_in_the_50s_sandpoint_hot_rod_show1004sr_01+lost_in_the_50s_sandpoint_hot_rod_show+rods.jpgTrue

For the past 22 years, some of the finest hot rods, customs, and classic cars on the West Coast have gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, as part of the Goodguys West Coast Nationals. Over 3,500 cars rolled in for the August weekend festivities which included hot rod seminars, vendor exhibits, swap meet and car corral, and our favorite, the mini engine display. The Goodguys staff was busy all weekend handing out endless awards to a sea of worthy cars, while we seemed to have the easy job: picking 10 cars to add to the Turtle Wax Top 100 finalists list.inline_mediumwraptextright27916039/events/1003sr_23rd_annual_goodguys_west_coast_nationals1003sr_01_o+23rd_annual_goodguys_west_coast_nationals+deuce.jpgTrue

Gold Digger
The Don Ridler Memorial Award winner at this year's 2010 O'Reilly's Autorama presented by Meguiar's is none other than this 1933 Ford phaeton.inline_mediumwraptextright28247293/events/1002sr_live_updates_from_58th_detroit_autorama1003sr_01_z+tammy_ray_ridler_winner+detroit_autorama.jpgTrue

For many hot rodders living across the country, the winter months often mean you have a little extra time away from the wheel to settle in and take on a few projects on your car to get it ready for another hard running season. East Coast rodders know all too well about this sacred down-time better than anyone 'cuz once the snow and ice hit, it'll be a while before the spring thaw to be able to head back out on the road. Winter open houses are a great way to overcome the perception that the nasty weather will never end and a few of them have even attained a cult-like status. One of them happens to be the February open house held at the Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop in Greenfield Center, New York. It always seems to gather a real colorful grouping of hot rod owners who come from all over the country to listen to the gospel of gow once they enter through the front doors. For nearly a decade, Keith Cornell and Ken Schmidt have opened up the doors to their shop during the deep-freeze to let visitors come in to check out their latest builds, fill up on killer food, and talk hot rods till well past midnight. This year rodders were in attendance from as far away as California (braving the 5-degree temps), not to mention a huge base from New York and surrounding East Coast states. With the roads dry for the moment, there were more than a few hot rods parked outside the shop. It was so packed that by mid-evening you could have dropped a Flathead piston and not been able to pick it up! All we can tell you is that this is one mid-winter bash that you should definitely attend come next year. You can check it all out at www.rollingboneshotrodshop.cominline_mediumwraptextrightAs the evening started to wind down, we were finally able to get some shots of some of the cool stuff lurking in the shop.32325213/events/1002sr_rolling_bones_hot_rod_shop_garage_night1002sr_01_z+rolling_bones_garage_night+.jpgTrue

When Street Rodder attended Billetproof, in 2002, it was such a good time that we've always wanted to go back. The show's changed since then-and even more since 1997, when the first Billetproof hosted a handful of cars in a bowling alley parking lot. Now, Billetproof is a big show (registration cuts off at 1,000 cars), held at the fairgrounds in Antioch, California, but has managed to keep the atmosphere and energy of a parking lot meet.inline_mediumwraptextright26455250/events/1002sr_billetproof_car_show1002sr_01_o+billetproof_car_show+headlights.jpgTrue

For over a hundred years, man has chased the proverbial white rabbit, racing on a desolate, ancient dry lakebed, the remains of what was once a massive salt water lake that covered a third of the state of Utah and parts of neighboring states. First discovered as a viable racing surface just before the turn of the 20th century, the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), along with the Bonneville Nationals (BNI), has been hosting a weeklong event at the Bonneville Salt Flats for the past 60 years. Known as the Bonneville Nationals, or Speed Week for short, the meet has become a hot rodding mecca for those wishing to pursue the ultimate in all-out, land speed racing or to simply spectate from the sidelines. One of the most unique natural features in the world, the lakebed provides an awe-inspiring backdrop to some of the most ingenious automotive inventions ever to grace the planet.inline_mediumwraptextright27675145/events/1002sr_2009_bonneville_nationals1002sr_01_o+2009_bonneville_nationals+salt_flats.jpgTrue

Call it what you will; Paris of the Plains or the Barbecue Capitol of the World, Kansas City means many things to many people. But for hot rodders, there is only one thing that comes to mind, and that's when the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association comes to town.inline_mediumwraptextright31868430/events/1002sr_goodguys_8th_mid_western_nationals1002sr_01_o+goodguys_8th_mid-western_nationals+chevrolet.jpgTrue

One minute ago, America's Most Beautiful Roadster for 2010 was revealed. The winner is "Possessed," the beautiful '33 roadster owned by Mike and Dianna Dingman and built by Scott's Hot Rods and Customs in Oxnard, California.inline_mediumwraptextright27944155/events/1001sr_live_updates_from_the_2010_grand_national_roadster1001sr_01_z+2010_ambr_winner+scotts_hot_rods.jpgTrue

When weather turns cold and hot rods are nestled away in garages, there's only one way to sustain passions that have been with us since childhood. Indoor car shows like the recent 42nd Annual Chattanooga O'Reilly World of Wheels are attracting enthusiasts in droves, filling the winter void with vehicles of every sort including a stunning array of street rods, muscle cars, customs and more. Add in a motorcycle and bicycle stunt show, live entertainment and prominent exhibitors, and it's easy to see why people from across the South came out for this event. See for yourself...inline_mediumwraptextrightFilling Chattanooga, Tennessee's downtown convention center, the O'Reilly World of Wheels attracted an impressive number of visitors looking to escape the winter cold and bolster their automotive fervor with a fine bunch of cars from throughout the region.32114373/events/1001sr_42nd_annual_chattanooga_oreilly_world_of_wheels1001sr_12_z+world_of_wheels_chattanooga+.jpgTrue

Although invitation only car shows are usually reserved for only Concours d'Elegance gatherings, the idea of an invitation only show is slowly starting to creep into the realm of street rodding. However, when street rodders host an invitation only gathering its typically not to obtain the finest street rods with pedigree, but a good reason to get all your buddies together for a Saturday afternoon. Such is the case with Roy Merritt's Geezer Gathering held in Wichita, Kansas every October.inline_mediumwraptextright31977747/events/1001sr_fourth_annual_geezer_gathering_at_roy_merritts1001sr_01_z+roy_merritts_geezer_gathering+hot_rod_show.jpgTrue

It's not every day that one of our treasured national events has the opportunity to turn fifty years old. The Indianapolis State Fairgrounds is the same massive venue that the original show started at, although back then the building used only housed 80 cars in a stadium-like layout. Today's show encompassed floor space from three adjoining buildings and had the capability of supporting over 360 superb rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, and motorcycles. At this years event, The Road Rockets Car Club from Indianapolis was responsible for the recreation of the '62 Motorama within one of the buildings making it almost like walking through a time portal with over 100 traditional hop-ups, and customs laid-out in perfect form without any formal displays, barriers, or ropes to detract from the cars. True to fashion, being a full-scale World of Wheels event, there was a kaleidoscope of color creating a visual assault on your senses once you walked back into the main buildings. Reaching a milestone, this is one event that keeps getting better with age and we can hardly wait to see what rolls into the buildings next year. You can check it all out at www.autorama.cominline_mediumwraptextright31767963/events/1001sr_50th_indianapolis_world_of_wheels1001sr_01_z+50th_indianapolis_world_of_wheels+show_overview.jpgTrue

Marking its 20th year, the East Coast Indoor Nationals raised the bar once again by assembling an amazing array of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, resto's, and modified motorcycles all in the name of the Toys for Tots program benefiting children in need. Event promoter David Cohen canvasses the country every season to personally invite attendees to this very special show. The Cow Palace within the Maryland State Fairgrounds acts as the perfect venue to host the event with its old-time atmosphere reminiscent of classic armory shows of simpler days gone by. With the floor filled to capacity (close to 300 vehicles) it was the perfect way to welcome in the month of December. The Marine Reservists from the 4th Combat Engineering Battalion in Parkville, Maryland, were on hand throughout the day helping raise awareness for the cause and to personally thank all visitors who stopped with a pledge. By the close of the weekend, the show had raised $17,500.00 and had received 250 new toys for donation. We couldn't find a better way to end the year if we tried! You can check it all out at www.eastcoastindoornats.cominline_mediumwraptextright27574243/events/1001sr_2009_east_coast_indoor_nationals1001sr_01_z+2009_east_coast_indoor_nationals+overview_of_the_show.jpgTrue

Stopping to check out the 26th Annual Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in September added a definite level of cool to our must-see list with everything that the area had to offer. It was amazing to learn that the Great Smoky Mountains encompass 500 thousand acres of Southern Appalachian wilderness with 95 percent of it being forest and 800 miles of trails for hiking and exploration. Held at the lush Smoky River Ranch, you entered into the expansive venue and it was easy to find just the perfect spot to settle into and enjoy the weekend. With over 175 vendors on hand there was plenty to see and check out while you walked the grounds taking in plenty of new ideas for your ride. Friday was the day that the Shades Top 25 was selected (from 2,875 vehicles in attendance) in addition to the notifications of who was to receive the specialty picks. The winner of the cash prize in the amount of $20,000.00 went to Ken Smith, and it got even better after that when the superb turn-key Deuce coupe built by Alloway's Hot Rod Shop was presented to lucky winners Robert and Pam Lawson. You can check it all out at www.shadesofthepast.cominline_mediumwraptextright26367293/events/1001sr_2008_shades_of_the_past_car_show1001sr_01_z+2008_shades_of_the_past_car_show+show_overview.jpgTrue

Turkey Run painting by artist Wayne Mauro

Though there has been a lot of talk recently about how some car shows exclude cars from the '50s and '60s, the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association has been practicing equality for all rodders for many years. The organization, founded in 1983, has held their national event in Columbus, Ohio, for the past 12 years, and it seems to keep getting bigger and better.

Every year one of the most contested competitions at the NSRA's Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, isn't found outside in the parking lot but rather in an air conditioned room just off of the north end of the exhibit hall.

With the 40th Anniversary of the Street Rod Nationals, it was a perfect time for Street Rodder and Ford Racing's recognition of street rodders who install a late-model Ford engine in a Ford hot rod. Our search led us to Gary Salter of Broomfield, Colorado, who is our latest award recipient with his '34 Ford sedan delivery fitted with a new Ford 302ci crate V-8 engine linked to a C4 transmission. As co-owner of Rocky Mountain Street Rods in Arvada, Colorado, he wanted to build a signature, traditional hot rod to showcase his shop's talents. Starting with a rarely seen body style, he perched it atop a Roadster Shop chassis with a Heidts Superide frontend and Ford 9-inch rearend. Its body was massaged to perfection and coated in PPG black by Brad Aregood, while Jim Skinner at Auto Weave laid down the hides to cover the interior. Rolling on Wheel Vintiques wire wheels topped with BFGoodrich rubber, the car achieves a classic look. Congratulations to Gary who will receive a limited edition jacket and be in the running for the grand prize-a brand-new Ford crate engine.

It was Friday, the 14 of August 1970, and the first Street Rod Nationals was about to begin. Six hundred street rods and many more rodders were coming from across the country to see how other rodders enjoyed and built their cars.

The Model T has always been a major force in the world of street rodding and it was quite apparent everywhere you looked throughout the weekend at Henry's most simple offering. With nearly every body type represented through a myriad of build styles covering decades of development, it indeed proved that the mighty T is timeless. Regardless of whether you turned it into a stripped-down, modified rattle-canned in flat black, or if you chopped and channeled it hard and covered it with candy gloss, the passion for the early years of Ford proved itself amongst the 11,003 cars cruising the fairgrounds on Saturday.

The starting point of the AMSOIL Road Tour was the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion with the end being the famous St. Ignace Car Show in St. Ignace, Michigan. After our Sunday morning driver's meeting the AMSOIL tour participants headed north on I-65 and made our first stop about 90 miles up the interstate at Jason Grimes' shop, known simply as The Garage.

We all know what happens when you send a snowball rolling down a mountainside. With that thought in mind, the 10th Syracuse Nationals once again brought numbers of noteworthy hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and restos together for one of the hottest horsepower festivals on the right coast.inline_mediumwraptextright26052980/events/1001sr_10th_annual_syracuse_nationals1001sr_01_o+10th_annual_syracuse_nationals+parking_lot.jpgTrue

Traditionally held the second weekend in September, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association decided, for the first time in 17 years to move the East Coast Nationals back a few months. Looking for warmer temperatures, a fairer forecast, and longer daylight hours for one of the New York region's largest hot rod and custom car show prompted the move.

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has had a long (nearly 30-year) relationship with hot rodders across the county and, when they come to town, you can be assured of the chance to see all types of customs and rods (makes and models from before 1973 are allowed in) parading through the local fairgrounds.