In just a few short weeks, over 10,000 street rods, customs, muscle cars, and various special interest vehicles will be driven by their enthusiastic owners to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky for the fifty-first occurrence of the National Street Rod Association’s “Nats”. The NSRA Street Rod Nationals is the premier event of the sport each year and is a must-see event for everyone interested in the old car hobby. The event is open to street rods (pre-1949), as well as vehicles from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s and will be held from Thursday, August 6th, through Sunday, August 9th, 2020.
The event not only draws an expansive range of vehicles from numerous eras of automotive production but also encompasses a vast range of builds and building techniques from some of the greatest, most innovative enthusiasts on the globe. Everything from rat-rods and drivers, to high-end restorations and customs, will be rolling around the Kentucky Expo Center all weekend.
As attendees soak up the sea of colors comprised of various makes and models of autos, they can also enjoy the various sights and sounds of scheduled events that are intended to accompany the show. There will be a Builder’s Showcase, numerous aftermarket vendors, an arts and crafts fair, as well as the vintage auto parts swap meet where future projects and the parts to complete current labors of love will be offered to their newest owners. Over 375 manufacturers and dealers of specialty automotive equipment will be displaying and selling their parts, accessories, and supplies in the special exhibit building and on the grounds each of the four days of the event.
As an additional perk for those in attendance, and for the 33rd year in a row, the NSRA is continuing with its NSRA Super Prize program. What is the NSRA Super Prize program you ask? During the course of a typical year’s event schedule, the NSRA gives away 11 identical “Super Prize” packages at each of the 11 NSRA National events. The program is comprised of parts from 33 companies and each package given away at each event is valued at $54,119.83. In total, a value of $649,438.00 in parts is given away each year and $29,438,045.00 worth of valuable automotive merchandise will have been given away by companies directly to the participants of the NSRA National events over the last 33 years.
On top of that, the 2020 NSRA Giveaway car is a 1932 Ford roadster built by Show Me Rod & Custom in Nixa, Missouri. The car will be won by a qualified, registered participant of the 51st Annual Street Rod Nationals. The drawing will be held Saturday, August 8th, and the car awarded to its new, super-lucky owner.
This year’s “Builder’s Showcase” will be held in the Grand Lobby and South Wing lobby A, B, and C. Come and see forty cars built by the top professional rod shops in the country. It’s the first time all of these cars have ever been seen under one roof! Even in the expansive grounds of the Kentucky Expo Center, you can save a few steps and see some amazing rides at the same time.
On Friday, August 7, 2020, Classic Instruments will be having their “Pros’ Pick”, where industry icons help sort out their favorite rides from the thousands in attendance. NOT an easy endeavor at an event the size and caliber of the NSRA Nationals! And Vintage Air’s “29 Below” show will be held Saturday, August 8th at 1 pm. The “29 BELOW” show is a special area for those street rodders under the age of 30 who have vehicles registered at the event. A special t-shirt and dash plaque will be given to each participant.
There will be multiple product seminars conducted on Thursday and Friday by the knowledgeable folks at companies such as Detroit Speed, Vintage Air, Classic Instruments, Ron Francis Wiring, Flaming River, Powermaster, Wilwood Brakes, and RideTech. And, one of the biggest draws of the weekend will be when one lucky winner will be chosen as the new owner of the giveaway ’32 Ford roadster.
All events are open to the public. Hours for the event are Thursday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday – 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday – 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission prices are: $19.00 per adult (13 and older), $6.00 per child (6-12); children 5 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. A special discounted admission is available for military personnel with ID, NSRA members with their current membership card or anyone 60 years of age and older. Limited to one discounted admission per person. Discount tickets are also on sale at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
With everything to see and do, and since we’re all looking for a way to rebuild our tan lines, putting the NSRA Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky is a great way to enjoy the hobby that we love and get back into the lifestyle that we enjoy. Set your GPS for the Kentucky Expo Center during the first full weekend in August. You’ll be glad you did!