The NSRA events bring out the nicest examples of street rods in the country.

For the 29th time, the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds are the destination for the National Street Rod Association’s 36th annual North Plus Nationals. The Association expects over 2,500 street rods, customs, musclecars and a few Kustoms, to make their way to the city that was home to several Automobile manufacturers including the Barley Motor Car Company and Checker Motors Company.

Despite being a longtime “car city,” the NSRA is planning on September 11, 12, and 13, of 2015 being the city’s largest vintage car show. According to the NSRA’s Jim Rowlett, “Almost all of the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds will be utilized for the event,” along with many of the buildings, which will house a large number of vendor and dealer displays and other attractions. “An all-time high number of participants and spectators are expected this year,” said Rowlett.

The NSRA, defines a street rod as a modernized vintage vehicle that must be of pre-1949 manufacture that are equipped with the latest options available on the newest model vehicles, including but not limited to disc brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, and tilt steering wheel. Most of those attending have updated the engine and drive train to enable the owner to cruise down the highway in comfort and safely maintain the speeds traveled by more modern vehicles. All vehicles must be driven on to the grounds, which means that vintage cars will be coming from “Timbuktu to Kalamazoo.”

The “Plus” in this event are muscle cars from the 60s and 70s along with the classics cars of the 50s. This is truly unique mix of old and new together for the first time at Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and a national gathering of fine vintage automobiles of every description.

One of the special attractions for the spectators is that they can walk right up to the vehicles and check each one out close up as they are not roped-off or otherwise confined. All are in the open and can be examined top to bottom, front to back, inside and out. While the exquisite paint and other features of the car should not be touched, spectators are free to look to their heart’s content.