History The runs/shows that stand out from all the others

Soon there will be a nip in the air and that reminds me of the rod run I looked forward to years ago, we would drive through the Smokey Mountains en-route to Gatlinburg,Tennessee for the annual rod run, the weather was usually cooler, you could always smell smoke from fireplaces knocking the chill off the morning as you entered the quaint tourist town.

Seeing all the hot rods around town was like nothing we were use to seeing, I met some future movers & shakers of the hot rod world and people that I am fortunate enough to still see some of them on occasion.

I have been to some huge shows, N.S.R.A & Goodguys and all over the country, but the Gatlinburg shows still stands out as some of the best I ever attended, eventually everything good comes to a end and the death nail was the "riot's" that brought it to a end, sadly instigated mostly by locals.

Oddly enough that was 40 years ago this weekend.HRP

 

I was at the f-100 show last week, pitiful. Very few vendors even showed


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Yep, Big G was the one back then. We used to drive straight through overnight from Orlando after work.
The old US441 drive through the country from Atlanta, the fall colors just starting, the beauty of the mountains compared to flat Floriduh, the cool evenings spent watching the cars cruising the loop up the mountain and back through downtown. Sigh...lots of great memories.
You're right, the "locals" raising hell killed it for the Big G. Its replacement (Shades) will never be the same. Having it earlier in the month, and at Splash Country, just doesn't compare or come close. Here's to the good ol' days.

 

Used to look forward to the End of the World Rod Run in Long Beach, Wa every year, but now its so overrun with the tuner and 4x4 lifted trucks that it clogs the entire town and you cant get anywhere.

I still look forward to the Goodguys event in Puyallup as it has always been a good show and one of the few large shows that hasnt gone down hill.

I had hope the N.S.R.A could have taken off when they brought back a NW national event but they ran it poorly and I was surprised at how rude a good portion of the car owners were.

 

For me the two events were the Street Rod Nationals East in York , PA and Chrysler's at Carlisle.

 

Mine are Columbus Good-Guys and Relix Riot at Gilmore Museum. Columbus is huge with lots of variety. But I think the real reason it matters to me is the friends I go with. The Gilmore is such a cool venue, and again, friends.

 

When I was a kid, Dad was in the Roaring 30's, in the St Louis area. They held an annual rod run that was always on the same weekend as the St Charles "Festival of the Little Hills" and they would rent a double decker bus that shuttled folks between the rod run and the festival, should they choose to do so. While that event was a blast for me, the event I looked forward to each year was the club's "Color Tour" each October that took 2 lane highway from St Charles down to Washington, MO, for chili and hot dogs.

With thoughts of the "Color Tour", I was excited when the CrossMembersCC decided to host the Hot Rod Hundred events, and I volunteered to host the spring run in SWMO and help Clay with the Fall run in St Louis, running 100 miles of 2 lane and ending with a lunch and gathering at the park. Apparently folks like it, as this year we had over 200 join us in SWMO.

 

LARS, Colorado Hill Climb, Bonneville Speed Week!

 

I'm not sure if this is nostalgia, or fuzzy fond memories of when I was a kid, but the local vintage car club, and even a handful of KKOA events would rent out the fairgrounds in Holland Michigan. You would see cars lined up waiting to get in, not the biggest swap meet but always something interesting. I also remember the Model T assembly races, the Elvis impersonator these were full 2-3 day events.

 

I'm going to a small town show tomorrow in Upper Mi. Pumpkinfest, the whole town gets involved from a pancake breakfast at local church, car show, antique tractor pull, small old time carnival rides, etc. The ride is always pretty as the trees are turning already by this time. Been going there about 10 years now, just about the last show here in the Northwoods for the season, it has become one of my favorite shows. I've yet to go on a long rod run (like a Power Tour) other than in a group/friends to far away shows, as many as 10/12, as the years are going by the group is shrinking, 4 tomorrow. In Spring I'll go to Back to 50's, my favorite big show though the hassle because of its size is getting to be a bit much as I 'm getting to be (I AM) an Old Fart, I enjoy the small town shows as I'm a small town guy.

 

The Fall Color Run in Quincy, IL in October is still a great event. Saturday the rods are parked on the streets in the historic downtown. Lots of other activities throughout the city on Saturday also. Everyone in town calls it the Tin Duster weekend, after the host club. Sunday the show is at a park on the edge of town. This event draws 700+ pre-49 rods. Enough to fill all the hotels in town.

Phil

 

YEP !! Big "G" was the run that stands out in my mind over 45 years later. My earlier dash plaques were on the dash of my green 40 when I sold it. The plaque pictured was on the dash of my blue 34.The pictures were made in Gatlinburg in 73 and 74. Later Bill

 

- never in that area for a car show but, Mother Nature sure puts on a beautiful show of her own along that area - drove through there many years ago - the fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA, where the Goodguys hold their shows, is one of the best locations as far as grass, trees, location to old downtown, etc - but, as for best show it does not really make any difference whether big or small - it is the cruise with friends getting to/from events and seeing friends that you may only see once a year - plus, making new friends and seeing other's rides - but, as everyone ages and move out of the area and shows having to allow new cars in due to increasing overhead costs it is a changing world - have a long list of shows each year to attend, each having their special good points - but, something seems to be missing

 

For me it is the Frog Follies in Evansville In. in August and the Chili cook off in Rochester In. in October. Never fail to have a good time at both of these.

 

Gatlinburg 1973, T-buckets were everywhere, stroker hats & bellbottoms & yeah more hot rods, you can even get a glimpse of Mike Goodmans T bucket and trailer on Airport rd. HRP

 

Right now there is the Ducktail Run in Gas City, IN and the James Dean in Fairmount, IN about 5 miles apart. Between the 2 shows there are about 4000+ cars in the 2 small towns. Gas City is about 6K population with Fairmount about 3K. It is more fun to cruise between the shows than just sit at one. It is really neat to see all the rods and customs in town for 4 days. I look forward to it all year.

 

For me it's Back to the 50's. How can you go wrong with over 11,000 cars 1964 or older, and the beautiful tree lined streets of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds? 3 days of pure car porn.

 

Iron Invasion isn't as big as some events but draws a lot of nice cars,..it's coming up next weekend Oct 5th at Woodstock Illinois...

 

I recently talked to a fellow hamber on the All Deuce Run about a show I remember reading about in Street Scene many years ago in Colonial Williamsburg, I sounds like a interesting place to visit. HRP

 

The 2006 Power Tour is the one for me. Drove the '57 for better than half of the event with my (57 Trucker) brother and good friend (D-Russ) Dave. Made some great memories and did something that we had all wanted to do.

 

I just happen to be on the same page as Bret above (for some strange reason) when it comes to my memories as a kid and how my favorite ones were always about the drive to get to the event more than even the event itself. When I was a kid, my dad wasn’t as much into old cars, but he was into Vette’s and we lived near Bloomington, IL. The part I always liked about that show in the 70’s was the line of Corvettes driving down the road together to get there. My dad had a buddy with a 67 tri-power 427 coupe and he and his wife didn’t have kids, so they were typically the ones I got to ride with since me and my brother were cramped in the back of my dads 65. While these cars weren’t all that old at the time, it was still cool to me to get out and drive the two lanes.

I have to assume that is why I also am now involved in putting on the Hot Rod Hundred events that focus on the drive as the main event. We are actually doing one of those even tomorrow here in Oklahoma.

 

My one to not to miss is the { Western Md. Rod round up }. It's held every year on labor day weekend. This year was their 47th year. I camp out with friends. The drive through the mountains of Va. , West Va., and Md. are great. They have a swap meet, Rod jousting, Tubing, lots of great food, and even a corn roast. The Western Md. Street Rod club does a fantastic job. So thanks guys for all that you do. A great event! Ron....

 

I think I have to add Jalopyrama in Easton Maryland. Snowman

 

The three Rodder's Journal shows @ Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore were pretty special.

 

..........and all of the Jalopy Showdowns.

 

...........not to mention all of the Jalopyramas.

 

Its is fuzzy for me but I went to a show in Williamsburg once. Lots to see around there. Pitts bbq and ther was /is a go cart track that was fun. York has a reenactment of the old war wear all the uniforms are authentic. Grab your girl and go.

 

That video was great! Alot of really cool cars.dont know why but the (street is neat) on the t rear end made me smile.i wasn't even born yet

 

Not much of a car show guy but I do like a good swap meet. The Big 3 in San Diego in February and LARS in June. Hopefully the April meet in Bakersfield will work out for me this year. Bonneville has always been on my bucket list and after going to TROG in Pismo New Jersey TROG is now on the list as well. I do however try to attend the 4th of July show that a local church puts on every year. Not as many HAMB friendly cars as I would like but still a good time.

 

Big G was the Social Event in the South. I went from '73 to '77. Frog Follies in Evansville, In. is the next best can't miss run. NHHR in Bowling Green, Ky. is also good.