(Words and Photos by Darr Hawthorne) – The Antique Nationals is arguably the original nostalgia-racing event, long before large, multi-day reunions and cacklefests. Today, the single day 48th annual event was open to just about any body style and engine combo as long as the body was manufactured before 1959.
All racecars need to go through a cursory tech inspection for seat belts, a helmet and required safety equipment including arm restraints for roadsters and open cockpits cars.
The majority of cars going down the track at the Antique Nationals are low horsepower four bangers, tricked out Ford flatheads, a few Hemi Chryslers, some superchargers, overhead valve small block Chevys, Caddy’s, Hudsons and Buicks.
There’s a growing contingent of old motorcycles, bikes and a couple of vintage Cushman Scooters.
Since 1954, the Four Ever Four Cylinder Club stages this annual event, now held at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA with a cool collection of coupes, roadsters, old racecars, trucks and a small swap meet of choice, rare race parts and wheels. Legendary Orange County International Raceway held the first event in 1969, changing the name Antique Nationals in ‘71 at OCIR.
No drama or staging battles… just a couple hundred hot rodders taking out their old hot rods and playing with them, a proud tradition of speed and this year nearly 800 spectators!
The cars sitting randomly in the pits are worth a look as well, there were all kinds of hot rods.
A couple of cars got out of shape, but this vintage roadster took a big hit when crashing into the left side guard wall, just past half track.
The Four Ever Four Cylinder Club puts on the Antique Nationals and a Hillclimb later in the year, in November.
This is great. Down with NHRA hurray for antique drags .You got it all Hot rods .Stocks, modified stocks and of course the motorcycles .Start having these all over the country.
Once again, Sir, you’ve truly captured the feel of a great event.
Thank you.
Thanks, Antique Nationals is a very cool event!