(Words and photos by Greg Rourke) – Now we come to the traditional Pre-49 ‘street rods’. This is still the most dominant group of cars we see at the event. It’s only been a handful of years since the NSRA opened its events up to vehicles 30-years-old and older and I can’t say it’s been a bad decision. I do think at some point they will need to cut it off or the whole flavor of the event will be lost. I don’t really want to see a C5 Corvette at the ‘street rod’ nationals ten years from now. Pretty sure the show is inclusive enough now.
Anyway….The first several photos are of a group of folks that seem to park together every year and most are sporting ’32 Fords of various tastes and a few ‘late models’ (as they call them) including ’33 and ’34. As you might guess this group isn’t a bunch of young guys, but they still like their toys. One of these older gentlemen (I’m trying to be nice) is Joe Hurley who had two cars there. A black, gel-coat roadster and a gorgeous, red three-window sitting inside with a for sale sign. He had a buddy from Australia, Alan Dudley, along and had given him the grand tour of all things hot rod in the region. Joe sold BOTH of his ’32 Fords that weekend and bought an El Camino…. Crazy stuff.
The primer-gray 5-window with the flattie is owned by and older gentleman from Lexington that’s owned the car since the late 50s. He has rebuilt it once and continues to drive it everywhere and still has future plans for it. He is a machinist by trade and made nearly every fastener on the car. It’s not an ISCA show-winner, but it’s got real vintage speed parts and is likely the most-real hotrod I have ever seen. He thinks it’s got about a half-million miles on it. Serious history here.
Enjoy the photos.
