The Best in Hot Rod Events From Coast to Coast
No matter what type of hot rod you like to build, there is an event for you to show it off. Events can be a great way to make connections with other enthusiasts in your area and a great place to find inspiration for your own build. Community is an essential part of hot-rodding, and you’ll always meet someone that’s been there and done that, regardless of the type of car you are working on.
Here is a list and some information on some of the biggest events in the different hot rod communities.
Street Rods
42nd Annual Street Rod Nationals: The premier street rod event hosted by the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) taking place in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, check out the NSRA event page for regional nationals.
Daytone Turkey Run: Presented by Daytona Beach Street Rods. This Thanksgiving weekend event draws thousands of hot rods and displays them in a laid-back family enviroment. There are no contests or awards, just hot rod enthusiasts hanging out, eating good food, listening to live music, and sharing their love of cars with one another.
Rat Rods
Infestation: Annual rat rod event hosted by the Rat Bastard Car Club of Washington. This year will be the 4th infestion of rat rods and is not to be missed by those interested in "built, not bought" culture.
Rat Rod Rumble 2011: The 7th annual Rat Rod rumble of southern Tennessee is a weekend-long bash held April 29th-May 1st. This event includes all aspects of the rad rod culture such as rockabilly music, drag racing and pin -up girls. Pre '64 homebuilt projects only.
General Events
Good Guys Rod & Custom Association: Goodguys will be hosting 21 events nationwide in 2011. The events feature a wealth of hod rods and custom vehicles. Most events restrict the cars to 1972 and earlier, but there are "Get-Togethers" in Northern California open to any vehicle. Follow the link to see all 21 events.
SoCal Car Culture: Extensive list of car events happening in Southern California. Includes everything from cruises to races. Hot-rodding is definitley alive and well in its homeland.
CruZin Magazine: Another thorough calender of hot rod-related events. This calender primarily covers events taking place in the Northwest.
Hot August Nights: This year is the 25th anniversary of "America's greatest car show." The gathering will take place in California and Nevada. This event has it all: classic car cruises, sock hops, auctions, swap meets, and more.