Dare To Be Different
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
IFS Install on Chevrolet C-10 Pickup Trucks (1960-1987)
Let’s face it: The new, hot truck of the hobby is the 1960-1972 Chevy. With the amenities available for these trucks they have become modern classics. The Chevy truck was available with power steering, A/C, IFS and a host of other great goodies, including power disc brakes. While still not up to today’s standards, with a little tweaking they make really great options on a classic truck without having to break the bank to have cold air and comfortable seats. The only downfall to this is that they are outdated.
Whipple Supercharger Install
Ok, so you have your quarter-million dollar boat with twin 500 EFI Mercruiser engines for a total horsepower of just under 1000, but that just isn’t enough. What do you do? Well… there is one relatively easy way to dramatically increase horsepower, that’s right—a supercharger. On top of the power increase you get that cool unmistakable whine that will cause any wrench head to notice. This particular install is a stage 3 Whipple supercharger which will add approximately 240 hp per engine; in essence, we are adding a third engine.
HOT HAULERS
Trucks are hot, and this interest in trucks has been getting hotter over the years. This is not something that started recently, and now with so many companies like Chevs of the ’40s, Early Classic Enterprises, Street & Performance and SSBC offering specific performance parts, you are now able to find such truck-specific parts as replacement sheetmetal, LS1 engine swaps, tubular suspension components and enormous brake systems.
Spotlighter
A Southern Tradition
The 51st NSRA Street Rod Nationals South proved traditional hot rodding culture is still alive, thriving, and rolling strong.
Johnson City, Tennessee didn’t just host a car show—it briefly turned into a rolling museum of American hot rodding.
The 51st NSRA Street Rod Nationals South took over the Appalachian Fairgrounds on May 8–9, 2026, delivering two full days of traditional street rods, customs, and classic builds that reflected decades of craftsmanship and culture.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
A Weekend Built on Tradition
Backed by the long-running National Street Rod Association (NSRA), the event continued a legacy that stretches back more than five decades. What started in the early days of organized street rodding has grown into a nationwide network of events that still prioritize the same core idea—preserving the spirit of early American hot rodding while keeping the community connected.
The Street Rod Nationals South has moved through different cities over the years, but its purpose has stayed consistent: bring together builders and enthusiasts who value traditional design, clean execution, and the stories behind the classic cars.
Johnson City in Full Color
For the weekend, the Appalachian Fairgrounds became a dense field of pre- and post-war steel, with everything from highboys and coupes to full custom cars and period-inspired builds lining the grounds.
The 30-years-and-older requirement kept the focus firmly on heritage, and it showed in every row. These weren’t just display pieces—they were rolling examples of how far the craft of classic car restoration has come, and how strongly it still connects people across generations.
The atmosphere leaned relaxed and conversational, with builders and owners spending just as much time talking through details as they did admiring each other’s work. It’s that mix of education, storytelling, and shared appreciation that continues to define NSRA events.
More Than a Show Weekend
Even without the structure of modern competitive events, the energy never feels flat. NSRA’s format encourages interaction over isolation, with an emphasis on learning, sharing, and keeping hot rod culture alive through hands-on discussion rather than spectacle.
That approach is exactly why events like Johnson City’s Street Rod Nationals South continue to draw a loyal crowd year after year. It’s not just about what’s parked on the grass—it’s about the people who built it, drove it, and brought it there.
A Strong Chapter in a Long-Running Story
The 51st Street Rod Nationals South fit seamlessly into the broader NSRA circuit, leading toward the organization’s flagship Nationals in Louisville. Each divisional stop adds another layer to a network that has helped shape traditional hot rodding culture into what it is today.
Johnson City, Tennessee delivered exactly what attendees came for: authentic builds, real conversations, and a reminder that the roots of this hobby are still very much alive.
When the gates opened that weekend, it wasn’t just another car show—it was a snapshot of a culture that continues to evolve without losing sight of where it started.
