Say the words "season opener" to many folks in the midsection of the country, and you're likely to get a rifle pointed in your face. In these parts, the phrase is generally reserved for the opening of fishing or hunting seasons, times which are observed with religious fervor by thousands of flannel- and camouflage-clad sportsmen. You got a set of hip-waders in the closet? We thought so!
This year, however, the term took on new meaning in Oklahoma City, as a herd of hot rods rolled 'cross the plains to attend the 20th Annual Southwest Street Rod Nationals, the '03 season opener for the National Street Rod Association. With nearly 2,000 rods on hand for the weekend of April 11-13, the scene was hard to miss. Finding cool cars at the Oklahoma State Fair Park was, quite literally, as easy as shooting ducks in a barrel.
We could blab on and on about the dozens of vendors, the swap meet, the NSRA Safety Team (which inspected a record 281 vehicles), or the excellent weather (sunny and 75 all weekend), but we know that it's the cars you want to see and read about. So let's get on with it and show off some of the spoils of our (photo) shooting expedition. Enjoy!
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Rod builder Gary Hatfield came up with a winning style for his chopped and slightly channeled '34 Ford coupe by combining elements of early circle track racers and salt flat cars. We love the look, from the rag-wrapped Halibrands and lakes-style cutouts, to the traditional tan interior and detailed dual-quad small-block. |
It's a pickup, it's bright orange, and this trick '40 Chevy will knock your socks off. Texan Jim Wyninegar is the proud owner of the slicked and slammed Chevy, which sports 17-inch Americans, a Mustang II IFS, tan gut, and 350/700-R4 power. |
Dig art deco? Then you'll love Jeff Rowray's Deco Rides '39 Lincoln out of Norman, OK. The pearl white beauty looks fast just standing still and sports every amenity befitting a luxury car--Vintage Air, Panasonic tunes, tan leather upholstery, air ride, and a TPI-fed Chevy V-8. |
Even seasoned veterans have a hard time identifying Joe and Sam Parker's bright-yellow Ford. Believe it or not, the car began life as a '31 Victoria "Leatherback." Joe put it on a '32 frame, added a '32 grille and fenders, scratch-built the rusted lower body, made the doors open suicide-style, and covered the top with cloth. Whew! |
You don't see many tail-draggers at NSRA events, which is why we thought it appropriate to snag a shot of Sonny Casey's purple '46 Ford. Besides the chopped top, Olds grille, and frenched headlights, the coupe wears a Continental kit, Cadillac taillights, white tuck 'n' roll, and a three-deuce small-block Chevy. |
Joel Burkhart's Deuce roadster is a true survivor. Built in 1959 and stored from 1964-1998, it's like a hot rodding time capsule filled with all the goodies--322 Nailhead, '48 Ford three-speed, Columbia two-speed rearend, genuine black lacquer, red vinyl, and a dash full of Stewart-Warners. |
Carl Glitzke's Zipper-bodied T just looks like a ton of fun, and he assures us it's a blast to drive. With a RamJet 350, four-wheel discs, and a polished independent rearend, the little roadster has to be perfect for assaulting the twisty mountain roads near Carl's Manitou Springs, CO, home. |
The mid-'30s Ford sedans may not be high on everyone's list of rodding fodder, but we sure like the attitude of Eric Ewing's hammered '36. Wide whites, red accents, and exhaust cutouts through the fenders help give it "the look." |
Mac and Shelley Bernd's Deuce coupe was looking great in the ROD & CUSTOM Pro's Pick area on Sunday. First-rate fabricator Craig Naff is responsible for the Outlaw body's many mods, while the stretched and pinched frame supports a TPI-fed ZZ3 and rolls on 16- and 18-inch Billet Specialties wheels. |
You may be wondering why this five-window Model A is called the "Kaos Special." It probably has something to do with the fact that owner Carl Cruse and co-pilot Josh Shaw drove it all the way from Cincinnati without a windshield! |
One look at Jim Bivins' '33 Dodge and you'll be asking why more rodders don't build Mopars. This stock-bodied coupe looks sharp and cruises easy with a 340 V-8, 727 auto, and Fatman IFS. |
Robby Hood has just about the most perfect '27 pickup we've ever seen. Built on American Stamping '32 rails, the highboy runs a two-pot Flathead backed by an '86 Ford truck four-speed. Henry's favorite color covers the T body, '32 grille shell, and Model A pickup bed. |
What better way to dress up a fat-fendered Chevy sedan than with bright-orange paint and hot blue licks. R.C. Boemer's portly cruiser also packs 468 ci of Rat motor under the hood and rides on a Mustang II IFS with a 10-bolt GM rearend. |