It has been a long time coming. For years the idea had been discussed, denied and very actively debated. Then, with the announcement of its 2005 schedule, the National Street Rod Association broke the news that there would be two new events on their schedule. Not just two new events, but two events that - for the first time in over thirty-five years - would greet vehicles as new as 1975 to the events. Those popular cars from the `50s, `60s and early `70s would be welcome to drive through the front gates and join in all the fun that the pre-`48 rods have been having for years.
From the moment the schedule was announced, the questions were on everyone's mind: Would the post `48 crowd show up? Would the street rodders accept their newer custom and high performance cousins? Like the panic over Y2K, the concerns over the late-models rolling into a NSRA event were unfounded. Everything worked just fine, thank you.
From the time that the gates to the Wisconsin State Fair Park were opened on Friday morning until Sunday afternoon when event Director Tom Biles announced Bruce Hansen as the lucky winner of the National Street Rod Association Chevy Colorado pickup, everybody had a great time at the Milwaukee Nationals. Those who had never attended an NSRA event soon learned that there is something to do or see just about every minute of the weekend.
Almost 100 vendors filled the huge Exposition Center. DJ "Wings" Kalahan kept things hopping all weekend with his "Cruising with Wings" show broadcasted over the PA system. Special show areas were set up on Saturday to feature vehicles in specific groups such as "Wagon Way" for station wagons, "Hammered Highway" for all chopped vehicles and "Be-Bop Blvd" for the Buick, Olds and Pontiac fans.
The weather was great all weekend in Milwaukee. The final count showed that 1,694 vehicles had been registered for the event. The mix of pre-`48 cars to post-`48 was about a 60/40 split with street rods making up the larger portion --- as was expected. With custom and classic trucks, street machines and traditional customs thrown into the mix, there was a little something for everyone at the Milwaukee Nationals.
The NSRA's first attempt at welcoming the newer vehicles to their events was judged a success by most everyone who attended. A `32 Ford flanked by a `67 Nova and a `51 Merc just looks and feels right!
 Almost 1,700 specialty vehicles...  Almost 1,700 specialty vehicles covered the Wisconsin State Fair Park in Milwaukee in July. The inaugural NSRA Milwaukee Nationals marked the first time that the NSRA has welcomed post-1948 cars. |
 The selection of food at Milwaukee...  The selection of food at Milwaukee was almost as varied as the vehicles that attended the event. The pre-`48 and post-`48 crowd enjoyed checking out each others rides as did the many spectators in attendance. |
 The distinction of being the...  The distinction of being the first `49-and-later vehicle through the gates on Friday morning belongs to Mari and Steve Job with their `59 T-Bird. It was ironic that they had decided to leave their Chevy street rod at home for the weekend. |
 The swap meet area had a number...  The swap meet area had a number of cool projects available. This `51 Lincoln four-door was offered at $2,900. |
 Seth Wagner's Ford looked...  Seth Wagner's Ford looked right at home surrounded by high-end street rods. The `49 Business Coupe features a blown 392ci Ford engine, Air Ride Technologies suspension and flawless body and paint work. |
 Ken Rea's `57 Olds 88 was...  Ken Rea's `57 Olds 88 was voted the Minnesota Street Rod Association's Custom of the Year in 1995 and still looks good. Those are `56 Olds Fiesta wheel covers. The turquoise and white two-door hardtop is powered by a `62 394ci Olds engine. |
 Maggie and Bob Klessig's `52...  Maggie and Bob Klessig's `52 Chevy started life as a two-door sedan. After quite a bit of bodywork it emerged as a 2-inch chopped convertible. Daring to be different, Bob decided a built inline six-cylinder Chevy would be the perfect power for his Yukon Polo Green cruiser. |
 A `59 Cadillac stands out...  A `59 Cadillac stands out in a crowd when it is bone stock. Julie and Jeff Kruse decided to take an even bolder approach. Rolling on 20-inch Boyd wheels, Jeff lowered the suspension 2 1/2 inches, installed a 402 big-block under the hood and sprayed the orange pearl paint himself. |
 Powered by a 406 small-block...  Powered by a 406 small-block Chevy, Maggie and Larry Bennett's `50 Chevy Bel Air hardtop has a Mustang II front end with 2-inch Heidt's dropped spindles. Painted PPG Hot Licks Red, Larry has put 6,000 miles on the odometer since completing the car last year. |
 Painted PT Cruiser Silver,...  Painted PT Cruiser Silver, Pat and Will Staab's `54 Studebaker Commander has a 5.0L Ford hiding under the hood. The Stude also features a hand-fabricated engine cover, shroud, floor console and dash. |
 There were plenty of very...  There were plenty of very tasteful classic street rods on hand at Milwaukee. Ken Barnhart's real deal all original steel `32 roadster features a 3-inch top chop. With a Total Cost Involved dropped I-beam up front and a 9-inch Ford in the rear, the package is powered by a GM Ram-Jet engine mated to a Turbo 350 trans. |
 The folks from the International...  The folks from the International Show Car Association were in Milwaukee to pick a favorite pre-`49 custom. At the award ceremonies on Sunday, Steve Allen got the special recognition for his `47 Chevy convertible. |
 Everett Gray decided to combine...  Everett Gray decided to combine some old style with new style when he installed a Heidt's front end on his home-built frame then installed a traditional Jag out back. The Kilborn-bodied deuce is painted PPG Dove Gray and Hot Rod Red with a bright red interior. |
 Wagons are as hot as ever...  Wagons are as hot as ever and it doesn't get much rarer than Diane and Dave Beck's `57 Olds hardtop wagon. The red and white people hauler rests on an Air Ride Technologies suspension and rolls on Colorado Custom wheels. |
 Jan and Paul Medgyesi's very...  Jan and Paul Medgyesi's very smooth `37 Ford coupe features body modifications from Hopperstad Customs and black and silver paint that was shot by Pro Body and Paint. The body rests on a Roadster Shop chassis, sports a Heidt's suspension and is powered by an LS-1. |
 Radical does not begin to...  Radical does not begin to describe Lynn and Larry Fryfolgle's `49 Merc four-door. The sliding roof helps open up the car that features a 5 1/2-inch chop. Up front is a Nova sub frame and the power is from a small-block Chevy. |
 The view from here shows what...  The view from here shows what many folks knew all along: street rods look right at home next to custom cars and classic trucks. |