The NSRA Street Rod Nationals - The Big Four-Oh!

Either there were an inordinate number of '39 and '40 Fords in Louisville this year, or we were drawn to them for some reason, but when they're as nice as John Langston's traditional black 'n' flamed '40 coupe, it's hard not to be!

With So-Minn Hot Rod decals on its flanks, Roger Wimpsett's reverse-scalloped '33 coupe made great use of a one-year-only '37 Ford pickup grille, framed by that neat circle track-style nerf bar and low-slung headlamps.

No details on this Deuce Tudor as it was a drive-by shooting (with the camera that is!) but it perfectly illustrates what we saw as a growing trend; very traditional with a stock body and trim, slammed over steel wheels but with modern attention to panel gaps and stance.

Wires wrapped in 'stones, hairpins at each corner, track nose, aluminum belly pan, and riveted interior, slash-cut side exhaust, lunch box-latched hood, the list goes on, but Ed Gromer nailed the period look of his Mutt Special lakes roadster, even if Ohio is a long, long way from El Mirage!

Wow, Dick Stevens had been busy smoothing the body and frenching the headlights on his '46 Plymouth. With the gold popping in the sun, the white interior was the perfect accompaniment. Check out the one-piece windshield too!

With its V-butted windshield and one-piece door glass pretty much the only deviations from stock, Jerry Sawyer's '46 Ford coupe had us drooling. The ground-scraping stance and polished five spokes perfectly filling the wheelwells made as much of an impression as the satin paint and white interior.

We're not sure if the North Carolina-based Indy Rod Shop advertised on the bedsides is a legit shop or imaginary, but if they turn out work as neat as this '29 closed cab pickup, we're impressed.

Ever compared a '47 Mercury hood to the same-year Ford? They're way longer, as evidenced by the radiator location seen here. Harry Hartkemeyer is the lucky owner of this Ohio-based Merc, exemplifying the "resto rod on steels" theme that seems currently popular.

Robert and Pam Lawson's slick '32 five-window was built at Alloway's Hot Rod Shop in 2008 and was for sale at the Nats. With smooth hood sides, filled cowl vent, and four bars front and rear, it was the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional.

We get the feeling that Bill Sammons chose the color scheme on his '26 T Modified to match the SCTA decal, but it works! Electing to not paint the quarter elliptic springs and friction shocks keeps that front end clean and simple looking.

This survivor Willys coupe out in the swap meet must have had some stories to tell! With some interesting modifications, namely the cut-away fenders and odd running boards, you'd have only bought it for the bodyshell, doors, decklid, and hood, but you'd have had a very sound base for a project even so.

While not the biggest swap meet we've seen, there were some great cars and parts for sale. How about this '35 Chevy Standard sedan, all complete and with an Oregon title for $6,500?

It's amazing that any '32 Ford can grab one's attention after every combination must have been built over the years, but it's still possible. One look at Mike Szuba's semigloss stock-height five-window will tell you that. The small-block Chevy was even running a single two-barrel and early manifold with road draft tube.

Grille anyone? This guy had a great selection for both rods and customs, and we were very tempted by the '46/48 Olds piece in the front for $300, only brought back down to earth by the realization that we'd never get it on the plane home. That and we couldn't decide whether it'd look better on our '46 roadster pickup or Project Purple Pig!

With its Weiand-blown 427 Chevy crowned by velocity stacks on the twin Edelbrock four-barrels, Billy Morris' '37 Chevy gasser had enough presence to intimidate would-be challengers. We'd sure like to see this car paired with the similar Famoso Speed Shop '36 Chevy out of Bakersfield, California!

We were digging the little scallops on the front fenders of John Bauer's Deuce; check out how they're echoed in the beltline stripe on the cowl. The chrome nerf bar, reverse rims and white interior complete the '60s feel to the coupe.

Of all the '39-40 Fords that caught our eye at the Nats, our favorite had to be Bill and Barbara McGloin's '39 Fordor sedan. It's one-piece glass and lack of door handles made it appear way smoother than such small mods had any right to, helped by the addition of fender skirts.

With fit and finish infinitely better than when it left the factory 74 years ago, the flawless stock body on Bruce Vath's '36 five-window looked great swathed in Olive Green.

Rodger and Margaret Bell's '34 roadster hails from Missouri, and caught our attention with its use of flipper hubcaps, a rear-mounted spare, and '36 headlights. It also caught the attention of Roy Brizio, who declared it one of his favorite cars of the event.

You don't see too many folding windshields on hot rods, and even fewer actually folded down as on this Model A. The low stance is achieved by a one-off chassis and channeling the body the width of the frame.

Another cool sedan and another '39 Ford! Are they the new "in thing" or were we just seeing a lot of nice ones this year? Another set of wide five wheels and brakes too, looking cool detailed with chrome lug nuts.

Although I'll admit I'm mainly a Ford guy when it comes to early iron, I love '35 Chevy two-door sedans, and this stock bodied and original paint version really struck a chord. Austin Landis of Plain City, Ohio, is the man responsible.

Of course not everyone's weekend goes smoothly, but at least the owner of this smooth suicide-doored Chevy pickup had problems in the hotel parking lot where help was on hand, as well as hotel towels to use as fender covers!

Scott and Judy Twiddy's '39 Chevy "Chevybell" is a Canadian Bell Telephone Company truck that now has a new career as a hot rod. The Twiddys are from Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada, and obviously enjoy camping out behind their truck judging by that fancy umbrella/table/tow hitch bracket.