By the time you read this, summertime fun should be starting up again, with car shows, races, and rod runs happening all over the country. However, due to the lead-time necessary to make a magazine, I'm writing this column in the middle of February, and between frigid temperatures, rain, and a nasty cold I can't manage to shake, putting in valuable cruising time in my roadster just isn't an option. So what's a gearhead to do while old man winter is keeping the garage door closed? Simple, go to indoor shows and industry events! After all, there's no better way to wile away the winter than checking out all the cool stuff manufacturers in the industry are planning to roll out in the coming months.
One of the better places to get a sneak preview of attractions is at the annual Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show (HR&R), held every February in Indianapolis. If there was one prevalent trend at this year's show, it was that "newstalgia" is the next big thing. Traditional hot rods became insanely popular a few years ago as an answer to the ultra-expensive high-tech rods that had become standard fare in our hobby. As the techies took over, car shows began to look like a sea of similar red Deuces loaded down with chunks of billet alloy. A return to traditional style injected new life into the rodding scene, with the singular drawback being that traditional style achieved with antique parts often results in the decrease of performance and safety in an antique car. Now that the performance aftermarket has taken notice, new parts are flowing off their loading docks, designed to provide killer nostalgic style blended with modern performance and technology, hence the phrase "newstalgia."
I've showcased a handful of my favorite new toys spotted at the HR&R show. For more product previews check out the story on our Web site, or check Rod Shop in future issues.