Street Rod Nationals returns to Louisville showcasing 10,000 vintage cars

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some of the coolest cars in the country have rolled into Louisville this week.

The 55th annual Street Rod Nationals kicked off its four-day event by visiting Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville on Wednesday. The National Street Rod Association is hosting its show from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

On Wednesday, more than 40 vintage cars paraded to Fourth Street Live! before stopping for a few hours so the public could view the vehicles.

Clifton McNeese, from Louisville, showed off his 1961 pink Cadillac. His father bought the car in 1978.

IMAGES | 55th annual Street Rod Nationals visits Fourth Street Live! in Louisville

"I couldn't afford it, my buddy had just gotten married and couldn't afford it, I called my dad, he was looking for something and I told him I had a pink Cadillac for him to look at," McNeese said. "He looked at it and bought it."

The Cadillac, originally from Bradenton, Fla. had 12,500 miles on it in 1978, when McNeese's father bought the car. McNeese takes the car out three to four times a year, but this week, he'll drive about 300 miles.

"This is my four days. I'm with my car club. We spend four days over at the fairgrounds," said McNeese, who drove in the parade for the first time. "Having the police block traffic, it's definitely different. It's exciting."

Louisville has hosted the National Street Road Association for 30 years. It will be the 27th straight year the national show has been held in the city.

"We came here for the first time in 1988, and the National Street Road Association each and every year went to different event sites and states across the country," said Jerry Kennedy with the National Street Rod Association. "It was getting tougher and tougher to hold a location to hold this fast-growing sport."

The show has become a summer tradition for Louisville. This year, event organizers expect around 60,000 attendees and more than 10,000 street rods, customs, classics and muscle cars from all over the U.S.

"Everybody is friends with everyone. We're all car buffs," McNeese said. "We all have one thing in common."

Vehicles in the show range in value from $20,000 to $150,000 with the average cost around $35,000. All of the street rods, custom and classic cars will be on display for public viewing.

"Everybody comes together, it's a big show and a big party," said Joe Johnson, who showed off a 1976 Cadillac on Wednesday.

According to a news release, the show generates nearly $11.5 million in economic impact to the Louisville economy. The four-day event will also have product seminars, a trade show, arts and crafts fair, a vintage auto parts swap meet and live music.

"It is simply fantastic," Kennedy said.

Tickets are $20 for anyone 13 years and older, $6 for children ages 6 to 12 while children 5 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. A $45 family package ticket price is available for two adults and three children.

Show hours are:

Thursday, Aug. 1 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 2 - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3 - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 4 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

According to MotorTrend, a street rod is a passenger car or truck manufactured before 1949 that has been modified for style, safety, and reliability. The vehicles feature a mix of current and obsolete technologies.

To learn more about the National Street Rod Association, click here.

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