10 Stand-Out Rides from the 2021 NSRA Street Rod Nationals
Among the usual suspects at the annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals, these 10 stood out for not fitting the usual street rod template.
On the first weekend of August, the city of Louisville, Kentucky once again comes to life with the power of horses. Tens of thousands of horses, to be exact. That’s when the National Street Rod Association brings their biggest show to the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Street Rod Nationals. As long as the rides are 30 years of age or older, they’re all invited to rev up their engines down in the Bluegrass State.
Of course, there are more than a few Corvettes, trucks and various street rods and muscle cars all over the massive lots during the Nationals. Thus, finding a machine that breaks the mold is easier said than done. Yet, we found at least 10 such rides when we visited the big show this year. We even found a few of their owners, getting a chance to learn more about what they brought to the party. Let’s get started.
10. A Little Bit of Radwood
Over in Georgetown, Kentucky, Toyota staked a place in the Bluegrass in the late Eighties with their assembly plant, which pumps out Camrys like there’s no tomorrow. Over here in Louisville, though, this ’85 Celica GT-S convertible staked its place among the street rods. One day, the Radwood gang will have more than a few claims upon the Nationals; this Celica is just the start.
9. A Fine Brit in Its Red Coat
The NSRA Street Rod Nationals attracts not only those within the United States, but also street rod fans as far away as Canada, Australia and England. Alas, the pandemic is still keeping most foreign travel down to a minimum. However, cars like this little red MG bring the all the Earl Grey tea and scones to the hot dogs and beer extravaganza.
8. Deutschland, Mein Herz in Flammen
Even the Germans rolled into the Nationals, like this 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI straight out of… Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where all Rabbit GTIs in the day were built. This little bun-bun likely packs more than the original 90 horses under the hood, of course, thanks to the strong aftermarket support these hot hatches experience to this day.
’10 Stand-Out Rides from the 2021 NSRA Street Rod Nationals’ continued…
