National Street Rod Association Nationals Louisville 2021
It always seems that every classic car in the country shows up at the annual National Street Rod Association (NSRA) meet in Louisville, KY. Now in its 52nd year, it was the site for 9,000 street rods, custom creations, muscle cars, and classic trucks. If it was at least 30 years old, it was welcomed to the party at the Kentucky Expo Center. For four days, the parking area surrounding the Expo Center was filled with flashy colors and chrome and the rumble of V8s. While inside the Expo Center, high-end show cars were on display in the Builder’s Showcase. Awards, such as Builder of the Year, Pro Pick of the Year, and other specialty awards were presented. Also, one lucky participant drove away in a brand new custom-built Hi-Boy. If you missed this year’s show, here are some of the memorable highlights from the 2021 NSRA Nationals.
Builders’ Showcase
For more than ten years, elite professional builders have been showcasing their skills at the NSRA Nationals. This year, 35 of the best of the best were all together in one building. As you can see in the below slideshow, all of these top-notch vehicles are spectacular, but only one can win Builder of the Year. The winner of this special award is chosen by fellow builders at the event.
2021 Builder of the Year Award
This year’s Builder of the Year award went to a 1950 Chevy pickup 3100, built by L&S Customs of Prospect Hill, NC. This golden creation sports an LS 3 engine, a ’50s Chevy car dash, and a zebrawood bed. Scott Sheets of L&S Customs gave us a walk around this fabulous hauler called “Fast Layne 50,” as seen in the below video.
Here are four of our favorite custom creations that were on display in the Builders Showcase. A special thanks to all the builders who took time to tell us about their labors of love.
1936 Willys Pickup
Builder: The Tin Man’s Garage, Sycamore, IL
Owner: Ron Ernsberger
1932 Ford Coupe
Builder: Love Kustoms, Burkeville, VA
Owner: Marty Miller
1946 Ford Business Coupe
Builder: Live Free Fabrication, Chicago, IL
Owner: Brian & Aubrey Zelenka
1956 Ford F100
Builder: Metal Brothers Hot Rods, Theodore, AL
Owner: Robert Mayes
2021 Giveaway Car
This year’s giveaway car was a 1932 Ford Roadster Pickup Hi-Boy, built by One-Off Rod & Custom of Middletown, DE. The drawing for the Hi-Boy took two tries because the person holding the first number wasn’t present. Dick Stevens, from Isola, MS, was happy the person with ticket number 6503, the first number drawn, wasn’t there. He had the second number drawn and claimed his prize. In fact, Dick had what can only be described as a perfect weekend. Not only did he win the Hi-Boy, but he also received Pro Pick awards for two cars he brought to the show, a 1956 Chevy convertible and a 1934 Pontiac.
1932 Ford Roadster Pickup Hi-Boy
Builder: One-Off Rod & Custom of Middletown, DE
Winner: Dick Stevens
Circle of Winners
On the last day of the show, awards are presented to owners of 40 vehicles at the event. These awards include Pro Picks, Special haulers (UPS), Mopar Country, Outstanding use of Color, ISCA picks, and more.
