When the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Western Nats started back in the late 70’s in Modesto, who knew what it would become. For the first 33 years the Western Nats, was limited to pre-1949 vehicles. In 2010 that all changed. The pre-1949 limit was changed to “more than 30 years old”. What a difference that made. The Western Nats of today offers a wide variety of hot rods in addition to the traditional street rods of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Now it includes the classic styling of the tri-5 Chevys, the custom 50s Mercs and shoe box Fords, the fins of the ’59 Chevy and ’59 Plymouth, the iconic 55-57 T-bird and the split-window Vette, the ever stylish ’59 Caddie (whose tail lights adorn so many other hot rods and customs) – the list is endless. Today the Western Nats has it all and continues to be the must go-to show in California.
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The traditional hot rods were out in force this week-end.
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This year 1,656 cars were at the show. Rain on Saturday morning kept both hot rods and spectators under cover. Saturday afternoon when the rain stopped the scene changed. The car covers were pulled off, the EZ-Up car shelters were lifted and cruising started in the fairgrounds.
As in past years the Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted a Bar-B-Que on Thursday night and the Selohssa Car Club hosted a continental breakfast on Friday morning. Women’s World was open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as was the quilt display. Saturday Revell Model Co. sponsored a “make and take” area for the kids. Commercial vendors filled both buildings where you could get new headers and new wheels, talk to car builders and upholsterers, and get a car cover to keep it all clean.
The Streets of Rods was in the Bolthouse Courtyard – a nice grassy area with some shade trees. Parked in the Courtyard were the 29 Below Street (for rods owned by participants under 29 years old) the Hiboy Highway, Vanity Pl8, and Late Great Way (for cars between 1958 and 1985). The photo below is of the Vanity Pl8 award winner.
Every day, all day, Wings Callahan played the music and drew numbers for super prize winners
On Friday and Saturday the NSRA Safety Inspectors were busy looking over cars to be sure they were safe. They inspected 162 cars, 132 passed and 128 received the Safety 23 sticker. From 1980 through 2014 the Safety Inspectors inspected 396,272 cars at NSRA shows. By the end of 2015 that number will exceed 400,000. These folks deserve a round of applause for their efforts. No doubt, their hard work has prevented many a break down or accident. They make the roads a safer place.
Sunday at 10:00 am the award winners brought their vehicles to the Circle of Winners so everyone could get a good look at them before the award ceremony started at 2:00 pm. This year there were 39 awards presented to 39 awesome hot rods. Below is a photo of the cars lining up before the award ceremony and some of the winners. Photos of all of the award winners will be posted on our SmugMug site. timingtower.com SmugMug
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After the award ceremony, numbers were drawn and a whole lot of super prizes were given away. The last drawing was for three cash awards of $3,000 each. These three guys were the lucky winners. From left is Wayne Brown from Bakersfield, Jay Baily from Bakersfield and Jack Niehaus from Auburn. Event Director Mike Chrispyn is far right. Jay, who is 91 years old, said this is the first time he ever won anything.
Among all the serious business of showing off the hot rods, there was time for frivolity. These kids were dancing with the nifty guy in the skeleton suit.
This has to be one of the better looking beer wagons.
And once again, the NSRA Western Nats were over.
Next year the Western Nats will be back in the Kern County Fairgrounds on April 29, 30 and May 1. Event Director Mike Chrispyn announced that he had signed a five-year contract with the fairgrounds so it is assured that the Western Nats will be in Bakersfield for the next 5 years.
SUNDAY UPDATE:
Sunday was a great day – sunny, not too hot, not too cold. Below are a few of the cars in the fairgrounds today. It’s hard to describe the all the great cars at this event. Monday evening we’ll have all the photos available and you can see for yourself.
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SATURDAY UPDATE:
Today started rainy and cloudy. We saw spotty rain throughout the morning – but by 1:00 p.m. the clouds started blowing out and by mid-after-noon the sun was out. More cars in the fairgrounds today, however, the rain definitely hurt the registration and the number of spectators. There were, however, some great cars to see.
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Tomorrow the weather is predicted to be sunny and warm. We’ll up-date again tomorrow night. Monday evening we’ll have an article with all the photos including the timingtower.com pick.
FRIDAY UPDATE:
With 1,600 cars pre-registered, looks like there will be a whole lot of cars in the Kern County Fairgrounds this week-end. A lot of nice cars arrived today. Below are a few:
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We’ll have more photos tomorrow night. As in past years, timingtower.com will be picking a car to take home a trophy. It will be difficult again this year.
The National Street Rod Association’s Western Street Rod Nationals plus will be held April 24, 25 and 26, 2015 at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, CA. Registration will be at the Doubletree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, Bakersfield Thursday from 1:00 to 6:00 pm; Fri 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Sat 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
At the Fairgrounds gates will be open on Fri and Sat from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm and on Sunday from 8:30 to 2:00 pm. Spectators’ entry will be $15 for those 13 and older and $6 for children between 6 and 12. Children free when accompanied by adult.
Timingtower will be post event updates with photos on Friday and Saturday evenings and will have a complete article with photos on Monday evening.
