Nostalgia Highway

Friday and Sunday typically only have a few hot rods that hang outside the buildings but Saturday, Saturday is crazy. There is so many cool rides that show up for the Grand Cruise-In. This year’s was huge. There were cars & trucks everywhere.

It’s always a blast to check out the buildings at the Grand National Roadster Show and there are a lot of buildings filled with so much automotive goodness.

Always one of my favorite buildings at the Grand National Roadster Show is the Suede Palace. A room filled with cool traditional hot rods and customs. It’s the cars that speak to my soul.

The other entrants.

The other entrants.

Car Show & More

Now of course, the RPM Nationals is drag racing, but it’s so much more. There is a car show, a swap meet, vendors, and more. It’s just an all-around great time.

After the winners are announced, the grudge matches begin. Friends call out friends for some good old-fashioned bragging rights.

I do so love the RPM Nationals. I look forward to it every year. It all starts Friday for racecar tech and continues into Saturday morning before the drag racing begins. It’s so cool to see all the different types of cars that roll into the show. All with just two things in common: they either have a flathead or a 4-banger in between the frame rails.

Ventura Nationals 2025

Every Labor Day Weekend is one of my favorite shows, the Ventura Nationals. A friend of mine called it a social gathering that happens to have cool hot rods there, which is a great way to describe it. I started the morning at 4:30 am to get the roll in and hung out until the end. It’s always a great time and I look forward to it every year.

The Ventura Nationals weekend started Friday evening at Sloatman Vintage Automotive’s Open House. Nick Sloatman always puts together an awesome party at his shop. The shop is filled with their current projects, which are always amazing in their fit and finish. Hangin’ with friends and seeing all the cool rides roll in is a great way to start the weekend.