It was the 2nd attempt at this new event. Last year there was probably 1600 cars and the place was packed and people were excited. Went down this morning to check it out and what a difference. I would say there was maybe 400 cars this year (has to be rough for the NSRA to see this). Having the event fall on the 4th of July this year hurt it i think (I talked to a number of folks from California, that attended last year, leading up to this yrs show and they were staying home because all the RV park were full (by RVers who have been scheduling there camps sites on the 4th of July for years) and so were hotels by non car folks booking them to watch the big Columbia River Fireworks show and to just enjoy the long weekend. I think the NW will support a NSRA event but not sure it will support a 4th of July show. Most of my friends stayed away as they wanted to spend the 4th with there families. Maybe move it to early Sept (mid July and early Aug competes with the GG show in Puyullap and I think if hotrodders had to chose one they would chose the GG event) I took less than 200 pictures which for me is very low, not enough cars to chose from... here is a link to all the photos http://public.fotki.com/boones/car_shows/2014-car-shows-1/nsra-nw-nationals/ Here is some HAMB friendly rides (more on my site)
Nice pics as usual Boones. I didn't go this year because last there was too much stuff from the 90's there and I get tired of looking at teal paint with orange swooshes and tweed interiors. Too bad for me because this is a national event and it is only 5 miles from my house. I guess it is billed as a street rod event (NSRA) so I shouldn't be too surprised.
I attended and man was it dead. It was sorta sad. I herd there was about 600 or something which is about 1/3 of last years. I want to say the 4th hurt but it almost seemed like more than that. Next year is pinned on the same weekend (if they even have it) so hopefully it was just an off year. I was just editing my pictures to upload. Mind if I just post 'em here later?
I and a few others I know skipped it for a few reasons. You had to go out by the Vancouver Mall for off sight registration, Not enough grass and asphalt to park the cars on at the fairgrounds - (lots of gravel parking) you have to become a NSRA member in order to register , arrogant attitude by the NSRA staff when we talked to them last year about some of these issues.
Rocket, ya add your shots here also Uncle Buck, your concerns were the same as many (Reps did not want to hear your input). It is hard to justify the "Club" membership when there is only one NSRA event within a 20-24 hr drive where as the other National event (with a club membership) in Puyullap has another event across the state and 4 events in Pleasanton (12 - 14hr drive) and in my opinion a better magazine to justify the yearly fee. Most folks I talked to hate the offsite registration and the condition the fairground (having so much dirt/ gravel) but would put up with it if it was a good event figuring over time they might improve the facility. I know the first year was a mess when it came to organization/ parking but figured they would improve things (swap was still in the same area rather than down to the right behind/side the building (as we were told it would be bt Reps last year)... so I am guess they did not learn from last year (if the # of cars would have been the same, it would have been another cluster...
I made the trip down on Saturday and was very disappointed in the turnout. There was one car that made it worth it.
Even local car shows are always avoided over the 4th of July, as attendance is lacking. Can't imagine why NSRA feels their show wouldn't be affected also? Yes, it's a big event, but that doesn't mean it can get the turnout it got on a non holiday weekend, as it did last year. I think they'll never see the attendance they had the first year, as there were people who made that event that may never attend again. But regardless, it will always be lower over a holiday.
I would like to see a Southern Canada (Vancouver or ??) to give me a reason to go north for a drive. but if they are going to have one, they need another to justify the "club" membership fee. The monthly mag does not. On the east coast there is plenty of events within 12 hr drive of each other. On the West Coast that is not the case..
I don't know about the politics yea or nea but the finished dzuz cupe, bronze, hemi and a manual transmission no less looked to be a sweetheart. I like seeing a three pedal hot rod and the '36 tire cover fenders once in a while, reminds me of the old days.
Never could figure out why NSRA cancelled the Salem event, I'd been up there a couple of times, had an uncle that lived there for a while...got to kill three birds with one trip: the event, seeing my uncle and of course sight-seeing on the way there and back home...gorgeous country...!!! FWIW, my bro and I are doing the Western Canada Power Cruise (wcpc@outlook.com or http://westerncanadapowercruise.webs.com/ again this August in our Cadillacs and will end up in Spokane for the GG's event...maybe see some of you there...??? R-
I came close to going this year but the stars didn't align right. I've been to the Louisville show a couple of times and that is one worth making although a long haul and usually pretty warm. I flew in both times. Was a member for a lot of years and just didn't renew one year because I was getting too many magazines I think.. I would like to see this one make a go of it somewhere just for something other than GG to go to.
Does every late 20's to '32 car get a '32 grille from the factory? Wonder when they'll start showing up on Tri 5 Chevys?
It's probably one of the best looking grills from that era for square cars. Think Tri-Fives would look like Edsels with one but to each his own.
If a guy turned it sideways, chopped it, and installed a grille out of a 58 ford in it for a liner it may look quite nice on a 55-57?!
It was a nice handy run for us from Canada , several of us from Victoria drove down via Port Angeles for it again this year, but it was pretty disappointing overall. Many of us booked rooms for next year but only because we can cancel. NSRA seems to not give a damn about feedback because you can only contact them via snail mail or phone, and they have an attitude that "if you don't like it someone else ( with newer cars) will". The grounds***** pretty much - not enough grass and the rest is poorly upkept and dusty. It's too bad because it's close but overall not worth the membership, cost, etc to go there.
All the reps in their booth last year would say was "the Fellow Pages and magazine justify becoming a member" and could care less to hear what a few of us tried to talk to them about. Sounds like we were not alone when we told them we wouldn't be back.
The Jalopy Journal
