Been going since the first one (#204). Pre-register. If you want a specific location to park, good luck. You may need to que- up in the middle of the night. 19,000 cars. Make sure your rod can idle for long periods without overheating, and can stop well. Bring comfortable shoes. Don't expect you will see everything. The swapmeet on Sunday is very extensive, but get there early. Consider a hand truck or wagon as it might take a long time to get someone to help you carry something you've bought. Very well organized event. MSRA linechaser is a very well done mag. with great classifieds. Membership is a good deal for the free adds alone.
Love it. Have been going since I met my wife in '04. Have had my '59 Poncho in it since '06 and am going again this year. My pop-in-law actually bought a '46 Dodge this year and will be joining us at the show. I think it's going to turn into a tradition, especially since I have the younger brother looking at a '52 Chevy pickup. Tailgating is great, lots of vendors, information, ideas. Like turbostude said, "Bring comfortable shoes." The show literally fills the state fairgrounds and last year broke the record for world's largest 3 day car show.
What they said. I recommend it. Restos, traditionals, street rods, customs, rat rods, if it's 1964 or earlier, it's eligible. http://www.msra.com
Great show, beautiful fairgrounds, 11,500+ cars and a ton of vendors. My only complaint is a lot of the Hotels are starting to gouge for their rooms.
Wife and I were there in 2002 with our freshly-chopped '48 Chevy pickup. Had a blast, too many cars to see! Once we get the Essex on the road we plan to go back to that event.
Get rooms in Minneapolis. Highway 94 and then 280 will get you to the fairgrounds in minutes. Lots of rooms in Brooklyn Center off 694 too.
take snelling ave from the north... comming in on 280 or on snelling from the south is going to take you a while... longest i ever waited going the northern route is about 5 minutes to get through the gate on snelling ave. as far as the show itself is concerned? its not bad. lotta shit to see, plenty of cruising around the grounds to be done, lotta vendors... i'd put it in my top 20, but not top 10... its almost TOO much to be honest
BTTF is a must do in the midwest. Even the wife and kids love it. Hundreds of vendors and a real diverse selection of cars.
Every year. My wife even knows to schedule nothing on the 3rd weekend of June. I prefer the back lots, that's where the drivers can be found.
If you stay in the Holiday Inn in Minneapolis you can look out on the new 35W bridge being built to replace the collapsed one.
WARNING!!! Once you go to Back to the 50's, you'll be hooked for life. You can't see such a diverse quantity of cars anywhere else. 08 will year 23 straight for me. The Fairgrounds are the best facility for a big show, bar none. Lots of shade, but you have to get up early if you want it. After dark, the cruisin' is a blast. For a decent deal on a room, try the Days Inn in Moundsview - about 10 minutes away. Se you there!
I've been going to BTT50's since I moved to the Twin Cities in '01. I fly my Dad up from St. Louis every year for it (he hasn't finished his '46 yet). It is HUGE, but well worth it. You can always find a shady spot, a cold beer and a TON of great hot rods. Definitely a mix of traditional rods, rat rods, kustoms and the occasional trailer queen.
That is alot of cars. I am curious, from what you have seen,is it mainly cars from Minnesota and the surrounding states? Or, are they coming from all over or?
11,500 cars REGISTERED... thats not all that came and did not reg, and yes, they come from all over hell and back
buncha goldchainers if you ask me. Just joshin ya. Been going since I was a kid, and I haven't ever been able to see everything. The last four years have been hard to get out and see everything since we've had a booth their. Let me tell you what a hand full that is to take in. WOW that's a lot of people to talk to in one weekend. See you guys there.
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