Louisville, KY: Street rods roll into town

From WDRB.com: Street rods roll into town

LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- The street rods are rolling into Louisville. The colorful vintage cars and trucks that come to town each year are back for the annual Street Rod Nationals.

The one-of-a-kind national gathering brings more than 30,000 elite car lovers to Louisville. Nearly 30 vintage cars traveled from Papa John's Cardinal Stadium to Fourth Street Live.

Street rod owner Michael Lookabill says, "You show up, bring your car, look at everyone else's car." And Mike O'Donnell says, "I started in 1980. I was driving it by 1987 and I've been working on it ever since." O'Donnell and Lookabill met at a car show more than 30 years ago. The Maryland friends drove 600 miles for the event.

Up to 15,000 classic cars are expected in Louisville for this event. You can tell the owners spent a lot of money fixing them up. The older, more established car crowd is expected to generate $13 million for the local economy.

Tobi Hammond, the Sales Manager of the Sports & Social Club, explains, "We'll beef up staff, do more promotions, throw in free bowling for people who are here for the show."

This is the 17th year the event has rolled into Louisville. "Look at the vendors inside the building," O'Donnell says, "and if it's cool enough we go outside and look at cars all day."

"Street rods are never finished," adds Lookabill. And that's why Mike and Michael keep coming back-- to gain ideas on what to tweak next, and see the chrome, class, and shine of another year.

The Street Rod Nationals runs through Sunday at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Between 10,000 and 15,000 vintage vehicles produced before 1949 will be on display.

Street rod is just a more formal name for a hot rod -- a well-modified car from the 1940's or earlier. The biggest draw for this event is a flea market where classic car lovers can find rare parts and goods.