MSRA's "Back to the 50's" - A Weekend Trip Through Time

We've been to a lot of car shows all across the U.S.- big and small; local and national- but there's something about the MSRA's "Back to the 50's" car show in the Twin Cities that's different.

Click the thumbnail to view a larger version!

Sure it's big, in fact maybe the biggest. Just under 12,000 cars showed up this year with over 100,000 spectators.

And it's amazing to see how the organizers - all volunteers and members of the Minnesota Street Rod Association- can so smoothly herd those 12,000 street rods in and out of the fairgrounds each day without a single hitch. (The Minnesota state police ought to take traffic control lessons from these guys!)

And the spotless setting- the Minnesota State Fairgrounds- couldn't be nicer: Paved streets lined with lots of big, leafy shade trees; so many first class food vendors scattered throughout the venue that it would take a month just to sample then all; many of the buildings and restaurants constructed in a small town, 50's motif. (and incidentally the fresh baked cinnamon rolls were to die for!)

Cruising is a big part of "Back tot he 50's" and there are litterally miles of tree lined paved hot rod boulevards to cruise on.

And if you had a problem with your street rod, not to worry. The Michigan Street Rod Association, as they do every year, trailered their rolling hot rod repair shop to the event, replete with a complete inventory of hard to find parts and staffed with volunteer gearheads ready to help you tackle any problem in order to get that hot rod rollin' again.

And speaking of parts, there were so many after market vendors there that you could have started from scratch and built a complete turnkey street rod on the spot just from what was available in inventory at the show. And if the vendors left your wanting the swap meet on Sunday offered so much quality merchandise there was no reason to leave the show empty handed.

Now this is all well and good, but it's not what makes this 37 year old event so special. What sets it apart is subtle, and yet you feel it the moment you walk into the fairgrounds. You are stepping back in time, to a time of innocence, a time of friendliness and goodwill, all centered on sharing the joy and tradition of the hot rodding experience. There is a reason why so many people travel from all over the United States to come to this event year after year. It is in a very real sense an extended family reunion that brings back to life the feeling of an era that was a whole lot simpler and less complicated. It's a joyful, carefree feeling that's contagious. It's good for the hot rod soul!

A tip of the hat and a low bow to Jerry Johnson, The Minnesota Street Rod Association and all it's hard working volunteers for putting on such a great event!

Here are some more pictures and our unique take on a "quick" trip through "Back to the 50's". Just a sampling of the cars and the people from this fantastic weekend.