AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour: Factory Five Racing Tour

The fourth leg of the 2011 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour kicks off Saturday, July 9 at the Eastwood Summer Classic car show at The Eastwood Company in Pottstown, PA. On one of the most anticipated tours of the season, the group makes its way through New England with a series of stops at famous car shops, manufacturers, a NASCAR racetrack, and much more. For those that want to test their vehicle on a drag strip, the stop at the Maple Grove Raceway will give them the opportunity. The itinerary even includes a visit to the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. These and other stops are interjected along the scenic drive through the East coast of New England.

The tour will wrap at the Syracuse Nationals in New York, an event that draws over 8,000 special interest vehicles to the New York State Fairgrounds. Other notable stops include a tour of the Factory Five Racing headquarters in Wareham, MA and visits to some impressive private car collections along the way.

If you are in the area, be sure to turn out and see the Road Tourians as they wrap the 2011 Factory Five Racing Tour at the Syracuse Nationals.

What: AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour, Factory Five Racing Tour

When: July 9-15, 2011
Where: Starting at The Eastwood Company, Pottstown, PA...
Ending at The Syracuse Nationals in Syracuse, NY

NSRA Street Rod Nationals Celebrates 40th Anniversary

It is one of Louisville’s premiere conventions with an economic impact of more than $15 million. It’s the NSRA’s Street Rod Nationals, which opened Thursday and runs through the weekend. As of yesterday nearly eleven thousand rods were registered, all pre-1949. The quantity of Ford ’32 Deuces is staggering, but everything else under the sun was here, including at least one item from 1903.

This was the NSRA’s 15th trip to Louisville, though flooding of the Ohio River earlier this week threatened to disrupt the spectacle. To be sure, there was no evidence of anything but sunshine and blue skies yesterday. With the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation complete, conditions could not have been more perfect for a car show.

It is the third year AMSOIL has been an official product sponsor of the NSRA. AMSOIL has been offering rodders the power of synthetics since 1972. Many of today's oils have significantly trimmed back on additives that help the oil protect engines and prevent cam and follower wear. AMSOIL offers two high zinc formula oils especially suited for vintage cars. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils and drivetrain fluids are installed in the NSRA Giveaway Car that was assembled by Indiana's Brookville Roadsters.

Hundreds of companies put their wares on display inside the convention center, and thousands of rodders put the love of the lives on display outside in every available parking space and across the grassy apron to the west. There are also a wide range of seminars and workshops designed to help rodders solves challenges in making or keeping their equipment road worthy.

In short, it's a great event and even if you're not a "car guy" it's well worth a gander at least once in a lifetime simply for the color and art and experience.

Below is just a small portion of the scene, looking southeast from the roof of the Kentucky Expo Center.

AMSOIL on Board as a Sponsor of Hot Rod Drag Week 2009

It’s one of the most popular events in rodding. More than a hundred cars and sometimes even 200 cars and drivers compete in Hot Rod magazine’s toughest assignment: how fast can you go and still be street legal?

In a challenge truly designed as a test the survival of the fittest, Hot Rod’s Drag Week is an event unlike any other. In a week-long tour of race tracks throughout the Midwest, a caravan of street legal dragsters travels from track to track, races hard, then moves on to the next stop to do it all over again. The driver who collects the total fastest time wins. Except… it’s not that easy. These cars need to make it to all race tracks without the help of a support crew following behind, with only the tools they have on board, and a dragster capable of completing such a task. Not just for full-on race cars, Drag Week offers several different classes from Unlimited modified cars to Daily Drivers.

The rules are fairly simple: Secret checkpoints along the way are determined in which each driver must stop and take a photo to prove they are staying on track and not taking any illegal shortcuts... or being towed. Breakdowns result in lost time and unless tools and supplies are on board already, they could mean the end for some. Of course, drivers are allowed to help each other out with tools or manpower if they wish, but it is a race against time and each other. Once at the tracks, drivers are required to make an allocated amount of successful passes on the drag strip to remain in the competition and before getting the maps to the next track.

The winner of this event with the lowest overall Elapsed Time (ET) will be declared ‘Fastest Street Rod in America’ with a trophy, bragging rights and hero worship in the magazine to prove it. In the words of Hot Rod Magazine, “Drag Week is all about road tripping with your new best friends, helping each other out, then trying to beat them on the drag strip.” If you are in any of the areas, come and watch friendly mayhem ensue as these drivers battle it out for the title. It’s free to watch, and there is still time to register at Hotrod.com if you want to submit your dragster to see if it has what it takes.

Dates for 2009
Sun Sep 13~Test 'n Tune -Muncie Dragway, Albany, IN
Mon Sep 14~Racing Day 1 -Muncie Dragway, Albany, IN
Tue Sep 15~Day 2 -US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, MI
Wed Sep 16~Day 3 -Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH
Thu Sep 17~Day 4 -National Trail Raceway, Hebron, OH
Fri Sep 18~Finals -Muncie Dragway, Albany, IN

2009 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour Visits Superior

AMSOIL welcomed the 2009 Street Rodder Road Tour on its ‘AMSOIL Tour’ leg here in Superior, WI last night. While the weather could have been a little nicer, it did not affect the number of local enthusiasts who turned out to see the tour roll in. With over 200 vintage and classic cars in attendance there was much to see and enjoy up close as the tour arrived, originating in Bowling Green, Ky. Jerry Dixie led the tour in his 1952 Chevy Bel-Air, which was one of the stars of the show in all of its metalflake green and white glory. Street Rods of all makes and models were in attendance, with something for every taste and generation. The next stop in the Road Tour is St. Ignace, MI for the St. Ignace Car Show. For those of you in that area, be sure you don’t miss this opportunity to see beautifully restored vehicles and show your support for the Street Rodder scene. The AMSOIL Tour was only the third in a series of eight legs, so there are plenty more opportunities throughout the country this summer to make it to one of these exciting events. You can find the entire tour schedule in the AMSOIL Promotions Blog by clicking here.

Blown Outa Proportion

Paul Sykora's pet passion has been making the rounds. In July the ’37 Ford Coupe, which won a 2007 Hot Wheels Design Award, was displayed at the GoodGuys Nationals in Columbus. Paulie put together a nice sign listing all his sponsors with a full color AMSOIL logo prominent. We like that kind of appreciation.

From there, the Coupe was transported to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville KY, a highlight among the 10711 cars there. To many, the coupe was the hit of the show. Among the photos here we see a camera crew interviewing Sykora for their video and Street Scene magazine.

Sykora's email to AMSOIL, describing the photos he sent us, included this comment: "The last one doesn’t need a caption. It's me and Chip Foose standing next to the car, which he liked by the way." We're sure he did.

If you wish to see this work of art and engineering in person, the car is scheduled to be in Florida the rest of the year. You will find it at the Daytona Dream Cruise in Oct, the NSRA Nationals in Tampa (also October), and the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona in Nov.

It's a Happening!

The AMSOIL sponsored 2008 PPG Street Rodder Road Tour slipped into town tonight, and whoa, were there cars to see or what! The word on the street was that the street rodders were a-comin' and that local car clubs were busy with spit and polish for the shindig. The AMSOIL Center parking lot became a full fledged car show.

In case you missed it, here are some images to give you a taste of tonight's spice. The festivities began at 5:30 for those who were in the road tour. The public had been invited from 6:30 - 8:00 but a lot of folks got here early to put their pride and joy into the choicest spots on the asphalt. Like more than two hours early! And a good thing, too, because there were more than 400 cars on hand, along with countless rodder fans checking things out.

A lot of old timers had flashbacks looking at the cool cars from a 1927 Model T to some rather hip muscle cars, rat rods, and everything in between. It was a full color spectrum and a spectacle rolled into one.

Add to the mix an absolutely perfect day, cloudless sky and sunshine, a little Fifties rock 'n roll, and celebrities like Jo Coddington and Jerry Dixey. A pinch of sass and local media coverage made it a kick. If you got to be part of it, we're glad you were here. Thanks to all who helped make it happen.

Click on photos to enjoy at full size.

Street Rodder Road Tour Coming To Town

For a lot of folks, it’s like Christmas in summer. Wednesday night, June 18, the Street Rodder Road Tour will be making its last stop before heading to the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s Back to the Fifties event in St Paul. We’re currently anticipating 28 cars and a contingent of local street rodding enthusiasts. This leg of the Tour which originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky, currently has 22 vehicles making the whole trip, but six more will be joining soon. That’s how road tours go, with enthusiasts hopping aboard along the way.

A special feature of this stop will be the presence of Jo Coddington, wife of the late Boyd Coddington, one of street rodding’s most influential builders and centerpiece of American Hot Rod. Jo will be joining Road Tour Director Jerry Dixey in the lead car for the last segment of this journey.

June 18 Agenda
The agenda here on Wednesday is for the Road Tourians to arrive at AMSOIL Center after checking in at their hotel. From 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. we’ll have suitable street rod music blaring and vendors on hand if you need a bite to eat or something to quench your thirst. And of course there will be the cars, which is what it's all about. Happily, the weather appears to be promising. Local car clubs and the public have been invited to view the cars on the tarmac inside Gate A at the AMSOIL Center.

Evidently there’s a lot of buzz out on the street. Anyone wishing to join the parade of classic cars on Thursday’s day trip to St. Paul is more than welcome. We’ll be gathering again in the morning at the AMSOIL Center to head south at approximately 8:30 a.m. If you’re planning to drive Back to the Fifties, be sure to double check the start time when visiting Wednesday eve.

Classic Automobilia Tour Goes Back to the Fifties

The word is out. AMSOIL will be one of the sponsors of this summer’s Street Rodder PPG Road Tour. Leg three of this tour, sponsored by Classic Automobilia, will be especially exciting as it passes through Superior, Wisconsin to visit the newly renovated AMSOIL Center on Wednesday evening, June 18th. Classic Automobilia sells pedal cars and 50’s and 60’s nostalgia items.

This 35th edition of the famed Minnesota Street Rod Association’s Back to the 50’s weekend coincides with the 35th anniversary celebration of AMSOIL INC. and the birth of the synthetic lubricants market. This is one of the largest gatherings of street rods in the world, attracting more than 11,500 registered vehicles last year.

According to Jerry Dixey, tour coordinator, this leg of the Street Rodder PPG Road Tour will begin in Bowling Green, Kentucky and pass through Youngstown, Ohio, and Michigan before chugging into Superior for an evening bar-b-cue. Stops along the way will include the Classic Automobilia 50’s diner showroom in Youngstown, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a tour of the Henry Ford Museum, and the American Speed Company in Plymouth, Michigan. American Speed is the supplier of this year’s steel 1933 roadster body.

On Thursday morning the Classic Automobilia Tour will gather at the AMSOIL Center to begin their trek through rural Minnesota to St. Paul and Back to the Fifties. Local street rodders will be invited to come along for the ride.

AMSOIL Saddened By Loss of Boyd Coddington

Celebrated Hot Rod Builder Will Be Missed

On Wednesday Feb 27 we were saddened by the news that legendary hot rod builder Boyd Coddington had died. The celebrated American Hot Rod star passed away at the Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Los Angeles as a result of complications brought on by a recent surgery. Coddington was 63.

From his earliest days growing up in rural Idaho cars have been his passion, and through cars he expressed his genius. Cars built at Coddington’s garage in La Habra, California have won the prestigious “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” an unprecedented seven times and the Daimler-Chrysler Design Excellence Award twice. Among other achievements, Coddington has been inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame, the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame, and the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame. In 1988 he was voted Hot Rod magazine’s “Man of the Year.” Even after a lifetime of designing, building and driving cars, when Boyd Coddington had time off he still went to swap meets and car shows. He loved being around both cars and the people who love cars.

AMSOIL began its relationship with Boyd at the Tulsarama, Oklahoma’s 100th anniversary celebration in mid-June 2007. Coddington and his crew were called upon to bring a ’57 Belvedere to life after fifty years preserved in an underground vault. The intention was to install AMSOIL lubricants and filters in the classic hardtop. Unfortunately, decades of water seepage resulted in the Belvedere being unsalvageable. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable weekend and the beginning of a friendship between the Coddington family and the AMSOIL family.

The relationship with Coddington soon evolved and his next AMSOIL undertaking was a Bonneville build. The aim was to set a new record for the fastest pre-1934 roadster, 3 liter/blown gas/modified with Jo Coddington at the wheel. The building of the AMSOIL/Coddington roadster, dubbed “Salt Fever,” was aired on TLC’s American Hot Rod in September.

AMSOIL appreciated the relationship that had developed with the Coddingtons, the work Boyd did for us and the confidence he had in our products. Our sympathies go out to Boyd’s wife Jo, and his three sons Boyd Jr., Chris and Greg.

2007 Year in Review

It’s been an exciting run for AMSOIL these past ten years, with steady growth and increasing participation in so many great events. This year was no exception with many new partnerships formed with some great people and great organizations.

Beginning in January we became an official sponsor of the National Street Rod Association. The NSRA hosts street rod events in various parts of the country for people who are passionate and nostalgic about cars. The organization is like an extended family of vintage car lovers.

After a chance meeting at the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, AMSOIL became affiliated with another passionate lover of street rods, Boyd Coddington. Coddington, whose unique approach to building hot rods had a major impact on the hot rod scene, had been invited to Tulsa to help resurrect a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere at an event called Tulsarama, the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma statehood. The car had been buried in a vault in 1957 and the crew from Coddington’s show American Hot Rod was gathered to get it started. The intention was to install AMSOIL synthetic motor oils and Ea filters on the car as part of the process, but alas, despite the good intentions the car proved to be an unsalvageable rustbucket, having set underwater for years or even decades.

The Coddington / AMSOIL relationship was only just beginning, however, as Boyd and Jo Coddington united their team around a groundbreaking Bonneville build. Their aim would be to set a new record for the fastest pre-1934 roadster, 3 liter/blown gas/modified with Jo Coddington at the wheel. The building of the AMSOIL/Coddington roadster, dubbed “Salt Fever,” was filmed in August and shown on TLC’s American Hot Rod in September.

Another great partnership that formed in 2007 was the AMSOIL sponsorship of the Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge, a grueling week-long experience in which off-road vehicles and their drivers are pushed to the limits. It was the 14th year Four Wheeler magazine assembled its crew to host this challenging competition which is covered extensively in the magazine as well as online and in a DVD.

The third annual Diesel Power Challenge was conducted in June as well, in Salt Lake City. AMSOIL has been an advertiser in Diesel Power magazine from the first issue, recognizing the growing popularity of the diesel truck market. The Diesel Power Challenge put a group of reader selected diesel trucks through the paces for two days, including a “tie-breaker” event related to fuel economy. It isn’t just about power, though these vehicles have more power than ever.

Yet another new relationship formed in 2007 was our sponsorship of Fred Hayes and the Hayes Diversified Technology (HDT) motorcycles that again set records at Bonneville. Hayes owns numerous world and national speed records on motorcycles. In September HDT set four more records on diesel motorcycles. Hayes’ current aim is a 100 m.p.g. /100 mph diesel motorcycle that is environmentally friendly, economical and potent. HDT is a company on the move.

Last but not least, AMSOIL became sponsor of the Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge this year. The Third Annual Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge featured the 410-inch Small Block engine. Eight engine builders participated in the final competition, first displaying their work at the Mopar Nationals in Columbus, then later having their engines put through the paces at Comp Cams in Tennessee. Ken Lazerri and Fuss Flagle of Indy Cylinder Heads won the competition this year by three hundredths of a point, unseating the two-time reigning champ. This year’s 2008 competition will feature a 440-inch based spec engine.

In the meantime, hope your 2007 was as exciting as ours. And may your 2008 be even better.

NSRA Schedule for 2008

With the street rod scene is as hot as ever the National Street Rod Association is thrilled about its schedule for 2008. AMSOIL is proud to be associated with such a passionate, grass roots organization.

Here are the NSRA Events for 2008. If you love cars, and you're anywhere in the neighborhood, plan to check out a car show next year. You'll be glad you did.

Southwest Street Rod Nationals
April 4,5,6
Oklahoma City, OK

Western Street Rod Nationals
April 25,26,27
Bakersfield, CA

Street Rod Nationals South
May 2,3,4
Knoxville, TN

Mid-America Street Rod Nationals
May 23,24,25
Springfield, MO

Street Rod Nationals East
June 6,7,8
York, PA

Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals
June 27,28,29
Pueblo, CO

Street Rod Nationals
July 31, Aug 1,2,3
Louisville, KY

Richmond Nationals
August 22,23,24
Richmond, VA

Street Rod Nationals North
September 12,13,14
Kalamazoo, MI

Northeast Nationals
September 19,20,21
Burlington, VT

Golden State Nationals
October 3,4,5
Sacramento, CA

Southeast Nationals
Oct 10,11,12
Tampa, FL

PRI Show Has It All

Canopies, trailers, racing suits, merchandise, licensing, associations, pistons, cams, gears, engine components, dynos, shocks, engines, wheels, transmissions, bodies, frames, graphics, filters, intakes, cylinder heads, gaskets, brakes, fuels – if it has to do with racing, it’s here in Orlando at the PRI Show, including many of the racers themselves.

The show not only covers every component for racers, it covers every kind and style of racing from go-karts to NASCAR and everything in between.

Boyd and Jo Coddington were impressed by the scope of the racing industry, having their first racing adventures at Bonneville this summer. Yesterday afternoon they presented their story of the Salt Fever Bonneville build and in the evening were the featured speakers at a special AMSOIL Dealer meeting. For all who attended it was a memorable evening with two really influential and generous people. Much like A.J. Amatuzio and AMSOIL re-defined the standards for quality in the oil industry, so Boyd Coddington re-defined the hot rod scene with his creative, passionate approach and love of cars.

If you’re a racing enthusiast, be sure to follow the AMSOIL racing teams on our racing blog or visit the racing section of our site, which is jam packed with racing news, photo galleries, video racing footage, and more. If you are a racer using AMSOIL lubricants and filters, send us your photos and tell us your story. Perhaps we’ll be able to add you to the testimonials section of our site.

Boyd and Jo at entrance of the sunlit Orlando Convention.

PRI Celebrates 20th In Sunny Orlando

Beginning with a warm Exhibitor Reception in the main lobby last night, the 20th Performance Racing Industry Show got underway. Press conferences, seminars, and a convention center filled with anything and everything to do with racing, it’s all here. Exhibitors from every corner of the racing scene can be found putting their best grill forward.

Any number of AMSOIL sponsored racers are in town wearing their AMSOIL colors. In addition, Boyd & Jo Coddington flew in from the West Coast to present a seminar entitled, “Boyd Coddington Builds a Bonneville Hot Rod.” The famed hot rod stylist broke new ground this year with the “Salt Fever” AMSOIL/Coddington Bonneville Roadster. Later today Boyd and crew will re-tell their story at an AMSOIL Dealer meeting in the Convention Center.

Mopar Muscle magazine announced the winners of their 2007 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge at one o’clock in the press room. After thanking all the sponsors who make it possible, the magazine presented first prize to Ken Lazerri and Russ Flagle of Indy Cylinder Heads who won the competition by three hundredths of a point. Publisher Jim Foos and Editor Randy Bolig also extended an invitation to Mopar engine builders to participate in the 2008 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge which will feature a 440-based spec engine.


Coddington fans from Oklahoma come over to greet Boyd and express their enthusiasm for his TV show and his work.

Jo shares how cars have been in her blood from her earliest days of go-kart racing at age six. Her father had to put a restrictor plate in the kart because she never took her foot off the accelerator.

Hot Wheels® Design Award goes to AMSOIL-lubed Coupe

Congratulations to Paul Sykora whose ’37 Ford Coupe won a 2007 Hot Wheels Design Award for car with Attitude at last week’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. We mentioned it in our blog last week that it was one cool Coupe. Sykora, from Orlando, Florida had installed AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Racing Oil and Severe Gear Synthetic 75W-140 Gear Lube in this over-the-top 2300 horsepower machine. The car, representing Weld Racing, was located in the South Hall at the Inside America Racing Booth.

Sykora’s car was one of four to receive awards presented by Hot Wheels®, who was a prominent sponsor of this year’s SEMA in conjunction with its 40th anniversary.

photo used with permission courtesy Fox Marketing

Day Two: Tens of Thousands

They come from all points of the globe, and every sector of the auto industry. The fact that this show is closed to the public probably adds to its mystique. As the event has grown, so has the public's awareness of it, and their appreciation of the benefits it brings. Whether its performance, power or style that brings them flocking to SEMA, the fact is this show has grown to be a phenomenon.

More than 2700 representatives from media all over the world are snapping pictures, shooting video, and gathering info for stories that will be in magazines and TV and internet for the next ten months. A few of the cars on this blog will undoubtedly appear in some of these publications. It's a heady experience for the newbies when people get a thrill from seeing the fruit of their passions.

The mood is upbeat again this year as people from diverse sectors interact. The truck section is astounding in the South Hall. And it's hard to believe that a mere ten years ago half the North Hall was marine related and there was no South Hall at all. Today, the marine segment is gone altogether, squeezed out by electronics gizmos and gadgets that fuel the imagination and help people see what's happening inside and all around their vehicles, which sometimes can become their whole world.

This year is the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels. Hence, a lot of Hot Wheels cars have been given away. At the awards breakfast Tuesday, everyone who came received a collectible Bone Shaker car. It is a one of a kind run, so only people who were there have one. More Hot Wheels cars were given away at the Hot Wheels booth where car designers autographed their work. The lines there were very, very long. This is a long explanation for these two photos featuring a couple of rather far out Hot Wheels cars.

Tomorrow is a big day at SEMA. Directors from AMSOIL will be at the Injen booth for a 2:10 p.m. press conference to introduce a new co-branded product line that will make a big impact on the diesel truck market. Also, Boyd and Jo Coddington will be up by their AMSOIL/Coddington Bonneville roadster signing autographs from 1:00 to 3:00. Enjoy the show.

Weather Dampens Spirits at Bonneville

The Bonneville World Finals was called due to weather.
44 records were broken in just 2½ days.

The AMSOIL/Coddington car never made its record run attempt, having had to qualify for licensing first. Their top speed achieved for qualifying was 184 MPH. They were poised to attempt the record run after installing taller gears and adding back more boost.

Next stop for the team is a one day event at El Mirage Dry Lake in California which has been home to Land Speed Racing and the SCTA. Vehicle inspections begin on the day prior to the race (Saturday) and the racing begins early Sunday morning. The AMSOIL/Coddington team is going to participate and record its times in an effort to prove that the car was built to go over 200 MPH. After this the Car will head to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for our AMSOIL featured vehicle display and autograph signing.




Jo Coddington was ready to pull out all the stops. Still, it was a great adventure.... with more to come.

Sacramento Here We Come

Over 1,400 street rods, customs, muscle cars and street machines will be on hand at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds October 5-7 as the National Street Rod Association presents its 6th Annual Golden State Nationals.

This will be the 6th time the NSRA Golden State Nationals have been held in Sacramento and an all time high number of participants and spectators are expected this year. Almost all of the Cal Expo Fairgrounds will be utilized for the event as well as many of the buildings, which will house over 75 manufacturer and dealer displays and other attractions.

The host organization, NSRA, defines a street rod as a modernized vintage vehicle that must be of pre 1949 manufacture. These vehicles are equipped with the latest options available on the newest model vehicles, including but not limited to disc brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, and tilt steering wheel. Most of those attending have updated the engines and drive train to enable the owner to cruise down the highway in comfort and safely maintain the speeds traveled by more modern vehicles. All vehicles must be driven on to the grounds.

Included in this event are muscle cars, those factory produced high horsepower machines from the 60’s and 70’s along with the classics cars of the 50’s. This is a truly unique mix of old and new together for the first time at Cal Expo Fairgrounds and a national gathering of fine vintage automobiles of every description. After 5 years as the Golden State Street Rod Nationals, the “new look” will continue to make the NSRA Golden State Nationals the area’s largest automotive participation event and spectators from around the area will attend the event.

If you are in the area, be sure to see what is new at the AMSOIL booth. Enjoy the blend of nostalgia, history and technology... and a scene you won't soon forget, Sacramento's largest vintage car show.

On the Threshold of Bonneville

How fast is fast?

According to a cover story in the September 1952 Hod Magazine, a California Streamliner was preparing to set a new record out on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Its goal: surpass a then current speed record of 219 mph. In those days, that was a pretty fast clip, though today most of us are well aware that the slowest qualifiers at the Indy 500 are exceeding this speed on a large circle track.

Over the years, our fascination with speed keeps countless manufacturers, racers and speed freaks coming back to the Salt Flats in Bonneville. Dubbed "the fastest place on earth" one wonders whether the Bonneville Salt Flats are the origin of the phrase "flat out fast."

In 1961, an assortment of new records were established including a Streamliner that rushed to 262.231 miles per hour in the fuel class.

At the end of the sixties the top cars looked more like rockets with wheels than cars. Drivers like Craig Breedlove pushed past the 400 mph mark and eventually 600 mph. Before long, some of the vehicles actually were rockets.

Boyd Coddington's Blown Gas Modified Roadster is ready to rock. Driver Jo has salt fever, as they say, and is eager to see what the AMSOIL/Coddington Model T can do.

Speed Trivia: In the early days of the locomotive, editorials urged people not to ride the trains because at 25 miles per hour, the air would be sucked out of their lungs and they would die.