Back to the '50s Show

A pair of radical custom Cadillacs with Georgia license plates parked in one corner of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds said a lot about the lure of the Back to the '50s weekend. Kent and Mary Ann Endicott in the '49 fastback, and Kelly and Sarah Puckett in their chopped '60 Coupe de Ville had motored all the way to the Land of Lakes for the 28th edition of this midsummer auto fest. From the other direction, Ed and Sharon Nelson's purple and white '46 Ford convertible carried a sign on the front proclaiming "Seattle to St. Paul for Back to the '50s."

Does this event draw? You'd better believe it! Street rod and custom fans all across the country have heard about the fun to be had at this automotive celebration, and they all want to give it a go at least once. This year the turnout of pre-'65 customs, street rods, and classics totaled up to 9,854. Many, of course, belong to the Minnesota Street Rod Association, the statewide organization that puts on the event, while others swarmed in from surrounding states and farther away. Crowds--spectators and participants--were estimated at 85,000 for the three-day weekend.

Filling the state fairgrounds for the June 22-24 weekend, the event takes on the atmosphere of a fair with colorfully finished vehicles replacing cows and sheep, and horsepower instead of horses. Hundreds of vendors offer all kinds of custom automotive components and equipment, and several fairgrounds buildings are filled with arts, crafts, and car-related merchandise. Fairgrounds food vendors keep the mobs nourished with such fare as funnel cakes and bratwurst that can only be found at a fairground.

The swap meet is one day only, Sunday, but it keeps getting bigger. This year it filled the entire racetrack and infield with previously owned automotive treasures, including an old custom '51 Chevy Bel Air and a '49 Plymouth convertible just waiting to be restyled!

As if all this isn't enough, the MSRA provides free Friday and Saturday night concerts with such headliners as Johnny Tillotson, The Tokens, and Tommy Nystrom's tribute to Roy Orbison. For the third year, Mecum Auctions hosted a custom and hot rod sale, something for the "pedestrian" who just can't wait to build a custom!

If you aren't too weary after the day's activities, you can extend the evening as long as you want cruising Porky's or the other spots on University Avenue.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are a great vacation destination anytime, but for hot rod and custom enthusiasts it's gotta include Back to the '50s! Mark it down for June 21-23 in 2002.

A flathead with Fenton headers and 2x2 Edelbrock intake with Stromberg carbs adds to the authenticity of Jim and Chris Hetzler's '50 Ford from Muscatine, IA, but the flamed wheels and blackwall tires bring it up to date. Jim doubled the taillights and added a '54 Pontiac grille.	Jerry and Cheryl Krob made the cruise up I-35 from Wichita, Kansas, to show off their pearl-finished '57 Mercury two-door, hardtop wagon, now powered by a 429 V-8 and C-6 trans. The interior is fitted with four bucket seats and a full console.	Lowell Byam got this '57 Dodge Lancer five years ago as an 18th anniversary present! With shaved emblems, red and black vinyl upholstery, and push-button Torqueflite, it's like one he had when he got married.
Grand Forks, ND, owner Wes Rydell has put more than 20,000 miles on the 1997 Custom Rod of the Year! His Boyd-built '50 Chevy fastback four-door needed a little freshening up, so he changed to a two-tone color scheme of black and special-mix pewter with a red stripe. Cool!	The only thing late model on Les Abraham's '53 Ford Tudor is the '94 Ford Sunrise Red paint. Early-style finned valve covers disguise the 350 Chevy, and the upholstery is rose and white diamond tufted Naugahyde in this Owatonna, MN, cruiser.	This '54 Chevy Bel Air hardtop from Maumelle, AR, has been brought up to date with Boyds wheels and oyster leather upholstery on the bucket seats and center console. Ben and Donna Garcia chose a non-traditional powerplant: a 348 Chevy with triple carbs.
"There were '57 Ford station wagons out in force at St. Paul. This mild custom tudor Ranch Wagon drove in from Devil's Lake, ND, with Arlyn Hefta at the wheel.	Minnesota metal wizard Carl Zechbauer customized this '51 Chrysler New Yorker for Buzz Magnuson 16 years ago, chopping the top and painting it classic black. Son John Zechbauer and his wife, Ann, now enjoy the big-block-Chrysler powered luxury liner.	After show hours the cruisin' scene shifts to Porky's drive-in and spills over to many other fast-food joints along University Avenue near the fairgrounds. This '58 Chevy wagon and its owners were digging the scene.
Cadillacs a pair! This duo of low-slung cruisers came all the way from Georgia to make Back to the '50s. Kent and Mary Ann Endicott cruise the chopped, purple '49 fastback, while the chopped '60 Coupe de Ville belongs to Kelly and Sarah Puckett.