2016 NSRA Appreciation Day at Classic Instruments

It’s been held every summer come the end of July for the past 17-plus years the NSRA Appreciation Day at Classic Instruments in Boyne City, Michigan an amazing recreational community nestled up against Lake Charlevoix. When you are there, you are there, as it’s literally the end of the line but what a great place to have a one-day rod run.

For years hot rodders have or are encouraged to bring their rides the annual NSRA Appreciation Day open house. There are tours of Classic Instruments (well worth the drive alone), individual car awards, raffle drawings, vendor food on-site and the proceeds this year went to the Boyne City Color Guard to furnish new equipment. (Early reports tell us that over $5,000 was collected.)

As has bene the case for the past three years Street Rodder is represented by myself (ye ol’ Editor Brennan) and we handout an Editor’s Pick award (beautiful steel signs designed and made by Classic Instruments) for Best Early Hot Rod and Best Late Hot Rod. This year Ron Williams with his glistening all-black 1932 Brookville Roadsters Ford highboy roadster took home the early honors while Bob Williams (no relation to Ron) took home the late honors with his 1957 Chevy convertible…a recreation of his car that he had back in his high school days.

Ron’s highboy roadster rests on a Pete and Jakes 4-inch drop axle with hairpins and with Wilwood disc brakes. The headlights are Deuce commercial while the taillights are 1937 Ford. The Brookville roadster sports a 4-inch chopped windshield and has Rod Tops International soft top while moving this hot rod down the road falls to an early 396 big-block Chevy backed up to a Tremec five-speed while the entire rides rests on American five-spoke wheels.

Bob’s 1957 Chevy (with a neat custom touch in the 1957 Buick grille) rests on a Morrison chassis with Budnik wheels (also the steering wheel) at the corners as well as Wilwood disc brakes. The Edelbrock small-block is backed emits mellow tones form the Borla exhaust while the V-8 is hooked up to an automatic all the while controlled by Lokar pedals. Keeping the V-8 cool falls to a BeCool radiator while inside one can enjoy the cool climes supplied by the Vintage Air A/C and “easy reading” comes by way of the Classic Instruments gauges resting beneath the white top stitched by Shelby Upholstery and they also did the rest of the interior and trunk area. Bob also took home a custom fender/cowl/radiator cover from Bob’s Original Fender Covers. That was especially made up and given away for this event.

While there were plenty of interesting cars and trucks to look at from all years there were also some interesting displays with dragsters and a one-of-a-kind DecoLiner that can be steered from inside the cab or from the flying bridge…this was a big hit with everyone.

More popular sights included a tour of Classic Instruments facilities giving everyone a “backdoor” look at the inner workings of CI. One could see everything from the layout and design of the gauges, through manufacturing, to assembly to shipping. But, the one area that absolutely fascinated everyone (including me!) was the “rapid prototype” area where you could literally watch a part “absorbed” from the computer and spun into a real part in front of your eyes. Now this was cool.

Another fun exhibit was the beautifully prepped and painted gloss black over satin black 2009 Drag Pak (Challenger) drag car belonging to John McLeod of Classic Instruments. It is car #30 of 100 produced that year by Chrysler and is powered by a 6.2L (376 inch) modular Hemi. You could see all the “wheels” turning inside each hot rodders head as he imagined “droppin’ the hammer” and making a 9 second pass at a buck fifty down the quarter.

There was plenty for everyone to do and the amazing list of prizes available for the Silent Auction as well as the raffle was second to none…no really second to none. Rodders were going home with two, three and four gifts…truly amazing.

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