More than 10,000 vintage cars will arrive in Louisville this week for the 41st Annual Street Rod Nationals. The event returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center for the sixteenth time, and organizers say some major modifications have been made for this year’s show. Marketing Director Jim Rowlett says the most significant change is the addition of newer cars. “This year for the first time we’re using a thirty year rolling date, which means that cars from the fifties, sixties, seventies can be involved in the event this year,” he said.Rowlett says organizers hope that allowing more recent street rods will open the event up to a younger demographic. Besides showcasing automobiles, it also includes seminars, a swap meet, and entertainment. Officials say the event has a local economic impact of about $16 million. It begins Thursday.(Story by WFPL intern Simon Levine)
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.