I was lucky to spend my teenage years in the fifties, and witness the birth of the hot rods, custom cars, and street racing. I bought my first car when I was fifteen. It was a 33 Ford three window coupe for $13.00. The first thing I did was cut the fenders off, and and spray it with a coat of gray primmer.

For some reason the majority of my friends never left the fifties. They still listen to the same music, still hang out at Porkys drive-in, still do a little Racing, and we still belong To G.S.T.A. Gopher State Timing Association. The same club that a bunch of us teenagers started over 50 years ago.

Minnesota is a hot bed for hot rods and custom cars. MSRA Minnesota Street Rod Association, another club that I belong to just held there 32nd Annual Back to the 50's Weekend at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds. There were Over 10,000 of the finest hot rods and custom cars on this planet at this event. I was privileged to know some of the pioneers of Hot Rodding, like Wally Parks, Dean Moon, George Barris and Jon Kosmoski.

I shot a number of photos at the 32nd Annual Back to the 50s Weekend. Crank up some surfing music and enjoy.

Click on any photo below to enlarge.