Very cool! I really need to go to one some time. Can you or someone explain what the Nats actually are? What goes on times and such? Maybe I need to ask that in the Nats thread...
Technically it is a premiere Firebird only car show. This year had 505 registered cars. Everything from beaters (work in progress) to perfect unrestored (Concours) cars, but most fall somewhere between those categories. Lots of super nice cars, right alongside junky cars like mine.
But for lots of people like me (folks with average cars and folks with nice cars alike- it is the camaraderie, the carnival-like atmosphere, the awesome cars everywhere you look… this makes it all worthwhile. Several of us check the Do Not Judge box. We just want to be out there with everyone else.
And Tipp City ( a Saturday afternoon cruise to a town about 14 miles away) is the pinnacle. The town is closed off to all traffic EXCEPT Firebirds after 4 pm. The entire town is Firebirds from end to end on Main Street and for the block side streets off Main Street. Even more cars show up there. Cars that don’t register for the Nationals, but come to the Tipp City scene. Music, food and cars as far as the eye can see. And they give out a few trophies too at Tipp. Not points-judged, but just whatever catches the eye of the presenters. I could write a book, I think, on reasons to go to the Nationals if you get a chance. The first time I went, I didn’t take a bird. And that was ok. You can walk around all day looking at cars and talking. Seminars are held by the guys that originally brought these cars to reality. John Schinella, Bill Davis, Herb Adams, and many more have brought their unique knowledge and shared it with us through the years. It’s simply the highlight of my (and of many of my friends) year.
