Back to the '50s Car Show

For nearly as long as there have been cars, there have been car shows. Many of the earliest car shows were held so manufacturers could debut their latest models to the public.

But as the love affair between the public and their automobiles grew, so did the desire for owners to personalize their cars to make them unlike anything else on the road, and naturally, they wanted a place to show off these beauties. It didn’t take long for car owners to gather to appreciate each other’s efforts, and so the local car show was born.

The car show takes many forms, from a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts in a parking lot, to a cruise night on a favorite stretch of road or a more organized and judged event. With little effort, most enthusiasts can find a car show in their area almost every weekend during the summer months.

Regardless of where you live, every region has that one must-attend event. For those of us in the upper Midwest, that event is the “Back to the ’50s” car show sponsored by Minnesota Street Rod Association and held in St. Paul, MN. This 3-day event draws in this region’s finest 1964-and-older cars and trucks.

Street Rods, Gassers, Hot Rods, Customs, Rat Rods, and restored classics come together for this event in their shared passion for the automobile. And not just a few either, this event regularly draws 12,000 cars and nearly 120,000 spectators, making this the country’s largest 1964-and-older event.

There are no awards, judges, or trophies, just a gathering of people drawn together from all corners of the United States, Canada, and points beyond, to share in their admiration of the early automobile. The tree-lined streets and buildings of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds give the Back to the ’50s car show a small-town feel, and with just one visit it’s certain to make your list of must-attend car shows.