Page 60 - Issue 40

Firs
First off, I would like to say, if t off, I would like to say, if
you haven’t experienced this event,
you haven’t experienced this event,
you should. It is a meeting of some
you should. It is a meeting of some
of the greatest builders in the
community and what they do with
community and what they do with
cars and trucks that time forgot is
cars and trucks that time forgot is
quite amazing. I get asked all the
quite amazing. I get asked all the
time “Are they even roadworthy?”
time “Are they even roadworthy?”
Yeah, they are… Honestly, some
of the machines that are featured
of the machines that are featured
here are safer than current era
cars and trucks. The community
of rat rodders are an interesting
group, but what the general
public thinks an enthusiast is: Old
public thinks an enthusiast is: Old
hillbillies, greasers, and generally
unacceptable hooligans. This is
so far from the truth. While there
so far from the truth. While there
are some of those type, most are
are some of those type, most are
businessmen, blue collar workers,
businessmen, blue collar workers,
and some of the most generous,
helpful individuals.
Originally, Steelfest was just a
one-day event but last year they
added the Hawg Pit Saturday
show to make up the Build-Off
weekend, and if I had my way, it
would be a week long experience.
Saturday, starting early in the
morning, people start gathering
at the Hawg Pit in Grafton Ill. The
fi rst day is a much more laid back
and open location. Car and truck
builders from all over the United
States and Canada show what they
States and Canada show what they
have accomplished over the last
year. I am usually in awe of what
people come up with. I feel like it
is one of those things where the
common man can dream the car or
common man can dream the car or
truck that they always wanted. For
truck that they always wanted. For
me, just to be lucky enough to visit
me, just to be lucky enough to visit
with the RRM guys and the vehicle
with the RRM guys and the vehicle
owners is a dream come true.
Grafton is the penultimate location,
Grafton is the penultimate location,
right by the river, good food, great
music and amazing conversations.
It is the place to go if you want to
spend dedicated time looking at
the vehicles and not feel cramped
or a little bit of chaos.

60 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE FORTY

58x61 RiNAC.indd 60 10/17/16 1:50 PM