KIA Duluth Drag Race and Car Show
Duluth, Minnesota

Custom and Collector Car Show

The car show portion of the event is getting bigger and bigger each year. In 2015 they expect over 300 vehicles to be on display.

My first car was a 1955 Chevie Bel-Aire coupe like this one, except mine was red and white. A great little car and you still see them on the road today. > > >

< < < Owned by Brian and Susie Vidor of International Falls, MN, this 1940 Pontiac Big Chief sure has some beautiful lines. She's had a few custom face lifts here and there from the original to enhance her beauty. Sharp car.

The original engine has been replaced by a 454 cubic inch Pontiac big block running dual quad carbs.

This one is a 1939 Chevie Panel Truck being waxed and detailed by its owner. Has some neat graphics on the side panel that I should have photographed. > > >

< < < A 1935 Ford 2 door coupe. . . . In the background is a chopped street rod. Didn't get the details on the body but it looks to be an early 30s Ford.

 

Tom Hamilton of Superior, Wisconsin and his Dad did a great job restoring and customizing this 1936 Ford Humpback.

This little Nash Metropolitan drew a lot of attention. Rather than restored I think it has just been lovingly cared for. Still has the original equipment engine. > > >

< < < I think you could get almost 40 mpg out of this 4 cylinder, one barrel carburator engine. Back in high school my buddy Bill Faulkner had a green Nash Rambler, just a wee bit bigger than this one. We could ride around all day on less than a buck of gas.

There were lots of muscle cars at the car show (and in the race itsefl). Here's a 1970 Dodge Charger.

The Kia Duluth Drag Race

Like the car show, the drag race is drawing more and more contestants each year for the chance to run on a 1/8 mile city street drag strip. In 2015 over 100 drivers will be competing.

Cars lined up for the beginning of the Drag Race meet. That candy apple red 1939 Willys 4 door sedan in the front not only looks good, it can really "Go." It was one of the fastest cars we saw on Saturday. > > >

< < < That stubby little blue 1955 Chevie coupe, looking quite ordinary, would later take that muscle car on "steriods" to its right (a 1969 Chevelle). Was a close race when they got to the grandstand but I think the older car won.

Jo liked this lime green Road Runner, especially since it was piloted by a woman driver. > > >

< < < This tricked out Beetle would hold its own again a souped up compact pickup (see below).

Running side by side here, but the Beetle prevailed at the finish line and later won another race before being knocked out of competition.

 

Kia Duluth Drag Race Videos

Here's a promo video by the event organizer that will give you a broader picture of the entire event.