51st Annual Street Rod Nationals South Shop Tour
By Charlie Hamilton NSRA East Tennessee State Representative
R odders surrounding the Appalachian mountain range were delighted when the NSRA Street Rod Nationals South was revived after celebrat- ing its 50th Anniversary in 2024, especially when Johnson City, Tennessee, was chosen for the 51st Annual event. The entire area is surrounded with active rodders and homebuilders along with dozens of professional shops making this area a hotbed of rodding activity. On Thursday, the day before the event, a series of Shop Tours was organized by East Tennessee State Representative Charlie Hamilton and it proved to be a tremendous success, drawing more than 50 street rodders and automotive enthusiasts for a full day of cruising, fellowship, and behind-the- scenes access to some of East Tennessee’s premier hot rod and restoration facilities. Participants depart- ed from the Host Hotel early Thursday morning and began the scenic journey through the foothills of east Tennessee to the first stop, East Tennessee Chrome Plating in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The staff graciously opened their facility and provided an in- depth look at each stage of the chrome plating process, giving attendees a rare opportunity to see the craftsmanship and detail involved in restoring and refinishing automotive trim and components.
completed builds, high-end restorations, and current projects in progress. Attendees enjoyed the opportu- nity to speak directly with the builders and see first- hand the level of craftsmanship that goes into each custom vehicle.
The tour then continued south on Highway 11E into historic Greeneville, Tennessee, home of the 17th President of the United States, Andrew Johnson. The final featured stop was Lilly-Jack Custom Coachworks, where Reed Lane and his team opened their doors to the group with true Southern hospitality. Participants explored a shop filled with custom builds, ongoing projects, vintage signs, gas and oil memorabilia, and automotive nostalgia that perfectly reflected the spirit of hot rodding and clas- sic car culture.
From Elizabethton, the tour continued south through Johnson City and along historic Highway 11E, passing through Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, known for its rich history and small- town charm. The second featured stop was Kyker Rod and Custom in Telford, Tennessee. The Kyker team welcomed participants with refreshments and hospitality while showcasing an impressive lineup of
14 JULY 2026
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