There are two major attractions in Indianapolis, Indiana -- the Indy 500 and the Indianapolis Colts NFL football team. The 6th Annual Hot Rod Restoration Trade Show is starting to become another Indianapolis major attraction. This event is directed at the hard-core hot rod, musclecar, and truck restoration trade. It's all about horsepower, gears, suspension, chrome, billet aluminum, and painted graphics of beauty.
After flying the friendly skies all day, we checked into our hotel room sure to get a good night's sleep before attending the early morning grand-opening breakfast that features the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award. Every year, Petersen personally selects an individual he believes has contributed greatly to the overall growth and well being of this industry.
The breakfast is also seasoned with colorful stories of yesteryear that bring the hot-rod history to life. Later that evening, the Sagamor Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center hosted the Hot Rod Restoration Industry Reception, allowing all attendees to gather and exchange ideas, bench race, and catch up on the latest gossip. Of course, the Hot Rod Restoration Trade Show (HRR Trade Show) wouldn't be complete without the New Products Awards. Prior to the opening of the show, the industry's journalists judge the New Products section on the floor. The winning companies are announced and recognized at the reception and have an opportunity to display their awards in the company's booth throughout the duration of the show. The Manufacturer Seminars also allow the companies a chance to deliver a more focused presentation on their specific product or products effectively. As we entered through the doors of the HRR Trade Show, we were directed to the endless rows of the industry's leading manufacturers of the performance product-driven automotive aftermarket. Strolling the show gave us one-on-one time with vendors -- many of whom have become close friends over the years -- as well as time to be introduced to new folks. There is something unique about business relationships in the hot-rod aftermarket industry.
To some, they observe our industry as a hobby, and we are blessed to be involved in such a fast-paced evolutionary industry, culture, and lifestyle. For those of us who might be considered high-mileage and out of warranty, we have seen a lot of changes along our horsepower- and gear-driven journey.
The 6th Annual Hot Rod Restoration Trade Show and Marketplace is a great opportunity to visit one-on-one with a variety of manufacturers, retailers, speed shops, customizers, rod builders, engine builders, fabricators, and restorers before the 2004 show season begins.We would like to thank Debbie Lewis and the team at Lewis Communications, producers of the Hot Rod Restoration Trade Show and publishers of Hot Rod & Restoration Trade Magazine.
A quiet ride is just as important as a smooth ride. The interior panels of this '36 Dodge cab are clad with Acousti Shield insulation pieces -- the answer to eliminating road noise and vibration, and the way to take care of thermal control.
QA1 Motorsports has a wide variety of suspension components when it comes to coilover shock absorbers. QA1 specializes in adjustable ride-height shocks that work in conjunction with its coilover springs. Not having to worry about a pneumatic 'bag system leaking or malfunction, QA1
This beautiful silver '55 Ford F-100 received a lot of second looks after noticing a new Dodge Hemi powerplant wedged between the framerails.
This unique '45 Chevy belongs to Billy Phelan from Gainsville, Missouri, and sat poised with the perfect ride height by installing Mustang II front spindles up front with Air Ride Technologies airbags and Air Ride Technologies Shock Wave airbags in the rear.
DTS Parts Service has anything you need, from rearend housings, housing alterations, and axles, to bearings, third members, ring-and-pinion ge |  |
To maintain the early model instrumentation appearance with today's technology, the folks at Classic Instruments have what you are looking for. | 
How about this shaved, smoothed, fat-fendered, five-window, red-on-red '50 Chevy rolling on American Torq-Thrust II polished aluminum wheels with BFGoodrich rubber? |
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George Barris, honored guest of the '04 Hot Rod Restoration Show, signed autographs alongside his famous Batmobile. |
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Mr. Gasket is one of the largest automotive high-performance manufacturers on the planet. You name it, Mr. Gasket has it. |
Comp Cams has been one of the leaders when it comes to camshaft and valvetrain technology, since 1977. Creating more power, torque, a wider powerband, and better gas mileage is Comp Cams' goal. |  |
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Stewart Warner Instruments (SW) has been a popular player in the industry for many years. SW has a large assortment of classic gauges that will fit into any vehicle. |
Contributing the most to the overall appearance of any vehicle is the paint finish. PPG has developed a rainbow of new durable colors, including candies, pearls, and metalflakes. | 
The Griffin Radiator booth was a cool place to hang around during the show. |
If you're gearhead visiting Inianapolis, you must cruise out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We did and had a great time- what a huge palace of speed. | 
Nothing like bench racing over a Roushinjected performance engine. |
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Want to achieve that great low stance for your ride? Heidt's Hot Rod Shop has the answer with its manufactured front clip swaps, which instantly create that perfect stance, along with handling and braking. |
Technology manufactures a full line of high-performance electronic fuel-injection systems. |  |
What's a Hot Rod Restoration Trade Show without a massive Mopar Hemi supercharged with dual carburetors? This Hemi is all about horsepower. | 
Another bigger-than-life Indianapolis landmark is the RCA Dome home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL football team. |