RECAP: 41st Annual Rod & Custom Brought A Taste Of Summer In Subzero Temps

During the midwest’s biggest snowstorm in recent history, near-crazy classic car and hot rod builders descended on The Bend XPO in East Moline for the 41st Annual Rod and Custom Show.

The weather prevented some cars from making the trip, but the cars that did were in great company from all across the Midwest. Attendees were treated to a sunny atmosphere, and all classes of cars, from rat rods and projects, to one-off custom builds with 6-figure price tags.

Candy Clark from ‘American Graffiti’ was on hand with tribute cars from one of the greatest car films of all time, and the L.A. lifer got to experience negative temperatures for the first time ever! She was thrilled that the air hurt her face, lol!

Pin-striping demonstrations entertained the crowd, and the art was auctioned to benefit area animal shelters. I bought two pieces myself! Thanks to Chris “D” Painter and Fat Daddy, invited by fellow pin striping legend Jim “Hetz” Hetzler.

Abernathy’s put on the pin-up pageant with a Game-show theme, there were hot wheel and slot car races from American Muscle Cars 4U. American Iron Racing hosted our Auto Olympics with events that lets folks try their hand at a race car tire change, and some less-critical but more entertaining contests!

Thanks to the vendors and sponsors who make it possible to attract this great collection of cars from right in our back yard, and also around the midwest. And to the folks that braved the elements to support the Show this year—and every year. We hope to see you at the 42nd Annual, and at the Spring and Summer shows!