The NSRA changed its rules in 2010 to admit cars that were at least 30 years old.
For decades, the National Street Rod Association focused on vehicles with bodies from 1948 or earlier. That definition reflected the traditional image of a street rod: an older American car modified with updated mechanical, electrical, or performance equipment.
The change was announced before the 2010 season and opened NSRA events to a broader range of vehicles. Supporters argued that a rolling age limit would let families participate together and keep the shows relevant as newer classics became collectible.
The 2010 rule did not mean every car became a street rod in the traditional historical sense. It changed eligibility for participation, allowing vehicles meeting the age threshold alongside the pre-1949 cars that had defined the organization for forty years. That distinction explains why some enthusiasts still use “street rod” more narrowly.