All-stars. Best in show. OK, the annual GSTA Rod & Custom Spectacular presents top cars, but such phrases are getting a little carried away, right? Then again, it is the 52nd annual edition of the country's third-oldest, independent hot rod show. And the 54-year-old Gopher State Timing Association, the state's oldest organized car club, pre-selects the show's top 100 vehicles from many entries. If nothing else, next weekend's show (see box) at the State Fair Coliseum means that "car-show season" is almost upon us.

The show features cars never seen here before (or shown recently), ensuring that attendees see cars not displayed at the last World of Wheels show. "Many people tell us they want to introduce their cars at our show," says show coordinator Brian Warhol. With food and auto-related vendors (parts, car care, die-cast models, etc.), the show fills all the Coliseum's nooks.

Featured cars include John Loukkas' red fuel coupe, chosen to represent the year 1957 for the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) 50th anniversary, and Doc Halladay's new version of his Plymouth Arrow funny car, "Telstar." Weather permitting, he'll try to outdo Loukkas' 2003 "Cackle Car of the Year" in a Sunday "cacklefest." Three "gassers" will do Saturday's roaring, including Paul Bath's '41 Willys, and Kroona and Sandberg's "Anglia."

Also on hand will be super-mileage cars built by high school students (one went 999 miles on a gallon of gas!) and the winning cars (a 1935 Buick club sedan, a 1933 Pontiac coupe, a 1957 Ford) from last year's "Back to the '50s" show.

Brainerd International Raceway and QA-1 Motorsports are the major sponsors of the show, which awards about $4,000 to entrants. GSTA uses show profits to help the Minnesota Drag Racing Association's junior dragster program, Minnesota's Supermileage program, Toys for Tots and the Courage Center's "Cars for Courage" program. Representatives from the latter will accept financial donations and explain the program (sorry, no cars donated at the show).

Street rods, customs, restored beauties, motorcycles, cacklefests - it promises to be another great Rod and Custom Spectacular.

See the Show
When: Sat., April 12: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun., April 13: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Where: State Fair Coliseum Admission: $10 adults; $5 ages 7-15; 6 & under free.

Free parking on site. More information: 651-464-5250; speedymotorsports@comcast.net; www.gstarod-custom.com.