ftermarket LS accessory drive systems are nothing new, but they play an important role in making our engines look better and perform better, especially when increased horsepower is part of the equation. No doubt we all want our engines to look as good as possible and the fine folks at All American Billet offer front drive system kits for a variety of engines, but for this article we’ll be focusing on their billet serpentine system for LS Gen III- and Gen IV-style engines. While All American Billet offers machined, black anodized, and Silverline Series, this particular system is the polished kit for those wanting to liven up the front end of their LS engine with a little pizazz.

While it looks 100 percent more attractive than the stock GM system, the six-rib Gates belt system offers the ability to handle that extra horsepower you’ve added without belt slippage that is common with high-performance engines.

As mentioned, All American Billet offers systems for Chevy small- and big-block as well as systems for Ford and Chrysler engines. With a variety of finishes, there’s sure to be something to fit the style you are after for your ride.

oday you’d be hard-pressed to find a new car without air conditioning, but in 1962 that wasn’t the case. That year a new Chevy Impala two-door hardtop sport coupe had a factory price of around $2,800, and adding DeLuxe air conditioning bumped the tab by over $360—that’s roughly 13 percent of the base price. As a result, lots of Chevy shoppers back then decided to tough it out and forgo the A/C and cope with hot days by rolling the windows down and turning the windwings out. Of course, all that did was funnel hot air into the passenger compartment, along with the occasional flying insect.

As far back as 1976, Vintage Air has been supplying universal aftermarket A/C systems to make it easy for enthusiasts to keep their early cars and trucks cool. Since then, Vintage Air has continued to incorporate the latest technology in their product line. As an example, at one time OEM and aftermarket climate-control systems used cables or vacuum motors to control the doors that directed airflow in the evaporator case—both systems had limitations due to the limited movement of those doors. Vintage Air’s Gen II and IV systems use fully electronic microprocessor-controlled servo motors to control the operation of those doors, which allows them to travel further. The results are dramatic gains in airflow, superior defrost performance, and true bi-level operation in both heat and A/C modes. Today that technology has been combined with Vintage Air’s SureFit vehicle specific kits that are complete, bolt-in climate-control systems that require no significant modifications to the car (some holes may have to be drilled).

t was great to make our annual trip back to Louisville, Kentucky, for the NSRA Street Rod Nationals. This year celebrates the 54th edition, which was held August 3-6 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. As usual, there were a good number of street rods in attendance laid out over 300 acres, but ’60s and ’70s muscle cars and trucks take up most of the space at the Street Rod Nationals these days. With nearly 10,000 classics on hand, there was a nice mix of makes and models representing, but for us Chevy folks, the Bowtie brand was the majority in attendance, which helped quench the thirst of most hard-core Chevy fans at the event. Regardless of your favorite model or year, the place was crawling with a plethora of Camaros, Chevelles, Tri-Fives, Corvettes, Novas, big cars, oddballs, and everything in between. Pro Street? There were plenty. Pro Touring? Yep. Mild restomods, wild customs, Gassers, Day Two restos, and even concours restorations were all on hand and armed with your favorite form of power, ranging from old-school big- and small-blocks to modern powerplants, including a nice mix of LS and LT engines lurking under and, in some cases, poking through those GM hoods. With the rolling 30-year cutoff, the ’93 and earlier third-gen Camaros and G-body Malibus are becoming more common at this event.

If cruising the grounds in your ride or relaxing in your favorite canvas-back chair is your thing, you were right at home, but if you are the anxious type and sitting around for too long isn’t your thing, the autocross was a great place to put your foot to the floorboard and let your car’s power and suspension go to work. The NSRA autocross was designed for anyone wanting to get their vehicle on the course regardless of driving experience. Whether your car carries stock suspension or is armed with the latest high-end aftermarket hardware, the short course was designed to give everyone the opportunity to tear up some asphalt and have some fun.

Many enthusiasts mark down this event as a yearly stop to reconnect with fellow hot rodders from all over the country, while others used the event to spend some quality time with family and friends while soaking in the Street Rod Nationals nuance. It’s a great fuel-driven atmosphere combined with regular attendees as well as those bringing out their projects for the first time. Either way, it was a great way for like-minded, vintage car people to enjoy the weekend and hang out with some good hot rodding company. We show up for the Chevys, but in this eclectic Louisville hot rod environment, the fuel-burning fun fest included top-notch Mopars and Fords, too.