Muscle Shoals Area Street Rod Annual Rod Run.  Open show- 1973 and older.

40 Years of Street Rods

by Celeste A. Brewer for the Courier Journal Published June 1, 2011

When the Muscle Shoals Area Street Rods Club was founded in 1971 there were only 20 cars to show. Tommy Higginbotham was one of the founders of the local Street Rods.

“Several of us used to race cars. As we got older, race cars got too technical to maintain so we made street cars out of them. It became a more family oriented hobby for us,” said Higginbotham.

Interest in the club has grown through the years. Last year there were 200 cars at the annual show. Higginbotham commented, “Everyone is interested in old cars.”

The current members of the Street Rods have a great time together and comically refer to themselves as “old.” They welcome new members to their club. Reed Canerday joined in 1975 and commented, “We need some young people to keep the club going.” Club members donate yearly dues and abide by rules of conduct. They attend car shows at various locations in the Southeast. Members also give back to the community by donating to local charities. Throughout the years the Street Rods have given to the Cerebral Palsy Center, Lauderdale Christian Children’s Home, and the Salvation Army. Most recently they helped a local family in need during Christmas and donated money to the tornado victims.

The club is not just for showing cars. Canerday said, “We’re car builders too. We trade and help each other find car parts.” Larry Lindsey, who joined the club more recently, stated, “We encourage young kids to get into the club to keep their minds busy so they won’t get involved in drugs and alcohol.”

Those interested in joining are encouraged to attend a monthly meeting. The Street Rods Club members meet on the first Thursday of every month at the O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Muscle Shoals at 7pm.