Before we get to this great story, we would like to thank Thomas McGinnity for great photos  and Dave Worden for the commentary…. sharing with us… and you….. A very nostalgic look back at one of the countries oldest still active clubs…. A great bunch of guys whose love affair with cars has lasted a lifetime……..

     Later this year, the Westchester Street Rod Association will celebrate its 30th year in existence. It was back in 1973 when three friends, returning from the Street Rod Nationals East, wondered if there was enough interest in forming a local club in the Westchester, New York area. To test the idea, several people in the area that had street rods were contacted and a planning meeting was held in December 1973. From that planning meeting the Westchester Street Rod Association was formed.
     Right from the start, the members were enthusiastic about doing whatever it took to make the club a success. Like all clubs and organizations, not everyone wanted to take on job responsibilities for some of the officer positions, but they all supported those that did. The club was really fortunate to have found a great bunch of members that could work together to reach a common goal. That goal was to be the best we could be in everything the club did. And that went for the street rods, also. Right from the start, the rods were among the finest examples of the time.

      Within the first year, the 18 charter members chose the club colors, the club logo was designed, and club shirts and a club banner were completed. The club joined NESRO (Northeast Street Rod Organization) built a club trailer and attended as many rod runs as possible. Membership in NSRA was also mandatory for all members.
     During those early years, the meetings were held in the member's homes on a rotating basis. The wives or girl friends would attend as well. It was a great way to get to know everyone and their families. It was during those early meetings that the women volunteered to make new club shirts for all the members. They really did an outstanding job too !  Shirts were made for every member and their wives and kids. The shirt count had to have been well over 100 since everyone had more than one shirt. The club meetings also had some of the worlds greatest desserts at those meetings at the members homes.  Eventually, membership became too large to fit everyone in the homes, so meetings were moved to it's current location at the American Legion Lodge in Valhalla, New York.

     One of the reasons the club became so well known in the Northeast was due in part to two of it's members,. Thomas McGinnity and Larry Sementini, were members who were very active with the street rod magazines. … So many of the clubs activities were seen in Streetscene magazine that the other clubs in the Northeast jokingly referred to Streetscene as the "Westchester Newsletter" Thomas and Larry also submitted many of the member's cars for features in the magazines. This dynamic duo also started an annual Fall Foliage Tour that still exists today.
     Over the years, the club has remained a very active, close knit group of friends. The club has hosted car shows at such places as the Kensico Dam, Lyndhurst Castle, and White Plains, NY.  Members still gather evey Friday night at different member's garages to work on existing projects and enjoy each other's camaraderie.

     There is another tradition in the Westchester club that has become well known throughout the Northeast. Stop by to say hello and you will be offered  a cold beer. Now, not just any beer, it will be a long neck Miller high life. Over the years this has become quite a running joke with club friends that may not have acquired a taste for Miller. Lets just say, when the Westchester members are invited to other club events, the host club knows to be sure to have some Miller on hand! Ask Ralph at ECI, he knows ! Today, Westchester Street Rod Association's 40 active members and their street rods can be seen at many local and national street rod events. Many of the members street rods have been featured in national magazines. Several have been built by some of the top names in the industry. The members are very proud of their club image and it is reflected in each and every one of their street rods. In addition to the 40 active members there are at least another 40 "friends of Westchester" that are on their mailing list and frequently attend club functions. Some long time members have been transferred to other parts of the country by their jobs or retired and moved south, but are still almost as active as they were when they lived closer. Make no mistake; they are still members! Now, they provide stopover locations for members traveling to sunny Florida. Or, they are ambassadors of the club in their new communities.

.      WSRA will be celebrating their 30th anniversary later this year, and then setting goals for the next 30 years. If you are reading this then you already know this is more than a hobby, it's a way of life. The members of Westchester Street Rods will be going at this as long as there are hot rods and fuel to put in them.  The next time you see the Brown and Tan club shirts of the Westchester Street Rod Association, stop by and introduce yourself. I guarantee you will meet some great people, and you WILL be offered a Miller beer.
                                                Dave Worden