LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Car fans and artists unite for the National Street Rod Association Street Rod Nationals in Louisville.

Vinnie Minichiello has made a living remodeling cars and showed off his work at the competition.

“When you hand-build something, it’s taking something Buick built and we are redoing it. We do that to all our cars. It’s every nut, bolt and washer and there is some art to it,“ said Minichiello. 

He’s spent countless hours resorting and making modifications to create a work of art on wheels. Back home in North Carolina, he is working on five custom orders. He’s turned his passion into a business called CMX Customs. 

“It all is an a form of art. It’s all working with your hands. It’s all hand crafted. No machines. It’s what we love to do,” said Minichiello. 

Vinnie’s latest work is a 1957 Buick Caballero Wagon, a rare build. Less than 11,000 models were made. 

“This is like a six-year build. it’s just a lot of man hours, a lot of love and a lot of time,” said Minichiello. 

The Buick took thousands of hours and nine cow hides to complete. 

Vinnie and his one of a kind car took part in the 54th annual National Street Rod Association Nationals at the Kentucky Exposition Center over the weekend. Some of the hot rods here this weekend cost up to $150,000. The festival has attracted over 10,000 street rods, muscle cars, hot rods, customs and classics. 

“This is heaven to guys like me that we have the largest car show here in the United States in the world actually is right here in Louisville,” said car fan Mark Seymour. 

Thirty thousand car fans will visit the festival for the four days of fun.

And as for exhibitors like Minichiello, he looks forward to more shows for years to come.