USRI is a group of individuals dedicated to the preservation of automotive related hobby interests, for the entire State of Idaho, through lobbying with the legislature and other political entities and encouraging the exchange of information related to our hobby. This Organization was formed in 1979 when fifteen concerned individuals met to discuss problems for "street rodding" and other uses of classic and older vehicles. It was decided at that time to form an organization dedicated to help maintain and expand the interests expressed by the individuals who own these types of vehicles. (continued)

USRI was incorporated in 1982. Some major accomplishments since then include:

  • Definition of "Street Rod" as currently written into law
  • Street Rod plate was designed and approved
  • Improved titling laws (related laws have been modified several times)
  • Safety inspection guidelines were approved and became voluntary
  • Equipment requirements for older cars have been specified
  • Use of Blue Dot taillights for vehicles 30 years or older was approved
  • A law allowing pre 1935 vehicles to be driven without fenders (highboys) was passed
  • Antique and Classic plate laws have been rewritten
  • Ada County zoning regulations have been modified for the storing of non-running vehicles
  • Representation is provided for individuals with titling and registration problems
  • A close relationship between our organization and Transportation Department of Idaho
  • Single rear license plate law was approved for street rods, classic cars, old timer and year of manufacture plates.

USRI represents over 150 "car clubs" statewide, with over 800 individual memberships (not including spouses or significant others). The adage "united we drive, divided we park" has never been more meaningful than at the present. It is imperative that "automotive hobby enthusiasts" have a group representing their interests in these changing times, and USRI has taken the lead and will continue to represent people concerned with these issues, and the use of street rod, classic and older type vehicles.

From here we continue our goals and ask for your support! There is always discussion of putting more restrictions on older vehicles; of not allowing storage of cars on private property; or changing laws to benefit other special interest groups that do not understand The interests in older vehicles. We strive to make sure our collective voices are heard to protect your interests. In any upcoming legislative sessions, we intend to continue to support issues to preserve our hobby or debate the ones that will hurt us. On the reverse of this information sheet is a membership application. Please support your hobby and join our organization and efforts to keep this great hobby around for generations to come.

Fax/phone # 208-377-0344 * E-mail: membership@usri.org

If you have any questions about our organization, please contact one of the officers listed below:
President Vice President Legislative Liaison
Curtis Stoddard
2462 N. Majestic Place
Eagle, Idaho 83616
phone: (208) 939-9249
cell: (208) 284-7885
president@usri.org		 Mel Eggleston
2165 Bruneau Dr.
Boise,ID 83709
phone: (208) 377-0344
fax: (208) 377-0344
vicepresident@usri.org		 VOLUNTEER NEEDED




liaison@usri.org
Secretary/Treasurer Director Webmaster
Jan Eggleston
2165 Bruneau Dr.
Boise,ID 83709
phone: (208) 377-0344
fax: (208) 377-0344
secretary@usri.org		 Tim Strouse
10348 Utahna Rd.
Boise, ID 83714
phone: (208) 853-3518
wk cell: (208) 859-7705
director@usri.org		 Kevin Eggleston




webmaster@usri.org

For questions or helpful comments about this USRI.org website, please send them to our USRI Webmaster.

Curtis Stoddard, President. I’m from Boise, but Lynne and I now live on a small acreage in Eagle. We have five grown kids and seven grandkids. I attended Borah and Boise State. I’ve rodded around the Boise valley since the ‘60’s, ridden motorcycles since I was 14, and enjoy getting grease under my nails – although it’s not as much fun to bend over an engine bay as it used to be! Lynne owns a restaurant and I’ve been with Albertsons/SUPERVALU for 35 years.

Currently I have an ’02 Ultra “Fat Pounder” Bike, a ’66 GTO ‘Clone’, and the bits and pieces of a ’31 Model A 5-window coupe lying around my shop. More than my own vehicles, I enjoy

seeing what others are doing and some of the innovations that folks come up with. I’ve been a volunteer and board member for several organizations, including the United Way of Treasure Valley.

When asked to accept the nomination for this position, I was anxious to help get USRI some recognition for all the great work it’s done in the past, and to help grow our membership to keep our influence strong in the future. I also want to get more young people involved.

Mel Eggleston, Vice President (Founding Member). I was born and raised in Idaho. I grew up in the Buhl area and have always been a car nut. As a kid I had to have all of the latest car models out. The first car club I was associated with was the Syndicate of Buhl in the early 60’s and later joined the Magic Valley Timing Association. I purchased my first car in my senior year, a 1940 Ford Coupe and still own it today and soon to be hitting the streets again with a complete rebuild. It was my primary driver for a couple years attending an apprenticeship upholstery program in Reno and later at CSI in Twin Falls. It moved me to Boise in 1970. I also have a 1938

Chevrolet 2 door Sedan (for sale) and the car most see me in today, a black 1940 Ford pickup. I’m also building another ‘40 Ford pickup with a 401 nailhead for power. I have held just about every position in USRI except Secretary but have been known to help there to. I admit I have the disease and I know it is not curable and that’s ok.

Legislative Liaison.

USRI currently does not have a Legislative Liaison to help us lobby for our interests. If you have an interest at all, please call and talk to one of the current officers.

Tim Strouse, Director. I was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania (Williamsport – home of Little League Baseball) where I met and married my wife of almost 36 years, Kim. I grew up around cars and have been in the Auto Body repair and painting field since high school. We moved to Boise in 1989 after a 5 year stay in eastern Oklahoma as house parents at a children’s home there. For the past 11 years, I have worked for Farm Bureau Insurance Co. of Idaho as the Auto Material Damage Specialist (the car guy).

Kim and I have 2 grown, married daughters who have given us 6 grandchildren (three each). Two of these grandkids are being influenced by “Papa” and want their first cars to be hot rods. I have had a few motorcycles in my time and a couple of special interest cars. I currently have an “old school” ’23 T-bucket which I have been gradually updating over the past few years while keeping that Old school look. I am enjoying working with other rodders as a director with USRI and enjoy meeting new people (and hot rodders too).

Jan Eggleston, Secretary and Treasurer. I was born in Boise. I attended Borah High School and BSU. I have two adult kids and three grandkids. I became involved in Street Rodding when I met and married Mel who was just finishing his ‘40 Coupe. The first few years of our marriage devoted a lot of time to rod runs which were weekend long campout events. A lot has changed since those days. I volunteered to become the secretary a few years back because I wanted to support the hobby that I had come to love like my husband. I enjoy driving to functions and meeting all the wonderful people and getting to know them and hope to continue to do so. I also enjoy camping especially on the Oregon Coast and in the Idaho mountains and desert. I look for rocks and go for walks with my three crazy pugs. I like spending time with the grandkids and taking them camping.

Kevin Eggleston, Webmaster. Kevin officially took the reigns of webmaster on March 1, 2011.

1979 Founding Members
"T" William Balding, Boise
Vince Hinman, Pocatello
Bob Barton, Twin Falls
D. Lynn Humphries, Pocatello
Jim Bolton, Twin Falls
Roger Littleford, Idaho Falls
Dick Cox, Weiser
John Mason, Twin Falls
Millie Cox, Weiser
Kim Mason, Twin Falls
Mel Eggleston, Boise
Ray Parsons, Boise
Chris Jancik, Twin Falls
Les Priest, Pocatello
Jack Jones, Weiser
Rick Spencer, Blackfoot

We recognize and thank the many others who, while not official charter
members, made great contributions in the start-up years to help provide
the foundation for what USRI is today.

Membership

"Why you should be a member of United Street Rods of Idaho (USRI)"

If you have read what USRI has done for the automotive industry (mainly street rods and classic cars) you must realize that we have done a lot to help keep our sport active and legal.  From specialized license plate laws, to the ability to run a fenderless hiboy have been some of our major accomplishments.  We also monitor Legislative activity that may have a bad impact on our sport and lobby with the Legislature to insure they do not pass laws that will adversely affect us.

What does that mean to the average car person?  The answer is simple.  You get better representation in the Legislature by having large numbers of members;  and the larger the voice the more impact can help with the cause.  We are not a car club in the normal sense, but rather represent all car clubs and automotive enthusiasts in the State of Idaho to help with our interests.  Nearly every year, someone attempts to introduce a bill in the Legislature that will have a negative impact on our sport.  USRI has always been at the forefront in meeting the challenge to insure bad proposals are defeated and that bills are passed to help with our cause and interests.

The question has often been asked: "Why should I join a street rod organization?"  While our title has street rod in it, we actually support all street rod, classic, and restored automotive interests.  We don't just focus on street rods.  We thought about changing our name, but everyone knows us as we are, and frankly nobody has come up with a better name to call this organization.

Annual dues are only $10.00 per year or $150.00 for a lifetime membership.  This includes several informative mail outs throughout the year as well as the Schedule of Events which lists the upcoming car shows, cruises, and related activities in Idaho and some surrounding areas.  The dues also go to pay for postage, computer equipment, printer, a fax machine, web service, and similar expenses to keep us current with technology.  No officer in USRI derives any income from the dues.  All the money is put back into the organization to insure we are up to date with the changes that affect any organization and to bring the word to our membership on a statewide basis.  Officers are volunteers.

If you have any questions in this regard, please email membership@usri.org or contact one of the current USRI officers.  Our mailing address is also on all of our publications and we will be glad to discuss any related issues with you. Join us now!

USRI Membership Form

New applicants:
Annual membership fee - $10.00
Lifetime membership (one-time) fee - $150.00.

Renewals:
Enclose your annual $10.00 fee, complete the USRI Membership Form, and send it to the Secretary/Treasurer. Your prompt submissions will help us with record keeping. We appreciate your membership.