This may or may not be true, but we overheard that Mel Harbaugh is just borrowing this '58 T-bird--the gennie 'Bird is a creampuff stocker that he outfitted with Colorado Customs Leadvilles, cut coils, and various engine accessories. Rumor or not, we prefer the current guise over stock, for sure!
Denny Terzich took home Popular Hot Rodding/Goodguys Street Machine of the Year honors with his outstanding '56 Chevy 210. Below that hood and teardrop air cleaner lies a 572ci big-block backed by a Rossler Turbo 400 with a Gear Vendors overdrive.
The hot rod hoodlums were out in force at Columbus, including regular Street Rodder artistic contributor Josh Shaw--the one busy on the cellphone with his back turned to the camera. Josh hit various shows throughout the east with his friends in his chopped Deuce Tudor.
Anyone who thinks custom material ends in the early-'60s oughta take a long, hard look at John Schumont's '69 Lincoln Mark III. The Michigan-based hardtop is absolutely cool, from its light shave and two-tone white and lavender paint to the polished five-spokes and hot-rod rake.
Goodguys moved the swap meet indoors where it was a tad sticky--but we found ourselves roaming the isles of goodies for far longer than we should have!
The Midwest in July? Think high temperatures and equally high humidity levels. But, if you're a red-blooded rodder at heart, the one thing that'll probably always come to mind is the Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Fortunately, if the Nats were where you were July 12-14, heat and humidity weren't even a factor--there was beautiful weather the entire weekend!
The Goodguys Nats continues to grow in popularity, and this past summer's get-together was no exception--well over 5,000 '72 cars (varying from custom rods to classic trucks to street rods) were in attendance. Roughly 242 vendors were on hand to show off their goods to the nearly 70,000 spectators that came through the gates during this mid-summer weekend (spectator attendance was up significantly from 2001). Yep, this event is clearly the top of the hit parade for the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.
Officially, it was the 5TH Goodguys/PPG Nationals presented by Advance Auto Parts at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, and was part of the Goodguys/K&N Summer Series. The event is a four-day fun-o-rama for cars. It began with a Poker Run at 10 a.m on Thursday, which was hosted by the Mid Ohio Bunch car club. The Kick-Off Party with full-on barbecue was held at the Columbus Marriott Hotel parking lot and was hosted by Rockin' Dave.
Things began to ramp-up on Friday in the Ohio Building with a full day of seminars hosted by the likes of PPG (on paint), Vintage Air (on air-conditioning), and Fatman (on suspension systems). Of course, there was also a full day of cruising the 'grounds, checking out the midway, and strolling through the air-conditioned buildings. (Did I mention air conditioning? The weather may have been good but it was still Ohio in mid-July.)
On Friday evening at the National Trail Raceway a night's worth of drag racing could be seen. There were even hot rod 1/8-mile non-elimination timed runs for those wishing to check out their own ride. Oh, yes, there was also a TGIF party at the Marriott hotel and, again, another barbecue in the parking lot. (You may wonder how I know this--well the barbecue is quite good and we magazine types do need our nutrition.)
The specialty parking areas weren't to be missed, as they were loaded with many good ideas. The areas included Mighty Muscle, Wagons & Woodies, Pros Pick (here the finalists are selected for the Goodguys Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year awards), Deuce Doins (sponsored by the Moon River Street Rods), Classic Chevy Corral (hosted by Classic Chevy International), Homebuilt Heaven, Youngguys (sponsored by Vintage Air and Wheel Vintiques), and the favorite among the staff, Ya Gotta Drive 'Em (you must drive over 500 miles one way to park here and to receive a commemorative cap and raffle ticket for a set of Goodyear tires).
Saturday was the day, as the greatest number of cars and spectators alike filled the grounds to check out what's new in every style of car building you can imagine. There were the valve cover races, more seminars, Super Shopper Shuttle, golden oldies with Rockin' Dave all day, and a rock 'n' roll show in the Celeste Building with live music performed by The Fabulous Hubcaps. Oh, yes, there was an all you can eat barbecue for $10 that couldn't be missed (I know we were there).
Sunday had numerous drawings for all of the great prizes as well as the Winners Circle, which featured the Goodguys Street Rod of the Year (going to Wes Rydell's '35 Chevy) and the Goodguys/Popular Hot Rodding Street Machine of the Year (going to Denny Terzich's '55 Chevy). There was also a church service and another rock 'n' roll show. The 60 Goodguys awards were also handed out. It should be noted that CUSTOM RODDER, Street Rodder, and Classic Trucks all hand out their Top Ten awards over the weekend, but it's at this time that the awards are presented.
Well, that about wraps up another Goodguys Nationals. With five under their belt, it looks like number six should be even bigger and better. See you there this summer--humidity or not! For more info on the Goodguys full schedule of events for 2003, please visit www.goodguysgoodtimes.com.
Custom Rodder Da Nats Top Ten
You should recall Jimmy Varacalli's stunning "Studester" from the January issue. We were fortunate enough to squeeze that feature in at the last minute but, unfortunately, the Columbus coverage had to wait! Nevertheless, Jimmy's Stude is a pure potpourri of fine craftsmanship, ingenuity, and style. The '53 runs, of all things, a 460ci Ford with a C6 automatic.
Our next Top Ten recipient is also a feature car, though this one you'll have to wait till next issue to drool over. Dennis McClendon's '62 Chevy Impala (built by Street Works) will stop you in your tracks with its eye-catching paint, interior, and wheel selection, but once the hood's open, you'll have a hard time looking elsewhere. The '62 runs an electronically-injected 409 with a Richmond six-speed.
To answer an often-heard question, "Do only high-dollar cars get Top Tens?"...No! Cool is cool whether it's produced in the garage or at a big-name shop. Tim Leek's '54 Chevy is just that, and then some. The Howland Road Hounds (OH) plaque-carrier features a 235 inliner with Fenton headers and a pair o' Smithys, primered two-tone in blue and white, and the appropriate white tuck 'n' roll.
Further showing the expanded breadth of the CRM Top Ten, John Martin's '53 Studebaker Commander from Concord Township, OH, is a fine execution in modern customizing. With its chopped top, '57 Chrysler tailfins, 490ci big-block, and Mercedes E-Class headlights, it's definitely not your everyday cruise.
When we first spied Ricky Pike's '61 Ford Ranchwagon (Alexander, NC), the first thing that came to our minds was, "Perfect Driver." Ricky says it's got "cheap paint, cheap interior, and a used motor and trans." We say it's got style--and a Top Ten pick!
If you haven't already noticed, oftentimes Top Ten winners ultimately become CUSTOM RODDER feature vehicles--it only makes sense! Barry Penfound's "LoSabre" '59 Buick was first spotted at the 50th Detroit Auto Rama and then finally tracked down at Columbus.
Rick Cox sure mixed it up with his Top Ten-winning '61 Olds Dynamic '88 from Lansing, MI. Tri-Rib Radirs and a dual-quad 394 offer up an early performance feel, while leather interior and Air Ride suspension bring things to the present. Rick has since swapped the wheels out for 20-inch Colorado Customs, and although we didn't mind this look one bit, the new rollers do make a difference.
Last issue's "NVR2LOW" feature car was debuted this summer by Springfield, MO's Bobby Lowe. Although no newcomer to the car show scene, this is Bobby's first custom rod, which came to be thanks to his dad, veteran rodder Bob Lowe, Sr. The '59 Biscayne lays low on chromed Center Lines, while a brilliant red interior offsets the deep black exterior.
Bennie Manis went the extra step to keep his '49 Cadillac Sedanette (Huntington, WV) "all-Cad"! Power now comes from a 472ci engine and TH400 trans. The wide white radials are accented by '57 hubcaps. White and burgundy leather upholstery complements a burgundy and chrome exterior package.
Holland, OH's Dan Moses wraps up our Top Ten program from Goodguys Columbus. His "Anti-Thunderbolt" '64 Fairlane features an all-Ford drivetrain, a killer sound system, and modern suspension and braking--in other words, it's a true cutting-edge custom!
The majority of the "we's" are referring to myself and Jim Rizzo, who was my sidekick for the weekend in Ohio. He was doing duty handling the Classic Trucks Top Ten, and is seen here getting the vital stats on Bill Whetstone's '55 Ford pickup. Ol' Riz has since moved on, now filling the editor's seat at Rod & Custom! I don't hold that against him much, anymore...
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