If Fords were the "in thing" at Des Moines, it was Chevys that ruled Columbus!
Check out this trio of mid-'50s Bow Ties sporting a mixture of themes...
...from pure traditional to hot rod inspired.
We caught editors Brennan (Street Rodder) and Rizzo (Rod & Custom) fighting over who was going to get the feature on the hot rod pickup first! It sure ain't like the old days!
The Place To Be The 6th Annual PPG Goodguys Columbus Nats
It's no secret that not everyone is a fan of large automotive events. Many prefer the laid-back atmosphere of smaller get-togethers like cruise nights or specialized functions geared toward a select group or style/make of car. That's all fine and dandy, but it's also a safe bet that many of these folks have never been to the Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, either! Albeit a rather large event--we're talking participant cars numbering in the thousands--it's one that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression each and every time you attend. Why, you may ask, is this particular gathering so unique? Well, that's not a simple answer, but let's give it a try.
Unlike your mass-production-style, large-scale events, the Goodguys Columbus Nats (and the rest of their events, for that matter) is put on by car people for car people. Of course, moneymaking is part of the equation, but in no way takes precedence over Goodguys' number one priority--the participants and spectators. And you can feel that focus the minute you drive or walk through the gates. Whether you're a veteran rodder with years of events under your belt or even a first-timer, the Nats is so multi-faceted that the only ones who may not have a good time are those going specifically for awards--and don't win!
Speaking of awards, along with the final installment of the CUSTOM RODDER Top Ten, there's also the coveted Street Machine of the Year (won this year by Glen Grozich's '62 Chevy, "Chicayne"), which attracts some pretty high-caliber machines. (Many of these rods have a little more oomph under the hood!) On top of that there's the Street Rod of the Year (going to George Poteet's unique Deuce five-window), as well as the Classic Trucks and Street Rodder Top Tens, so you can expect to see a very wide variety of top-notch cars...and trucks. But don't let that fool you--the average Joe and his daily-driver are just as at home in Columbus as the high-buck cars. It's that diversity that makes the Nats such a comfortable place to be each mid July.
The Street Rod & Performance Group was well represented in Columbus this past summer, which should reinforce the fact that there's plenty of variety at the show. This should also tell you that if we think it's worth going to, well, there's no reason not to drag your butt out and join in the fun. And, if finished cars aren't you're hankering, then the swap meet and used car corral certainly might have something to offer. As a matter of fact, when a staff member couldn't be located on the fairgrounds, chances were he was snooping around the swap spending his lunch money on some miscellaneous knick-knack.
And while weather in Ohio can be a big factor in July, this year's event witnessed some unseasonably low temps with even lower humidity levels (albeit with occasional showers, but nothing to really "dampen" spirits). Overall, the 6th Annual PPG Nationals event was a great success for all involved. We hope to see you next year.
CUSTOM RODDER COLUMBUS TOP TEN
Nothing quite like a '53 Chevy Bel Air hardtop rolling on a set of five-spokes. Fostoria, OH's Ron and Mary Schmidtz's Bow Tie's about as clean as they come, too, with flawless metallic burgundy paint and a modern-retro interior.
Jeff and Heidi Gilger motored down from Warren, OH, in their Bellflower-style '61 Buick Le Sabre. Unfortunately, Jeff was hunting down an early hot rod to trade...we kinda dig on the Buick! The orange and gold flake combo along with Astro Supremes made for a good-looking mild custom.
Tim and Carrie Strange's '51 Ford Vicky should be no "stranger" to our readers. Parked alongside the Colorado Custom rig over the weekend, it gave participants a great chance to check out the modern possibilities with old cars.
The words "sled" and "billet" are rarely used in the same sentence, but Tom Hewett's '50 Buick from Airmount, NY, does an excellent job of bringing opposites together. The massive custom features a chop and section job along with 20-inch Intros and a 403ci Olds engine with a pedal car air cleaner!
One of the contenders for the Street Machine of the Year award, Ted and Sue Richardson's '62 Buick Special, aptly named "Bu'Wicked," had jaws dropping from dawn till dusk. The "little" car features a turbocharged 455, Richmond six-speed, and some of the cleanest metal, paint, and interior work you're going to find--anywhere.
Dennis Foley's '50 Olds Holiday hardtop was literally days fresh when he rolled into Columbus from Mentor, OH. The candy orange custom was built with a fully integrated remote system that operates everything from the hood and trunk to the doors, stereo, dash, and air ride!
Yeah, we know, the hood's up on locals Karl and Susan Schulman's '59 Chevy El Camino--that's because there's a Tri-powered 348 nestled beneath! The cool pickup also features 20-inch Coddingtons and an Air Ride Technologies ride-height system.
Yeah, they do custom rods in Canada, too, eh! Ed McClean's '61 Chevy speaks loud and proud with a stylish candy orange and black paint job with airbrushed trim, some trick custom bodywork, and polished B. Coddington wheels.
An ex CR feature vehicle, the '51 Plymouth wagon of Ed Schartman's couldn't get any cooler, what with its Nitrous-fed 426 Hemi and Stanford-designed, Santini-applied paint job.
Typically, you'd expect to find a Caddy mill in a Caddy custom, right? Maybe even a GM big-block of some sort? No, not for Tampa, FL's Doug Kenny, who equipped his stately Cad ragtop with a Lincoln Mark VIII driveline! Eldo wheels and a leather interior wrap up this classy cruiser just right.
© 1998 - 2008
