For most people, September is a month for going back to school and sizing up a favorite football team or two. For car enthusiasts in much of the U.S., it's a time to relish summer's lingering warmth and squeeze in as much cruisin' as possible before harsh weather sets in and that special rod or custom goes into hibernation for the winter.

The folks at Goodguys are fully aware of this and schedule a host of autumn events that allow enthusiasts to share the season's last hurrahs with thousands of like-minded individuals. Though it's just three years old, the Goodguys Mid-Western Nationals in Kansas City has already established itself as a prime venue for enjoying one last pass of summertime cruising.The event's 2004 edition, held September 24-26, continued the tradition. More than 2,700 pre-'72 rods, customs, musclecars, and trucks filled the infield at Kansas Speedway for three days of showin', shinin,' cruisin', and swappin' lies. In addition to regular Goodguys attractions like Pro's Picks, a swap meet, and live entertainment, Mid-Western Nationals participants could rent NASCAR rides and on Saturday night, had the chance to take their own rods and customs for a cruise like no other around the track's high-banked oval.

Perhaps the weekend's biggest thrill, however, was the opportunity to win a coveted Custom Rodder Top Ten pick. And let me tell you, there were tons of eligible '50s and '60s cruisers from which to choose; check out the next few pages to see which ones tripped this editor's trigger. Even if you didn't earn a Top Ten pick or other award, though, it was hard to lose in Kansas City. Thousands of cars and sunny 78-degree weather all weekend made it an ideal place to bask in the lingering glow of cruising season.

You know you're in good hands...        read full caption You know you're in good hands when even the Goodguy himself, Gary Meadors (along with wife, Marilyn), cruises into town driving custom rod material. Buick wires and wide whites are the main mods on the '57 Buick wagon now, but we hear that drivetrain updates are slated for the near future.

We saw Scott Rue's slick '57...        read full caption We saw Scott Rue's slick '57 Ford at several events last summer and liked the Minnesota cruiser more each time. Fairlane trim, shaved emblems, two-tone paint, a 351/C4 combo, and an ultra clean cabin keep it sweet and simple.

Tom Ulrich made a bold move...        read full caption Tom Ulrich made a bold move modifying his rare '62 Merc S-55, but you've gotta love the results. Besides shaving the emblems and handles and applying earthy two-tone hues, Tom treated the Merc to Air Ride Technologies 'bags, Intro wheels, Baer brakes, and a '93 Lincoln DOHC mill. Sand-colored UltraLeather covers the stock seats, with funky paisley material on the headliner and package tray.

You've got to hand it to Keith...        read full caption You've got to hand it to Keith Bright for having the ambition to chop a '58 Buick hardtop wagon, and the talent to pull it off. Other than the missing 2 1/2 vertical inches, deleted emblems and handles, and 17-inch Intro wheels, the Buick retains most of its original character. A big 455/700-R4 combo resides underhood.

Don't let its musclecar origins...        read full caption Don't let its musclecar origins fool you; Roy Pigford's stunning '66 Nova is more custom than most leadsleds. The former Ridler contender features a 2-inch chopped top, relocated wheel openings, an integrated rear spoiler, a handmade dash, and custom grille and engine cover. The bottom is almost nicer than the top, with smooth floors and a custom frame rolling on 18- and 20-inch Billet Specialties wheels.

Who says late-'60s cars can't...        read full caption Who says late-'60s cars can't be custom-rod fodder? John Betzer's resto-rod '69 Riviera looks awesome with just a few shaved emblems, custom paint and striping, and Nitto-wrapped Coddington wheels tucked up tight with air springs. An aluminum-head 455 makes it a runner, too.

Randy Seger started with a...        read full caption Randy Seger started with a '54 Studebaker four-door sedan and finished with a very cool sport wagon after grafting on a '70s-era GM wagon top. A Mustang II IFS, 9-inch rear, and air springs get it low, and 500 inches of Cadillac make it go. A custom dash and console dominate the unfinished interior on this home-built longroof.

Cross custom styling with...        read full caption Cross custom styling with Pro Stock brawn and you'll get Harold Prokop's wild '49 Ford. The former sedan rides on a custom Springfield Motorsports tube chassis and packs a 502ci Chevy that's both blown (intercooled Vortech) and injected (Street & Performance). Peek through the '67 Cougar windshield and you'll find a full custom interior with Tea's Design seats and Auto Meter gauges.

Eric and Katherine Yohe wanted...        read full caption Eric and Katherine Yohe wanted to prove that you can say "budget" and "cool" in the same sentence, so they whipped together this neat '61 Chevy Biscayne using cut coils, Astro Supremes, Diamondback Classic whitewalls, and PT Cruiser Inca Gold paint with Roger Ward scallops. A custom billet grille, '59 Cad taillights, and white tuck 'n' roll threads finish off the small-block-motored cruiser.

It wasn't enough for Kevin...        read full caption It wasn't enough for Kevin Alstott to have the Roger Burman-built Custom Rod of the Year '55 Chevy convertible; he also recently had Roger build him this '63 Chevy wagon. Intended as a simple driver, the project snowballed to include air springs, Baer brakes, 18- and 20-inch Coddington wheels, a 350/700-R4 combo, tan Ultra Leather threads, and bright-red paint with flames.

Mike Lyon's sweet '57 Ranchero...        read full caption Mike Lyon's sweet '57 Ranchero looks like just rolled out of a late-'50s high school parking lot. Moderate lowering, wide whites, chrome wheels with Merc caps, and Fairlane trim with two-tone paint give it the look, while a dressed-up Y-block sporting triple Strombergs and a column-shift four-speed make it cook.

The bright-blue hue on Tim...        read full caption The bright-blue hue on Tim Hachinski's '62 T-bird is sure to catch your attention. After that, you're sucked in by cool features like Air Lift springs, 17-inch Center Line wheels, and ghost-white UltraLeather upholstery. Powered by a rebuilt 390/Cruise-O-Matic combo, the bullet 'Bird represents simple custom rodding at its finest.

Young Josh Misler must be...        read full caption Young Josh Misler must be studying Custom Rodder mags in his spare time. His low-slung '58 Buick, with 18- and 20-inch Coddington rollers, fits our tastes to a "T."

Bill Sanders cuts quite a...        read full caption Bill Sanders cuts quite a profile with his stealthy, shaved, low-lid '52 Merc. Mercedes lights, Billet Specialties wheels, frenched-in side pipes, and a caramel-colored leather cabin are just a few highlights of this Chevy-powered cruiser.

Dig out your May '94 issue...        read full caption Dig out your May '94 issue of Custom Rodder, and you'll find a feature on this chopped, deep-purple '58 Chevy Yeoman with Buick dentures and frenched peepers. Omaha's Stephen Foster recently bought the wagon and updated it with Radir wheels and wide whites.

R.J. Frizell's Doug Thompson-built,...        read full caption R.J. Frizell's Doug Thompson-built, pearl-white-with-gold-scallops Impala is still one of our favorite '58 Chevys. It has been cruising the Midwest for years.

Exner-era Mopars look radical...        read full caption Exner-era Mopars look radical from the factory, so there's little need for substantial customizing. Jason VanWyk's '60 Chrysler looks plenty hip with black suede, white scallops, Plymouth caps, and wide whites.