Bennie Manis' '51 Ford Vicky has quite a history. The section job and rear fins were originally done in the Columbus area in the late '50s, but the car sat unfinished until the '80s, when Jim Wilkens bought it, frenched the headlights, rounded the hood corners, installed a '54 Chevy grille, and sprayed it red. Bennie bought the custom in late 2004, freshened up the body and paint, added more grille teeth, and has been cruising it from his home in Kehova, WV.

We can't forget the '58-64 Chevy guys. Steve and Debbie Hallas wowed the crowds with this 'bagged '59 Bel Air with big-inch Billet Specialties wheels, copper and white vinyl over swoopy bucket seats, and a Tri-power 348 mill under the hood.

One of our favorite Mercs at the show was Rich Spanovich's understated, un-chopped '51 featuring frenched headlights, rounded hood corners, a custom grille, and '52 Buick taillights housed in Ford-style windsplits.

We were happy to see the Golden Sunrise '58 Chrysler--which was originally built by Gene Winfield for Richard Zocchi--alive and well in the hands of Bob Fryz from Michigan. Art Himsel is responsible for the latest House of Kolor paint on this chopped custom.

Early '60s "bullet 'Birds" look sleek from the factory. Dan Frohlich had his '63 looking even sleeker with painted bumpers, a custom grille, slinky stance, and what appears to be a dealer-option roadster conversion cover over the back seat.

Speaking of T-birds, this former Custom Rodder cover car, built under the direction of Rick Dore and owned by Flo Makofske, still looks great five years after its construction. The chopped top and blended House of Kolor paint by Squeeg may have something to do with it.

One special perk in Columbus was the chance to meet custom car legend George Barris. One of Goodguys' Hot Rod Heros, Barris (shown here with Goodguys' John Drummond) was on hand to sign autographs and talk cars all weekend.