Traveling to events around the country is par for the course for the CLASSIC TRUCKS staff every summer. From about May through August we spend almost as many weekends on the road as we do at home. It's definitely a hectic schedule (summers tend to go by in a flash), but it's also the best way for us to see, experience, and burn film on some of the coolest classic iron that the country has to offer.

Regular readers are probably aware of the relationship that we have with the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. CLASSIC TRUCKS gives out Top Five awards at five different Goodguys events every summer, and those shows typically get full coverage in these pages. What you may not know is that we usually make it to several other Goodguys shows too, but in most cases we just don't have the pages to report on 'em. Well, this month we had the space, so we decided to share some snapshots from a couple of extra events.

The Goodguys Heartland Nationals has been an early-July tradition in Des Moines, Iowa, for a decade now, and with more than 3,000 vehicles on hand in 2001 it was looking stronger than ever. Surrounding states include Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois, so you can bet that there are plenty of old farm trucks to be found as hot rod fodder. The same could be said about the central California valleys surrounding Pleasanton. There were probably more than a few former farm and winery trucks cruising the West Coast Nationals August 24-26, albeit in updated form. Both shows are great, and should be considered must-see events for hot rodders in their respective regions. Want proof? Then check out the photos in our "Double feature picture show" and see what you think!

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    Clay and Bonnie Coale's '48 Chevy started out as a $70 junker, but now it's a showstopper. Built at home, the truck's improvements came in the form of a Monte Carlo subframe, 350 engine, Billet Specialties wheels, and Torch Red paint. Watch for a full feature in a future issue.
    Clay and Bonnie Coale's '48 Chevy started out as a $70 junker, but now it's a showstopper.
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    Bob Smith made the trek from Pawnee City, Nebraska, in his chopped, sectioned, sliced, and diced '49 Chevy. Eagle-eyed readers will remember this from the Dec. '00 issue of CLASSIC TRUCKS.
    Bob Smith made the trek from Pawnee City, Nebraska, in his chopped, sectioned, sliced, and
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    One of the coolest trucks we saw all summer was Ron Green's '33 Dodge. With clean traditional styling outside and a Dodge baby hemi underhood, this Ram was definitely looking tough.
    One of the coolest trucks we saw all summer was Ron Green's '33 Dodge. With clean traditio
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    The subtle appearance of Margaret Broderick's '54 F-100 belies the non-traditional components underhood. How about a 300-inch Ford six for power, and a strut-type IFS from an '80s-era Camaro?
    The subtle appearance of Margaret Broderick's '54 F-100 belies the non-traditional compone
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    It's been around for a few years, but Pete Scialabba's pickup is still one of the most beautiful '40 Fords we've ever seen. Whitewalls and steel wheels, bright red paint, and Tommy the Greek-style striping are all perfect touches on this traditional-style hauler.
    It's been around for a few years, but Pete Scialabba's pickup is still one of the most bea
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    Something tells us we'd get the willies riding around in Dick and Cindy Long's '42 Willys. The two-tone purple people eater wears mile-ride rubber out back and 399-inches of blown Rodeck power underhood. Serious? You bet!
    Something tells us we'd get the willies riding around in Dick and Cindy Long's '42 Willys.
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    The folks from Stockton Wheel make quite a splash at events when they cruise in with their '56 Ford COE car hauler. This is one rig that's easy to spot motoring down the highway.
    The folks from Stockton Wheel make quite a splash at events when they cruise in with their
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    We just couldn't resist giving you another peek at Dave Dolman's Big Job C-750 cabover, which we featured last month. As always, it was drawing a lot of attention in Des Moines.
    We just couldn't resist giving you another peek at Dave Dolman's Big Job C-750 cabover, wh
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    You could almost call Bud Watson's '56 Chevy a poor-man's Cameo. Bud fitted a late-'50s Chevy fleetside bed to the truck, painted everything bright red, installed a 350/350 combo, and set the whole works down in the weeds. Clean and cool!
    You could almost call Bud Watson's '56 Chevy a poor-man's Cameo. Bud fitted a late-'50s Ch
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    Is an extended-cab '50 Chevy twice as nice as a stocker? That's hard to say, but Steve and Kathy Schwab's blue Bow-Tie sure looked sharp to us.
    Is an extended-cab '50 Chevy twice as nice as a stocker? That's hard to say, but Steve and
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