The top row of the drag strip bandstand offered the perfect opportunity to see at least a fraction of the event from one vantag epoint. Though this image only shows a slice of the overall picture, you can rest assured that there's plenty more than this to see and enjoy.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! It's thinking like this that's kept Goodguys events in the forefront of hot rod enthusiasts' minds for years, and there's no better example of this than this year's 14th Annual Goodguys Hot Rod Nationals. Open to hot rods, classic trucks, and customs to '64 (and race vehicles to '72) Indy consistently draws the cream of the crop from every rodding and racing genre. Though Indy has been known for years as "the place" to debut hot, new rides, there were still (and always will be) plenty of low-buck and homebuilt cars and trucks on hand for everybody's enjoyment, as well.
This year, there were more than 4,000 pre-'64 cars and trucks, and they literally came from all over the country. Regardless of dollars spent, every one of 'em were inspected and admired by all.
If looking at cool cars and trucks isn't enough to keep you satisfied, Goodguys Indy has lots more to offer--like a boatload of classic cars and trucks getting flogged on the racetrack. That's right, the Hot Rod Nationals features vintage drag racing (open to pre-'72 vehicles) with 12 classes of competition ranging from street-legal hot rods to old-school Top Fuelers and Gassers. And, if that's not enough to satisfy your automotive lust, then it's just a short jaunt down the road to visit the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway or take in any of the other gearhead-inspired sights and attractions available.
The fact that Goodguys Indy always has a great sideshow of vintage drag racing is a definite draw, but the allure goes beyond that. This is simply a great, laid-back, early season gathering. This year's show was also our second outing for making CLASSIC TRUCKS Top Ten Picks. And believe us, there were enough cool haulers for us to have doubled or tripled our number of picks. Check out the photos and see if you don't agree.
This isn't your average classic SUV! Jerry Aldridge has whipped together one of the finest early Suburbans we've run across in a long while. Jerry's '48 sits on a modified S-10 chassis and features a host of other upgrades like a Street & Performance-injected small-block, a 4-inch chop, Colorado Custom Lazear wheels, and wild J.R. Hoskins paint work. | 
Fresh out of builder Roger Burman's Lakeside Rods & Rides shop is Jim Bockoven's awesome '46 Ford. A combination of flawless craftsmanship and a host of topnotch goodies have transformed this old workhorse into a Top-10 shoe-in. Jim's gem has been treated to a Nova subframe, shaved door handles, a filled cowl vent, shaved rain gutters, and smooth running boards. | 
Can you say blue? The finish on Ed Cottrell's jaw-dropping '57 caught our eye right off the bat, and its perfect stance and precise detailing garnered it a Top-10 pick without a second thought. Ed's Mack-truck-blue Chevy is powered by a GM HT 383 stroker backed by a 700-R4 trans and a Corvette rear, and it rolls on a quartet of classic polished American five-spokes. |
Kid's stuff? We don't think so! Twenty-four-year-old David Coomer has put together one mighty fine '55; it definitely deserves a Top-10 pick. David's ride features eye-catching bright-yellow paint, 18- and 20-inch Billet Specialties wheels, Air Ride Technologies suspension, and a steel bed floor pirated from a '96 Chevy pickup. Great work for a youngster. We can't imagine what's gonna come next from this talented enthusiast. | 
Jim Crowder's awesome '54 F-100 panel first caught our eye at the F-100 Supernationals in Tennessee. We were elated to see that he made it to his first Goodguys event so we could bestow on his truck a well-deserved Top-10 pick! Jim's completely owner-modified '54 has been treated to a 4-inch chop, its hood has been pie-cut 2 inches, and it sports pinched front fenders and a wild custom rear cargo hatch--not too shabby for a gent who has been building awesome choppers since a ShovelHead was Harley's hot new design. | 
What a long strange trip it's been. Jack Downs has worked on his way-cool '57 Cameo on and off for the last 17 years, and finally knuckled down over the past 12 months to finish it up. Jack's Cameo features a stout big-block/TH400 combo, a Nova front clip, and more than a few handcrafted pieces of "Cameo" trim. And, if the pickup's color combination doesn't catch your eye from at least a hundred yards away, you ought to think about getting a seeing-eye dog. |
Be still my beating heart! Jeremy Harris' Tangelo Pearl '64 F-100 is a stunning example of why we think mid-'60s pickups are quickly becoming the new heartthrobs of classic trucking. With a bit of help from former Custom Rodder Top-10 winner Rich Mutert, Jeremy has hit a homerun with his smoothed, slammed, big-block-powered Ford. Dig that ground-scraping stance and deftly massaged body. This baby's a definite winner in our book! | 
Hot licks, hammered, and plenty of horsepower are this F-100's claim to fame. Dan Talley's hard-driven Old Hickory, Tennessee-based '56 is the epitome of a hot rod truck. This timeless look combined with modern 17- and 20-inch Coddington wheels is a perfect example of the success one can have when melding traditional styling with contemporary flair. | 
Shades of the Pearson Bros., wouldn't you say? Jim Richmond wrenched his way into the heart of many a hot rod purist when he constructed this fine Effie. Jim's '54 features a treasure trove of tweaks and modifications including M-II IFS, '97 F-150 wheels, a 355/five-speed combo, a Pontiac grille, and a just-right chop job. The pickup's paint scheme and dash art, without a doubt, speak volumes of Jim's hot rod heritage. |
Completely homebuilt and utterly cool! Tim Troutman's '48 F-1 proves the fact that a cool classic truck doesn't always have to be an in-your-face hot rod. Reserved styling and a nice stance can go a long way in transforming an old workhorse into a cool, classic, hot rod pickup. Of course, the addition of a Mopar clip and a 390/C6 combo helps a bit, as well. We love it! | | |
Which way to the beach? Looks like Pat Callahan knows the way! Pat's way cool '48 Suburban surf wagon would look right at home cruising the streets of Malibu, though it looked just as neat parked on the grounds of Indianapolis Raceway Park. | 
Nothing beats a bright-red Effie when it comes to curb appeal. Chris Staneck's super fine '56 fit the bill perfectly with a killer stance and a quartet of polished five-spokes. | 
Candy is dandy, but primer is finer! Ed Lepold's black suede '54 F-100 is right up my alley. From its chopped and sectioned body to its wide whites and Moon discs--the only way I'd like this baby any better was if it was sittin' in my driveway at home! |
Hood up, hood down, it made no difference to me (though it would have been nice to get a clean, buttoned-up shot). Bob Nichols' "Resale Red" '48 Chevy still stopped me in my tracks. This small block-powered beauty was a spectator magnet, and after taking a peek ourselves, we understood why. | 
Hood up, hood down, it made no difference to me (though it would have been nice to get a clean, buttoned-up shot). Bob Nichols' "Resale Red" '48 Chevy still stopped me in my tracks. | 
This small block-powered beauty was a spectator magnet, and after taking a peek ourselves, we understood why. |
Mucho, macho Mopars! We think this year's Indy was attended by more classic Mopar pickups than we've seen at any other single event! Here's a pair of fine examples: Dave and Linda Lips' small-block-powered, silver '37 Dodge, | 
and Ed and Mary Kay Helmkamp's red-and-creme '47 Dodge (powered by a neat turbocharged 218 six-/five-speed combo). | 
Though the show itself was, as we stated earlier, only open to '64, we couldn't help but snap a shot of David Knoll's '70 Suburban. Dave's 350/700R4-powered super SUV serves as the muscle to tow his vintage race car. That is, we assume, when it's not transporting him and the family to a local cruise night or two. |
The prince and the pauper, do you suppose? Nah, just Dave Julian and Bob Martin sharing a bit of real estate. Dave's less-than-formal '47 runs a 250 inline-six and a Powerglide, while Bob's '48 relies on a 283/700-R4 combo for power. | 
Joe Pierson's West Elkton, Ohio-based '57 Ford was lookin' good in a shiny coating of deep-blue urethane and a quartet of Moon discs. Joe's Y-block-powered shortbed is a fine example of the kind of truck we'd love to see more of! | 
Flames anyone? Benny Strong's hot licked '48 Chevy is a definite eye catcher. The 350/350-powered beauty drew a throng of admirers throughout the weekend. |
Now, this baby's right up my alley. Steve and Mary Moody of Indianapolis are the proud new owners of this way cool, bare-bones '35 Ford. This ultimate hot rod pickup is a former California truck that I'd had the pleasure to lust over many times in the past. Enjoy folks, I'm jealous! | 
You can't beat a beater! Dave Pinke's '53 GMC is a might close to the Jimmy sitting at home in my driveway, so I couldn't resist snapping a shot. Finished or not, this is a cool pickup. | 
Looks like Lance and Carol Thompson are looking for a good home for their '47 Ford COE. The couple's 460/C6-powered super-sized pickup looks as though it'd be a blast to own and drive. They must have something awfully nice in the wings to give up such a fine piece. |
Carter Wilson's slammed and hammered '48 Chevy was lookin' good. Whackin' a few inches out of the greenhouse of a '47-54 Chevy just looks right. | | |