Goin' To Kansas City

When the Goodguys organization first announced plans for the new Mid-Western Nationals in Kansas City, we really didn't know what to expect. On one hand, it's a booming metro area with plenty of hot rod activity that hasn't had a "national"-type event to call its own for several years. On the other hand, it's not terribly far from other Goodguys events (Des Moines, Colorado Springs, Ft. Worth), and it was scheduled for October 11-13, a time when Midwestern weather is particularly unpredictable.

Any doubts we may have had quickly vanished Friday morning as we rolled into the infield of Kansas Speedway and were greeted by more than 2,000 hot rods, cool customs, and trick trucks. That number grew steadily throughout the weekend, topping out with a total of 2,949 registered vehicles -- the second-largest turnout for an inaugural event in Goodguys' 20-year history! Just as impressive were the distances traveled, as we saw a bunch of rides from Illinois and Texas, and a huge contingent from Minnesota. Needless to say, this will be an event to watch in the years to come. The 2003 happening is scheduled for September 19-21 -- get there if you can.

Eagle-eyed readers will remember Scott Matney's bright-yellow '55 Chevy from our June 2001 issue. It's still lookin' sweet, and was an easy pick for our Top Ten. A hand-built frame gives it that just-right stance, with ET wheels adding proper attitude. Add a chopped top, tucked bumpers, tan leather gut, and 502-inch powerplant into the mix and you've got a hauler that's sure to garner attention for years to come.	We first spied Stephen Bruno's sharp '66 Chevy at Americruise in June, but this was the first chance we had to give it an award. A bodyman by trade, Steve created a unibody by welding the bed to the cab, then continued the custom theme with a billet grille, rectangular headlights, a smooth tailgate, and a rolled rear pan. The Ultra Violet Pearl paint is set off with airbrushed trim and graphics.	George Staley tells us that his '48 Ford panel truck is 90 percent home built, but that doesn't keep it from being professional quality. Under the fiberglass tilt nose is a 429-inch big-block sitting on a Mustang II IFS, with a C6 tranny and 9-inch rearend completing the all-Ford drivetrain. UltraLeather upholstery, tilt steering, cruise control, and air conditioning make the cabin comfy. Paint is a very subtle two-tone of PPG Khaki and Frost Beige.
Another former feature truck that caught our eye in Kansas City was Clay and Bonnie Coale's '48 Chevy (April 2002). Built almost entirely by Clay and his son Jason, this Torch Red beauty sports a chopped top, frenched lights, smooth running boards, widened rear fenders, rounded stake pockets, and a smooth bed floor. Billet Specialties wheels finish off the outside, and tan leather adorns the cabin. As if you couldn't guess, Clay runs a body shop in Nevada, Missouri.	Apple green wheels and deep black paint make a perfect hot rod combination, and definitely helped turn our attention to Larry Ward's '46 Chevy pickup. Of course, it also didn't hurt that the truck also has a killer stance, independent front suspension, and exceptional fit and finish. But Larry really sealed the deal when he lifted the hood to reveal not a small-block, but 454-inches of Rat motor!	Some people say that '56 big windows are the only mid-'50s F-100s worth building, but Ron Carson's clean '53 should be a good argument for considering earlier models. A chopped top gives it a slinky profile that's enhanced further with shaved trim and handles, rolled pans, and deep red paint. A Volare subframe gets the nose down low, while a 351 Windsor and C6 automatic keep this Ford cruisin' down the highway in style.
The moment we saw Ted Lesher's '60 Chevy we knew it had to be part of our Top Ten. For starters, the black paint is just gorgeous (this photo doesn't do it justice), and leaving the stock cat-eye hood in place makes an equally bold statement. A 468ci big-block gives the Chevy some hot rod attitude, while the lowered stance, 17-inch Billet Specialties wheels, and gray UltraLeather interior add a proper amount of smooth style.	Big-block power seemed to be a trend with our Kansas City Top Ten, as John Van Maele's bright yellow '50 Studebaker--nicknamed the "Stud Rad"--also has 468ci of big-block Chevy stuffed between the fenders. The stylin' Stude also has a Doug Nash five-speed, Air Ride suspension, Billet Specialties rollers, and Nissan taillights helping its cause. We especially like the contoured front bumper.	How would you like a little extra room in your '48 Chevy cab? That's what Dennis Quin wanted, so he added 22 inches and slider-style quarter windows to the back of his cab. Dennis has built a bunch of '47-54 Chevys, and set this one up with the same '86 Monte Carlo front frame stub and small-block Chevy combo that seems to work on all of 'em. If the stretched cab doesn't grab ya, the 18- and 20-inch Billet Specialties wheels and PPG Hot Red paint should.
It's not often we get a chance to put a Willys in our Top Ten, so it's no wonder that Mike and Nina Sullivan's blue '41 made it on the list. Rather than go for the Gasser look, this one is low and sleek with a Mustang II front suspension and four-link rear. But the best part has to be the 425-horse Chevy 409 lurking under the hood.

Gary Warren's '47 Chevy probably has the most distinctive bed treatment we've seen in a while. We're not sure if the box started life as a utility unit or was hand-built, but it matches the cab contours perfectly, and the '60s Ford passenger car lights lend some funky rocketship appeal to the cool Chevy.