The job of being a magazine editor is by no means everything it's cracked up to be...at least according to the average "outsider's" perspective. While indeed there are perks associated with the job, unless you're running a rag such as GQ or Time with practically unlimited budgets, managing a small niche publication, such as this, is severely lacking in the glitz and glamour-but we do get to travel, whether we like it or not. Oftentimes, our out-of-town stays are limited to nothing more than an extended weekend, most of which is spent pounding pavement, clicking shutter buttons, and sweating profusely. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
While it's all in a day's work, some traveling takes us to destinations we end up looking forward to more and more each and every year, like Fort Worth, Texas, for example. And thanks to the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, we've been marking our October pages of the calendar for many years now-and it doesn't look like we'll be making alternative arrangements any time soon, either.
This past October, the Lone Star Nationals held its 15th anniversary at the huge Texas Motor Speedway. Just off Interstate 35W on the outskirts of Fort Worth, the racetrack is an ideal location for a car show of this magnitude-ample space for spectators, participants, and vendors alike, the roar of actual NASCAR Cup cars (albeit retired) filling the air throughout the day, and even an infield autocross that registered vehicle owners can partake in. Even after a summer filled with more events that we care to reflect on, this is one highly anticipated show for us, as it's about as well-rounded as they come.
The Lone Star Nats was also the fifth stop on Classic Trucks' Finest Five trail for 2007. It was also another difficult venue to judge, what with such an abundance of trucks to choose from. Looks like we'll be continuing with the same program for 2008, but there may be a few added bonuses thrown in-so stay tuned for more on that as we finalize our schedule for the upcoming season. As for Goodguys' Truck of the year, of which Fort Worth was again one of the finalist stops, that will remain to be split between Early (pre-'53) and Late ('55-72), with finalist stops at six of their National events. Please visit www.good-guys.com for further updates-for now, enjoy the show...the 15th Annual Lone Star Nats show, that is.
 As with most participants...  As with most participants with satin-finished trucks, Missouri residents David Fettenhoff and Terry Bradley didn't appear to mind the occasional cloud cover. Don't know if we can say the same for those we saw bearing raw metal exteriors, though! |  The fifth of six venues for...  The fifth of six venues for the 2007 Finest Five program, Fort Worth was chock full of hot rod haulers--few as stunning as Ken Reister's '60 El Camino from Littleton, CO, though. With a 400ci/400hp small-block, Art Morrison C4-based IFS, and some of the nicest paint and bodywork we've seen (especially for a black truck!), this is one fine Chevrolet. |  And speaking of fine, what...  And speaking of fine, what better way can we describe Matt Peace's '55 F-100 from Tyler, TX? It too is a notch above the norm for a truck of this nature, with numerous trick, yet subtle modifications throughout. Inside, the owner chose to go with a pretty unique material for the stylish upholstery--stingray! |