30th Ford F100 Supernationals - Three Decades Off-100s!

One piece at a time, just like that old Johnny Cash song, huh? This interesting truck in the swap meet was of Heinz 57 variety and yet strangely worked...in a weird sorta way. What do you think? Maybe everything hasn't been done yet!

Of course there were some cool engines on display under all those hoods at the show, like this built Y-block in R.E. Myers' '64 F-100...

...The OHV V-8 was home to a trio of Stromberg's infamous 97 carbs atop an Edelbrock manifold.

Get 'em while they're hot! This was a sight for once-sore eyes as I remembered the eight months it took to find a nice, short Styleside bed for my '68. There was more '67-72 and up to '79 parts than I'd ever seen in one place. Think they're catchin' on?

Speaking of not been done yet, I can't recall seeing another '57-60 F-100 built into a crew cab like this one; unfortunately, the owner didn't display his info. Another neat idea nonetheless, and it might have been made using a later-model truck or van chassis.

Dan Carpenter had his almost-done '56 big-window at the show to wow all the people who ventured near his booth. We're hoping to have a full feature for you on the silver Effie as soon as it's ready!

Only Al Erwin can prevent forest fires in his ex-forest service '55 panel truck. After having many a finished vehicle, Al loves the worry-free cruising the panel has to offer thanks to its 350 Chevy and scratch-resistant "paint."

What a pair! These two WWII-era Fords looked great parked next to each other. The '47 on the left belongs to Alvin Brown, is a survivor of the 1960s show scene, and was featured in many magazines from that time. The '41 with the '40 front end seems to be a more recent build and is under the care of Jerry Dillard.

Two words: clean and simple. It's good practice to sit back and look at a truck like Doug Elmore's '52 F-1 and realize how little you have to do to an old truck to make it look right, even though there's bound to be plenty done to its chassis.

Why do I keep taking pictures of "unfinished" trucks? Maybe because I've yet to "finish" one myself (I better get back to work on the '68!), or maybe they still seem like trucks instead of showpieces, not that there's anything wrong with that either, but this unidentified '57 was too cool with its low rake and straight-spoke Americans.

What did I say about silver? DeWayne Pierce and his wife, Gayle, brought their freshly finished '56 to Knoxville for all us magazine types to fight over! David Rongey of Rongey's Restoration in Ocoee, TN, handled most of the work on this stunning Ford, and we wouldn't change a thing, except the name on the pink slip. Look for a full feature soon!

Alvin and Patricia McCoy made the trek to Tennessee to show off their PPG Vibrance Candy Apple Red F-1. The slick truck features a GM LT1 and 4L60E combo, Ford 9-inch rearend, and Foose Nitrous II wheels.

The '56 models seem to be slipping somewhat as king in the world of classic trucks since more people are building and restoring the other F-100s. Brain Pope built a sweet '66 that's covered in a smooth coat of black suede. Out back is a pair of whitewall slicks mounted on steel wheels that bear a set of chrome spider caps-cool.

Also on the other side was an impressive display of vintage Ford tractors, most of which have been meticulously restored, like this '57-62 901 Series.

On another trip through the swap meet I noticed these sets of rare rear doors for factory crew cab trucks. Take your pick!

If you went through the tunnel to the other side of the park, you would've found a few hundred vintage Broncos. This extraordinary vintage SUV was seamlessly built to look as if it came from Ford as you see it. We'd bet owner Paul Houston fields plenty of questions about his one-off '69!

The much-anticipated awards ceremony was well attended as usual, where the trophies for several hundred winners were handed out. These four guys were the top dogs in the Truck of the Year running. From left to right are Harold Robinson; Matt Peace, Truck of the Year Winner; Jim Borhuff, and Terry Van Housen.