Every May for the last 31 years there has been quite the all-Ford truck show held in Tennessee. People come from all over the country for it, since there is really no other F-100 show like it in the United States. Since 2004, the show has been held in the spacious Chilhowee Park in Knoxville, and upwards of 1,000 Ford trucks fill the grounds, despite the predictable but intermittent spring showers. This year was also the changing of the guards, as it were. Pat Ford decided at the close of the '08 F-100 Supernationals to relinquish the show that he started three decades ago and slow down and enjoy life with his wife. Another show promoter from the South, Charlie Cobble of Autoshows Motorsport Events, bought the F-100 Supernationals and with a little help from Pat, took the reins.
The '09 F-100 Supernationals also saw a change in what was let into the show; it was opened to all Fords instead of just trucks. This isn't that big of a change because there were always special Ford clubs or groups invited to the show to add a bit of variety. There are classes for just about everything now, from '48 and earlier all the way to '09 Mustangs, which may help or hinder the show-only time will tell.
One thing that hasn't changed is that the F-100 Truck Of The Year award is still only open to '53-56 F-100s. We know things have been done a certain way for a long time, and it's not our show, but given what people are doing with "other" F-100s these days it seems there should be some thought to opening the big trophy up to any truck with an F-100 on the pink slip. We remember when it was even said on stage at the awards a few years back that Gary Coe's '57 "F-157" should have won, but couldn't. This year was no exception with Kirk Johnson's Roseville Rod and Custom-built '68 F-100.
The '09 show was still great and it was good to see many friends and feature trucks from past years as well as meeting new faces and avid readers. We appreciate all the kind words and support-keep building trucks and we'll keep putting them in the magazine! For information on the '10 F-100 Supernationals and all-Ford show, as well as the '10 Black Oval giveaway truck, visit www.f100supernationals.com, or call 423-623-4644.
Young blood is good blood!...
Young blood is good blood! Nineteen-year-old Justin Dossett from Friendsville, Tennessee, was at the show with his recently finished two-toned '77 F-100. He said he was thinking about selling it and starting something else because he likes building them the best, but we hope he keeps the clean shortbed. Stay tuned for a full feature.
Here's a dentside that would...
Here's a dentside that would be a great, everyday, practical classic truck. Those of you with extended or crew cab daily pickups have gotten used to the extra room and this Ranger Lariat model has just what the doctor ordered. There is even subtle green pinstriping to accent the white.
Neil Utt had his surprisingly...
Neil Utt had his surprisingly clean-and-simple '57 F-100 at the show all weekend. The single headlight '57 looks natural in DuPont Orange, a tan interior, and polished wheels. We snagged this one for a feature as well.
Dan Carpenter had several...
Dan Carpenter had several big-window '56 F-100s hanging out at his booth soaking up both the sun and the rain! The all-silver '56 is our recent cover model; we sealed the deal for first feature rights last year while it was still unfinished.
Barbara Younkin decided to...
Barbara Younkin decided to restore her father's '63 F-100 back in 2007 and this amazingly pristine truck is the result. It was fresh out of the shop for the show. Jerry Seiber of Columbus, Ohio, did the majority of the hard work along with trying to keep the truck 100 percent original. Stay tuned on this one as well.
As always there is a swap...
As always there is a swap meet on the grounds and there are lots of old as well as new parts from a good number of vendors. Complete trucks were also for sale; some were priced right and some were out of this world. It's a buyer's market though, so get out and get yourself a deal on a classic truck!
Fellow Californians from No...
Fellow Californians from No Limit Engineering were out in Knoxville again this year. No Limit has always been involved in the Supernationals-remember the giveaway truck from a couple of years ago? They built it. They were very happy to debut their new Big 10 truck chassis to the public. It's a revolutionary chassis design for many years and makes of classic trucks, we will have the exclusive feature to you soon on this bad boy!
Nice sticker!
This chopped, sectioned, shortened...
This chopped, sectioned, shortened '40 Ford was an interesting specimen. The hefty alterations made the truck almost a scaled-down version of itself. We didn't get a chance to talk to its owner, Frank Miles, but it could almost be an old custom.