I guess if we were going to sum up what we thought of this past season’s Goodguys 14th PPG Nationals in one word, it’d have to be “awesome.” Now, for those who are veterans of the event this is common knowledge, but for those that have yet to make the trip to the show (what are ya waitin’ for?), awesome is about the best one-word description we can think of.
Picture this: A great July weekend, the vast expanse and aura of the Ohio Expo Center, the typical fun-filled Goodguys mix of special features, and thousands of the coolest classic trucks, muscle cars, and street rods the country has ever seen. Sound too good to be true? Don’t bet on it! The Goodguys go well beyond the norm when it comes to hosting an event. Not only do they play host to a series of five CLASSIC TRUCKS Finest-Five picks. Their gatherings are renowned for offering attendees things like a huge manufacturer’s exhibits (both indoors and outdoors), massive swap meets and car corrals, model and pedal car displays, and a host of informative technical seminars hosted by a variety of industry professionals. Adding to the association’s standard (but far from typical) fair, the Columbus, Ohio, event allows the Goodguys to offer even more, like the ever popular and exciting Auto Cross competition. Not half bad, eh?
Sounds like the Goodguys PPG Nationals were a blast, doesn’t it? Well, it was! And if you missed it, you’ll just have to settle for a mix of event coverage and your pals rubbing in how much fun they had at the show. No matter, we’re sure that if you missed this past season’s event you’ll want to do your absolute best to make this year’s 15TH Goodguys PPG Nationals. CLASSIC TRUCKS will be there, and we’ll have our cameras in hand! So we’ll see ya then! CT
There’s always a ton of cool...
There’s always a ton of cool classic trucks at the Goodguys Nats and Paul Harsanye’s Salem, Ohio-based, ’72 C-10 was just one of the pristine examples on hand for the show.
Not all of the cool pickups...
Not all of the cool pickups at the show were shiny, waxed, and detailed trucks—that’s just fine with me. Classic’s like Dusty Riley’s patina’d ’48 Chevy are plentiful as well and are just as neat to see as the other more refined examples.
Johnny Morris’ way cool ’54...
Johnny Morris’ way cool ’54 F-100 is one good lookin’ Effie. The Dayton, Ohio-based, pickup is powered by a stout little 302 backed by a C4 automatic—a perfect combo for comfy cruisin’.
Goodguys Columbus always draws...
Goodguys Columbus always draws cool classic pickups and not all Chevys and Fords either. Neat ol’ trucks like Ken Brown’s ’48 Stude are showing up at shows more often these days and we’re extremely happy that they are!
Chopping the top on a ’47...
Chopping the top on a ’47 to ’54 Chevy pickup is tough enough, imagine the chore it must have been to shave a few inches out of a panel. Greg Beal of Mansfield, Ohio, is the lucky owner of this tastefully hammered ’48.
I’ve been bitin’ my tongue...
I’ve been bitin’ my tongue for way too long so I’m gonna go ahead and vent a bit. Why is it that some folks can’t take the time to fill out their window tags? Running across this neat little Dodge was a pleasant surprise and I sure would have liked to give a tip of the hat to its owner—oh well, maybe next time.
[07] I really fell for Tony...
[07] I really fell for Tony and Janice House’s ’55 Chevy. The pickup’s semi-gloss finish and flame-like scallops caught my eye from quite a distance and I wasn’t disappointed after making my way across the grounds to check it out.
[01] Ed Corwin of Highland...
[01] Ed Corwin of Highland Heights, Ohio, is the rightfully proud owner of this way-cool ’72 C-10 long-bed. I have to admit, after years of preferring short bed pickup’s I’m beginning to take a liking to their more lengthy brethren these days.
[02] A good running engine,...
[02] A good running engine, a workable driveline, and a good set of white walls are all one needs to have a good time with a well worn classic pickup—just ask Tim Dodrill of Utica, Ohio. I wouldn’t think twice about jumping behind the wheel of this neat ol’ F-100!