It was early September and it marked the time to head out to the 10th annual Mid-Western Nationals hosted by Goodguys. This was my second year attending the event in Kansas, and every year brings new trucks that grace the pages of CLASSIC TRUCKS. Previous years were plagued with heat waves but the last two events I attended were in the high 70s spiking to around 85 degrees in the afternoon. Locals that found out I was from California said it that I bring the San Diego weather with me on the plane, but if that were the case, why does it always rain when I get home?
It was a shorts and T-shirt kind of weekend, which drove the crowds out in the masses. This event seams to bring out some the best of the trucks from all across the mid west. Did you notice the cover?
Plain a simple, one of my favorite shows of the year not only because of the great location of Kansas City Speed Way, but the quality of dining restaurants just outside the venue is exceptional. Plus one of the biggest retail sporting goods stores I have ever been to is right down the street. What is better than sporting goods, cool trucks, polite people and great food? Not much.
Friday started off a little slow for vehicle count but by the end of the day vehicle count was above average. I travel to several Goodguy events and Saturday is always the biggest day of the show, Kansas City was no different. Just like last year, show attendants got a ticket at the gate to participate in the track cruise for FREE. Loud speakers let the spectators know what time to get ready to drive around the world famous Kansas City Speedway. It was really cool to see because the tracks inner field was lined up with vehicles and their drivers from one end to the other. Like a bunch of young kids waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, the waiting front cars would move forward a few feet only to be followed by the roar of everyone starting their motors itching to go. You could say the excitement to drive on the banked corners is a thrill in itself.
One of the highlights for me is always watching the autocross and the vast array of vehicles that 10 years ago were not capable of carving corners that fast. Thanks to tons of vendors for pushing the limits, this so called fad looks like it’s here to stay. Not only is it cool to see hotrods ripping in between cones but if you want to participate and drive the autocross track you could, well as long as you passed through tech. Nice weather brought spectators surrounding the track just to see the commotion and to also see what their vehicle could do with the right combo of parts. Then, of course, it is always great to walk far away from the action to meet the garage builders and lawn chair potato’s that always welcome a few questions from stringers about what parts they used or what color their truck is. Good people and Great times as always. CT
One of the coolest trucks...
One of the coolest trucks I’ve seen in a while.
Jimmy and Deb Hervatin showed...
Jimmy and Deb Hervatin showed up in their ’52 Ford F-1 in style. Underhood was a 324 Olds Rocket.
Rusty on the outside, clean...
Rusty on the outside, clean on the inside. That seamed to be a trend for some trucks around the Mid-West. The cool thing about the truck is that the owner took the spare tire indention out of the driver’s side fender with good old rose but torch and a hammer and dolly.
You can’t go wrong with a...
You can’t go wrong with a simple paint combo. Gary Ivy from Rogersville, MO, and his sweet ’64 Chevy C10 short bed.
Is it a carryall or a suburban?...
Is it a carryall or a suburban? I say who cares, it’s cool. Dick Dreiling showed his chopped ’56 people hauler all the way from Basehor, KS.
These two gents were scoping...
These two gents were scoping out aftermarket parts and ideas for their truck project.
Not our normal readership...
Not our normal readership but you had to give it a second look because of the pure craftsmanship that went into the building Stefanie and Robby Collvins ’41 Chevy pickup.
It may look like nothing special...
It may look like nothing special from the outside but I can tell you that Tyler Gibson from St. Joseph, MO, put tons of man hours to make his highly modified ’47 Chevy surpass most muscle cars on the autocross track.
C10s are “in” right now and...
C10s are “in” right now and Nathan Bess from Holts Summit, MO, sure showed up in class with his ’69.
Another sweet C10 was Derek...
Another sweet C10 was Derek Ackerman’s ’68 C10 featuring a 5.3L Chevy truck motor with 4L60E.
This baby can go anywhere...
This baby can go anywhere at any time.
One of my favorite truck beds...
One of my favorite truck beds is the ’58-59 Apache Fleetside. I guess it should be because I own a pickup that looks similar to this. Chad Frick from Garden City, KS, had the original 235 strait-six powering his ’58.
John McDunn made the trek...
John McDunn made the trek all the way from Osceola, IA. His ’56 Ford F-100 was clean and simple powered by a 272 Ford Y-block and three on the tree.
Ron Weyerle brought his ’65...
Ron Weyerle brought his ’65 to show off the deep gloss black luster. His C10 was pristine.
Running around the auto cross...
Running around the auto cross making it happen. It’s crazy how popular this small course is getting. Give it a try.
This truck was featured in...
This truck was featured in one of our past issues (March 2011) but in flat black. I teased Shawn Shippers and his wife because I wanted to do the feature all over again. Did I mention this guy does all his own work? Great job Shawn.
In the swapmeet area was this...
In the swapmeet area was this early ’50 Chevy cab with custom IFS and four-link rear suspension. Hopefully, someone picked it up and is building it back up.
Clean clean clean … Ken and...
Clean clean clean … Ken and Suzette Southwick from Belton, MO, drove in their restored ’65 Chevy C10 that looked like it came off the showroom floor.
This Unibody was for sale...
This Unibody was for sale and I wish I could have taken it home to California. Jesse Mullins from Leavenworth, KS, had a set of Mustang wheels on the truck which made me think what motor was in it.
Classic Trucks Finest Five 2011
Stuffing an LS2 in a ’54 Chevy...
Stuffing an LS2 in a ’54 Chevy truck is no easy task but Lynn Kinderknecht made it happen. The truck also featured a Currie 9 rearend supported by a modified S10 Chassis.
Chris Hay’s super-cool Cadillac-like...
Chris Hay’s super-cool Cadillac-like ’56 GMC. This was another vehicle I wish I could have taken home.
Gene and Esther Wright from...
Gene and Esther Wright from Belton, MO, cruised in style and almost didn’t get picked for our CLASSIC TRUCKS finish Five because they showed up mid Sunday morning. The ’53 Ford was kept cool inside using a Vintage Air Cooling system and shaved doors.
Jim & Jan Dittmeier from St....
Jim & Jan Dittmeier from St. Louis, Mo, let Dave’s Hotrod shop take the truck to the Kansas Goodguys to show of the shops work and their new ride. This ’59 Chevy step side had a modified/painted engine cover over the GMPP Ram jet 502 big-block.
Steve and Tammy Richey are...
Steve and Tammy Richey are a fun husband and wife team that like to show off their ’68 Chevy C10. The complete truck had been modified from the ground up including shaved everything.