North Carolina is NASCAR country, plain and simple. The hills and valleys surrounding Charlotte are dotted with race shops bearing some of the biggest names in the sport. And there, rising out of a ridge on the northeast fringes of the Charlotte metro area, you'll also find one of the sport's most prominent venues, Lowes Motor Speedway.
Every autumn, just as sure as the leaves burn to gold and red, the region's car enthusiasts can count on another parade of color -- thousands of street rods, customs, and muscle cars filling the Speedway for the Goodguys Southeastern Nationals. This year the event was another stop on our Goodguys tour, and believe us, there were plenty of cool rides for us to turn our cameras toward on the weekend of October 24-26. Check out the photos and see if you don't agree.
The stands may have been empty,...
The stands may have been empty, but the infield was full of rodders and spectators checking out all the cool iron at the Goodguys Southeastern Nationals.
Speedstar coupes have a cool,...
Speedstar coupes have a cool, cartoon-like demeanor to them in "stock" form. Gary Hinson exaggerated the effect with bright blue paint and long, seaweed-style flames.
Dick Motz's bright yellow...
Dick Motz's bright yellow Deuce roadster mixes elements from different eras -- E&J headlights, wire wheels, '38 Harley-Davidson taillights, and a high-tech LT1 engine -- with surprisingly good results.
Believe it or not, Doug Mauro's...
Believe it or not, Doug Mauro's '48 Chevy custom has been on the road since the late 1980s, and still wears the same paint job. The slick coupe sports a chopped top (5-inches in back, 3 in front), '42 Chevy front fenders and grille, Pontiac rear fenders, Merc taillights, and a Nova subframe and drivetrain.
Alix Bernard brought his track...
Alix Bernard brought his track roadster to the racetrack. Based on a '27 T roadster, this cool little fun machine sports all kinds of cool old-school garb -- flatmotor, engine-turned dash, brass-plated windscreen frame, and a leather-wrapped leaf spring atop the quick-change rearend.
How's this for several tons...
How's this for several tons of fun? Jim and Ellen Tucker's '41 Cadillac coupe-turned-hardtop actually rides on a '96 Impala frame, complete with that car's LT1 engine and overdrive automatic. Boyd Coddington wheels and a tan leather interior make it a true luxury cruiser.
Got air bags? Don Enlor's...
Got air bags? Don Enlor's '40 sedan sure does! Built by Mo & Curley's Rod & Custom in Tennessee, the fat Ford is supported by an Air Ride-equipped Fataman frame, along with 17- and 20-inch American wheels.
Inside you'll find a Steve...
Inside you'll find a Steve Holcomb interior, and under the hood there's a sharp-dressed small block.
Here's another cool Cad --...
Here's another cool Cad -- this one a '49 model built by Benny Manis. This maroon masterpiece steps out on a Nova subframe supporting a 472ci Cadillac V-8 backed by a TH400. Inside you'll find white and maroon rolls and pleats, along with Dakota Digital instruments.
We'd label Lewis McMillan's...
We'd label Lewis McMillan's Deuce a resto rod, but the hammered lid makes this coupe much hotter (or is that cooler?) than that. Editor Brennan particularly likes the cowl lights.
I'm tellin' ya, Charlotte...
I'm tellin' ya, Charlotte was the place for Cadillacs. Al Bullis' '31 coupe was one more example of great luxury rodding, with an LS1 under hood and just about every other modern amenity you can think of.
Dusty Gostovich turned his...
Dusty Gostovich turned his '41 Ford coupe into a hardtop, and added several other traditional custom touches while he was at it. You can see more of this gold beauty in the December 2003 issue of Rod & Custom.
Johnson's Hot Rod Shop is...
Johnson's Hot Rod Shop is responsible for cutting the lid off Jim and Nan Hoffman's '37 Chevy sedan, turning it into a very slick phaeton. First-rate quality can be found throughout this dark green beauty, thanks to a Heidts IFS, small-block Chevy V-8, Paul Atkins leather interior, and Billet Specialties wheels.