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15th Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus - Hot TimeFrom the December, 2012 issue of Street Rodder By Eric Geisert
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This wild Hemi-packed ’29 sedan slinks its way through the Ohio Expo Center, part of the parade of award winners. The dropped, chopped, and channeled Model A, built on a Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle chassis, is owned by father and son, Bob and Ryan Rose. Here’s the Goodguys 2012 Classic... Here’s the Goodguys 2012 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year. Dave Walsh’s gorgeous ’32 Ford Victoria was built by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, with Bobby Alloway’s signature combination of traditional styling, up-to-date fit and finish, and classic black paint. The 502 big-block is backed by a Tremec five-speed. Interior highlights include rich brown leather upholstery and a perfectly painted burl wood dash. Things were cooking in Columbus! In the days leading up to the event we had been checking the weather reports from central Ohio, hoping the triple-digit temperatures and 90-plus percent humidity would take a dive before we got to town. It didn’t, and 6,000 street rods, customs, classic trucks, street machines, street cruisers, and muscle cars came with some heat of their own, making the 15th Goodguys PPG Nationals one of the hottest events of the summer. Taking place right in the middle of Goodguys’ list of 20 events for 2012, the Nats in Columbus has become the centerpiece of all the Goodguys shows. With the participant show car count typically topping the 6,000 mark, it’s the largest by far. But it’s not just quantity that makes Columbus hot. The quality of cars is sizzling. Many of the country’s most prominent builders come here to show off their newest projects. And Columbus is where Goodguys selects its Street Rod of the Year (this year’s winner is Dave Walsh’s ’32 Vicky, built by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop), in addition to more than 100 other award winners. STREET RODDER, as always, is on hand to select 10 finalists for our Top 100 program from the participants here. Glowing copper paint covers... Glowing copper paint covers Danny Martin’s ’50 Buick fastback custom. The North Carolina–based sled features frenched headlights, Cadillac taillights, a Buick 455 under the hood, and a stance that makes it look like it’s pouncing even standing still. Nobody works harder for their awards than the participants in the Goodguys AutoCross competition. Goodguys introduced this program several years ago and it has exploded in popularity, attracting novices curious to test their cars and driving skill on the timed cone course, as well as purpose-built sponsored vehicles that really put on a show. You don’t even need a car to get a prize at the PPG Nats. Lots of people went home with prizes from the extensive swap meet, and even more with treasure from one of the many manufacturer displays. By early evening the temperature drops and the Expo Center empties out, but the Nats stay hot as the activity shifts from the fairgrounds to the nightly parties in the parking lot of the host hotel. The PPG Nats doesn’t cool down all weekend! We’ve got a lot of events to attend between now and next summer, but we’re already looking forward to being back in Columbus for the 16th Goodguys Nats. There’s no way we can predict the weather, but we know it’s going to be a hot weekend!  There ought to be more guys...  There ought to be more guys like Eric Wise, running their cars in the AutoCross competition. Wise’s’s ’33 sedan zipped through the cones in 38.921 seconds to win the Street Rod class (for ’54 and older cars). The Fordor has been lightened by rust and is equipped with an LS1 engine.  Winner cards fill the windshield...  Winner cards fill the windshield of Bill Kingwell’s ’34 Chrysler Airflow. Updated with air conditioning, power windows, power steering, and a Chevy small-block, Bill’s out-of-the-ordinary street rod took home the Class Act, Best Bitchin’, and Meguiar’s Magnificent Masterpiece awards.  There’s room for everyone...  There’s room for everyone in Brad Wiersma’s original steel ’27 Model T touring car, featuring a 6-inch windshield chop and painted spoke wheels. The one-piece hood barely hides an Olds four-cylinder engine breathing through a pair of Harley-Davidson Constant Velocity carbs.  Originally built by Richard...  Originally built by Richard Zocchi, this ’64 Grand Prix is extended at both ends, chopped on top, and painted with several shades of Iced Pearl Blue by Art Himsl—and that’s just the exterior. Now owned by Gary L. Birns, there’s hardly an inch of this extraordinary Pontiac that hasn’t been customized.  Jim Cook built his original...  Jim Cook built his original steel ’28 Model A racer like his dad might have done it in the late ’40s. The roadster was built from swap meet parts for $8,000, including the wishbone towbar ($25), B-34 oxygen tank gas tank ($20), and Champion decal autographed by Stock Car legend Smokey Yunick (free).  Jeff Berry and his son Tyler...  Jeff Berry and his son Tyler followed up their ’32 roadster with this knockout ’32 coupe, previously owned by interior artist Sid Chavers. With a 3-inch chop, artillery wheels, and Tommy the Greek–inspired pinstripes, this Deuce gave us goose bumps, despite the heat.  Mark Morehouse turned a ’63...  Mark Morehouse turned a ’63 Impala wagon into a cool family sized mild custom, courtesy of eliminated door handles and badges, Intro Prowler wheels, and a clean custom engine compartment filled by a limited-edition 460hp Edelbrock Signature Series 383 Chevy engine.  Not what we picture when we...  Not what we picture when we think of Willys. John Laine has owned three ’52 Aeros since he was 15. This one must be the toughest, built for speed with a rollcage, line-lock, race tach and gauges, fat Hoosier tires, and a 454 big-block—and it survived being underwater during Hurricane Katrina.  Another great Tri-Five Gasser...  Another great Tri-Five Gasser from Tony Vestuto of Oak Lawn, IL, this ’57 Chevy two-door post car keeps a lot of the trim intact, in addition to its Gasser elements—from the straight tube axle and fenderwell headers to the dragstrip-oriented rolling stock.  Wouldn’t you love to drive...  Wouldn’t you love to drive this ’32 roadster? Joe Barr drives it all the time, clocking about 17,000 miles by the time he showed up in Columbus. The grille shell graphics are matched by more elaborate pinstriping on the decklid. Red steelies match the tuck ’n’ roll upholstery.  Channeled bodies and bobbed...  Channeled bodies and bobbed fenders are a traditional look born in the East, and carried out beautifully on Ronnie and Gail Young’s Maryland-based ’29 A roadster, stuffed with a 350 with three 2Vs. The tan leather interior balances out the bright pearl blue paint and chrome reverse wheels.  Recognize this ’37 Chevy?...  Recognize this ’37 Chevy? Edward and Sharon Young have been at every Goodguys Nats in Columbus. Their homebuilt coupe started as a shell, pulled home with a tractor—but it’s never been trailered. The custom orange paint contains champagne gold pearl to make it pop.  For a lesson in vintage custom...  For a lesson in vintage custom paint techniques, take a look at Bob Lathery’s ’51 Chevy pickup, finished with panels, pinstripes, metalflake, you name it. Sixteen-inch Wheel Smith Smoothie wheels and an on-the-ground stance contribute to the attention-getting truck.  Terry Wilson’s hand-fabricated...  Terry Wilson’s hand-fabricated boattail Sprint car started with a ’29 Model A frame and cowl, and continues with a ’50 Merc stroked Flathead, Wings gauges in an engine-turned dash, and loads of well-done details all over the car.  Rounding out our gallery of...  Rounding out our gallery of ’32s is this old-timey Tudor sedan, the pride and joy of Henry Richards from Mansfield, OH (whose ’32 pickup was here in 2010). The paint color and dirt track tires were terrific choices. The engine/trans combination is a 327 Chevy and Tremec TKO 600.  Here’s another nicely done...  Here’s another nicely done Deuce highboy roadster. Terry Batchelder from Lordstown, OH, added blackwall big ’n’ little bias-plies. A 350 engine and B&M TH350 transmission get the wheels turning. The traditional chassis includes a Super Bell I-beam axle and split wishbones.  Pound for pound, it’s hard...  Pound for pound, it’s hard to beat this super-smooth, deep burgundy ’48 Oldsmobile, owned by Don and Michelle Skeen, from nearby Lancaster, OH. The Skeen’s custom has a body-color-matching interior and is powered by a 455 with a TH400 transmission. Painless Performance Products presents For the Top 100 program, STREET RODDER attends 10 selected car shows each year and picks 10 vehicles at each to make up the Top 100. For more on where those shows are and how they’re voted on, check www.streetrodder.com. If you have acquired an engine that has sat for six months or longer, be sure to remove the injectors and have them tested before attempting to start the engine, as the reformulated fuels of today will cause the injector solenoids to stick closed.  Bob Smith, Washington, DC...  Bob Smith, Washington, DC / 1937 Chevy sedan One-Off Rod & Custom lived up to its name with Bob Smith’s ’37 Bow Tie. A very slight top chop and slanted B-pillar enhances the sleekness of the car. A split front bumper continues the illusion of forward motion. The illusion is turned into reality by a carbureted ZZ4 Chevy engine and 700-R4 transmission. A pair of ’06 Lexus seats help upgrade the contemporary interior.  Homer Hudson, Strawberry Plains,...  Homer Hudson, Strawberry Plains, TN / 1937 Chevy coupe Homer Hudson’s ’37 Chevy coupe is understated, and a perfect example of the fact you don’t need to hit people over the head if you get the stance and look of the car correct. Homer’s son, Will, built the Chevy using RideTech bags and blank 18- and 20-inch rollers. Inside the car is elegant with a wide-laced leather seat and accents painted flat burgundy while the engine is a modest small-block Chevy V-8.  William Shores, Helena, AL...  William Shores, Helena, AL / 1932 Ford roadster Goolsby Customs in Bessemer, AL, created this stylish Deuce roadster for the owner, which started with raising the rear wheelwells to give the rod a lower look. The chassis is from the Roadster Shop and the motor is a Navarro-equipped 284 Flathead. M&M Hot Rod Interiors built the diamond-pleated throwback interior, and gauges are set in a Goolsby-made, Auburn-style dash insert.  Neal Smith, Harrington, DE...  Neal Smith, Harrington, DE / 1932 Chevy roadster Neal Smith turned to Six Deuces Speed Shop in Milford, DE, to create this roadster out of a beaten-up coupe (and we mean beaten with a bat!). Lots of cool tricks: not the least of which was mating the ’32 Ford roadster windshield to the Chevy cowl. A 348 with six-twos up front, a drag cage, and flattened Dupont paint made this a standout.  Brandon Glymph, Silver Springs,...  Brandon Glymph, Silver Springs, MD / 1960 Thunderbird The influence of the late-Larry Watson is all over this fabulous T-Bird, built by Brandon and his dad, Richard. The two-tone paint is Prowler Orange and Audi pearl white. Power is all Ford with a 390ci engine backed with a C6 transmission. Wire rims, spots, and 27 grille bullets are throwbacks to the days of cruising Bellflower Boulevard 50 years ago.  Phil & Debbie Becker, Dwight,...  Phil & Debbie Becker, Dwight, IL / 1946 Ford woodie wagon A tornado delayed the build, but nothing could stop the progress on Phil and Debbie Becker’s ’46 woodie. The turquoise paint is a good match for the hard maple frame and bird’s-eye maple inserts. Classic Instruments gauges, a Lecarra steering wheel, and light brown leather upholstery modify the interior. Lifting the hood reveals a supercharged 4.6L Ford Cobra engine.  Meade Baldwin Jr., Denton,...  Meade Baldwin Jr., Denton, MD / 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie A few well-done mods went far in transforming a $600 bucket of rust into a sweet street cruiser, built by The Hot Rod Garage. The satin paint is contrasted with the metalflake gold top, highlighted with the right amount of hood and decklid pinstriping. The sano engine compartment holds a Ford 360 backed by a C6 transmission. Radir wheels with wide whites add to the appeal.  Jerry Rice, Royston, GA /...  Jerry Rice, Royston, GA / 1956 Chevy 210 Coming out of Mike Goldman Customs, Jerry Rice’s ’56 Chevy sits on an Art Morrison chassis and is equipped with a 700-plus horsepower 572 engine topped with Inglese injection. A five-speed Richmond trans was also used, and the car rolls on 18- and 20-inch Schott wheels. The custom red leather interior was the work of Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop, and the paint and bodywork was done at Mike Goldman’s shop based in Meridian, MS.  Garry Crawford, Ellis, KS...  Garry Crawford, Ellis, KS / 1940 Chevy coupe Chevy coupes from 1940 aren’t known to be good-looking cars, but Garry Crawford’s ride might change that. Sitting on an Art Morrsion chassis with Foose wheels, the hood was pancaked and had four trick louvers added under the side trim. An LS3 is underhood, tan leather throughout the interior, and a PPG Cinnamon candy over a Copper base was used for the exterior.  Ronald Smith, Fairchance,...  Ronald Smith, Fairchance, PA / 1949 Ford sedan Chopping the top and relocating it forward several inches gives Ronald’s Shoebox a profile a little different than a sedan or a coupe. It was built by Larry Stewart on an Art Morrison chassis and is powered by a mouth-watering 383 Chevy. With Paul Atkins custom leather interior, and 18- and 20-inch Schott wheels, the ’49 is finished in a nice shade of root beer brown.
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