The Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, a highlight of the custom car calendar, has been drawing enthusiasts and builders since its establishment in 1998. This event has quickly risen to prominence, becoming a revered gathering for showcasing the finest in hot rods, muscle cars, and custom vehicles. The pinnacle of recognition at this event is the Street Rod of the Year and the Street Machine of the Year awards. These accolades celebrate extraordinary craftsmanship, innovation, and design, distinguishing the best of the best in the custom car world. Winning these awards at the Goodguys Nationals is a mark of supreme talent and creativity, solidifying the recipient’s status as a leading figure in automotive customization. The Goodguys Nationals continues to shine as a prestigious event, attracting top talent and the most stunning vehicles in the industry.
When Gary Meadors started the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, he had a plan. He wanted his association to be open to a larger variety of cars, not just street rods. Meadors, a street rod enthusiast, has owned a variety of them since he was a kid, but he is also what we would call
We’ve been road-tripping all year long through the Fab’d Four of Auto Shows, chasing the best builds, the wildest debuts, and the kind of iron that makes you stop mid-sentence just to stare. Three shows in, we’ve already seen cars that melted minds and trucks that had crowds three-deep around them.
Columbus brought the heat—literally and figuratively. At this year’s Goodguys Nationals, the metal was shiny, the builds were wild, and the vendor midway was packed with gearheads showing off the next big things. We walked the aisles, kicked tires, talked shop, and came away with a short list of standout products we think deserve your
Let’s be honest—there was a time when trucks were the stuff you parked behind the show field, used to haul parts, or maybe pulled your “real” hot rod to the event. What once might have been considered second-tier to muscle cars and traditional hot rods is now front and center, with classic pickups, slammed cruisers,
In 1955, Chevrolet didn’t just redesign a car—they ignited a movement. The Tri-Five Chevys (that’s shorthand for the 1955, 1956, and 1957 models) arrived like a thunderclap and never really left. These machines were leaner, lower, and louder—in both looks and performance—ushering in a new era of V8-powered excitement. The shoebox shape, the tailfins, the
From suspension breakthroughs to slick bolt-ons and next-gen wiring solutions, this curated collection of fresh hardware gave attendees a first look at what’s about to hit the streets—and the shelves. With awards on the line and plenty of eyeballs walking the floor, companies brought their A-game, packing the display cases with smart engineering, clean design,
If you’re into big power, insane craftsmanship, and the kind of custom cars that stop people mid-sentence, then Columbus, Ohio in July is the place to be. The Goodguys Nationals isn’t just a show—it’s the showdown. Since ’98, this event has become ground zero for the best in hot rods, muscle cars, and one-off customs
We are continually challenged by what has previously been accomplished within a hobby that has captured the hearts of enthusiastic Americans; and just when it seems automotive imagination has reached its pinnacle, we are once again reminded of an endless flow of accomplishment and creativity that stretches the limits of the cars we build.
As the years go by, and as the quality of cars continues to exceed expectations, it isn’t surprising that the venues attracting the top cars get more spectacular over time. This year, record crowds in Columbus, Ohio, came out in droves to witness an amazing chrome carnival. Cars of every description, many of which were
Over the last several years, the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has established itself as one of the nation’s premier hot rodding events. This event, along with the Detroit Autorama and a few others, has proven to be one of the main events at which builders choose to debut new cars, and trophies are
