PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ALL NEW Classic GM 350 from Gandrud
October 22, 2026
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
EXTREMELY SUBTLE
When you’re located far to the North, as in north of the United States border, it isn’t always easy to gain the attention needed to grow a hot rod shop through creative statements alone. Then again, quality workmanship is difficult to miss and is rarely overlooked by knowledgeable people.
MUSCLE PERFORMANCE ’69 CAMARO
we learned that three important players in the hot rod industry—Chip Foose, Unique Performance and Year One—were coming together for a unique collaboration. Their combined goal was to build a limited-production-built car. Unique Performance already has just such a business, as it builds and sells its continuation Shelby Mustangs.
Grumpy’s Toy
Jim Batson from Deltona, Florida, is a retired Navy man and a veteran’s employment representative for the state of Florida. New to the truck scene at age 57, this is his first custom, and he did most of the work himself, learning as he went. Inspiration for the project came after seeing a friend’s custom truck. He liked the looks and, since friends told him that trucks were easier for the first-time builder, he jumped in with both feet, deciding it would make the perfect retirement project. The undertaking began in April 1999 and wasn’t completed until March 2005. Looking back, Jim confesses to having some second thoughts about that ease-of-construction notion, and he tells us that somehow along the way he picked up the nickname Grumpy!
Spotlighter
GOODGUYS COLUMBUS 2026
Inside, Outside, Trackside, and Boothside at the Biggest Goodguys Show of the Year
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen, Charlie Leach, & Cannin Smith
There are big car shows, and then there is Goodguys Columbus.
The 28th Summit Racing Nationals presented by Grundy Insurance took over the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, July 10–12, 2026. As the biggest event on the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association calendar, Columbus brought together thousands of hot rods, customs, classic trucks, muscle cars, and street machines for three action-packed days.
The show is so massive that capturing everything is nearly impossible. No matter how much ground you cover, there is always another row of cars, an incredible indoor build, a talented builder or exhibitor to meet, or high-horsepower action unfolding on the track.
Inside: Elite Builds and Incredible Details
Inside the buildings, some of the country’s finest vehicles were displayed beneath the lights. Spectators could examine flawless paintwork, detailed engine compartments, custom interiors, one-off fabrication, and the subtle details that separate a great build from an unforgettable one.
These displays also featured contenders for major Goodguys honors, including the prestigious Street Rod of the Year and Street Machine of the Year awards.
Outside: Thousands of Cars and Trucks
Outside, seemingly endless rows of vehicles filled the Ohio Expo Center. Traditional hot rods shared the grounds with restored classics, Pro Touring muscle cars, custom pickups, street machines, and homebuilt cruisers.
From early Ford roadsters and chopped customs to C10s, Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles, Mopars, and Corvettes, there was something worth seeing in every direction.
Trackside: Goodguys AutoCross Action
The Goodguys AutoCross brought sound, speed, and tire-squealing action to the weekend. Drivers pushed classic muscle cars, modified trucks, and highly developed Pro Touring machines through a challenging timed course.
It was a chance to see that many of the polished vehicles at Columbus were engineered to perform just as well as they looked.
Boothside: Talented Builders and Exhibitors
Throughout the show, booths and displays showcased the people and companies that keep the automotive aftermarket moving forward. Some of the country’s most talented builders, manufacturers, and exhibitors brought out their latest projects, products, components, and ideas.
It was an opportunity to meet the craftspeople behind the builds, learn about the parts that make them possible, and get an up-close look at what’s next for the hot rod, restoration, and performance industries.
Relive Goodguys Columbus 2026
One gallery could never capture the entire Goodguys Columbus 2026 experience, but our photographers covered it from every angle—inside, outside, trackside, and boothside.
If you missed the show, these galleries will give you a taste of what makes Columbus the biggest event of the Goodguys season. If you were there, this is your chance to relive some of the cars, competition, craftsmanship, people, and unforgettable moments.
