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    COVER YOUR BOTTOM

    There are many ways to finish the bottom of any car. Whether you are building new, from the ground up or even detailing a rebuild that is not the off-the-frame type, you have options. And regardless of the extent of the refurbishing, you could even leave the underside in some shade of primer as it is easy to touch up, and the fenderwells and underside often become marked with use.

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    ’80s FLASHBACK

    Everyone is talking about old-school-this and old-school-that, but we here at The Auto Builder don’t really care about old school, true school or new school. What we do care about is bringing our readers the best damn cars from around the world. Whether we are featuring drift, show, street or drag cars, one thing is certain: we will bring you the best cars that are out there. And sometimes the best is simple and to the point, as if you built the whole car in your garage.

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    TOYOTA STEERING SOLUTIONS

    While early Toyota trucks are a great foundation, they do require a few modifications to make them capable of serious off-road use. Sure, you’ll need the basics, such as larger tires, lower gears and some kind of traction-aiding device in the differentials, but first there is a more important issue at hand. The steering on these early Toyota trucks was not designed with hardcore off-road use in mind.

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    AN EVENT TO REMEMBER

    Goodguys’ 10th PPG Nationals

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    Picture of Stephen K. Anderson

    Stephen K. Anderson

    Words & Photography

    A Decade of Excellence at the Goodguys PPG Nationals

    It’s been said before, and judging from what we saw this year, we agree that the 10th Goodguys PPG Nationals “was one of the finest automotive events ever!”

    A Spectacular Showcase of Automotive Artistry

    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 completed weeks, days, and in some cases only hours before the event, were debuted there, which made for an amazing array of automotive artistry. And if you think you’ve heard this before, know that even the most ardent car nuts were wide-eyed and standing motionless with mouths gaping as they tried to make sense of all the hardware in attendance.

    An Impressive Range of Rides

    The variety of cars at this year’s show covered the gamut of time and taste, from vintage classics to the latest street rods, leading-edge muscle cars and vehicles that defied description. While some centered on the visual senses and others focused on performance, all were captivating in one way or another, and many provided onlookers with concepts that will undoubtedly find their way into future creations.

    More Than Just a Car Show

    As always, Goodguys events offer up so many other areas of interest, so it’s easy to get lost in the indoor and outdoor exhibitor aisles, looking at all the components available through the aftermarket today. There were also special seminars held to inform and educate enthusiasts. Add in a swap meet, the car corral, DJ Dave’s continuous tunes, Friday night drags just up the road and lots of great food, and there was no shortage of things to do, people to meet, and cars to ogle over. With the Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year competition, it couldn’t get any better.

    See It for Yourself

    But rather than trying to tell you about an event that is altogether visual, check out this fantastic array of machinery with your own eyes. It’s nothing short of awe-inspiring and definitely memorable. 

    Dale and Stacy Johns’ ’66 Mustang GT from Van Buren, Arkansas, pushed the limits with a radical take on a Ford Lightning powerplant.
    With the exterior and engine compartment decked out in black, the brilliant red interior really pops.
    You won’t find a better array of fantastic machinery that congregated at the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Thousands of incredible cars filled the acreage of this historic facility, drawing fans from throughout the nation.
    You won’t find a better array of fantastic machinery that congregated at the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Thousands of incredible cars filled the acreage of this historic facility, drawing fans from throughout the nation.
    Dennis McClendon’s ’62 Chevy Bel Air out of Mesa, Arizona, was another slick ride that was deceptive, with more modifications than many recognized, starting with the well-massaged body that was coated in the red-and-white two-tone paint. A 409 Chevy sent vintage ponies through a modern six-speed.
    Dave and Sue Ciappa’s ’53 Studebaker retains all of its original character and then some with a rich black paint scheme, big five-spokes stuffed beneath the fenders and a stance that sends this car into motion.

    One of the more radical muscle cars at the event was Kevin Triplett’s ’69 Camaro with a 632ci engine wedged in front, ahead of a TKO five-speed and an extensively modified interior that is sure to start something.

    Since coming on the scene here in with us, Jim and Mike Ring have built one amazing ride after another, including their latest, Doug and Flo Hoppe’s super-trick ’67 Mustang. With endless machined detail, a Recovery Room interior, and a Roush 427 small block pushing a capable Air Ride chassis, this car landed Goodguys’ ’07 Street Machine of the Year honors.
    Art Morrison’s “3G” Corvette was one of the Top 5 Street Machine of the Year (SMOTY) standout, with beautiful detail masking excellent capability. Riding one of his own exceptional chassis and powered by 538 hp, this vintage Vette surpasses 1g acceleration, cornering and braking!
    Another SMOTY Top 5 was Jerry Crews’ ’66 Chevy Biscayne, built by Rad Rides by Troy. Running a ZL7 540 big block in a smoothed compartment, it features several subtle body mods, a slick interior and other trademark touches from Troy’s special talent for bringing standout changes to a once-basic ride.
    Without a doubt, one of the most popular cars in Columbus was Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ’72 Camaro. Built in just 18 weeks with a road-racing theme around Detroit Speed’s Hydroformed subframe and Quadra-Link suspended chassis, the handling of this Street Machine of the Year finalist is exceptional.
    A modified GM LS2 engine displayed its own special touches, all of which mirror approaches seen in Nextel Cup cars, while similar touches were applied inside by Hot Rod Interiors. It only figures this car belongs to the newest star at Hendrick Motorsports.
    George Lange’s ’67 Ford Mustang also rides on an Art Morrison chassis with 4.6 Ford power assembled in a superb style typical of Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop.
    Paul Atkins laid out the interior, while flawless silver and blue DuPont paint coats the exterior of this Top 5 finalist.
    All sorts of cool touches had Bill Van Sickel’s burnt-copper ’67 Pontiac LeMans convertible from Mint Hill, North Carolina, standing out. Beyond the slammed stance were numerous modifications that many enjoyed.
    Mark Powers’ ’68 Firebird from Columbia Station, Ohio, ran an LS1 with a Magnuson blower, a Chris Alston Chassisworks C4 suspension, 20-inch Foose rims, and slick champagne and black DuPont paint over the shaved exterior.
    Dan and Jan LaBonte from Lake Ozark, Missouri, brought out their ’67 ProMax Vennom Nova replica, and while Dan’s paint scheme is certainly eye-catching, so is the 620hp 572 under that hood. The Bobby Schumacher interior was a nice addition to this amazing machine.
    This cool metallic-blue ’57 Corvette belongs to Barry and Mary Smith from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. From the look of it, they enjoy time behind the wheel. Slammed over large rims and rubber, the LT1 drivetrain gives it the moves.

    One of the most exceptional ’56 F-100s to come along was Steve and Becki Haessly’s brilliant red example featuring a neat molded interior and a clear bed floor, exposing all of the beauty that rolls beneath this pickup.

    ARTICLE SOURCES

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    GOODGUYS

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