
THE AUTO BUILDER
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GOD OF FIRE CORVETTE
“Corvette Bill” Bartenstein and his son, Bill Jr., are renowned around the state of Hawaii—more specifically Kailua—for their car-building talents. But that’s not all—at the 2007 Barrett-Jackson auction at Scottsdale, Arizona, a candy-blue Bartenstein-built ’69 Pro Touring Camaro fetched a record $182,000. It just so happens that this Firemist Red ’66 Corvette Sting Ray resto rod—another Bartenstein creation—rolled across the B-J auction block that same weekend and sold for an incredible $130,000. So what makes a Bartenstein-built car so attractive? Let’s take a closer look.

BOOSTED BIRD
All Ford guys know the proper formula for building a Fox-body car: take a Mustang and cram it full of injected V-8. That’s the mantra, the 11th commandment of the Mustang community. Fortunately, someone forgot to show that particular stone tablet to Bill Powell, owner of Powell Performance (714/992-4909). He did something very different when he built his Fox body: he built a Thunderbird, and he built it with a turbo-four.

The 2026 Ridler Roundup
For more than 70 years, Detroit Autorama has been the proving ground where the world’s most ambitious custom cars, hot rods, and coachbuilt masterpieces step into the spotlight. What started back in 1953 as a humble fundraiser to build a drag strip has grown into a full-blown celebration of automotive craftsmanship, creativity, and hot rod culture. Today, the show packs the cavernous halls of Huntington Place with hundreds of cars, thousands of enthusiasts, and a level of competition that pushes builders to bring their absolute A-game.
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Ford Fever in the Smokies
Inside the F-100 Supernationals, where Blue Oval trucks rule and legends roll.
Inside the Show
Inside the Sevierville Convention Center, you get air-conditioned aisles lined with vendors, feature trucks under the lights, and parts you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. It’s the calm before the storm—organized rows, bright lights, and cool air that make it easy to wander and take it all in.
Outside on the Show Grounds
But the real chaos of the Supernationals lives outside—hundreds of Fords under the Smoky Mountain sky, stretching row after row with every generation represented. It’s part open-air museum, part rolling car corral, with patina’d workhorses parked beside flawless restorations and wild customs. Add in the swap meet buzzing with parts hunters and project dreamers, and the outdoor lot becomes the beating heart of the show.
What Makes the Supernationals Special
What makes the Supernationals special is the mix. You’ll see polished builds that could sit in a museum parked next to a weathered daily that’s earned every dent. Builders debut projects, legends swap stories, and you’ll find yourself geeking out over details you’ve never noticed before. It’s part truck show, part family reunion, part treasure hunt—and it’s only getting bigger.
Our Visual Journey
This year, our photographer hit the ground running and brought back a visual journey through some of the top trucks that stopped us in our tracks. From radical customs to survivor rigs with perfect patina, here’s a look at the iron that defines the F-100 Supernationals.
Why You Should Go
Scroll through, soak it in, and if you’ve never made the trip—start planning. Once you go, you’ll get it. Don’t just drool over the photos—make it happen for yourself. The F-100 Supernationals isn’t just a show, it’s a three-day celebration of everything Blue Oval. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot for next year—trust us, you’ll want to be part of the action when the Smoky Mountains turn Ford blue again.
ARTICLE SOURCES
F-100 Supernationals & All Ford Show
SEVIERVILLE CONVENTION CENTER
202 Gists Creek Rd.
Sevierville, TN 37876







