A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
July 16, 2023
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
539HP 383 On Pump Gas
Time and time again, our advice to those interested in learning about stout-running engines is that it’s the total combination that makes it all happen—considering, of course, that components are prepped, cleaned and assembled as if in a “clean room.”
DOME ALONE
Dave Shuten is a time traveler. Traveling through time is what he likes to do best, but looking at his latest creation we can’t tell if his time travel machine is moving forward or back in time. Here’s the real dilemma: If you’re advancing a trend that ended in the early ’60s, are you traveling forward in time or back? One thing is certain: Dave Shuten loves to visit the golden era of show cars; after all, he’s the guy who did such an awesome job of cloning the Mysterion, an Ed Roth creation that was ultimately parted out and destroyed, only to live again through the efforts of Dave Shuten.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BellaTilt Microsteer Roadster Column by Flaming River
Top-tier quality and a solid three-year warranty set Flaming River apart as the best in the business. Their tilt steering columns come fully equipped with an aluminum dress-up kit, featuring a turn signal arm with a Phillips screw, a tilt lever, a hazard knob with a screw, and a steering wheel hold nut. Additionally, Flaming River offers a comprehensive array of steering column accessories, including steering wheels, custom wheel adapters, floor mounts, and column drops.
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.
