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THE AUTO BUILDER
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THE SNOWBALL EFFECT
The Fox-body Mustang is undoubtedly becoming one of the most popular Fords of all time, and the abundance of aftermarket components is its main attraction. Every aspect of the ’79-’93 Mustang is upgradeable, and whether you want a killer street car or an all-out drag car, the Fox-body Mustang proves to be a great platform for all kinds of performance goals. B.C. Happach of Pekin, Illinois, recognized this great potential and bought a ’91 Mustang hatchback back in March 1996. Small upgrades here and there, including a NitrousWorks plate kit, gave Happach a street-friendly Mustang that consistently ran in the high 12s with the stock suspension.
SR61 Starliner
Long before we ever saw it in person, we were familiar with the ProRides-built SR61 Starliner. We ran a rendering of the car back when it was still on the drawing board, and we heard updates on its progress from time to time. But our first real introduction to the car was at Air Ride Technologies’ Street Challenge at Putnam Park Road Course. Among the sights we must admit we thought we’d never see was that of a big-dollar, 3,800-pound ’61 Starliner ripping around a road course. Immediately, we fell in love—a car this size, this expensive, this good looking, and a builder who’s not afraid to test his work to the limits? That sounds like the kind of car for us.
Brake Basics
In the eyes of the Chevy enthusiast, ultimate acceleration reigns supreme. Everything plays second fiddle in the performance-oriented minds of many enthusiasts, including handling, comfort and so on—besides, those things are tough to quantify. Acceleration and top speed are what we are into and unfortunately, all too often, last on the performance priority list is braking. Remember, no matter how quick or fast a particular Chevy is, and no matter how well that Bow Tie handles, no matter how plush it is, no matter how straight the body panels are or how crafty it’s built, eventually you have to get the thing to stop.
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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.
