Hear “July”. Think: Fireworks, Party, Reunion, Vacation, Ohio, Road Trip. Wait, Ohio? Vacationing in Ohio? Yes, Ohio.
For twelve years the California based Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has held the Goodguys Nationals in Columbus, making Ohio the destination for thousands of hot rodders, street rodders, custom cruisers, and muscle car go-fast gear heads.
The Goodguys Nationals is open to vehicles of all types through 1972. On exhibit in the swap meet building was an all wood drag boat built in 1959 by Dave Miller of Woodland Hills, CA. The boat made the short haul from Delaware, Ohio where it’s current owner restored it to it’s present day condition. The power for this aqua hot rod is supplied by a race 371 Oldsmobile with J-2 heads. On display with the boat was an original ad from a 1960 Hot Rod Magazine, advertising this boat new for the “firm” price of $4,200.
The number of vehicles that cruised through the gates in 2009 was staggering. Friday morning the fairgrounds was packed. The show doesn’t officially start til 8 a.m., however, there was a line that started forming six hours prior.
It’s amazing to see the vast variety of styles of car and truck owners personified through their vehicles. Bob cruised his 1941 Pontiac Streamliner Torpedo powered by the flat head six cylinder to the Goodguys Nationals this year. The wide white tires and red wheels rolled down I-71 from Medina, Ohio.
Another Pontiac that was on display was the 1954 belonging to Charles of Leicster, North Carolina. The 350 engine and 700R transmission combo guided this Tin Woodie Wagon to a shady spot in the grass.
In the same row were three 1940 street rods all from North Carolina. Ken & Judy cruised their 1940 Ford from Asheville, and Doyle and Dennis both from Burnsville, who each cruised a 1940 Chevrolet.
It’s not just the participants that come from the right coast and the left coast. Driving through a few rows of the spectator lot it was easy to spot license plates from about a dozen different states. The Goodguys Nationals justs keeps getting bigger every year.
Mid-moring Saturday, an intense thunder storm moved across the area, and rain fell through evening. 2009 was the first year that the weather had a noticable impact on the Goodguys Nationals.
The rain sent people indoors where there was plenty to see and do. In the main building, the Buckeye Scale Auto Club had a model car display that initiated the sensation of flying over a real track.
Sunday, the Goodguys give away SuperNova found a new home in Alabama after the weekend’s awards were presented. As quickly as they converged on Columbus, the hot rods, muscle cars, and street rods all hit the highway headed home as the 12th Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Nationals is history.
Carsolina thanks the Goodguys and those who participated and made trip to Columbus. Keep Cruising.
