photos by: the author
Goodguys brings the 19th Annual PPG Nationals to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus
We’ve been a huge supporter of the Goodguys show since we’ve been driving. It’s a great family friendly event that has taken on a life of its own, expanding to twenty separate events that are spread all across the country. We stopped into the Ohio Expo Center during the weekend of July 8-10 to take aa closer look at what the Columbus event was all about. Coming from someone who has frequented West Coast interactions of the show, your author was genuinely shocked at the turnout for the event!
There were well over 5,000 cars and probably 25,000 spectators in Ohio that weekend, with pre-1972 vehicles of all American makes and models, of all flavors. The show field was jam-packed with muscle cars, hot rods, rat roads, classic and customized trucks, as well as lead sleds and lowriders.
If you were in the market to pick up a new project, or were looking for that hard-to-find parts for something you were working on in your shop, the swap meet and car corral had plenty to offer — and we almost went home with a new project ourselves, but saner minds prevailed. However, it was a great experience and we did see more than one transaction take place while browsing through.
Our favorite segment of the event was the autocross, as an area had been barricaded off so a group of career carving enthusiasts could put their muscle cars and pickups through the cones of the parking lot of the Ohio Expo Center. As a form of competition that has been cutting into the drag racing set’s popularity, we’ve become increasingly enamored with autocross as time goes on. Speaking of vintage drag racing, there was plenty of it at nearby National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio’s quarter-mile dragstrip.
While we weren’t able to spend the entire weekend at Goodguys due to scheduling conflicts, we were able to take in plenty of excitement during there time we were there, and have complied the results to the event below. We look forward to returning next year, as well as attending upcoming events throughout the rest of the year.
We spotted this legit, 1-of-99 ’69 Yenko Chevelle sitting in the show area.
This ’69 Trans Am clone was certainly an eye-catcher!
This ’69 Chevelle SS packed a forged 418 cubic-inch LSX with a Whipple blower and a killer pro-touring theme. It wowed the audience when it hit the autocross!
This late-model Cobra-powered first-gen Cougar was a multiple show-winner at Goodguys, and this year was no different!
Special Awards |
Name |
City, State |
Car |
| 2016 Street Rod of the Year (Sponsored by Classic Instrument) | Billy & Debbie Thomas | Corpus Christi, TX | 1939 Oldsmobile Model 60 |
| 2016 Street Machine of the Year (Sponsored by PPG) | Tim & CiCi Spencer | Pelham, AL | 1969 Ford Mustang |
| 2016 Street Rod of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by Classic Instrument) | Dan Wathor | Rio Linda, CA | 1937 Ford |
| 2016 Street Rod of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by Classic Instrument) | Carl Moyer | Ankeny, IA | 1938 Chevrolet |
| 2016 Street Rod of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by Classic Instrument) | Dale Boesch | Humphrey, NE | 1934 Ford |
| 2016 Street Rod of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by Classic Instrument) | Larry & Karen Henderson | Waynesville, OH | 1932 Ford Vickie |
| 2016 Street Machine of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by PPG) | James Jackson | Gallatin, TN | 1961 Oldsmobile f-85 |
| 2016 Street Machine of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by PPG) | Alex Short | Bluffdale, UT | 1969 Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2016 Street Machine of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by PPG) | Tom Denrowsky | 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle | |
| 2016 Street Machine of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by PPG) | Ike Taylor | Orlando, FL | 1968 Ford Mustang |
| 2016 Muscle Car of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by MSD) | Ed Pienta | Wilkes Barre, PA | 1971 Oldsmobile 442 |
| 2016 Muscle Machine of the Year Finalist (Sponsored by Griot’s Garage) | David Meyer | Pittsburg, PA | 1966 Plymouth Belvedere |
| 2016 Truck of the Year Late Finalist (Sponsored by LMC Truck) | Todd Williams | Phoenix, AZ | 1961 Ford Unibody Truck |
| 2016 Goodguys AutoCross 1st Place Pro Class | Danny Popp | Cincinnati, OH | 1972 Chevrolet Corvette |
| Barry Lobeck Memorial Award | Larry & Karen Henderson | Waynesville, OH | 1932 Ford Vickie |
| 2016 Sponsor Shootout Winner | Danny Popp | Cincinnati, OH | 1972 Chevrolet Corvette |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Bob Garwood | Humble, TX | 1965 Buick Rivera |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Tony Vestuto | Chicago Ridge, IL | 1941 Willys Coupe |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Paul Atkins | Hanceville, AL | 1962 Chevrolet Corvette |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Dave & Cindy Gutelius | Mifflinburg, PA | 1952 International |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Dustin Foust | Floyds Knob, IN | 1955 Ford F-100 |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Joe Horisk | Wilmington, DE | 1961 Chevrolet Wagon |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Angelo Vespi | St Agustine, FL | 1967 Chevrolet C10 |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Terry & Sam Rose | Mt. Juliet, TN | 1968 Chevrolet C10 |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Vic La Bantsching | Fenton, MO | 1955 Chevrolet Nomad |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Harold & Tracy Chapman | Andice, TX | 1949 Cadillac Convertible |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Bruce & Judy Ricks | Sapulpa, OK | 1956 Ford 2 Door |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Wayne Davis | South, TX | 1955 Chrysler Imperial |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Chris Ryan | Ninety Six, SC | 1953 Cadillac Canvertible |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Charlie Ray | Louisville, KY | 1952 Chevrolet |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Chad Adams | Calhoun, GA | 1932 Ford Roadster |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Ryan Kochen | Hoover, AL | 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Bill Collings | Austin, TX | 1931 Ford Model “A” |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Paul VanNus | Kalamazoo, MI | 1971 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Rob Ida/ Jack & Carolyn Kiely | Rumson, NJ | 1940 Mercury |
| Troy Gudgel’s Builder’s Choice Award | Jim Posey | Hokes Bluff, AL | 1932 Ford Sedan |
General Awards |
Name | City, State | Car |
| 40 Fords Forever | Larry & Vicki Tisdale | Johnstown, OK | 1940 Ford Tudor |
| All American Sunday Award | Colton Bowers | Marion, OH | 2008 Ford Mustang |
| All American Sunday Award | Lorrain & Ron Taylor | Belvenon, PA | 2011 Ford Mustang |
| All American Sunday Award | Ron Gallangher | Powell, OH | 1978 Dodge |
| All American Sunday Award | Steve Moore | Ashville, OH | 1975 Chevrolet Corvette |
| All American Sunday Award | Jim McCool | Columbus, OH | 1986 Ford Mustang |
| American Thunder Award (Sponsored by Flowmaster) | George & Zack David | Canfield, OH | 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle |
| Autocross – All American Sunday Winner | Rick Hoback | North Lawrence, OH | 1999 Chevrolet Corvette |
| AutoCross – Hot Rod Winner | Todd Holdren | Chillicothe, OH | 1953 Buick |
| Autocross – Shootout Winner | Danny Popp | Cincinnati, OH | 1972 Chevrolet Corvette |
| AutoCross – Street Machine Winner | Matthew Brawn | Northville, MI | 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle |
| AutoCross – Truck Winner | Todd Green | Cicero, IN | 1966 GMC |
| Best Bitchin’ | Bob Buckley | Forest Hill, MD | 1932 Ford 5 Window |
| Best Ride on American Racing Wheels (Sponsored by American Racing Wheels) | James Boitnottt | Fairfield, OH | 1956 Chevrolet Nomad |
| Best Ride on BFG’s (Sponsored by BFGoodrich) | Dave & Linda Darfus | Lancaster, OH | 1932 Ford Roadster |
| Best Ride on Billet Specialties (Sponsored by Billet Specialties) | Tony Vestuto | Chicago Ridge, IL | 1941 Willys Coupe |
| Best Wide Whites (Sponsored by Coker Tire) | Ann & Larry Bechtel | Kenton, OH | 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline |
| Chevelle Pick | Ernie Slone | Lebanon, OH | 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle |
| Chevy Muscle Pick | James Keechle | Troy, OH | 1962 Chevrolet Nova |
| Chevy Truck Pick (Sponsored by LMC Truck) | James Boswell | Lexington, KY | 1938 Chevrolet Pick Up |
| Chopped and Dropped | Terry Watson | Erie, PA | 1933 Ford 3 Window |
| Class Act | Darrell Potter | Bradford, PA | 1953 Cadilac |
| Classic Chevy Pick | Tim Pulice | Georgetown, DE | 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air |
| Classic Instruments Trophy Dash | Casey Hornik | Lemont, IL | 1970 Plymouth Barracuda |
| Cool Camaro | Wayne Robinson | Hockessin, DE | 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 |
| Cool Commercial | Marc Maxson | Wapakoneta, OH | 1955 Ford Panel Truck |
| Cool Custom | Chris Ryan | Ninty Six, SC | 1953 Cadilac Convertible |
| Deuce Doins Pick | Rick Steffl | Columbus, OH | 1932 Ford Roadster |
| Ford in a Ford Pick (Sponsored by Ford Racing) | Todd Williams | Phoenix, AZ | 1961 Ford Unibody Truck |
| Ford Muscle Pick | Rick Thayer | New Durham, NH | 1963 Ford 300 |
| Ford Truck Pick (Sponsored by LMC Truck) | Chet Gromacki | Conneaut, OH | 1940 Ford |
| Goodguys Pick | Dave Stitzere | Carlisle, OH | 1940 Ford |
| Goodguys Real Hot Rod Award | Mike Henry | Pittsburg, IN | 1932 Ford Roadster |
| Goodguys Staff Pick | Carl Zimmerman | New Holland, PA | 1948 Autocar |
| Goodguys Staff Pick | William Wolf | Chaska, MN | 1960 Plymouth Fury |
| Goodguys Staff Pick | Roger Stull | Mt. Vernon, OH | 1939 Ford Coupe |
| Goodguys Staff Pick | Rex & Rhonda Satterfield | Russelville, TN | 1957 Chevrolet Convertible |
| GTO Pick | Darren Carrier | Beaver Creek, Oh | 1970 Pontiac GTO |
| Homebuilt Heaven (Sponsored by Speedway Motors) | Rollan Williams | Urbana, OH | 19555 Chevrolet Bel Air |
| Homebuilt Heaven Traditional (Sponsored by Speedway Motors) | Ben Smithson | Murfreesboro, TN | 1932 Chevrolet Coupe |
| Hot Hauler | Stephen Timko | Cortland, OH | 1966 Chevrolet C10 |
| Hottest Hot Rod | Doug Eldred | Edinboro, PA | 1939 Chevrolet Pick Up |
| Innovation Award (Sponsored by Snap-on) | Mario Marr | Champaign, IL | 1969 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Ladies in Autosports | Carrie Strange | Lewisburg, TN | 1964 Chevrolet Corvair |
| Long Distance Award | Gary McCreight | Lake Havasu, AZ | 1957 Pontiac Wagon |
| Meguiar’s Magnificent Masterpiece | Bill Kamps | Walker, MI | 1961 Chevrolet |
| Meguiar’s Magnificent Masterpiece | Rick Barkey | Ontario, Canada | 1940 Sedan |
| Memory Lane | Pat O’Leary | Mansfield, OH | 1955 Mercury Monterey |
| Mighty Muscle Award | Greg O’Connell | Clinton, MI | 1963 Dodge 330 |
| Mighty Mustang | Jerry & Melissa Brophy | Morris Plains, NJ | 1965 Mustang Coupe |
| Modern Muscle Award (Sponsored by Hurst Shifters) | Richard Wallace | New Albany, OH | 2010 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Mopar Muscle Pick | Bill & Sheri Amatucci | Canton, MI | 1968 Plymouth GTX |
| One Fine Deuce (Sponsored by Lokar) | Phil Goller | Deffiance, OH | 1932 Ford Roadster |
| Period Perfect | Dan Fuller | Elyria, OH | 1932 Ford Roadster |
| PPG Dream Car | Ed Pienta | Wilkes Barre, PA | 1971 Oldsmobile 442 |
| PPG Dream Car | Dale Spangenberg III | Willoughby, OH | 1929 Ford Model A |
| Restored Award | Joe Jerry | Clifford, PA | 1969 Dodge Dart GTS |
| Steel the Show Award (Sponsored by Wheel Vintiques) | Mike Pretorius | Wabash, IN | 1932 Ford 5 Window |
| Style & Engineered (Sponsored by The Roadster Shop) | Nick Weber | Hamilton, NJ | 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle |
| Suede & Chrome | Cory & Ashley Tallbert | Clarkston, MI | 1932 Ford 5 Window |
| Timeless Traditional | Mike Petlick | St. Joseph, MI | 63 1/2 Ford Galaxie |
| Tri – Five Chevy Pick | Donas Singleton Jr. | Indianapolis, IN | 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air |
| Trick Truck Corral Pick | Mike Simpson | Pontiac, IL | 1967 Chevrolet C10 |
| Way Cool Award (Sponsored by Accel / Mr. Gasket) | Ken & Brenda Evans | Sycamore, IL | 1953 Studebaker |
| Way Cool Wagon | Chris Hepler | Oil City, PA | 1956 Chevrolet 150 Handyman |
| Wildcard Just Cause It’s Neat | Steve Mendenhall | Wadsworth, OH | 1968 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Wonderful Woodie | Thomas Brumley | Finley, OH | 1951 Ford Woodie |
| Ya Gotta Drive `Em (Sponsored by Sprayway) | Bob Stahl | Altoona, PA | 1965 Ford Falcon |
| YoungGuys (Sponsored by Goolsby) | Austin Germain | Bexley, OH | 1969 Chevrolet Camaro |
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of AutoCentric Media, the parent company to Timeless Muscle Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the magazine’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next round modifications for his own cars.
