As do friendship and good times, vintage Ford trucks blossom every May at the F-100 Super-Nationals, held in Chilhowee Park, Knoxville, Tennessee. Once again, we were fortunate to experience the biggest and best custom classic Ford truck show of the year, The 27th Annual F-100 SuperNationals and Ford Family Reunion, to be specific.
We suspected perfect planning. On the eve of the event at one of the host hotels, we arrived precisely at the same time as Pat and Jan Ford, the show's husband-and-wife promotional team. A southern-hospitality greeting from Jan and Pat made us forget the typical jetlag woes and imbued us with the desire to meet some Ford pickup owners and their prized vintage custom trucks. For the next three days, Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14, we met so many nice people and photographed so many sweet Ford pickups, we could have devoted an entire issue of CCT to the F-100 SuperNationals. However, we wouldn't want to leave out any worthy Chrysler, International Harvester, Studebaker, or GM haulers from the pages of this issue. Instead, we've included as many of the nicest Ford trucks that we could fit.
Every year, what makes this event so special are the two Fs: Ford trucks and Family. For non-gearhead family members, nearby Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is home to many dinner theatres and Dollywood, the family-themed amusement park named after famous country singer, Dolly Parton. There are abundant opportunities to convene with nature, by hiking in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, or fishing in the mountains' lakes and streams. Shopaholics might exceed the limit of their credit cards in the downtown Knoxville shopping malls. Gourmands can dine to their stomachs' content in numerous eateries throughout the area (We have the expense reports to prove it--Buddy's BBQ and Puleo's Grill were two favorites.).
Familial recreation aside, the shiniest stars of the F-100 SuperNationals are the Ford F-100s of '53 through '56. This year, the '55 celebrated its 50th birthday. In addition, with a celebratory parade of factory fresh and wild customs on Friday, Falcons were the honored car marque from Ford. Next year, Pat Ford Promotions will pay tribute to the ultimate F-100, the '56 model. The luckiest person in attendance will win the '56 F-100 Giveaway Truck, being built by No Limit Engineering of San Bernardino, California (see sidebar for details). As the brawny Ford Bronco will be turning 40, the 4x4s will be the honored Blue Oval marque.
What with the gracious Southern Hospitality of Jan, Pat, their family, and colleagues of Pat Ford Promotions, CCT looks forward to covering this show every year. We know we're going to see the nicest vintage custom Ford trucks on the planet, as well as meet many talented and gregarious truck owners and builders. Next May, when Bill Lee organizes another cross-country coast-to-coast Super Tour, we'll be packing our camera gear for The 28th Annual F-100 SuperNationals and Ford Family Reunion. Thanks to Pat Ford Promotions, 2005 Dan Ford Spirit Award-winner Bill Lee, the townspeople of Knoxville, Tennessee, and the many Ford truck owners/builders and fans, the 27th Annual SuperNationals was a rousing success! Check out what caught our fancy in the following photos and captions. For more information on next year's event, contact Pat Ford Promotions, Dept. CCT, 1920 Council Ave., Statesville, NC 28625, call Pat or Jan Ford at (704) 872-7327, or visit www.f100supernationals.com. We hope to see you May 18, 19, and 20, 2006! Until then, feast your eyes on some finely wrought Ford hot rod haulers!
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 The Boruffs of Maryville,...  The Boruffs of Maryville, TN, Jim, Sandy, and son Chris, built a beautiful '53 F-100, called Low Fat. Proving a diet high in protein, creativity, and superior build quality will get a truck builder/owner to the big dance; in 2004 and 2005, Low Fat made it to the Top 4 Finalists at the F-100 SuperNationals. |
 A 0.030-inch-over 460ci Ford...  A 0.030-inch-over 460ci Ford V-8 engine powers Low Fat. Billet Fabrications polished valve covers, Zoops Products serpentine brackets and Jim Boruff-built custom air-cleaner cover beautify the show-and-go constructed powerplant. |
 For Low Fat's bed, ash planks...  For Low Fat's bed, ash planks match the tan leather interior. Dan Carpenter Specialties supplied the 3-inch wheeltubs. Readers can get the entire lowdown on the '53 F-100 from the Sept. '04 CCT. |
 Susan and Kevin Traylor of...  Susan and Kevin Traylor of Greenville, VA, pose in front of their '56 Ford F-100 Harley-Davidson themed truck. Their hot rod hauler was awarded most super at the 2004 F-100 SuperNationals. CCT readers can get the full scoop by reading the article in CCT Sept. '04. |
 Don't be fooled by the '41...  Don't be fooled by the '41 Ford hood on Johnny and Janice Harlsey's '40 Ford panel delivery. The Harlseys and their delightful delivery live in Gainesville, GA. |
 One of the most pristine '53...  One of the most pristine '53 F-100 panel deliveries in existence is Pam and Larry Hill's, of Orillia, Ontario, Canada. They made a repeat visit from last year's show. |
 Had we asked our art director...  Had we asked our art director to Photoshop a different background, we could have used this '31 Ford Model A for the End?. However, CCT's readers are too smart for us to get away with such a trick (The sign's a dead giveaway!). |
 The peach-hued paint on Donald...  The peach-hued paint on Donald Kennedy's '48 Ford F-1 made his pickup stand out. Sumter, SC, is home for Donald and his well-crafted hauler. |
 Vickie and James Stancil of...  Vickie and James Stancil of Rabun Gap, GA, own a jet-black '66 Lightning Ford F-100 that's built to the highest standard of performance and build quality. We were sufficiently impressed to shoot the black beauty for an upcoming feature. Please stay tuned. |
 Candy-apple red's a perfect...  Candy-apple red's a perfect color to paint a vintage custom pickup, especially if it's a '37 Ford. Unfortunately, the owner forgot to apply his participant window sticker. |
 Like last year, collectors...  Like last year, collectors of vintage Ford tractors were on hand to show off their first-class farm machinery. |
 At the F-100 SuperNationals...  At the F-100 SuperNationals and Ford Family Reunion, most of the Ford haulers seem to be equipped with Ford drivetrains. Cindy and Al Karlowitsch of Maiden, NC, have a '30 Ford Model A closed-cab pickup with an all-Ford powertrain. |
 Thankfully, we're starting...  Thankfully, we're starting to see more late-'60s and early-'70s Ford 1/2-tons at the shows, like the maroon and white example here, photographed at one of the host hotels. |
 Hobbyist Joe Henke of Miostec,...  Hobbyist Joe Henke of Miostec, OH, owns the bright blue '50 F-1 in the foreground. We'll disclose more about the brilliantly executed truck in an upcoming feature. |
 Not all of the sweet creations...  Not all of the sweet creations were 1:1 scale. Faux snow covers the roof of the modelist hobby garage, which houses a '39 Chevy pickup and a 427SC Cobra, among other cool customs. |
 A realistically rusty F-1...  A realistically rusty F-1 chassis alongside a patina F-1 spin on the turntable. |
 With their one-owner '67 Ford...  With their one-owner '67 Ford pickup, Denise and Glenn Krofchick, of New Bern, NC, have garnered Truck of the Year in the '67-72 Custom classification four times! CCT readers may remember the 428ci Ford V-8-powered truck from the Apr. '04 feature article. |
 More than once we saw someone's...  More than once we saw someone's maroon F-1 prowling Chilhowee Park. The hauler cruises sweet at low altitudes. |
 The Corvette wheels clue one...  The Corvette wheels clue one into thinking that Clarksville, Georgia's Jim Blackburn might have a pretty special suspension system under his '55 F-100. Having a Lightning name plate above the runningboard provides another hint. We'll answer these questions in a future feature. |