The Goodguys 12th Southeastern Nationals, held October 28-30, 2005, in Charlotte, North Carolina, was one of the last events in the long and glorious show season. Lowes Motor Speedway is a fitting setting for the show. NASCAR started in North Carolina and is huge throughout the Southeast. Richard Petty has his corporation at the Speedway. Jeff Gordon's driving school is there. Stock car fans are in their element. Goodguys gave show participants the opportunity to drive their vehicles on the Speedway Saturday night, proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald's House Charities.
Unlike other three-day shows, Friday's festivities were well attended by participants and spectators. The venue provided an immense backdrop to house every hot rod hauler, in addition to street rods and muscle machines through '72. Within the swap-meet section we found vintage parts from the '20s, restomoded haulers from the '30s to the '70s, and even admired a '05 Ford GT with less than 3,000 miles on the odometer. The vendor area was filled with components that could complete every vintage truck and car project we have in our garages. If we only had the money in our wallets to buy the parts, we'd be in business.
Seeing registration cards in the high 2,000s, we suspect there were well over 3,000 vehicles registered for the event. On Friday and Saturday the weather was uncommonly cool, but welcome, as the temperature still reached the low 60s with low humidity. Sunday, we appreciated sunny, cloudless skies, with the thermometer climbing to the mid-70s.
For CCT's feature editor, visiting North Carolina is a homecoming of sorts, as many of his relatives live there. As if seeing and hearing some of the coolest vintage trucks and cars isn't enough of a lure, there's Southern hospitality, North Carolina BBQ, and visiting with family to attract him to The Southeastern Nats. It's an event he'd like to come home to every year. Check out the custom vintage haulers that stood out most and think about driving or flying out for next year's show. For more information on all the Goodguys events, visit the website: www.good-guys.com.
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Lou Calasibetta of Stillwater, NJ, owns a '57 GMC powered by a '72 Pontiac 360ci V-8 and backed by a 700R4. The Jimmy wears Cameo fiberglass rear fenders. Hmmm? |
Garnering the Goodguys Dare to be Different selection was a delicious '28 Dodge Victory 6 sedan delivery, owned by Randy Baker of Hagerstown, MD. Propulsion comes from a 354ci Hemi V-8 and 727 Torqueflite trans. |
You've seen the Boruff's pristine '53 Ford F-100 before. Jim and Sandy of Maryville, TN, drove home with a Ford-sponsored trophy for the best Ford in a Ford prize. |
You're looking at the Boruff's 460ci Ford big-block prizewinning mill. Purrrfect. |
No doubt, Cosmo Walker's '48 Studebaker pickup is powered by an engine/trans combo that's out of this universe--a 502ci Rat and a TH400 trans. Cosmo calls home Chesapeake, VA. |
In the realm of heavenly hues to paint a hot rod hauler, lemon yellow always works well. Ken Maguire owns a swell '50 Chevy panel delivery powered by the 350/350 combo. Minesing, Ontario, Canada, is home. |
We suspect Paul and Sharon Maw, also of Minesing, Ontario, know Ken Maguire. Their light green '32 Ford highboy pickup was parked near Ken's panel delivery. |
If you're ever in Mint Hill, NC, you may be lucky enough to see Hal Kinder cruising around in his classy '69 GMC. He'll probably attend next year's Southeastern Nats. |
Readers of CCT know how much we like seeing well-built '40/41 Ford pickups. Feast your eyes on Ken Baxter's beauteous blue '41 Blue Oval. Ken drove the freshly completed Ford from his home in Vale, NC. |
One of the nicest '72 Chevy C10s in the country belongs to David and JoAnn Bowen of Covington, VA. A 534hp 383ci Chevy V-8 powers the maroon beauty. |
With the help of his dad Dennis, Mike Fring built both the Ford C-500 COE and the Ford flathead V-8 tractor. At half-throttle, Mike has traveled 35 mph atop the flatty-powered farm tractor. Fantastic! |
The automotive enthusiast gene is passed generation to generation. We watched this copper-haired lad lavish his folks' '64 Corvette convertible with much attention and reminisced about our well-spent youth. |
If you don't believe the Frings are craftsmen of the highest order, check out the workmanship on their hot rodded Ford tractor. |
Among the many vendors showing their automotive aftermarket finery, Fatman Fabrications (www.fatman fab.com) had throngs of people at its booth admiring the cool custom chassis components, including this displayed '35-40 Ford chassis. |
Jimmie Steinberg of Edgewater, MD, owns two two-tone '39 Ford trucks--a 1/2-ton and a 1-ton. An 85-horse with a three-speed trans powers the 1-ton. The 1/2-ton has a Ford 302ci V-8. We kid you not. |
Some lucky bloke may have carted away a solid '40 Ford pickup. The seller wanted $27,500. The truck sure appeared worthy of the price. |