If you're an enthusiast, you probably already know about the F-100 Supernationals in Knoxville, Tennessee. Now in its 31st year, the event has become the gathering place for vintage Ford fans, attracting drivers from as far away as California and Washington and spectators from around the world. Under the guiding hand of Pat Ford and family since its inception, the event is under new management. Pat has decided to retire and has placed the event in the capable hands of his good friend of almost 20 years, Charlie Cobble. Charlie assisted Pat when the event was relocating to Pigeon Forge several years ago and Charlie has been an active show promoter in his own right for the last 25 years. Although he might be new to some of the F-100 community, Charlie is not new to the scene, with this year's F-100 show marking his 100th career event.
The Thursday-through-Saturday get-together, held in Knoxville's scenic Chillhowee Park, went off without a hitch. From the free Hawaiian luau on Thursday evening to the Elvis concert at the Saturday evening awards ceremony, there was plenty to see and do. More than 300 vendor spaces, indoors and out, were filled with all the latest upgrades for your truck. Spectators got a close look at the Black Oval, a project truck that will be given away at the 2010 F-100 Supernationals. Vehicle parades throughout the weekend showcased the different years of Fords on hand. Held in the park's open amphitheater, the awards ceremony sent more than 240 drivers home with trophies, serving as permanent reminders of the fun weekend. Although the weather at the park was quite good, it was unfortunate that heavy thunderstorm predictions kept many drivers at home. Special thanks go to Dennis Carpenter for his unwavering support of this event. Learn more about next year's show at www.f100supernationals.com.
Here's our good buddy Pat...
Here's our good buddy Pat Ford handing the Grand Prize trophy to 2009 winners Steve and Becky Haeffley for their '56 F-100.
Herb Shields rolled his super...
Herb Shields rolled his super clean silver and pink '56 F-100 small-window in from West Milton, OH.
Equipped with a Power Stroke...
Equipped with a Power Stroke Diesel, this Raven Black '56 Ford C600 is the king of all COEs.
Kirk Johnson has owned this...
Kirk Johnson has owned this silver GT F-100, as he calls it, since high school.
Under the hood is a fire-breathing...
Under the hood is a fire-breathing 468-inch FE motor.
With a blown 460-inch Ford...
With a blown 460-inch Ford putting out over 540 ponies, Ed Gerritsen's Pro Street-style F-1 is a show-stopper. The rear meats are 20 inches wide. Yikes!
The problem with golfers is...
The problem with golfers is they always like to park their F-1 Fords in funny places-like in the middle of a lake.
Ed Davis's dad bought this...
Ed Davis's dad bought this '66 brand new and Ed learned to drive in it.
We'll bet Ed's dad still wonders...
We'll bet Ed's dad still wonders why the heck, the kid squashed the top on his old Ford.
Don't look now, but someone...
Don't look now, but someone stuffed a big-block Chevy under the hood of this '65 F-100. We'll bet the Slick's original owner Roger Grizzle took a little bit of razzing from the Ford faithful on this one ... be nice.
Wow, it looks like someone...
Wow, it looks like someone lives where they've got a long winter and lots of welding rod.
Rick Atkin's plum-colored...
Rick Atkin's plum-colored '55 F-100 is just plum pretty.
Jack Anderson hauled his former...
Jack Anderson hauled his former CCT cover truck all the way from Idaho to appear in Knoxville. Jack says as soon as he has shown the truck enough it will be time to run the Mustang Cobra DOHC-powered '57 until the cows come home.
Jack Daniels Black is the...
Jack Daniels Black is the color of Eric Brown's Lynchburg, TN-based F-1.
A good looking '66, too bad...
A good looking '66, too bad there was no owner information posted on the windshield.
Ford powered by Ford, and...
Ford powered by Ford, and fueled by Coca-Cola. Would that be called a Coca-Cola rock and roller?
John Lamar chose House of...
John Lamar chose House of Kolor Tangelo for the main color and HOK Orion Silver for the competition stripes on his '56. Under the hood beats a mighty 460 bored and stroked to 528 inches to put out around 620 horses.
Gary Passino's '57 F-100 is...
Gary Passino's '57 F-100 is a Hot Rod Power Tour veteran. Good for you Gary, run the wheels off 'em!
Kent Reinert's '57 panel made...
Kent Reinert's '57 panel made the pages of CCT a few years ago. We see he still proudly displays the CCT sticker John Gilbert gave him at the photo shoot.
Dan Carpenter's silver and...
Dan Carpenter's silver and black '56 is a rolling business card for his truck bed business.
George Kring rolled his bright...
George Kring rolled his bright yellow '55 F-100 all the way in from Slidell, LA.
Wow, look at the snozeola...
Wow, look at the snozeola on Justin Bennet's big-wheeled Big-Window '56 F-100, we'll bet that thing breathes some air.