It wasn’t too long ago we were telling you about the Goodguys season opener in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Spring Nationals in March was a successful new show for Goodguys and the Southwest Nationals, the final event of the Goodguys season, was every bit as fun.
Arizona is truck country and Arizonans like showing ‘em off. As always, the ratio of custom classic trucks to the rods, customs, and other varieties of performance vehicles packing WestWorld of Scottsdale was high. The two dozen trucks we’re showing you here are just a small fraction of what spectators saw in person.
Goodguys gave its Cool Commercial...
Goodguys gave its Cool Commercial award to Jim Rodgers of Mesa and his Flathead-powered ’33 Ford Model BB stake bed truck, which came from a ranch in Colorado.
The Southwest Nationals also draws a huge number of aftermarket manufacturers—enough to overflow the 100,000-square-foot exhibitor building. If it’s older merchandise you’re looking for, the swap meet area at the opposite side of the show was where that kind of treasure was buried. And the car corral was the ideal spot for anyone looking for their next project.
The weather in Scottsdale at the end of the year is typically perfect. When we were there, it almost was. The forecasted wet stuff didn’t show up until the Sunday afternoon awards ceremony was beginning. It didn’t spoil the fun—it just sped it up a little bit.
By the time you read this article, it’ll be time to head back to Scottsdale. The Spring Nationals will return to WestWorld March 11 to 13. Technically, that’s still winter—but in Arizona, that’s cruising season.
With a ’63 Merc grille and...
With a ’63 Merc grille and that custom-style silver and green paint, it’s got to be Steve Szymanski’s ’63 F-100, from Industrial Chassis in Phoenix. Power comes from a dual turbo 427 with a Tremec TR-3550 trans behind it.
Randy Thompson drove more...
Randy Thompson drove more than 800 miles to get his ’57 Chevy from Northern California to Scottsdale and left the bugs on the bumper because “that’s how you know it’s not a trailer queen!”
The not-at-all-blinding yellow...
The not-at-all-blinding yellow paint on Mike Caviness’ ’55 Ford continues on the fuel rail covers of the Corvette LS1 engine hidden underneath the forward tilt hood.
It was a pile of parts before...
It was a pile of parts before Kyle Hart turned this homebuilt ’55 Chevy into an award winner. It rides on a TCI chassis. The bright yellow paint is brightened even more by gold pearl clear.
That purple paint reminded...
That purple paint reminded us of the Plum Crazy color on Dodge Challengers from the muscle car days—so the 392 Hemi under the hood of Lance Hawk’s ’56 Ford was only a slight surprise.
The sun was going down when...
The sun was going down when we got to Dan Boughter’s ’41 Ford, and the truck was practically glowing. A Chevy 350 powers this one.
“It’s a driver and not a show...
“It’s a driver and not a show truck,” they told us, but Peggy & Bill Gauger’s ’39 Chevy got plenty of attention anyway. It’s got the original frame and almost all the original sheetmetal, and a non-original GM 5.7L TPI engine.
Lou Bradshaw drove all the...
Lou Bradshaw drove all the way from Green Valley, Arizona, to show off his ’57 Chevy. As you’d expect, the bed wood is as nice looking as the rest of the truck.
You watched it grow up. Get...
You watched it grow up. Get Shorty was a CCT project truck forever. Dakota Wentz’ ’71 Chevy C10, built in the style of ’60s show rods and customs, is now making celebrity appearances all over.