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.
There is a classic car–style...
There is a classic car–style to Mike Gripp’s ’38 Dodge, which he’s owned for 30 years. The chrome grille shell and headlights were factory options in 1938. The engine is a later Dodge six-cylinder flathead.
GMC borrowed Pontiac’s 316...
GMC borrowed Pontiac’s 316 engine to drop into its trucks in 1956. This ink black ’56 GMC Suburban pickup is owned by John Olgin, from Gilbert, Arizona.
Hard to believe this beauty...
Hard to believe this beauty started out as a real rough piece. Jim Malone built his ’40 Ford as a shop truck and as publicity for Wild West Street Rods, in Farmington, New Mexico. The tuck ’n’ roll inside is as red as the outside.
Who doesn’t love Chevy Apaches,...
Who doesn’t love Chevy Apaches, especially when they’re as eye-catching as Mitch Oler’s gold specimen from Phoenix? The 350 Chevy engine is loaded with Edelbrock components and tied to a five-speed.
It’s been almost four years...
It’s been almost four years since Jim Hathaway’s much-modified ’38 Willys was featured in this magazine. It’s still a knockout custom, with a ZZ430 for power and incredible tan leather interior.
Lawrence Bray’s ZZ4-powered...
Lawrence Bray’s ZZ4-powered Chevy, also known as POPS 63 (check the license plate), hails from Mesa.
Finished just one month before...
Finished just one month before the Southwest Nationals, Emilio Warwick’s green and silver ’67 Chevy C10, runs a 327. The unusual green is a 2011 Audi color.
Spectators who peeked inside...
Spectators who peeked inside Jim Link’s well-done ’49 Ford F-1 were impressed by the flame-themed custom stitching, and by the red and black late-model bucket seats.
Finally, some flames! These...
Finally, some flames! These traditional-looking licks run along Larry & Vicki Pryde’s ’52 Chevy. With red rims and caps, classic black paint, it’s loaded with hot rod flavor.
The drive from Lake Havasu...
The drive from Lake Havasu City contributed to the 7,000 miles already clocked on Russ & Ruth Johnson’s butter yellow ’45 Chevy. It gets around courtesy of a 327 and four-speed.
Mike Grimes, from Farmington,...
Mike Grimes, from Farmington, New Mexico, pulled the emblems off his ’51 Chevy, dropped it to the ground, and covered the whole thing in apple red paint with beautiful tan upholstery on the inside.
Nature and time are responsible...
Nature and time are responsible for the distressed-leather-like patina on Sam Castronova’s ’58 Chevy Apache. A brown and white cowhide seat cover matches the exterior finish. A 6.0 LS engine makes it move.
Mike Carpenter’s ’55 Chevy...
Mike Carpenter’s ’55 Chevy is another Wild West Street Rods creation, now loaded with a crate 350 and deep tan upholstery.
Speaking of paint, this cinnamon...
Speaking of paint, this cinnamon brown looks great on Paul and Carole Napier’s slammed ’55 Ford, especially with the chromed and polished grille, bumpers, and running boards.