From early to late, the Supernats...
From early to late, the Supernats have it all for Ford pickup fans. That’s Joanne and Stirling Brooks’ ’56 that they drove on down from Ontario, Canada, shown next to Tommy Hicks’ ’68 from Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee welcomed the rumble of nearly 800 classic Fords to the 33rd Annual LMC Truck F-100 Supernationals and All Ford Show the weekend of May 12-14. Arguably the largest gathering of F-100s in the country, this year was my first and is now on the must-do list for years to come! Located in some of the most beautiful country in the South, the gathering of classic Ford’s amidst the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most scenic natural venues. Add nearly a thousand cool old Fords and you can’t go wrong.
Charlie Cobble, the man with the plan for the F-100 Supernats puts together an impressive list of debut trucks and special guest features every year and this year was no exception. Scott Young unveiled his ten year rebuild as did Kurt Stranne with his 37-year-old, $50 investment. Even industry guys got in on the fun with Dennis Carpenter bringing in a surprise entrant and Travis Noack of Street Trucks rolling in his cover truck.
A long list of vendors ponied up awards ranging from show sponsor LMC Truck’s $2,500 worth of gift certificates to running boards from BeBops to gauges from Haneline to bumpers from Dennis Carpenter. Couple that with the dozens of awards for classes ranging from pre ’48 F-1s all the way up to Lightning production model Fords and everything in between. This year, the big award went to Barry Blomquist and his ’56 Ford (cover of April CCT), bringing home the 2011 F-100 Supernationals Truck of the Year, a tradition since 1981. In addition to the “Top 25” awards for every class, the show added one more class to both the truck and car division, the “Under 21” class. Showcasing those youngsters and where their generation is taking our hobby in the future.
If you’re located on the West Coast or parts in between, the F-100 Supernats even puts on a West Coast Super Tour that kicks off in California. So don’t say you didn’t have anyone to carpool with! Check out the show’s website for details on next year’s cruise and all the show details at www.f100supernationals.com. See ya next year! CCT
We featured Woody Hillis’...
We featured Woody Hillis’ Torch Red ’54 in a past issue of CCT and it’s always good to see such a nice truck being used and enjoyed.
Brian Bartleson’s ’64 Ford...
Brian Bartleson’s ’64 Ford is a study in mid-’60s Ford perfection! Brian cruised up in the tan hauler from Port Orange, Florida.
That’s the Fatman himself...
That’s the Fatman himself Brent Van Dervort’s ’67 F-100 that he uses to tow his display trailer from show to show. That killer stance is of course thanks to his own line of suspension components.
Talk about a perfect engine...
Talk about a perfect engine for a ’50s hot-rod truck! This Tri-powered Y-block wasn’t in a truck though, it was in Joe Wright’s ’58 C300 passenger car; remember this is an All-Ford Show as well!
We spotted Mark Coleman’s...
We spotted Mark Coleman’s silver ’53 F-100 a few years ago in Nashville and every time we lay eyes on it, we’re impressed. The Music City F-100 member hails from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Clay County Cruisers members...
Clay County Cruisers members Mike and Wanda Combs brought out their white ’72 Styleside from Manchester, Kentucky, to take in the sights.
Aaron Watkins’ ’63 stepside...
Aaron Watkins’ ’63 stepside of Powell, Tennessee, is another perfect mid-’60s Ford.
Pick your poison, or rather...
Pick your poison, or rather the state of your project: both panels were for sale in the swap section of the show, it just depends on how much work you want (or don’t want) to do!
Though we don’t cover much...
Though we don’t cover much of the lifted scene, you can’t help but love David Dobbins’s ’78 F-350; it’s just plain badass.
Terry Roden’s ’69 F-100 had...
Terry Roden’s ’69 F-100 had us for a loop with its Chevy Bow Tie logo on the bottom quarter panel. Perhaps it’s a nod to the GM powerplant under the hood? We dig it regardless.
Nickmamed “White Flash” for...
Nickmamed “White Flash” for good reason, Kevin and Josh Beckner’s ’66 is powered by a 351 Cleveland backed by a TCI-built C6 transmission. DJM 3-inch dropped spindles and a four-link with coilovers out back get the truck nice and low.
On the opposite side of the...
On the opposite side of the color spectrum is Ray Turley’s all black ’66 on polished five-spokes.
Jeff Bennett is the lucky...
Jeff Bennett is the lucky owner of this perfect orange ’55, one of our favorites from the show and finished two days beforehand.
We dig the color, stance,...
We dig the color, stance, and wheel treatment on Steve Willman’s F-1 panel, what a great combo!
Frank Miles stood back and...
Frank Miles stood back and carefully studied every curve of his ’40 Ford pickup before he ever lifted a torch to slice and dice it. The end result speaks for itself as one of the coolest chopped and dropped trucks at the show.
Our vote for nicest F-1 goes...
Our vote for nicest F-1 goes to Al Hinz and his Alpine Blue, Flathead-powered, 5-Star cab packaged ’51 out of Hastings, Minnesota.
A pair of twin I-Beam trucks,...
A pair of twin I-Beam trucks, that’s Steve Morgan’s blue ’65 from Roanoke, Virginia, and Brian Mabe’s black ’66 from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The sign reads “Barn Fresh”...
The sign reads “Barn Fresh” and we’re not sure whether it was for sale or not, but that’s the best state in which to find a truck in our opinion.
Round up your buddies because...
Round up your buddies because Chris Smith’s ’68 F-100 4-door was just begging to be taken on a road trip.
Of course, there were a number...
Of course, there were a number of options spanning the years if a guy wanted to start from scratch!
These guys were going over...
These guys were going over this ’53 with a fine tooth comb in the hopes of bringing home a project that we may see finished next year. With decent sheetmetal and a Fatman Mustang II frontend already installed, the asking price of $6,500 didn’t seem too bad.
A pair of patina’d pick ’em...
A pair of patina’d pick ’em ups, Andrew Jones’ ’64 and Sam Little’s ’61 were two of the lowest trucks at the show.