We all know Texas is a big state and Texans pride themselves in doing things on a big scale. So it only makes sense that when the Goodguys Lonestar Nationals comes to Fort Worth, it's a show worth checking out.
I enjoy this show because it allows me to fly in, hook up with some friends, borrow one of their hot rods, and cruise a few hundred miles with them for a weekend of fun. The last time I came out, my borrow-a-rod spit out the driveshaft on the way home, which added to the excitement. I was promised that there would not be a repeat with this year's ride, and was even treated to air-conditioned comfort, although Goodguys ordered the good weather, so it really wasn't needed. And as if some friends and a couple thousand hot rods and customs weren't reason enough to make the trek, I'd been watching some of the Food Network since my last Texas trip and was eager to find some of the comfort food the Lonestar State is famous for. I can't say I was disappointed and found some of the best fried chicken and chicken fried steak I've ever had. It might not have been on the show grounds, but it was nearby and provided an evening's entertainment with good friends.
Air Ride Technologies was also on hand running their autocross for anyone who was so inclined to take a few (or quite a few) laps. The best time in each category was rewarded with a new set of BFGoodrich tires. Be sure to check out our website for a look at even more of the rods in attendance, and stop by if you're anywhere near next year.
Otis Schmidt's '29 Ford Tudor...
Otis Schmidt's '29 Ford Tudor had the look that drew me in for a closer inspection. I found quite a mix of old Ford pieces. The windshield and frame are from a '32 Ford as is the chassis and gas tank. The rear wheelwells are from a '32 roadster. The dash came out of a '36 Ford. Four Barry Grant 98s sit atop a 350 backed by a 700-R4.
Here's a classic Merc that...
Here's a classic Merc that anyone could be proud of. Ray Richard has even more to be proud of as he did the body mods and chop himself and modified the original chassis with a Mustang II IFS and Air Ride Technologies four-link. His son did the interior except for the seats. Ray figures that he and his son did 95 percent of the build.
A big cruiser needs a big...
A big cruiser needs a big powerplant to keep cruising comfortably, and Dale Janssen's '39 Packard makes use of a '99 Ford V-10 enhanced with a Wipple supercharger. Dale has owned the Packard for 30 years but wanted more from the stock sedan so he took it to Odd Rod Creations in Carl Junction, Missouri, for an updating. The original frame was modified with a Fatman IFS and triangulated four-bar with a 9-inch in back with 'bags all around
Here's one that could fool...
Here's one that could fool you. I figured Luke Nicodemus' '32 roadster rolled out of some pro's shop, but when I got to talking to him and he pulled out the photo album, it was clear that he's the one with the talent. Luke did almost all the fabrication work stretching the wheelbase 6 inches. He cut into the 'glass body and moved the rear wheelwells up 3 inches and stretched the body 3 inches. Luke sprayed the candy red paint and even did the interior (his first attempt).
I saw Tom Venable's '31 Ford...
I saw Tom Venable's '31 Ford coupe cruising around a few times before I was able to find it parked long enough to take a closer look. Mark Riojas built the coupe on a set of Speedway 'rails with four-bars front and back. The 350 is dressed with an Edelbrock 3x2 intake and Technostalgia Oldsmobile-style valve covers. Justin Arnold sprayed the topcoat.
Danny Greenham found the perfect...
Danny Greenham found the perfect way to keep his wife interested in his latest project. He found a '53 Studebaker like the one she drove in 1961 and then went to town on it. A 350 and 700-R4 combo and custom chassis with a Mustang II IFS and four-bar rear will make sure the new one will be every bit as memorable as the first one.
It's always good to see an...
It's always good to see an early '30s Chevy sedan survive the elements. Steve Sims wanted to make sure his all-steel '33 four-door was going to keep surviving and replaced all the body wood with new steel tubing. The original frame is still in use but now features a Mustang II IFS and a 330hp 350 and 700-R4.
The Hot Rod Garage in Sand...
The Hot Rod Garage in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, has a way of building classic hot rods that just look right without shouting why they look so right. David Trumbo took his original survivor Tudor to them and drove out with a 2-inch chopped (rear window chopped 1 inch) sedan riding on a Pete & Jake chassis with Heidt independent front and rear suspension and powered by a 383ci small-block Chevy with a Barry Grant 3x2 intake.
Randy Garcia's '60 Chevy Impala...
Randy Garcia's '60 Chevy Impala is one of those cars that keeps surprising you the closer you look at it. Randy and a group of friends shortened the rear of the body 4 inches and added '59 Pontiac Bonneville taillights. A custom billet grille and a '59 Chevy bumper cleans up the front. A 468ci big-block resides under the hood and can spin the 22x10 Bonspeeds (stuffed in the stock rear wheelwells) with ease. Duke's Custom Upholstery added a modern touch inside.
What do you do when you have...
What do you do when you have a '51 Chevy convertible that is rotted from the door handles down and a '41 Chevy coupe that has seen better days? If you're as talented as Lee Wood you find another good '51 Chevy frame and update it with an '85 Corvette IRS and MII IFS. Then you drop the '41 on it, cut the top off, and adapt the '51 top and windshield. Lee also used the '51 Chevy dash inside the custom interior.
Eric Anderson used some creative...
Eric Anderson used some creative metalwork and parts scrounging to build his unique '31 Ford roadster pickup. Power is provided by a 283 Chevy.
It's hard to beat a chopped,...
It's hard to beat a chopped, tail-dragging Ford Shoebox. Wes Coleman left the Flathead under the hood and kept his attention focused on the body and interior mods.
A chopped steel three-window,...
A chopped steel three-window, quick-change, small-block Chevy and a five-speed sounds like the perfect combo to us. Milton Frie did most of the work himself and was enjoying the fruits of his labor.
One of the nicest "unfinished"...
One of the nicest "unfinished" hot rods of the weekend was Greg Harrison's '32 Tudor. The suede finish on the body was the only thing that wasn't shiny on this very well-detailed sedan. The interior featured a wood strip headliner like those found in woodies. The 3x2-equipped 350 was backed with a Turbo 350 trans.
Mark Sowell's '49 Shoebox...
Mark Sowell's '49 Shoebox convertible was another one that fooled me. Looking like a pro-built ride with its super-straight body, flawless paint, and LS-1 drivetrain, it turned out to be pretty much owner-built.
Sean Ornduff managed to get...
Sean Ornduff managed to get the proportions of his Nailhead-powered '27 roadster pickup pretty spot-on and was behind the wheel enjoying it quite a bit, cruising the grounds.
Richard Gary's '62 'Bird is...
Richard Gary's '62 'Bird is pretty stock with just a few well-placed mild custom tricks and a lowered stance. Looks like I might have to get started on my '63 again.
The Hot Rod Garage certainly...
The Hot Rod Garage certainly has the eye when it comes to building right-on traditional-styled hot rods. Jim Smith's just-finished '31 roadster pickup was perfection from any angle.
One of my favorite hot rods...
One of my favorite hot rods in attendance was showing a little well-deserved wear. Ronny Marshall found an old '40 Ford coupe hot rod and treated it to some detailing and a few choice pieces. The small-block Chevy features a cast-finish '60s 4-71 blower and is shifted through a Tremec five-speed. The old black paint was showing some cracks, but it'd be a crime to paint it.
Here's another one that proves...
Here's another one that proves all you really need to do to most early-'60s sedans is get them down where they belong and add the wheels of choice. Bobby Busby's '61 Bel Air would draw a crowd wherever it goes.
Pert and Betty Guidry's '41...
Pert and Betty Guidry's '41 Willys was looking like it was as ready for show as for go thanks to the candy paint, ample chrome, and the detailed blown 392 under the hood.