2004 Super Nationals - Car Show - Super Chevy Magazine

We were cordially invited to the 2004 Super Nationals by one of the promoters, Reggie Tibbets, who may be known to some Super Chevy Show attendees as a judge in that series. Reggie and Matt Torres have been putting on this class act for some years now so it was time for us to take a look. We drove over from California in good old Project X and got a little snow, a little sleet, but not a problem for the big '57. Worst part is having to spell Albuquerque (thanks for spellcheck).

John Cooksey of Albuquerque gathered crowds with his '41 Chevy half-ton.

Best part was finding out that there are tons of cool cars in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. We're still disappointed we didn't get to meet any of the Unser family who make up a great part of that city's heritage. We did drive on a street named after them, though and we did catch up with Paul LeMat and Cindy Williams who were greeting their American Graffiti fans and signing autographs by the thousands-that was cool. The black '55 and the yellow '32 were there also.

Project X figured in as a famous car along with the Bat Mobile, Tom McMullen's original '32 roadster, Pat Keating's "Down Pat" Chevy, a former Street Rodder cover car, the Tubester, and Don Prudhomme's Army Funny Car. Then on Sunday night, the entrants collected giant trophies and thousands of dollars in cash. It's worth learning how to spell.

Coolest milk truck in town. It's a '55 Chevy owned by Henry Chavez of Albuquerque.
The Classic Chevy Club of Albuquerque had a great bunch of Tri-Fives on Display. Terry and Pricilla Boyd's fine '56 from Basque, NM is an example of the quality of this club's rides.
The Classic Chevy Club of Albuquerque had a great bunch of Tri-Fives on Display. Terry and
People probably get tired of hearing cars like this custom '51 called "cute," but it is! Jim and Helen Vigil brought it to the show and we just wanted to give it a hug.
People probably get tired of hearing cars like this custom '51 called "cute," but it is! J

From right around our neighborhood in California came Kim and Diane La Pick from San Clemente in this former SUPER CHEVY feature car; their impressive '69 Chevelle SS.
From right around our neighborhood in California came Kim and Diane La Pick from San Cleme
Maybe the worlds second most famous '32; The American Graffiti car drew fans to the autograph table all weekend long.
Maybe the worlds second most famous '32; The American Graffiti car drew fans to the autogr
If you want to look official, get a clipboard and act like you know what you're doing. Judge Steve Manke horned in on this photo but we know he can't even spell the "X" in Project X.
If you want to look official, get a clipboard and act like you know what you're doing. Jud

Pink was definitely in on this row. This great little '54 Bel Air belongs to Amy Louise Sanford of Albuquerque.
Pink was definitely in on this row. This great little '54 Bel Air belongs to Amy Louise Sa
We have trouble with spelling Albuquerque, but icon seems to fit here.
Great display for a great car: Bill and Kathy Sanchez' '69 Chevelle SS lit up the room.

Here's a throwback. Gary Burton's "Rowdy Red" '56 21 two-door, now owned by Jay, Brenda, and A.J. Ortiz, was drag raced from 1966 to 1978, with a 265ci dual-quad motor, through an M22 Muncie four-speed into what was at one time the stoutest rearend around, a '57 Pontiac with 6.17 gears! Man that thing must have been turning some screaming rpm at the end of a quarter-mile.
Here's a throwback. Gary Burton's "Rowdy Red" '56 21 two-door, now owned by Jay, Brenda, a
Maybe the most famous '32 in the world. Jorge Zarargosa of El Paso had it restored to its 1963 benchmark by Roy Brizio Street Rods of South San Francisco. There had to be some irony in having Tom's '32 and Project X at the same show in New Mexico along with the author who might be one of the few people who has spent considerable (fun) time in both cars. Thank you Mr. Zaragosa for bringing this car back to life.
Maybe the most famous '32 in the world. Jorge Zarargosa of El Paso had it restored to its
Okay, so we drove a fantastic '57 over to the show but here's the one we wanted to drive back. Look at this little old lady's car, purchased in 1953 for $1,874, then bought from the original owner by Steve and Jean Haydu. They restored the exterior and interior to original but the drive train is Corvette with a Camaro sub-frame, power disc brakes, power steering, automatic trans, Vintage Air and CD. We didn't get our wish, by the way.
Okay, so we drove a fantastic '57 over to the show but here's the one we wanted to drive b