2009 Goodguys PPG National Car Show

Thousands of great cars, all packed into one place for a whole weekend of automotive excitement. If you've never been to a Goodguys event, then you're missing out on just this kind of dream scenario. About a month before, Editor Campisano called me to his office for what I figured to be a criticism of my love for stock/restored Chevy iron. Instead, after a smack upside the head for being a smart mouth, the Godfather told me to book a trip to Columbus for the 2009 Goodguys Nationals.

2009 Goodguys Ppg National Car Show Event Grounds

I was blown away by the number and variety of cars in attendance. Wagons to coupes, original restos to restomods to unrestored cars, rat rods, street rods, there was every type of machine an enthusiast could dream of seeing. Adding to the fun and excitement was watching contestants for the Street Machine of the Year go after it on the autocross course to show that the beautiful work and craftsmanship put into each vehicle wasn't just for looking at.

By the end of the weekend I was exhausted from walking miles across the Ohio State fairgrounds trying to see every car in the show. We can't show them all to you here in the magazine, but check out www.superchevy.com for a bonus web gallery of cars from the event.

2009 Goodguys Ppg National Car Show Ohio State Fairgrounds

The Nationals are held at the historic Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus. The manufacturers midway was packed with companies showing off their wares, and the nearby buildings were full of hot rodding parts to make just about any Chevy a screamer. If you wanted the bird's eye view of the event, you could hop on one of the fairgrounds' flying gondolas to see all the Detroit iron at once.

Classic Chevy gassers are still gaining popularity, and this flat black '55 shows why. Sporting a straight axle, cut out rear wheelwells and C/Gas markings, this Tri-Five looked ready to run.
Classic Chevy gassers are still gaining popularity, and this flat black '55 shows why. Spo
One of the surprising things to see at the 2009 Goodguys Nats was the number of vintage Chevy wagons in the show. From supertanker-size Impala cruisers to the oddball Corvair wagon, the original SUVs were out in full force. People today think a Suburban is big; this '59 wagon is nearly as long.
One of the surprising things to see at the 2009 Goodguys Nats was the number of vintage Ch
Popular at the Goodguys events are the Air Ride Technologies-sponsored autocross challenges, where man and machine can test...
Popular at the Goodguys events are the Air Ride Technologies-sponsored autocross challenge

...their handling, braking, and driving prowess. Contestants for the Street Machine of the Year award took to the course to show their cars were more than just eye candy. Top...
...their handling, braking, and driving prowess. Contestants for the Street Machine of the
...dog in the autocross for 2009's event was Phil Gerber in the Roadster Shop-built '62 Corvette owned by Barry Bloomquist, eventual...
...dog in the autocross for 2009's event was Phil Gerber in the Roadster Shop-built '62 Co
...winner of the 2009 Street Machine of the Year award (see pages 70 and 82 for photos).

On Saturday Mother Nature decided the event was getting out of hand and let loose a deluge that threatened to wash everyone away. But it couldn't dampen the spirits of those at the show. Fortunately there were enough covered areas filled with cars and exhibitors to provide dry entertainment until the monsoon ended.
On Saturday Mother Nature decided the event was getting out of hand and let loose a deluge
Yeah, they're not the prettiest at the show, but patina-laden road veterans like this can't help but catch the eye and pique your curiosity a little. This well worn '57 four-door Bel Air sedan still sported its original Dusk Pearl/White paint, but probably 100 pounds less steel thanks to the active weight reduction being performed by the rust slowly consuming the car.
Yeah, they're not the prettiest at the show, but patina-laden road veterans like this can'
Here's another rusty road warrior showing off for the crowd. With the '40s and '50s cars becoming scarce and/or expensive, more rat rodders seem to be turning to early '60s cars. Think twice next time you pass up a full-size Chevy that looks too rusty for fun.
Here's another rusty road warrior showing off for the crowd. With the '40s and '50s cars b