Rod Authority's Top 10 Rods from the Goodguys Colorado Nationals

Walking into the 16th Goodguys Colorado Nationals in Loveland, Colorado this last weekend, we knew we’d have our work cut out for us in choosing Rod Authority’s Top 10 hot rods and customs. But despite the painstaking judging we found ourselves enduring for hundreds of vehicles, it was an experience in hot rod love and loyalty we will not soon forget.

These are our Top 10 Picks from the Goodguys Colorado Nationals (in no particular order):

1934 Chevrolet Cabriolet
Clint & Sue Harding – Augusta, KS

If you’ve ever attended a Goodguys show, you know that your senses can be easily overwhelmed with killer rides at every turn of the corner. Fortunately, we were introduced to our first top pick within the first row of vehicles we came across – this 1934 Chevrolet Cabriolet owned by Clint and Sue Harding of Augusta, Kansas.

What caught our eye with this beautiful ride is the unusual color scheme that it presented. Creme body color topped with a Hunter Green convertible top, one of Sue’s favorite colors according to Clint, made this car stand out from the rest of the more traditional black and candy-colored vehicles at the show and proved to be a drawing factor for many spectators. But the car is much more than its unusual color scheme.

Putting it in our top ten was also the fact that it is powered by a Corvette LT-1 engine, rather than the more common LS1, and features a 700R4 automatic transmission attached to a Corvette rearend. In the front, the car makes use of a Heidts frontend while American Racing wheels wrapped in Mastercraft Touring LSP rubber keep the car firmly planted on all four corners.

If that’s not impressive enough, the fact that the Hardings drove all the way from Kansas in the car to attend the event is definitely the kicker. Equipped with creature comforts like a stereo and air conditioning, Clint told us that the ride was actually rather enjoyable.

1960 Chevrolet El Camino
Brett & Sheila Watson – Arvada, CO

A hot rod and an El Camino may not appear to be in the same category to most, but this 1960 example that we found front and center is more than worthy of our top ten.

Owned by Brett and Sheila Watson of Arvada, Colorado, this beautiful vehicle was fully restored from the frame up by the Watsons in their home garage. Owning it nearly eight years, the Watsons told us that it took three of those years to complete its restoration, which was a full-time job for the young couple who put their hearts and souls into the project.

So what inspired them to build a 1960 El Camino? Well, Brett told us, “I’ve always loved the roofline on the 59s and 60s, but there were half as many El Caminos made in 1960.”

So when he found this one laying dormant in a junkyard in Pueblo, Colorado, he expressed interest in it. Years later, the junkyard owner called him up and asked if he was still interested in the car. Brett jumped at the offer and brought the car home to start its resurrection.

As if having a vehicle that isn’t seen often isn’t cool enough, the Watsons amped up their cool cruiser with a 409ci engine and a four-speed transmission. “I wanted it to look like it was right out of the 60s,” Brett told us, “Like someone had taken it from the factory and swapped in a 409.”

Adding injury to insult, the car also features disc brakes, power steering, a custom exhaust and an alternator that’s actually a generator. The gorgeous red paint comes compliments of Brett and his college roommate, who now owns a paint shop. And the attention to detail? Well, that Brett attributes to his father who was big into NCRS Corvettes.

1937 Packard Coupe
Jay Gruba – Rapid City, SD

When builders build cars, its usually for customers. Such was the case with this car until a husband and wife parted ways and the builder Ryan Gruba of G3 Rods and his brother Jay Gruba were ultimately left with the car. Now owned by Jay, this immaculate ‘37 Packard Coupe is beyond incredible, from its unique custom grey paint to its crisp white leather interior.

Aside from the obvious aesthetics, this Packard offers a chopped and channeled body complete with suicide doors. A look inside reveals a custom white leather interior by Webers Custom Interiors.

Powering the Packard is a fuel-injected 383ci Chevy small-block. Underneath the car, you’ll find a complete Art Morrison chassis and air ride suspension system attached to vintage-style 16- and 18-inch Steelies, which give the coupe an amazing stance and plenty of ground-hugging surface area. This fine piece of machinery went on to win a Builder’s Choice Award later in the weekend.

1961 Bubble Top Impala
Gill & Janet Losi – Murrieta, CA

The bubble top Impala is a classic in its own right, but this one owned by Gil and Janet Losi of Murrieta, California goes above and beyond expectations in every way. Built by Steve Cook Creations out of Oklahoma City, this immaculately modified Impala boasts a 2000 hp 540ci twin-turbocharged engine created by Mike Moran.

Supporting this engine is a Cook-customized Art Morrison chassis, custom “Under Pressure” wheels and Yokohama tires. Inside, you’ll find a custom red interior designed by Gabe Lopez and a complete Kicker Audio stereo system. You’ll also find a one-off “Under Pressure” steering wheel created by Billet Specialties.

So why is it called Under Pressure? Well according to Gil, it’s not only because the car is turbocharged, but also because they were under a lot of pressure to get the car done in time for the Detroit Autorama and enter the coveted Ridler Award competition.

“Under Pressure” ended up placing 9th for the 2013 Ridler Award and won a Builder’s Choice Award and qualified as a Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year Finalist at the Colorado Nationals.

1940 Ford Pickup
Bill Davis – Morrison, CO

Another eye-catching vehicle we just couldn’t get out of our heads was this 1940 Ford pickup owned by Bill Davis of Morrison, Colorado. We first came across this gorgeous classic at the Pinkee’s Colorado Nationals Kick Off Party the Thursday before the show and we were excited to see it aiming for a Builder’s Choice Award at Saturday’s event.

Besides the awesome light green paint and exquisite body work done by Josh Bjorgo of Rocky Mountain Street Rods in Arvada, CO, this killer ‘40 Ford features a 376ci LS engine capable of 515hp, a Tremec TKO-600 five-speed transmission, a Modified Roadster Shop chassis and Wheel Smith hoops. Inside the car is a gorgeous dark tan interior designed and installed by Auto Weave’s Jim Skinner.

Although the Ford didn’t snag one of the Builder’s Choice Awards, it was a contender definitely worth a place in our top ten.

1923 Ford T-Bucket
Junior JoJola – Arvada, CO

What would a top-ten list of the best hot rods be without mention of at least one T-Bucket? Incomplete! And this fully customized ‘23 certainly does the trick.

Also aiming for a Builder’s Choice Award, we found this T-Bucket to be one of the most unique vehicles at the entire show. Built and owned by Junior JoJola of Arvada, Colorado, the vintage Ford offers everything you could ever want from a fully customized Model T and more.

Aside from the 400ci Chevy V-8 and Turbo 400 transmission that propels the little Ford around town, this T-Bucket features a remote-controlled body, license plate and rear deck lid. All of these contraptions were custom designed by JoJola in his garage, using things like electronic seat adjusters and power window switches as the base to the moving components.

Another fantastic feature of this one-of-a-kind T is the unique eye-glass windshield, complete with fold-down sunglass shades. The unique theme is carried throughout the vehicle, with interesting touches like flamed bright work and scissor door pulls.

This car also features a Kugel-trimmed Jag rearend and disc brakes on all four corners. Definitely unique and different and worthy of our attention!

1957 Chevy Bel Air
Brian & Kris Johnson – Castle Rock, CO

The Tri-Five is one of the most highly recognized vehicles of the 1950s and with this tantalizing 1957 Bel Air proving the model’s quality, we have no doubts why.

Owned by Brian and Kris Johnson of Castle Rock, Colorado, this gorgeous ‘57 Bel Air has many family ties. Not only did Brian’s dad own a Tri-Five, so too did his brother, making the model enthusiasm a family affair. Although the Johnson’s have had the car for about eight years, it’s only been in its current running condition for the last couple months.

Under the hood, you’ll find a classic Chevy 350ci small-block attached to a three-speed transmission. The suspension and many other components on the vehicle remain stock with things like bushings and bearings recently refreshed.

Eventually, Brian wants to switch the rearend for either a Ford 9-inch or a Jag setup, but for now the Johnsons plan on enjoying their classic Chevy by taking it to shows and possibly autocrossing it. And with the awesome factory Silver and White paintjob, colors matched correctly by Brian who happens to be color blind, topped with ghost flames, we have no doubt that this awesome Tri-Five will attract attention everywhere it goes.

1941 Willys
Jerry Howard – Longmont, CO

A true racing legend, the Willys gasser is a highly sought-after vintage drag car, but for Jerry Howard of Longmont, Colorado, the vintage Willys is also a personal passion. This one here is a fiberglass 1941 Willys fit with a vintage 1957 392ci A1 HEMI engine that Howard recently built from the ground up.

Built atop a Chevy S-10 frame, this racing clone features a Ford 9-inch rearend with 4.10 gears, a 727 transmission with a 3,000 RPM stall, 10 to 1 compression ratio and a solid lifter cam, resulting in 600 ponies pounding the pavement from the vintage powerhouse. Although this looks like one mad racing beast, this Willys is completely street legal and Howard told us he wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s a street rod, not a show car,” Howard explained.

Nicknamed “Street Kids” because of his and his wife’s childhood on the streets, this 1941 Willys is a true testament to what you can accomplish if you just put your mind to it!

1932 Ford 3 Window
Coleton Gurin – Greeley, CO

In the hot rod show circuit, nothing demands more respect than the 1932 Ford 3 Window. A gorgeous classic, we saw plenty of ‘32 Fords at the Colorado Nationals but it was this one owned by Greeley, Colorado resident Coleton Guerin that really stood out from the crowd.

When we approached this car, we expected to find that stereotypical “old guy” hot rod owner. But when Guerin walked up, we had to do a double-take at the young man standing before us. Not much older than his mid 20s, Guerin told us that the hot rod blood was rooted deep in his family, from a grandfather and a father to an uncle that all immersed themselves in the hobby. In fact, Guerin’s parents’ hot rod was parked right beside his.

Full fendered and boasting a 350ci engine and a 700R4 transmission, the attention to detail on this ‘32 is incredible. From the vintage hood straps to the Matte Black and red color scheme carried from the exterior of the car to the engine and even the interior, this hot rod was as crisp and clean as they come. No wonder Guerin won the Lokar One Fine Deuce Award at the event.

1956 Mercury 2 Door Hardtop
Dale & Joan Allen – Casper, WY

All of our top ten choices were easily some of the finest examples of unique hot rods that stood out from the crows and this last, but certainly not least, choice proved to be no different. Owned and designed by Dale and Joan Allen of Casper, Wyoming, this 1956 Merc was a spectacular crowd pleaser, so much so that we had trouble finding an opening to photograph the car with the masses surrounding it all weekend long. But in the end, it was completely worth it as we got a glimpse at one of the most gorgeous vehicles at the show.

Fabricated by Bob and Tim Garner and created by Backstreet Kustoms of Colorado Springs, Coloado, the Merc features a ‘57 Desoto grill, ‘56 Packard taillights and a 2-inch chop. Under the hood you’ll find a 312ci engine, but the real appeal to this car comes from the three-tone Candy Apple and Tangerine paint scheme laid by Tim Garner.

Metal flake on the top, Candy Tangerine in the middle and Candy Apple on the bottom, this Merc was one heck of a looker. The interior of the car follows suit with custom white upholstery and accents, as well as Candy Apple carpeting and no shortage of bright work.

The Merc went on to win the coveted Goodguys “Chopped and Dropped” Award on Sunday.

The Rod Authority Top 10 changes in personality every show we attend, but that’s what is so great about hot rod culture. Everyone has their own tastes and ways of exhibiting their vehicles. We’re just lucky enough to enjoy the fruits of their labors!