Goodguys Rod & Custom 22nd PPG Nationals Recap

The Campbell Auto Restoration-built Cuda making its way to the Goodguys Autocross course.

There are certain car shows in the realm of hot rodding that are staples, or “must-see’s”. Goodguys Rod & Custom Association‘s PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio is one of those shows. Every year, over 6,000 classic muscle cars and street rods flood the streets of Columbus and assemble at the Ohio Expo Center.

A spectator walks the rows of cars parked in front of Kasich Hall. Note the ’65 Chevelle – one of the cars in contention for Street Machine Of The Year.

Summer Of ’69 Camaro Display:

This one had attitude for days! There were so many ’69 Camaro there it was near impossible to pick a favorite!

2019 marked the 22nd annual show for Goodguys. Coincidentally, it also marked the 50th birthday of one of the most iconic muscle cars in American history – the ’69 Chevrolet Camaro. As such, the very talented people at Goodguys put together a display of over 120 of the baddest Camaros in the country – possibly the world!

Just a few of the extremely high-end examples that graced the halls of the Summer Of '69 display. You should recognize that last one...

The Summer of ’69 Display at Kasich Hall was one of the main attractions for the show. Above are a few examples of the cars that stood among the best-of-the-best. Check back with us for an in-depth look at every single Camaro included in the display.

Goodguys Autocross:

The autocross course draws a huge crowd every year, and the field is extremely competitive!

Among the other attractions was the Goodguys Autocross. The autocross always draws a great crowd, and it’s plain to see why when you get over there. Tire smoke and race gas fill the air, and the crowd goes wiled as jalopies and six-figure, purpose-built race cars all slalom through the orange cones of the course.

The drivers and builders taking a walk around the course as part of their drivers meeting.

 

Interestingly enough, as part of the qualification process for Street Machine Of The Year, every car in contention for the award must complete two laps around the autocross course. That means the crowd gets to see some of the world’s most high-end, hand-crafted muscle machines twisting, gyrating, and dancing around the cones – the same as everyone else.

The pilot of the Speedkore Charger didn’t know the meaning of the word “lift.”

The drivers and cars don’t have to exactly burn the tires off around the course to qualify. All they need do to be considered is complete the two laps. Some of the participants choose to take it easy – understandably so, considering many of the cars belong to customers and are worth well past the six-figure mark. That said, many of the contenders came to the show to make a statement. Suffice to say, there was no shortage of burnouts, donuts, drifting, or cone killing.

New Product Showcase:

Check out the new line of Chevelle gauges from Dakota Digital!

Another great thing about the show are the vendors who come out. There are a ton of manufacturers showcasing their latest and greatest products on the cars competing on the autocross, in the show, and for the Street Machine Of The Year crown.

There were so many new products in the showcase, it would be impossible to publish them all, but these are a few of our favorites. Dig that GM A-body rear sway bar from Ridetech, and the new wheels from Forgeline!

Because the show is a hotbed for everything muscle, manufacturers are eager to show off their latest offerings. Goodguys helps them do so by displaying all of their latest in the New Product Showcase. Attendees have the chance to actually vote on their favorite new products and actually be a part of the judging process.

For you late-model GM lovers, Billet Specialties has a new front drive system for the LT4.

Ultimately, only one manufacturer can win the Best New Product award, but there was a veritable buffet of drool-worthy pieces to dress up your ride.

Street Machine Of The Year:

The show capped off with the awards ceremony where the Street Machine Of The Year was announced. Keep an eye out for an in-depth look at the cars that made the cut.

By the time the show wrapped on Sunday, the word was out as to who won the Street Machine Of The Year award, but for those of you who don’t know, here it is!

Congratulations to Jimmy Shaw and The Greening Auto Company for not only winning Street Machine Of The Year, but for building a Maverick capable of 200+ MPH!

The Greening Auto Company and Jimmy Shaw’s 200mph ’71 Maverick took home the title of 2019 Street Machine Of The Year. Stay tuned for an in depth article on all the finalists. The field included some of the cleanest builds from the best builders around. There was a very gnarly 2nd-gen Camaro from The Roadster Shop, a wicked Cuda from Campbell Auto Restoration and of course, the baddest Maverick on the planet!

That’s A Wrap!

As the final day of the show came to a close, people were still flooding the rows of cars and snapping photos. It was a great weekend.

The Goodguys 22nd PPG Nationals was an epic 3-day event that didn’t disappoint. We will be publishing full-length feature articles on many of the cars in attendance, an in-depth look at the Summer Of ’69 display, and of course the road to Street Machine Of The Year.

That’s all folks!

For more information about the Goodguys show schedule, and more highlights from Columbus, check out the Goodguys Rod and Custom website, here.

About the author

Vinny Costa

Fast cars, motorcycles, and loud music are what get Vinny’s blood pumping. Catch him behind the wheel of his ’68 Firebird. Chances are, Black Sabbath will be playing in the background.
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