Goodguys 5th Spring Nationals

This year marked the 5th Anniversary of the Spring Nationals on March 28th thru 30th, 2003, though it was the first year in the new location. The previous four years the Goodguys held this event at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, however this year it moved northward to a new home at the North Florida Fairgrounds in Tallahassee, Florida. This seemed to draw more out of state entries, since it eliminated quite a few miles they would have needed to travel. One new bonus was certainly the layout of the North Florida Fairgrounds, which has vintage looking buildings along the main street that made for a nice cruisin’ route and backdrop for the 1972 and older cars and trucks. It was once again a fun filled three days that have made the Goodguys shows successful all over the country.

For those who arrived early the fun started on Thursday with a Hot Rod Cruise hosted by the Tallahassee Street Rods. Friday there was a Kick-Off party at the Ramada Inn host hotel’s parking lot from 6:00-10:00 pm, with lots of friendly auto enthusiasts mingling and having fun.

Before you knew it Saturday morning had arrived and the attention shifted to the Fairgrounds. Everyone was free to find a good parking spot on their own, or you could take part in a few special featured areas. They included Homebuilt Heaven, Classic Chevy Corral, Mighty Muscle, and YoungGuys, with each participant receiving a custom dash plaque. “Flamingo Blvd.” provided live entertainment on the main stage, and Rockin’ DJ Dave kept the golden oldies flowing over the P.A. system. There was also vendor and manufacturer exhibits, swap meet, car corral, arts and crafts show, and a kid’s play area to round out a full slate of things to do. After a day full of fun at the Fairgrounds it was back to the host hotel for the Hot Rod Beach Party, with food and fun, a Hawaiian shirt contest, and more performance by Flamingo Blvd.

On Sunday the recipients of the various awards parked their vehicles in the Winner’s Circle, and when the many awards were presented at around 2:30 pm each vehicle was driven in front of the crowd by its owner....lending excitement and a personal feel. (see the award winners below). Lots of great parts and services were given away as door prizes, plus one lucky rodder was chosen as a qualifier for the year end giveaways year of a ‘32 Ford body and chassis, and turn-key ‘32 Ford styled Boydster II roadster (with the qualifier being able to sit in the actual car, which was on display).

Luckily the weather was great all weekend, and everyone seemed to have smiling faces....which are always two key ingredients to a very successful show. We really enjoyed the new location, and will certainly be back in Tallahassee for next year’s 6th Spring Nationals. For info on any of the 20+ Goodguys events that happen every year, online registration, news, merchandise, and much more, visit www.Good-Guys.com. CN

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AWARDS:

Awesome “A” - James Stokes • Powell, TN • 28 Ford Sedan
 
Bad To The Bone - Rich Criscione • Bethlehem, CT • 41 Willy Coupe
 
Best Bitchin’ - Dan & Pat Pinyan • Savannah, GA • 39 Ford Coupe
 
Celebrity Pick - Frann Davidson • Milton, FL • 37 Ford Coupe
 
Class Act - Neil & Kim O'Neil • West Palm Beach, FL • 34 Cadillac
 
Classic Chevy International Pick (Early) - Bill & Carole Clark • Jacksonville, FL • 56 Chevy 2 dr
 
Classic Chevy International Pick (Late) - Bob Gilliam • Orange Park, FL • 62 Chevy Impala
 
Classic Chevy Truck Pick - Stanley Barineau • Tallahassee, FL • 72 Chevy P/U
 
Cool Convertible - Don Enloe • Maryville, IN • 50 Ford
 
Cool Cruiser - Keith Ward • Orange Park, FL • 57 Chevy Nomad
 
Cool Vicky - Paul Summer • Jacksonville, FL • 32 Ford Victoria
 
Coolest - Talbert Goldman • Meridian, MA • 48 Studebaker Truck
 
Coolest 50’S - Ronnie Staple • Bradenton, FL • 50 Chevy Tudor
 
Dare To Be Different - Stan P Fost • Winter Park, FL • 37 Jaguar Sedan
 
Eagle One - Cliff Simmons • Campobellow, SC • 31 Ford Vicky
 
Eagle One - Gene Merckle • Panama City, FL • 57 Chevy Nomad
 
Eagle One - Larry Thompson • Crystal River, FL • 40 Ford Sedan
 
Fat Fendered Pick - Darryl & Glady Rodgers • Mooresville, NC • 47 Ford Convt
 
Gazette Pick - Bob Johnson • Gainsville, FL • 69 Camaro Z-28
 
Homebuilt Heaven Pick - Larry Stake • Callahan , FL • 36 Chevy Tudor
 
Host Club Pick - Dan Sanders • Seminole , AL • 57 Chevrolet 

Hottest Hot Rod - John Novotny • St. Louis, MO • 36 Ford Cabralet
 
K&N Performance Filters Pick - David & Pam Wade • Palatka, FL • 39 Standard Ford Coupe
 
Kustoms Of America Pick - Chuck & Brigitte Bingham • Celebration, FL • 54 Chevy Belair
 
Long Distance Award - Al & Mary Rosario • Seaside, CA • 34 Ford Vickie
 
Low Lid Pick - Jim & Rhonda Clay • Crown Point, LA • 35 Studebaker
 
Magnificent Model 40 - Roy & Vicki Harrington • Laurel , MA • 33 Ford Coupe
 
Magnum Axle/Real Hot Rod Award - Red Stauffer • Winter Park, FL • 32 Ford Coupe
 
MDS Fabulous Flames Pick - Junior Gatewood • St. James City, FL • 39 Ford Roadster
 
Memory Lane - Mike Scheller • Safety Harbor, FL • 40 Merc Convert
 
Mighty Muscle Corral Pick - Dan Reese • Tallahassee, FL • 66 GTO Pontiac
 
Mopar Muscle - Anne Teadt • Pass Christian, FL • 66 Dodge
 
Mopar Pick - Sue & Curt Land • Spring Hill, FL • 33 DeSoto
 
Nifty 50’s Pick - Chuck Shelton • Tampa, FL • 55 Ford Wagon
 
One Fine Deuce - Bill Robert • Birmingham, FL • 32 Ford 5 Window Coupe
 
PPG Paint Pick - Howard & Cathi Steinfath • Englewood, FL • 37 Ford Convertible
 
Preacher’s Pick - Donnie Tanner • Mobile, AL • 32 Ford Flatlander
 
Pro Street Is Neat - Robert Renyak • Ruskin , FL • 57 Chevy Pick-up
 
Restored Award - Joel Lovrorn • Dothan, AL • 57 Chevrolet Belair
 
Right On Resto - Frank Scantlin • Sugarland, TX • 51 Merc Convert
 
Righteous Roadster - Jim Mayberry • Centerville, OH • 32 Ford
 
Rodders Rep Pick - Eldin Burns • Houston , TX • 55 Nomad
 
Rodders Rep Pick - Frank McMillan • Vacdosta, GA • 64 Chevrolet Convt
 
Rodders Rep Pick - Richard Gregorski • Largo, FL • 41 Willys
 
Rodders Rep Pick - Ron Menda • Sarasota, FL • 34 Ford
 
Sexy Sedan - John Pittman • Gainesville, GA • 32 Ford Tudor
 
Shoebox Pick - Larry Burdell • Phenix City, AL • 51 Ford Convert
 
Slick 60’s Pick - Chris McDonald • Orange Park, FL • 69 Vette
 
Slick Sled - Ken & Mary Ann Endicott • Newnan, GA • 49 Cadillac
 
Sooo Low Pick - Gary Richie • Avon Lake, OH • 51 Merc
 
Street Sweeper - Jackie &Paula Heath • Ozark, AL • 40 Buick
 
Super ‘70s Pick - Lamar Cline • Castersville, GA • 70 Chevelle
 
Super Sport Pick - Wayne & Nicki Swindle • New Smyrna Beach, FL • 67 Chevelle SS
 
Texaco/Havoline Pick - Woods Allen • Tallahassee, FL • 64 Ford Galaxie
 
Tri-5 Chevy Pick (Sponsored by Classic Chevy Int.) - Ron & Kathrine Miller • Anniston , AL • 55 Chevy
 
Trick Truck - Glenn & Paula Clark • Summerville, SC • 48 Chevy P/U
 
Trucksville Pick (Sponsored By Dodge) - Tome & Pam Clarke • Asheville, NC • 48 COE
 
Under Construction - Terry Ward • Tallahassee, FL • 70 Camaro
 
Wild Card Just ‘Cuz It’s Neat - Ron & Ann Skow • Venice, FL • 37 Ford Coupe
 
Wonderful Woody - Dolores Swank • Mount Dora, FL • 51 Ford Woody
 
Young Guys Pick - Rick Royster • Tallahassee, FL • 55 Chevy

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TALLAHASSEE TOP 5

Bill & Joanne Dawley • Waterford, CT • 32 Ford
 
Jack & Gail Jenkins • Easley , SC • 55 Chevy
 
Mark & Susie Richardson • Jacksonville, FL • 61 Chevy Impala
 
Robert Wyman • Madison, AL • 55 Chevy Pick-up
 
Ron Hassel • Palm City, FL • 32 Ford Roadster