Friday First Look! – Goodguys 22nd PPG Nationals

The eyes of the hot rodding world are on Columbus, Ohio, this weekend as Goodguys takes over the Ohio Expo Center for the Big One – the 22nd PPG Nationals!

We’ve got the mix dialed in and everything tuned up and it showed today as thousands of incredible vintage machines rolled and rumbled into town to get our biggest event of the year started. A fun poker run got us primed on Thursday – as did the customary kickoff parties at the Crowne Plaza and Hilton Polaris hotels. That had everyone revved up and ready to make it a fantastic Friday!


As always, the PPG Street Machine of the Year and Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year competitions are already a focal point for this event – there’s an incredible lineup of contenders for both awards. Stay tuned to Goodguys social media tomorrow, as we’ll have a special awards presentation for these honors starting at 3pm Eastern.

Speaking of a great lineup, the Summer of ’69 exhibition is taking over Kasich Hall and celebrating the 50th anniversary of America’s favorite muscle car – the ’69 Camaro! With 125 examples of significant, historic, and just plain cool ’69 Camaros, it’s probably the largest gathering of its kind anywhere!

No matter where you turned today, there was something cool to see – from the AutoCross track (where the annual Sponsor Shootout went off this afternoon), to the Nitro Thunderfest exhibition, to the expansive display of vendor booths, including our annual New Products competition. Add in a Goodgals Gallery, kids activities, and a huge swap meet and you’ve got plenty to keep a gearhead busy for several days.

This weekend is bound to be one for the record books, so get yourself to Columbus if you’re anywhere close! Otherwise, stay tuned to Goodguys social media and good-guys.com as we blaze our way through the best hot rod weekend of the year!

Editor, Goodguys Gazette

Damon Lee began snapping photos at car shows when he was 10, tagging along with his father to events throughout the Midwest. He has combined his passion for cars and knack for writing and imagery into a 20-year career in the automotive aftermarket, writing for titles like Super Chevy and Rod & Custom and, more recently, working for respected industry leaders Speedway Motors and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.