Western Washingtom Weekend

Having made my inaugural trip last year, I was eagerly anticipating my trip to this year's Goodguys Puyallup show. While it is not their largest show by any means, this show draws the best of the best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. In addition to whittling down the large contingent of classic trucks to give out Top Ten awards, I saw some of the finest street rods and customs of the entire country; this was no easy feat since Kevin and I spent the previous weekend at the Columbus Goodguys event.

This year, I also had a local to show me around. Automotive artist Jason Rushforth is a native of nearby Tacoma, Washington, so upon my arrival on Thursday and after shooting photography until the sun went down my other three days (which ended up being around 10:00 p.m.), I got a guided tour of the area. Meanwhile, back at the fairgrounds, the Goodguys crew had no shortage of events and entertainment to keep the showgoers busy. From the welcome party to the poker run to the Friday night drags, not to mention nightly live entertainment on the grounds, there was always some fun to be had somewhere.

Next year's show plans to be just as action-packed and loaded with impressive rides. For information about Goodguys 18th Pacific Northwest Nationals or any of the Goodguys events, visit the Goodguys Web site at www.good-guys.com.

Gillian Peterson's '50 F-1 screams '50s custom with the heavy chop, louvers, bullet bumperettes, and metallic gold paint. Gillian even had Gene Winfield autograph the glovebox door.

J.P. Simons brought out his first-series '55 GMC from Boise, ID. With the 8-71 blown 468, ground-scraping stance, and giant meats, this purple people eater is pro street done right.

Steve and Mellissa Gilligan's '56 big-window had "the look" thanks to clean black paint and chrome, the right stance, and bias-ply wide whites.

This '39 Chevy belongs to Bruce Thomas and has a potent big-block to back up the pro street look.

These two couples cruised up from Oregon in their similar-looking but completely different '41 Ford and '46 Chevy.

Jeff Moore was busy with his '34 Chevy Speedstar all weekend, so he had his dad bring out the masterfully restored '53 Chevy.

It doesn't take much to make a unibody look good. This clean '63 sits right, and the polished TT IIs set off the mild paint color.

This '56 big-window came down from Langley, British Columbia, under big-block power.

Don and Judy Blakely and their '41 Chevy are a staple at the Puyallup show.

We can't wait to see John Terry's chopped and sectioned '58 Merc when it's finished.

This chopped, sectioned, and pie-cut '54 Effie belongs to Rick Federmeyer of Anacortes, WA. Under the F-150 Supercrew bed lies a complete Lincoln rear suspension with factory air ride.	Last year, Doug Hilmoe promised us his straight-six, Cragar-equipped '50 five-window would be back and worthy of a Top Ten. The flamed red pearl was back with a new 350/700-R4 combo and 17-inch Intro wheels. Look for the full feature in an upcoming issue.
Culpepper & Co. is Jerry Melton's Western Wear company, and this '54 Chevy five-window is his calling card. In addition to the school bus yellow paint, it sports a fully polished LT1 and 15- and 16-inch Billet Specialties wheels.	Blue pearl over a black base is how Phil Dale achieved the cool hue of his '52 M-1. A 4-inch chop, lots of louvers, and Briz bumpers give the "Emmie" an early custom look.
Jerry Fontana played it simple with his maroon '50 Chevy five-window. Those polished 15s tucking in the fenders are genuine Mehelichs.	If you're in the hardwood floor business, you'd better have something cool planned for the bed of your classic truck. Dan Caufman polished African Sapela redwood for his immaculate Indigo Blue '56 Chevy.
After restoring an antique Veltex gas pump, John Johnson decided the paint scheme would look great on his '36 Dodge. Besides the 3-inch drop, artillery wheels, and tuck 'n' roll interior, John's ride is bone stock.	GM Indigo Blue paint and Intro wheels were quite popular in Puyallup this year. Bob Brittingham's '37 Chevy had plenty of both and a nice stance to boot.
Bruce Leven is lucky enough to own last year's Street Rod of the Year track roadster. This year he brought out this '46 Ford pickup. The color is '31 Ford Rose Tan.	Martin Giebel's '40 Ford is as clean as they get thanks in part to the flawless Tangelo Pearl paint, beige leather, and centerlines.