Hot Rod Highlights: 2021 Pacific Northwest Nationals

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals
Excitement was in the air as more than 2,000 hot rods, classics, customs, muscle cars and trucks invaded the Washington State Fair Events Center July 23–25, 2019, for the Goodguys Griot’s Garage 33rd Pacific Northwest Nationals. Entries in this annual car show and competition — cancelled last year due to the pandemic — covered the spectrum from cherry classics to outrageous performance machines. You won’t see any vehicles newer than the 1980s in this highlights coverage, although you might discover some modern componentry and technology under the skin. Take a quick virtual cruise and enjoy these favorites from the 2021 Goodguys Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals.,

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience Imagination
Owners Gary Thompson and Nancy Petersen call this custom creation “Imagination” — definitely a bit of understatement. This car started life as a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and over the past 15 years has been transformed to a one-of-a-kind custom. Focus on the greenhouse and it’s possible to make the connection back to the 1979 Z/28.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience Imagination
Even with all the unique builds at the 2021 Goodguys Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals, Imagination remains a standout. The owners took a 1979 Camaro Z/28 and added 1959 Cadillac fins, a 1950 Studebaker nose and Lamborghini-style doors to create this one-of-a-kind custom. The interior is from Bob Jasper of Jasper Custom Auto Upholstery and the paint is by Gordy Ebert and Gary Thompson with colors by Dizzy.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1950 Mercury Sedan
This 1950 Mercury Sedan is a prototypical example of what Goodguys is all about, with its modified body, drivetrain and suspension — all in a flamboyant paint job that simply screams hot rod. The body has been shaved, nosed and decked — including a shaved trunk and frenched headlights and taillights. Electric openers for the doors and trunk add some modern conveniences.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1950 Mercury Sedan
Power for this big Mercury comes from a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 with a mild cam, 650 Street Avenger Holley carburetor combined with a 700 R4 transmission and a 9-inch Ford rear end. The body is painted blue with matching fender skirts and flames. The front end consists of a 1953 Desoto grille with 1956 Pontiac grille guards, underscored by the front bumper of a 1951 Mercury. At the rear, taillights were nabbed from a 1959 Cadillac and the interior features a 1949 Mercury dash.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1933 Ford Coupe
With its classic hot rod looks, this 1933 Ford coupe grabs power from another crosstown-Detroit rival 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 engine with aluminum heads, combined with a Turbo Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission. The front suspension is from Street Rod Engineering; the coupe also has front and rear disc brakes and a 9-inch Ford rear end.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1933 Ford Coupe
The paint and bodywork on this pristine coupe come courtesy of Randy and Al Nordstrom. The bright-red paint gets accented by classic flames, and the look is completed with chrome Halibrand wheels and wide whitewall tires.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience Porsche 911
A Porsche 911 is not a car typically expected at a hot rod and custom show such as Goodguys, although the details of this build reveal why it fits right in. The owners of this 1974 Porsche 911 modified the iconic sports car with a wide body kit. The 911’s original rear-engine horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder design has been converted to a mid-engine configuration powered by a 383-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 powerplant.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience Porsche 911
The heavily modified Chevrolet V8 engine delivers power through a Cadillac Turbo 425 transaxle originally used in a front-wheel drive configuration. The interior features a custom roll cage and the classic Porsche look gets rounded out with Fikse wheels.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1929 Chevrolet ½-Ton Pickup
This custom 1929 Chevrolet ½-ton pickup is powered by a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 engine combined with a stock 350 Turbo Hydramatic automatic transmission. (Obviously, the Chevy V8 shines as a preferred engine for many custom car creators.) The truck retains its original oak cab frame and rides on a HEIDTS SUPERIDE front end with 1986 Chevrolet S-10 running gear.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1929 Chevrolet ½-Ton Pickup
Owner Si Pellow is responsible for the overall design and custom fabrication on this amazing truck. The custom paint and bodywork were completed by Mt. Highway Collision, with custom upholstery fabrication performed by Dan Brown. Mike Cloran contributed the custom woodwork.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
This rare Galaxie 500 XL received a body-off rotisserie restoration by Mitch restorations in Santa Rosa, California, and retains its original factory big-block 390-cubic-inch engine and factory 4-speed top-loader transmission. Completed in correct Rangoon Red with a Wimbledon White top, the car retains its original side and rear glass, as well as the factory bucket rear bench seat.

© Mike Meredith, Automotive Content Experience 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
Upgrades to this incredible Galaxie include an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Holley 650 carburetor, a Magnaflow exhaust with X pipe, an Ignitor III ignition, Sanderson headers and an Auto Meter tachometer.