Cool cars, good times: Goodguys PPG Nationals
By Amy Gatto Klein, Convention Services Manager
Photo: godsmac on Flickr
If you’ve been paying attention in Columbus for the past several Julys, you’ll have noticed an influx of brightly colored classic cars cruising the streets. These nostalgic vehicles are part of the Goodguys PPG Nationals , which takes place each year at the Ohio Expo Center and Fairgrounds . This year’s Goodguys event is July 10 -12 and promises another year of cool cars and good times. The PPG Nationals features more than 7,000 rods, customs, classics and muscle cars made through 1972.
For the car enthusiast, this event is pretty much heaven with Friday night drag races at National Trail Raceways , a huge swap meet and the chance to visit vendor and manufacturer displays. There are also seminars on hot-rodding, the Model & Pedal Car Show and a poker run for the truly adventurous.
For the average person, this event is still a lot of fun. To be honest, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a Chevy and Thunderbird, but even I enjoy attending Goodguys. The colors of the cars - deep turquoises, vibrant reds and bright yellows - are like eye candy and the July sun really makes their bold paint jobs shine. Often, the hoods of the cars are open to show off the engines which are nothing like I’ve seen under a modern hood. These inner workings of the cars are made of gleaming metal and are beautiful in their intricate machineness. The time and dedication it has taken for these cars to come back to life is evident, even to a novice.
If you go, bring your walking shoes because there are plenty of cars to see. Should you get hungry, the usual fair food vendors to are present to supply you with your lemonade and fries. There are also nightly nostalgia shows and parties showcasing music from the era of some of the cars. We’re talking Beach Boys type music, so hopefully your walking shoes are also dancing shoes.
For more info, visit the Goodguys PPG Nationals Web site .
Tags: GoodGuys
July 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
We also enjoy a couple budget nights out when they are in town. They cruise along Rt 161 at I-71 and in Crosswoods every night.