Classic Cars Converge on Columbus

By Greg Dew
Columbus Wired Columnist
8/1/02

America’s past rolled through Columbus this past weekend in the form of the Goodguys auto show. The annual event, in its 5th year of existence, brought cars from around the country and Canada to the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

A daily parade of cars, at least 30 years old and ranging from roadsters to sedans, entered the fairgrounds to display the designs that have helped forge the great American love affair with the automobile.

With the majority of the cars having been rebuilt and redesigned, these classic automobiles have been brought into the modern world. Sleek, futuristic bodies, impeccable interiors and attention-grabbing paint and graphics have turned these vehicles into moving, functional pieces of art.

Not to be outdone by these re-invented classics, scores of other automobiles were also represented in their original forms. Corvettes, Mustangs, a rare Dodge Polara and scores of other vehicles displayed their timeless elegance to the car enthusiasts packing the fairgrounds.

The vehicles, showing only the slightest wear of age, beamed proudly with their fresh coats of wax and polished chrome.

Rounding out the nostalgic event were the golden oldies. The songs, seemingly designed for the act of cruising, provided a soundtrack to the event and to the days when these cars ruled the American landscape.

The automobiles on display brought a glimpse of the past brilliance of American automobile design. Cars that brought a smile to a face did so because of their curves, their raw power and the ideals behind the design.

The American roadway was built with freedom in mind. It exists for the exploration of the beauty held within the American borders. It exists to be explored from the confines of a beautifully designed vehicle.

Automobiles have added to the brilliance of the American landscape for over a century now. Their designs have inspired the awe of generations that have come to appreciate their beauty as they do the beauty of our national parks and monuments.

Today, design is returning to the American automobile. The
Chrysler PT Cruiser, the re-introduced Ford Thunderbird and the soon to be introduced Chevy SSR, to name a few, give hope to the car enthusiast.

In 30 years time, these cars rolling off the lines may very well be taking their place in the lineage of a long running American love affair.