38th-Annual Bowen Campbell Auto Expo returns to Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville

When a car show has been happening in the same place for 38 years, someone must be doing something right. In this case, that someone is the AACA Sumner County Vintage Vehicle Club, and that something is the Bowen Campbell Auto Expo, which happened last Saturday in its traditional location, Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville, Tenn. They always have a big turnout at this show, and it seems to draw some of the nicer cars from around the Nashville area. I hung out there all day with my ’63 Chevy truck, which would not be considered one of those nicer vehicles, but I was surrounded by good stuff. It was a hot day out there for sure, but that didn’t seem to keep people from enjoying this Labor Day weekend tradition.

9th-Annual Southeastern Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals was the biggest ever

Old Chevy trucks have always been popular, but never quite like they are now. Take the 9th-Annual Southeastern Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals, which was held Saturday at the Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville, Tenn. More than 700 trucks turned out for this event, smashing last-year’s record by some 200 entries. Bryan Ashley, his family, and a small group of volunteers have created a destination event for GM truck owners from all over the country. The style du jour is a restomod with an LS engine, big wheels and brakes, and modern digital gauges. People want their old sheet metal to have modern functionality. Of course, there was lots of that in this show. But there were plenty of nice original trucks as well. When you get 707 trucks together, every generation, every model, and every build style or condition is going to be covered one way or another.

Nice start to the Tennessee Speed Sport Cruise

Tennessee Speed Sport is a cool, old-school speed shop in Goodlettsville that has been serving Nashville’s hot rod and racing community since the 1960s. It makes sense that they would start up a monthly cruise night, and so they have. The inaugural event was last Saturday night, and they had a pretty strong turnout for the first time. I even like their old sign, and my truck looks right at home next to it. The only thing I might change would be that they open up the store during the cruise. If you can get 100 hot-rodders in the parking lot of a speed shop, who knows—you might just sell them something. At any rate, let’s check out some of the stuff that was sitting outside that locked building. 

Great day for the 37th-Annual 2018 Bowen Campbell Car Show in Goodlettsville

For 37 years, automotive enthusiasts from all over the Music City have gathered in Goodlettsville for the big Bowen Campbell Auto Expo at Moss-Wright Park. This year was no different, as a huge group of quality rides was on-hand for a surprisingly pleasant, overcast day. This one is put together by the Sumner County Vintage Vehicle Club, which is sanctioned by the AACA. As usual, these AACA shows attract some of the nicest old cars and trucks around. I don’t really enter my own cars in many of these shows, but this one was close enough to home that I actually entered both the ’63 Chevy C-10 and my ’93 Corvette. My son hung out with me, I talked to people about cars, and overall it was just a good day in the park.

3rd-Annual Pink Christmas Car Show at Rivergate Mall brings good cars together for a great cause

I like pretty much any car show, but they’re even better when they support a good cause. Such was the case with the 3rd-Annual Pink Christmas Car Show, which was held last Saturday at the Rivergate Mall in Goodlettsville. This event supports breast cancer patients and survivors.  There was a nice group of cars gleaming under bright sunshine, live music, food vendors, swap meet booths, and more. You could tell that the show organizers really put some thought into this one. I was on my way up to Kentucky for the Somernites Cruise, but I couldn’t resist stopping at the mall on my way out to see all the nice cars the locals had to offer.

8th-Annual 2018 Southeastern All Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals. It was really hot, but at least it didn't rain

Chevrolet trucks. They’re one of the most durable icons in the history of America. Today a vintage Chevy truck resonates like a worn pair of Levi’s jeans or a favorite pair of boots. Their owners love them the same way they love their dog or even their oldest and closest friend. Sure, these trucks were designed to trudge through fields, haul hay, and drag trailers. But they have become much more than that. That passion is exceedingly evident when you visit the Southeastern All Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals at Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville, Tenn. The owners of more than 500 trucks spent the entire day in near 100-degree heat to be with like-minded owners. This is the premiere gathering for these trucks east of the Mississippi. Of course, when you get this many trucks together, you’re going to find several outstanding examples.

This cruise-in puts the "Good" in "Goodlettsville"

If you’re a car nut in Goodlettsville, you know that the Goodlettsville Cruise in the Publix parking lot is the place to be on Saturday nights. Beautiful weather sparked some healthy participation last weekend, with a nice selection of classics and future classics. I brought the old truck out and snarfed down a Firehouse meatball sub. That might not be everyone’s idea of a Saturday night party, but it suit me just fine. There was also a D.J. on hand for a little auditory entertainment, and of course, there were the cars. That’s what we’re mostly interested in here, so let’s take a look at some of them. 

Trucks beat the rain at the 2017 Southeastern All Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals

It rained half the day Saturday. Not just a nice soaking rain. A relentless toad-strangler that sent rivers of rushing water through Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville, Tenn. These were not ideal conditions to hold a car show. And yet, while the rain was the most blinding, while the mud was flowing, while conditions were at their absolute worst, there were hundreds of Chevrolet and GMC trucks lined up to attend the 7th-Annual Southeastern Truck Nationals. These guys did not let oppressive storms ruin their fun. In fact, a record 340 trucks showed up for this show from all over the United States and Canada. Chevy truck owners ain’t skeered.

Spectacular turnout for the 35th-Annual Bowen Campbell Auto Expo in Goodlettsville

Just on a whim, BHo and I decided to take a Saturday swing by the 35th-Annual Bowen Campbell Auto Expo at Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville. And I’ve got to tell you, this was one of the best car shows I’ve been to in a long time. I mean, I really liked this one. They had 39 classes of cars, but they pretty much all had one thing in common. They were nice. Sometimes when there are this many cars in one place, you’re going to wind up with a bunch of stinkers. Not here. The only real complaint is that it turned out to be a little more hot and humid than I think most people were expecting. But that’s a small price to pay to see a show like this.

Goodlettsville Cruise was a nice little gathering

Saturday night, I made a quick stop at the Goodlettsville Cruise in the Publix/Firehouse Subs parking lot. I say “quick,” because there weren’t many cars there to photograph. Now that’s not really a reflection on the cruise itself. I’ve been to this same location when you would consider yourself lucky to find a parking spot. Unfortunately, they were right up against the new Cruizin’ Hendersonville event going on 15 minutes away. I think that was their biggest challenge. But I guess as a car guy, having too many cruise options seems like a good problem to have.

Nothing to lose at the Goodlettsville Cruise

Saturday night means cruise night in Goodlettsville, so BHo and I jumped in the ol’ ’63 Chevy pickup and headed out. This was kind of a landmark event for us, because it was the first time since we moved to Tennessee that the truck has made it to a car show. I’m not sure that it really wowed the crowds or anything, but it was a significant point for me. I had a good time taking my son out to this event. It was a good night to enjoy each other’s company in the presence of a lot full of nice cars.

Good stuff at the Goodlettsville Cruise

No matter where you go in the United States, people who love cars will find a way to get together.  Take Goodlettsville, Tenn.  Every Saturday night throughout the summer, a big group of car nuts meet up at the Goodlettsville Cruise, which takes place behind the Publix grocery store.  And true to form, when you get this many cars together, you’re bound to see some good ones.  Let’s take a look at a few of them that stood out.