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.

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.

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.

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.