Gary Bowers, Dave Walsh Collect Top Awards at Goodguys 15th PPG Nationals

Pennsylvania’s Gary Bowers and Georgia’s Dave Walsh drove off with the top two awards at the Goodguys 15th PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Braving record hi temperatures, Bowers’ bright orange ’65 Mustang won the Goodguys 2012 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year crown while Walsh’s jet black ’32 Ford Victoria collected the Goodguys 2012 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year title.

The two cars encapsulate perfectly the current state of the hot rodding world. Bowers’ hi-tech, ground hugging Mustang, built by Ringbrothers represents the latest in track-ready, show-quality super muscle cars while Walsh’s Victoria, built by Bobby Alloway represents the time-tested appeal of a smoothed out early Ford.

Well known for their ability to transform Mustang’s into modern masterpieces, the Ringbrothers have set the bar even higher with the Bowers ’65 named “Producer.” The body was widened four inches (two inches on each side rather than cut down the middle), the rockers are extended, there's a full belly-pan underneath and both the hood and roof are carbon-fiber – signature Ringbrothers touches. Under the hood is high compression Keith Craft-built 427 cubic inch stroker based on the 351 Windsor small block making 740hp crank horsepower. The matt finish three-piece wheels designed by Ringbrothers were built by Forgeline. Baer Brakes, Afco shocks and a suspension consisting of front tubular A-arms and a Watts link set up in the rear give it razor sharp handling. The car gets its name from Bowers’ Waynesburg, Pennsylvania based Producer Supply Company.

While Producer gives a glimpse of the future, Dave Walsh’s ’32 Vicky is a timeless beauty with a rich and smooth PPG Deltron black coat, sitting just right on an Alloway chassis. The signature Alloway big & little polished wheels were cut by Billet Specialties and the car gets its perfect rake courtesy of Pete & Jake 4 bar suspension with a 5-inch dropped axle. The So Cal Speed Shop functional fake’s offer a nostalgic flare but there’s nothing vintage about the thumping 502-inch big block mated to a Tremec 5 speed. Inside the cabin is a painted burl wood dash with garnish molding and a custom leather interior by Steve Holcomb’s Pro Auto.

For their victories in Columbus both Bowers and Walsh will receive customized toolboxes from Snap-on as well as travel accommodations to the Goodguys 15th Southwest Nationals November 16-18 to exhibit in the “Champions Arena.”