The Blue Oval Faithful Turn Out in Force in Tennesse

If you’re a vintage Ford fan, there’s one event that definitely needs to be engraved onto your Can’t Miss calendar. Now in its 41st year, the F-100 Supernationals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is the gathering where you’ll see some of the best classic Ford trucks in the country. To underscore the far-reaching following this event has, this year’s long-distance award winner arrived from California! In addition to the huge collection of vehicles, drivers always enjoy renewing old friendships made in previous years.

The event kicked off with the Friday morning opening ceremonies that showcased never-before-seen vehicles. Half a dozen pristine trucks were unveiled in front of an enthusiastic crowd with show promoter Charlie Cobble explaining the details. This “coming out” ceremony has become a tradition, and dozens of builders over the years have planned their truck’s debut around this annual event.

The show has been in several locations in the past, but Pigeon Forge seemed to be a fan favorite, thanks to the combination of cool classic trucks, manufacturers with the latest gear, and swap meet vendors for those patina parts during the day, along with the vast array of evening attractions for the family in this popular Tennessee mountain town. Addressing the unseasonably warm weather for October, Charlie told the assembled crowd about the plans for 2019, when the event will use the parking lot outside as well as inside the air-conditioned Sevierville Convention Center.

…Pigeon Forge seemed to be a fan favorite, thanks to the combination of cool classic trucks, manufacturers with the latest gear, and swap meet vendors for those patina parts during the day, along

The Saturday afternoon awards ceremony is always exciting, with thousands of dollars of door prizes going out to an excited crowd.  Event sponsors like Mid Fifty F-100 Parts, Ford Performance and Jacky Jones Ford donated prizes that totaled more than $5,000. Even moving quickly, the gifts took a half an hour to distribute! The award ceremony recognized more than 130 talented drivers, sending class winners home with custom plaques as mementos of the event. Big trophies went to big winners beginning with the Points Champion this year, Ron Bibey and his lifted 1977 F-250. F-100 Truck of the Year honors went to Jim and Sandy Boruff from Maryville, Tennessee, for their meticulous 1968 F-100. The Street Trucks Editor’s Choice went to the elaborately customized 1953 F-100 owned and built by Mark Tullis. See the photos from the 2018 event and get the details on the 2019 event and at www.F100supernationals.com.

ROLLING IN FROM DUNCAN, SOUTH CAROLINA, BRIAN BOONE DISPLAYED HIS BAGGED, WHITE 1953 F-100 STYLESIDE FITTED WITH A MODERN V-8.

FROM KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, MIKE BARILLARO’S ’56 F-100 SPORTS A CHOPPED TOP, MODERN V-8, AND CUSTOM RED PAINT WITH SCALLOPS.

SHOW PROMOTER CHARLIE COBBLE ENJOYS A LAUGH WITH TV’S MOONSHINERS

HIGH PERFORMANCE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME WITH THE HYDRO BLUE ’64 F-100 OF RICK AND CHERYL CAZA, EQUIPPED WITH A FULL CAGE AND FAT RUBBER ON THE ASPHALT TO HANDLE THE POWER FROM THE 466 V-8.

SHOWING LOTS OF INNOVATION, THIS COMBINATION SHOW TRUCK, SHOP TRUCK AND FUN RIDE IS FROM SAM’S WELDING SHOP IN JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE.

BUTCH AND DEBBIE RODGERS FROM PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, DISPLAYED THEIR ’55 F-100, COMPLETE WITH A HIGH-PERFORMANCE 460 UNDER THE HOOD.

THE CHOPPED AND BAGGED 1966 F-100 STYLESIDE OF ED DAVIS WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR FOUR GENERATIONS. THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE 451 V-8 IS JUST ONE OF DOZENS OF UPGRADES.

TOTALLY TRANSFORMED, THE MATTE BLACK ’53 F-100 OF MARK TULLIS HAD EVERY INCH MASSAGED WITH A CUSTOM INTERIOR, TRANS AM V-8, AND POWDER-COATED CORVETTE INDEPENDENT REAR. IT WAS THE STREET TRUCKS EDITOR’S CHOICE.

THIS YEAR’S POINTS CHAMPION AWARD WENT TO RON BIBEY FROM HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA, FOR HIS 1977 F-250 4X4 CREW CAB.

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