Rick Johnson goes by a lot of nicknames. You can call him Ricky, 'Slick' Rick, 'Ricky Bobby' or just Rick. But, if you need a friend with experience in muscle car renovation, all you need to do is call.

For years, Rick and wife Colleen, who worked behind an auto parts counter for decades, dreamed of having a shop large enough to both work on several vehicles at the same time and show off some of their amazing cars and trucks. Rick is a Chevy fan and he has a collection of rare late-model and classic Camaros, among other cars most only dream about, as well as mud trucks.

Among them are his collection of extremely rare COPO (Central Office Production Order) Camaros, a special factory ordering system used by Chevrolet since the 1960s. COPO was originally meant for fleet vehicles like police cars, taxis, trucks that needed nonstandard equipment or heavy-duty parts. Dealers like muscle car giants Don Yenko and Fred Gibb realized they could use COPO codes to bypass corporate engine limits, using the loophole to put massive 427 cubic-inch V8 engines into lightweight Chevrolet cars.

Rick is both a serious collector and a friend to all who want to preserve automobile history as well as going fast. Yet, his dream and Colleen's pragmatic approach weren't exactly in sync when a large building on Gateway Drive became available.

"I had a vision, but Colleen took time to see it," he said while hundreds of gearheads, many with their own dream cars, came to the couple's last car show of the year — the second since opening in '25.

After Saturday's car show, which brought in 101 vehicles and countless muscle car fans on a gorgeous October morning, Colleen was all-in on her muscle-bound husband's lifelong dream.

"It has taken off," Rick said. "It's bigger than I ever thought it would be."

"Initially I did not see his vision," Colleen said. "But, I think it's amazing now."

They are a match made in heaven. Rick met Colleen at the old race track in Powell and they have been sharing their love for the auto industry and each other since.

However, when it comes to running a car show, the couple doesn't take main roads. There are no trophies for the best car or truck in the "Coffee and Cars" show. And if you snooze, you lose.

"It's not a contest," Rick said. "I feel everyone deserves a trophy."

He also hates car shows that take an entire day.

"People can come in, show your car for a couple of hours and then go and enjoy the rest of your day," Johnson said.

The show started at 9 a.m. with Gateway Drive already packed with overflow. Conversations were intense and smiles were broad as muscle fans scrutinized every entry and sought advice from those who have learned by fire.

Powell resident Jon Bowers had just finished painting his 1969 Camaro RS/SS the previous week, hoping to be done in time for the big show. His bright orange paint job shone in the sun and drew many to see his work in progress.

"I have personally worked with every nut and bolt," he said. "It has been a three-year project so far."

Owning and restoring the popular model has been his lifelong dream, something he shares with many at the show. It's for guys like Bowers that 'Slick' built his dream shop.

The shop specializes in racing fuel and rare parts, from tiny trim pieces to entire crate engines. But mostly the couple built the facility for friends, both old and those who have yet to walk through their doors under a new neon sign.

"This is why I built this place," Rick said. "There are so many nice cars and people here."