Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational to Air This Saturday!

Don’t miss the Optima Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational TV episode which airs this Saturday, January 30th at 11:00am eastern/8:00am Pacific on Speed TV! Check out forty of the country’s top street machines as they compete in a series of challenges to determine the event’s top street car.

You will indeed recognize some of the event participants including this year’s Goodguys/Ridetech Street Machine of the Year winner – Barry Blomquist’s C1RS Corvette, plus lots of other favorites! You should also keep an eye out for the Goodguys colors as our big rig was on hand for the festivities!

Tune in!

Nashville Nationals Gets a New Title Sponsor

Bridgestone, manufacturer’s of such popular tires as the “Potenza”, “Dueler”, “Turanza” and “Ecopia” among others, has signed on with Goodguys as title sponsor of the 5th Nashville Nationals, May 21-23 at LP Field in downtown Nashville. Headquartered in Nashville, Bridgestone will have a major presence on the midway at the Nashville Nationals as well as other select 2010 Goodguys events. Bridgestone will also become a sponsor of the popular Street Challenge Autocross.

Bridgestone Americas legacy of motorsports accomplishments began more than nine decades ago when Harvey Firestone chose to showcase his tires on the race track. Since then, their tire brands have appeared in thousands of competitions around the globe, recording a remarkable variety of wins and honors.

Great drivers in Formula 1, at the Indy 500, in motocross, super-cross, karting, monster trucks and dozen of other forms of racing have relied on Bridgestone tires to provide the consistency and durability needed to win. Bridgestone’s involvement with motorsports provides more than thrills, it contributes to the design and production of improved tires for every day street use.

For more visit www.bridgestoneamericas.com

2010 Event Tee Shirts Now Available!

Ready to get your 2010 Goodguys season under way right now? Get a head start on the season and be the first Goodguy on your block to wear a 2010 event tee shirt! We currently have 15 different 2010 event shirts available with more to come in the following weeks!

All event shirts are available in white only with the event logo on the front and the Goodguys ’32 sedan logo on the back. Sizes S-XL are $20 each with 2X-4X $23 each!

Click here to order yours today!

Feeling Adventurous? Join the Del Mar Hot Rod Cruise this Spring!

A special Hot Rod Cruise down to ol’ Del Mar has been organized for Wednesday and Thursday April 7 & 8 prior to the Goodguys 10th Del Mar Nationals! The cruise will depart Goodguys Headquarters in Pleasanton Wednesday, April 7th at 8 a.m. arriving in Del Mar the next afternoon, Thursday, April 8th. The cruise will meander down California’s central valley with stops in Bakersfield and Lebec before going over the hill to Southern California. Stops at hot rod shops and exclusive private collections are planned so you won’t want to miss out! A hot rod cruise is a great way to spend a few days on the road with fellow hot rodders!

There’s room for whoever wants to come along so please join us and have some fun with your rod, custom or muscle car! All cruisers are responsible for making their hotel reservation for Wednesday night the 7th. The cruisers will be staying at the Radisson Covina (hotel address and contact information listed below – make sure and ask for the Goodguys cruiser rate). Please RSVP with Ed Burgess via e-mail (hotrded@sbcglobal.net) and let him know you plan on joining the cruise.

If you plan on joining in along the way that’s OK too, but we ask that you show your courtesy to the stop hosts by not arriving at their shop or collection before the other cruisers arrive. Here’s a look at the full cruise itinerary!

Del Mar Cruise Day 1
Wednesday, April 7th
Gather @ Goodguys Headquarters:
1071 Serpentine Lane
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 838-9876

Head South to Bakersfield @ 8am

Stop 1:
Ironworks Speed & Custom
664 Lebec Rd, Lebec, CA 93243
(661) 248-2277
Arrive: 11:45am
Depart: 12:45pm

Stop 2:
Ridge Route Collectible & Restoration Collection
664 Lebec Rd, Lebec, CA 93243
(661) 248-2277
Arrive: 1:30pm
Depart: 2:30pm

Stop 3:
Justice Brothers
2734 Huntington Dr, Duarte, CA 91010
(626) 359-9174
Arrive: 4pm
Depart: 5pm

Hotel Info for Wednesday night 4/7/2010
Radisson Covina
1211 E Garvey St, Covina, CA 91724
(626) 915-3441
Arrive: 5:15pm

Del Mar Cruise Day 2
Thursday, April 8th

Depart Radisson Covina 9am

Stop 1:
Malloy Foundation – Private Collection
556 Malloy Ct., Corona, CA 92880
(951) 739-0508
Arrive: 9:30am
Depart: 11am

Stop 2:
Kipp’s Garage
541 Birch St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 775-7765
Arrive: 11:30am
Depart: 1pm

Stop 3:
Randy’s Drag Racing Museum
27560 Lindell Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA 92532
(951) 245-9355
Arrive: 1:15pm
Depart: 2:45pm

Last stop:
Del Mar Hilton – Goodguys Del Mar Nationals Host Hotel
15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 792-5200

Vintage Air to Sponsor 2010 Custom Rod of the Year award

San Antontio, Texas based Vintage Air, the inventors of Performance Air Conditioning, will be presenting sponsor of the 2010 Goodguys Custom Rod of the Year. The Custom Rod of the Year award, presented annually since 1993 is designed to honor a custom car which tastefully blends traditional customizing techniques with modern day performance, engineering, components and styling. The winner will be announced Friday, October 8th on http://www.good-guys.com

Vintage Air is owned and operated by experienced street rodders who have been involved in the sport for over thirty years. They offer rodders the most comprehensive line of high performance air conditioning components available. Every Vintage Air product incorporates the very latest technology available and offers the greatest efficiency and reliability available.

The goal of Vintage Air is to help rodders cool their specialty vehicle in a more informed way with parts specially designed for street rods, sport trucks and performance cars. Vintage Air supplies you what you really need to get the job done right! They’re always interested in your air conditioning questions and welcome technical inquiries. Feel free to call or write to them at anytime.

Also, be sure to come by the Vintage Air display at events! For more, visit www.vintageair.com

Garlits Coming to 9th Blue Suede Cruise!

Norwalk, OH – Don Garlits, the greatest drag racer of all time will be the Hot Rod Hero of the Goodguys 9th Blue Suede Cruise August 20-22 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH. Garlits will be on hand throughout the weekend to sign autographs for fans, pose for pictures and make exhibition runs down the Norwalk quarter mile with one of his vintage “Swamp Rat” front engine dragsters.

Garlits is a fan favorite wherever he goes but Summit Motorsports Park has always felt extra homey to the “Swamp Rat.” Partly because he’s always had a close relationship to the Bader family and the fact that he has an entire grandstand at the Norwalk track named in his honor!

On track, there was nobody better or more innovative than “Big Daddy.” He won the world’s biggest drag race – “The Nationals” in Indianapolis eight times. Garlits was the ultimate hot rodder who built, tuned and drove his own race cars. Not only that, he towed his dragsters in his crew cab dually everywhere he went, his wife Pat, their children, and his trusty crewman and longtime friend TC Lemmons riding along shotgun. Indeed Garlits had a storybook career, one he couldn’t have possibly dreamed up when he first started racing out of he and his brother Ed’s body & paint shop in 1956 in Tampa. The drag racing media made their opinion clear that Garlits was the best drag racer the world ever produced when he was voted #1 on NHRA’s Top 50 Driver’s list in 2002.

Read the conclusion here

Dick Wells 1935-2010

Hot Rodding has lost one of its pioneering fathers with the passing of Dick Wells. Wells died late Monday night from complications after heart surgery last November. He was 75.

Originally from the plain state of Nebraska, Wells’ contributions to hot rodding are numerous. He held many different industry positions over the years including stints as editor or associate editor at magazines such as Hot Rod, Motor Trend, National Dragster and others. He is credited with producing the first ever SEMA Show at Dodger’s Stadium in Los Angeles back in 1967 and together with Tom Medley started the Street Rod Nationals in the early 70s. He also served on the NHRA board of directors – a position he held since 1979.

In 2007, he retired from the position of vice president of corporate projects at SEMA, where he also served as executive director in the 1970s.

Wells was honored many times for contributions to the automotive industry. He was named SEMA Person of the Year in 1977 and was inducted into the SEMA Industry Hall of Fame in 1993. He was presented the International Specialty Car Association (ISCA) Founder’s Award in 1994, the Street Rod Marketing Alliance Industry Recognition Award in 1996, and was among those honored with the NHRA Pioneers Award in 2001. Last year, he was inducted into the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

“Dick was the ultimate multi-tasker,” recalled Goodguys President and longtime friend Gary Meadors. “Dick was an outstanding writer, historian and event promoter. I remember being in his office one day when he was talking on the phone, writing an article and folding fliers all at the same time. He was a true Goodguy and a real pioneer for our industry. We certainly appreciate his dedication and leadership.”

Goodguys Spring Fling Offers Hot Cars…Good Times

The 2010 event season starts off with a bang this spring with four action packed, fun filled events – all in the Western time zone! The four-event “Spring Fling” kicks off March 12-14 at WestWorld in Scottsdale with the all-new Goodguys Spring Nationals. The new event will feature a giant show & shine for rods, customs, classics & trucks through 1972 vintage, a giant swap meet & cars for sale corral, vendor exhibits, a Street Challenge AutoCross, model car show and all the other good stuff!

Then it’s up to Pleasanton March 27 & 28 for the tradition-rich Goodguys 28th All American Get-Together. The Get-Together welcomes all years, makes and models of American powered cars and trucks and also features the largest swap meet of the year for Goodguys! Vendor exhibits, arts & crafts and a model car show are also included. The highlight for many at this event is the crowning of the Goodguys West Coast Custom of the Year and the fantastic display of custom cars inside the Young California building!

As spring kicks into high gear, it’s off to Del Mar April 9-11 for the 10th Del Mar Nationals! Can you believe we’ve enjoyed a decade of goodtimes in Del Mar? See close to 3,000 rods, customs, classics & trucks through ’72 plus two buildings filled with a spectacular indoor car show. The popular seaside event also features a wide array of vendor exhibits, a swap meet, the Street Challenge AutoCross, “How To” seminars and so much more! See the crowning of the Street Rod d’Elegance and take in some spectacular cruising and live entertainment too!

The Spring Fling concludes May 15 & 16 at the O.C. Fair & Event Center in Costa, Mesa, CA for the 4th Meguiar’s Orange County Get-Together. Like the All American Get-Together, this event welcomes all years, makes and models of American powered cars & trucks. Everyone is welcome! The event features an outdoor show & shine, vendor exhibits, a wide open cruise lane that circles the entire event, live entertainment and the ever-popular Street Challenge AutoCross featuring the Editor’s Challenge!

If you live out in the Pacific or Mountain time zones we look forward to seeing you for the Spring Fling. If you live in the Midwest or East coast – It sounds like it’s time to make a run for the sun and join us for some Spring Fling fun! Don’t get left out!

To register your ride today click here

2010 Yearbook Cover Contest Winner!

Freelance Photographer Jason Deng from San Leandro, California has won the 2010 Goodguys Yearbook Cover photo contest! Deng’s vertical image of the grille of a 1956 Chrysler 300 won over the selection committee. The shiny chrome grille set against a dramatic black background is going to make a spectacular cover!

Deng is relatively new to photography but has quickly developed impressive skills. “Cars were the first subjects I started to photograph and they became the foundation of my passion,” he said. “Mainly because cars had always been interesting to me and I felt I could capture them on film as my eye saw them. The winning shot was a tough one to figure out at first, but then I noticed the beautiful lines of the Chrysler 300b. I set out to capture the car’s distinct lines, chrome, grill, and the other unique details of the car. I was very satisfied with the shot, not only because the lighting was how I wanted it, but also how I wanted to express the details of the front end.”

For his winning picture, Deng will receive $250, a year subscription to the Goodguys Gazette, and ten copies of the 2010 Goodguys Yearbook.

We received 100′s of hi quality photos for this year’s competition and we thank all contributors for sharing the art and photography with us during the competition. Congratulations Mr Deng!

PEAK – The Official Motor Oil of Goodguys!

Pleasanton, CA – Goodguys is proud to announce PEAK MOTOR OIL as the “Official Oil” of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. Launched in 2007, PEAK® PERFORMANCE MULTIGRADE MOTOR OIL is formulated with an advanced additive technology and premium base oils for high performance and longer engine life. PEAK PERFORMANCE MULTIGRADE MOTOR OIL is formulated to exceed the toughest automotive standards for outstanding engine protection and performance in today’s advanced engine designs.

PEAK has enjoyed a successful run with Goodguys, first signing on in 2006 as a major sponsor. PEAK Antifreeze has long been the “Official Antifreeze” of Goodguys and return this year as presenting sponsor of the 4th Chicagoland Nationals, September 17-19 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet.

Make sure and stop by the PEAK booth at a Goodguys National event to pick up product samples and important product information! To find out more about PEAK’s full line of motor oil, visit
http://www.peaklubricants.com

PEAK’s parent company, Old World Industries Inc. is based in Northbrook, Illinois. They enjoy a presence in various consumer product markets, energy exploration, and chemical manufacturing in more than 50 countries worldwide. Old World’s other brands include a full line of PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant; SIERRA, the “greener” antifreeze; Mr. Clean Windshield Wash and Wiper Blades; Fleet Charge Fully Formulated Coolant; Final Charge Heavy Duty Global Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant; HERCULINER Truck Bed Liner Kits; and SplitFire Spark Plugs.

More News From Snap On

In addition to providing all 2010 Terrific 12 award winners with custom toolboxes, Snap On returns in 2010 as “The Official Tool of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.”

The Kenosha, Wisconsin based tool and equipment manufacturer has also agreed to be the presenting sponsor of all three Goodguys VRA events for the 2010 racing season. The three major vintage drag races include the 22nd Hot Rod Nationals, June 11-13 at O’Reilly Raceway Park, the 9th Blue Suede Cruise August 20-22 at Summit Motorsports Park and the 3rd Nostalgia Nationals, October 15-17 at Beech Bend Raceway Park.

Snap On will have a major presence at Goodguys events this season on the midway so make sure and stop by to check out their award winning tools and equipment! To learn more, visit www.snapon.com

Goodguys Builder’s Choice – Awarding Automotive Excellence!

The Goodguys Builder’s Choice awards program returns in 2010 to recognize the Nation’s finest rods, customs, trucks and muscle cars! A Builder’s Choice award is one of the highest honors your car can receive at a Goodguys National Event.

The special awards are customized and hand crafted, adding an air of prestige to any mantle. Each 2010 Goodguys national event will feature a Builder’s Choice parking area, to be staged on Saturday from 8am to 2pm. To be eligible for a Builder’s Choice award you must park in the Builder’s Choice parking area.

At nine events this year, the Builder’s Choice awards will be selected by some of the Nation’s top builders, adding a unique air of prestige. Here’s a look at the 2010 National Events that will feature celebrity Builder’s Choice awards.

13th Colorado Nationals – June 4-6 – Loveland, CO – Eric Peratt/Pinkee’s Rod Shop
5th Nashville Nationals – May 21-23 – Nashville, TN – Bobby Alloway/Alloway’s Hot Rods
22nd Hot Rod Nationals – June 11-13 – Indianapolis, IN – Troy Trepanier/Rad Rides
19th Heartland Nationals – July 2-4 – Des Moines, IA – Roger Burman/Lakeside Rods & Rides
13th Goodguys PPG Nationals – July 9-11 – Columbus, OH – Roy Brizio/Brizio Street Rods
23rd Pacific Northwest Nationals – July 23-25 – Puyallup, WA – Art & Craig Morrison
9th Mid-Western Nationals – September 3-5 – Kansas City, KS – Dave Lane/Fastlane Rod Shop
4th Chicagoland Nationals – Sept. 17-19 – Joliet, IL – Phil & Jeremy Gerber/The Roadster Shop
17th Southeastern Nationals – Oct. 29-31 – Charlotte, NC – Kyle & Stacy Tucker/Detroit Speed

Remember, each 2010 National Event will feature a Builder’s Choice parking area so no matter which one you attend, if you’re interested in receiving the event’s highest honor, make sure and get your ride parked in the Builder’s Choice area Saturday’s from 8am to 2pm!

Catch Goodguys at an indoor show this winter!

Indoor car show season is here! The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association will be exhibiting at several of the country’s top indoor shows this winter. Stop by the booth, chat a while, pick up some entry forms and 2010 event schedules and get started planning your summer road trips!

Look for the Goodguys booth at the following indoor shows this winter:

61st Grand National Roadster Show
January 29-31, 2010
Fairplex in Pomona, Pomona, CA

60th Sacramento Autorama
February 19-21, 2010
California Expo & State Fair, Sacramento, CA

58th Detroit Autorama
February 26-28, 2010
Cobo Center, Detroit, MI
Hot Rod & Restoration Trade Show

March 11-13, 2010
Indiana Convention Center
46th Spokane Auto, Boat & Speed Show

March 26, 27 & 28
Spokane Fairgrounds, Spokane, WA

2010 Vendor Applications Available online!

If your company would like to be a vendor at a 2010 Goodguys event, it’s now easier than ever to get signed up! The 2010 exhibitor/vendor applications are now online and easy to download. Simply click this link:
http://www.good-guys.com/info/vendorExhibitor.aspx
and get your application filled out and sent in! It’s that easy!

Also available are the vendor rules and regulations. With the show season fast approaching, it’s time to get your paperwork sent in and filed! To reach the Goodguys vendor sales office, call (925) 218-9151 or e-mail them sales@good-guys.com

Helpful Tips on Insurance from Grundy Worldwide

What to Look for when You Shop for Collector Car Insurance
Tips from Grundy Worldwide
By: Becky McLaughlin

Collector car owners can be found across this country; in fact, they are all over this world. Since members of the Grundy family and their friends started restoring and preserving old cars many years ago, outside of Philadelphia, the hobby has boomed in popularity and participation; and, it constantly evolves and grows. Today, there are “car guys” of all kinds: from the antique car owners who cherish the history and preservation of their cars to the muscle car and hot rod owners who divulge in nostalgia… and, from the low-riders of Southern California and the tattooed crowd that partakes in the “Kustom Kulture” scene… to the luxury car owners who attend Concours events. As diverse as these folks may be, they all have one thing in common: they love old cars.

While possessing such love and passion for old cars, it seems natural that car guys would seek out special insurance to protect their most valued possessions. During the search for insurance for a specialty vehicle, there are a few things we at Grundy Worldwide would advise car collectors to consider. We have compiled the following list to help you shop for collector vehicle insurance. We, of course, urge you to insure with us!

1. Agreed Value Insurance
2. What’s Covered
3. Superior Claims Service
4. Company Reputation
5. Customer Service
6. Usage, Storage and Mileage Restrictions
7. Price

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Snap On Tools Delivers The Goods to Goodguys

This year’s Terrific 12 award winners will not only receive some of the country’s most prestigious awards and honors, they’ll also be receiving customized vinyl wrapped toolboxes courtesy of Snap On Tools!

Each Terrific 12 award winner will receive a high quality, Heritage (Classic 78)-series rolling toolbox featuring pictures and themes of their award winning car emblazoned on the box! The box measures (53”W, 19 ½”D, 38 ½” H) and is the perfect addition to the garage!

All Terrific 12 award winners will be displayed together as a group at the 13th Southwest Nationals, November 19-21 at Westworld in Scottsdale. Snap On will be delivering the custom boxes to the winners prior to the start of the show so they can be displayed alongside all 12 vehicles!

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.8 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. For a look at Snap On’s complete line of tools and services, visit www.snapon.com

Special Magazine Awards Announced for 2010

STREET RODDER Magazine and Classic Trucks Magazine have announced their 2010 awards programs and will select their specialty awards at numerous Goodguys events around the country during the coming season! Here’s a look at which magazines will be presenting awards:

Turtle Wax/STREET RODDER TOP 100 (10 cars to be selected at each event)
10th Del Mar Nationals, April 9-11 – Del Mar, CA
5th Nashville Nationals, May 21-23, Nashville, TN
13th PPG Nationals, July 9-11 – Columbus, OH
23rd Pacific Northwest Nationals, July 23-25 – Puyallup, WA
24th West Coast Nationals, August 27-29 – Pleasanton, CA
9th Mid-Western Nationals, September 3-5 – Kansas City, KS
17th Southeastern Nationals, October 29-31 – Charlotte, NC
13th Southwest Nationals, November 19-21 – Scottsdale, AZ

* Each STREET RODDER TOP 100 award winner will receive a custom jacket, photo in the magazine, and a chance at the big year-end prize!

2010 Classic Trucks “Finest Five” (Five trucks to be selected at each event)
10th Del Mar Nationals, April 9-11 – Del Mar, CA
13th Colorado Nationals, June 4-6 – Loveland, CO
9th Mid-Western Nationals, September 3-5 – Kansas City, KS
17th Southeastern Nationals, October 29-31 – Charlotte, NC

* Each Classic Trucks “Finest Five” award winner will receive a custom embroidered jacket and a photo in Classic Trucks!

In addition to the selection of the magazine awards – each publication will feature Goodguys event coverage of the events above so make sure and have your rod, custom, classic or tricked out truck lookin’ extra spiffy for a shot at getting into the magazines!

Cast Your Vote for last year’s Homebuilt Heaven Winners!

It’s time to vote on the 2009 Timberland PRO “Homebuilt Heaven” and “Traditional Homebuilt Heaven” National Champions! THEY NEED YOUR VOTE! All eligible contestants are now featured on the contest page! Both National Champions will receive a beautiful trophy and a $1000 spending spree from Timberland PRO as well as a feature in the 2009 Goodguys Goodtimes Yearbook.

The Timberland PRO “Homebuilt Heaven” award highlights rods, customs, classics and muscle cars that are hand built by their owners at home, in the garage. The “Traditional Homebuilt Heaven” award also highlights rods & customs that are hand built by their owners at home, in the garage but focus more on traditionally styled vehicles.

To vote on this year’s entries, click here:
http://www.good-guys.com/homebuilt09/
. The polls will be open until midnight on Sunday, January 31st. You may only vote once per category.

Thanks for your participation!