Missouri Hot Rodder Tom Ramsey wins BOSS SNAKE

The 2010 Grand Prize Giveaway Car, the BOSS SNAKE was won by Hazelwood, Missouri’s Tom Ramsey here at the 13th Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ramsey qualified as a finalist at the 5th Nashville Nationals in May. He first joined Goodguys when he and his wife Linda went to the Hot Rod Nationals in Indianapolis back in 2006. The BOSS SNAKE will join the couple’s Speedway Motors ’32 Ford roadster lowboy in their garage. They’re also building a ’29 Ford Tudor which they hope to complete next spring.

When he was in his 20’s Ramsey was a big Muscle Car enthusiast owning such classics as a ’66 Chevy II Super Sport, ’70 Dodge Charger, ’69 Corvette, as well as 1976 & 1979 Trans Am’s. He now has the ultimate muscle car in which to relive his youth!

One of the first words out his mouth after his lucky key fired the ‘SNAKE was “Yippeeeee! I’m drivin’ it back to St Louis!” He planned to start his journey the day after he won the car.

Built completely in house by RPM and designed by Kaucher Kustoms, The BOSS SNAKE features a 770 horsepower Jon Kaase built 520 cubic inch Boss Hemi, Ride Tech suspension featuring Chris Alston components, PPG Goodguys Yellow Paint, Custom one off Intro Wheels, Baer 6 piston brakes with 14 inch rotors, Classic Instruments Gauges, Custom Interior by RPM, Custom exhaust by RPM and Stainless Works, Custom Flowmaster stainless exhaust, a Tremec Magnum 6 speed transmission, Centerforce clutch and hundreds of intricately fabricated parts and pieces by RPM.

The BOSS SNAKE is a replica of the ultra rare “QuarterHorse” Mustang of which there were only two known to exist.

’68 Firebird won by Tucson couple

Matthew Kaiser of Tucson, Arizona was the lucky winner of the ’68 Firebird here at the 13th Southwest Nationals. A power plant operator by day and car enthusiast on the weekends, Kaiser and his wife Margarett went wild when Matthew’s key started the bright yellow bird. “This is the first time I’ve ever won anything he said.”

The Firebird went to a true car enthusiast. Kaiser drives his 1970 Chevy C-10 pickup to work every day and also has a ’39 Ford sedan as well as a ’64 Karmann Ghia convertible. He plans to drive as well as show off his new ‘Bird. He qualified as a finalist to win the car at the 1st Spring Nationals here in March. Ironically, he drew key #9 during the giveaway ceremony. His son Benjamin just turned nine years old on November 6th and instead of asking for presents, Benjamin went out on a fundraising mission to raise money for juvenile diabetes as a friend of his suffers from that ailment.

The ’68 ‘Bird is a real beauty featuring Goodguy Yellow paint , a potent 400 c.i. Chevy small block with a 4 speed manual transmission and an all original black interior, Intro Rally five-spokes (18” and 20”) wrapped in BF Goodrich G Force KDW tires and accessories by Fesler Built.

A special thank you to KOOL 94.5FM and KPHO CBS 5 here in Phoenix who partnered with Goodguys on this special giveaway car!

300+ Autumn Get-Together Photos Now Available

Check out the photos from the 2010 Autumn Get-Together

Gallery Here

Nearly 400 Southeastern Nationals Photos Now Available!

View online at www.southeasternnats.com

Photos shot by the Goodguys Gazette Crew. All photos available for purchase!

Giveaway Car Bonanza this weekend in Scottsdale!

A big weekend is on tap in Scottsdale starting Friday but things really heat up Sunday the 21st when Goodguys will give away two cars! The BOSS SNAKE and the ’68 Firebird will both go to new homes Sunday evening!

The cars will be given away at the conclusion of Sunday’s 13th Southwest Nationals awards ceremony which officially closes the 2010 event season. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 2:22pm.

The BOSS SNAKE, built by 2010 Trendsetter Curt Ukasik and the team at RPM Hot Rods has been on a yearlong giveaway promotion tour since making its debut right here in Scottsdale in March. Finalists have been qualified throughout the year via the Sunday lucky ticket program and through a random membership pull. Allen Chernik, a Goodguys member from Freeland, Michigan was drawn as the member qualifier. Chernik will join all of the Sunday lucky ticket finalists at the ceremony for a shot to win the high performance G-Machine.

The yellow ’68 Pontiac Firebird has been part of a year and a half long promotion between Goodguys and Phoenix based 94.5 KOOL FM radio. The station has been qualifying finalists since last year’s Southwest Nationals when the car made its debut.

Time still remains to win both cars! This weekend’s Southwest Nationals participants can qualify as a finalist for the BOSS SNAKE by having their Sunday Lucky ticket drawn at Sunday’s awards ceremony. For a shot at winning the ’68 Firebird, stop by the KOOL FM booth and fill out an enter to win ticket! Good luck to all! We’ll announce both winner right here on Hot News Monday morning!

For a complete look at this weekend’s event visit www.southwestnats.com

Dream Come True for ’65 Mustang Winner

San Francisco’s Cassandra Anderson won herself a custom 1965 Mustang at today’s 21st Autumn Get-Together at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. The bright red Mustang served as a special year-long promotion between Goodguys, CBS5 and San Francisco based radio station Live 105.

For Anderson, a project manager at a bay area based biotech firm, winning the Mustang was a dream come true, literally. She told the assembled crowd after winning the car how she and her family drove from Washington D.C. to their new home in San Francisco in beige on beige ‘65 Mustang in the 70s. Ever since that cross country trip she’d wanted one saying it was “her dream to own a ’65 Mustang.”

An automotive enthusiast for years and a regular at bay area hot rod events like the Goodguys shows, Billetproof and Jimmy’s old car Picnic, Anderson first learned of the Mustang giveaway when she attended the West Coast Nationals in August. “After filling out an entry form at the August show, I went to the Live 105 website and entered the contest every single day for over a month,” she said with a smile. “The radio station finally called me just this week to tell me I was a finalist. When I drew the 15th key in today’s contest, I was pretty sure I was going to win it. Ever since I was a kid, 15 has been my lucky number!”

And just like that, the pretty girl with the pink flower in her hair drove off with the car she’d always dreamed of.

2010 Season Ends this weekend in Scottsdale! Be there!

Event website:
www.southwestnats.com

The 2010 event season comes to a climactic close this weekend as the 13th Southwest Nationals cruises into West World of Scottsdale! The popular event features close to 3,000 1972 & earlier rods, customs & classics, indoor and outdoor vendor exhibits, a great swap meet and cars for sale corral, model car show, special exhibits, kick off parties and everything else the hot rod lover could want!

The 2010 “Terrific 12” award winners presented by Street Rod Headquarters will be on display at the event all weekend (as well as their custom Snap-on toolboxes!) highlighting a fantastic year of the country’s top rods, customs, muscle cars and trucks. DO NOT miss the chance to see America’s finest automobiles up close!

The Southwestern climate is PERFECT in mid-November! The weekend activities get started early beginning with Thursday’s Hot Rod Cruise. Hosted by the Over the Hill Gang, the Hot Rod Cruise visits several rod shops and collections around the Phoenix area then its on to Squeeg’s in Chandler for the Thursday evening kick off party! Hot Rods by Dean and founder Dean Livermore will then host the 4th annual Goodguys Southwest Nationals TGIG party on Friday starting at 5pm.

The weekend festivities really accelerate Saturday and Sunday as the event gets into full swing on the grass at Westworld. Please come early as traffic tends to be on the heavy side with thousands of revelers coming to see the show! Close out 2009 with Goodguys in Scottsdale! We’ll see you there!

Event Hours:
Fri 8-5
Sat 8-5
Sun 8-3
General Admission: $18
Kids 7-12: $6
Participant weekend registration fee: $75 (includes the car and two people)
Sunday only fee: $40 (includes the car and two people)
Swap Meet & Car Corral spaces: $75 (limited availability) call 480-488-3607 for info.
Event website:
www.southwestnats.com

Win a Mustang this weekend!

Your last chance to register to win this clean ’65 Mustang cruiser is this weekend at the 21st Autumn Get-Together in Pleasanton! It’s easy to register – just stop by the Live 105 booth at the show, fill out a quick entry form and BAM – you’re entered! The vehicle will be given away Sunday afternoon following the awards ceremony.

The ‘Stang is a super clean 60’s machine powered by a 289 V8 engine/C4 transmission. It also features power steering, power disc brakes, Holley carb, Accel billet distributor, black interior, Grant Steering wheel, fire engine red paint, and polished American 5 spokes!

It’s the fifth car in the last twelve years Goodguys has given away as a promotion in Northern California. Enter to win! You might be driving a muscle car come Sunday afternoon!

Full Details About the ’65 Mustang Giveaway Here

13th Southwest Nationals Kick Off Party Looks to be a Dandy!

The annual Southwest Nationals Hot Rod Tour, scheduled for Thursday, November 18th is set and ready thanks to our friends and event host club “The Over the Hill Gang!” This year’s tour looks to be the best yet with stops all across the valley of the sun from Cave Creek out the Chandler and points in between! You’ll want to make sure your rod, custom, muscle car or classic has a full tank of gas for this one! The tour leaves Westworld Thursday 11/18 at 9:30am sharp! Check out this impressive list of stops!

Stop #1 – AJ’s Garage (Cave Creek). This spectacular Cave Creek residence features a huge garage/shop capable of maybe 100 cars. There will be plenty of interesting completed and project vehicles on hand.

Stop # 2 – Desert Valley Auto Parts (North Phoenix). Check out this 30 acre salvage yard soon to be featured on a television reality show! The show’s concept is to take a car from the yard, (a classic) restore it and run it through an auction!

Stop #3 – Ciadella’s Interiors (Tempe). This interior factory specializes in original classic Chevy’s. They will have customer cars on display as well as a shop walk-through tour followed by a FREE LUNCH! Lunch is free to all tour participants and will be served at NOON.

Stop #4 – Garage Town (Chandler). This unique “car condo” is a garage community where private collectors store their vehicles. Several of the garage condos will be opened by their owners for us to drool over!

Stop #5 – Speed Sport (Gilbert). Speed Sport, or better known as the “home of the fast guys” specialize in muscle cars, custom injections, turbo systems and fabrication. We’ll have a sneak peak at the new building scheduled for completion around Thanksgiving!

Stop #6 – Squeeg’s Kustoms (Chandler). The 6th and final stop of the tour will serve as the official Southwest Nationals Kick Off Party! Check out Squeeg’s brand new shop located at 341 E Alamo Drive in Chandler and check out the customer cars! A mexican dinner will be served along with beer and wine!

*Out of respect to the shops kind enough to let us tour their facilities, please do not arrive early at any of the tour stops. Thank you! For a complete look at the 13th Southwest Nationals visit http://www.southwestnats.com

Time to GET-TOGETHER in Pleasanton one last time!

The Goodguys northern California season comes to a glorious close this weekend at the 21st Autumn Get-Together, November 13 & 14 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. Two big days of car lovin’ fun are on tap!

The event features an outdoor show & shine with over 2,500 American powered cars of all years, makes & models, plus an impressive lineup of exciting event features including a special indoor car show highlighting trucks of all makes, shapes and styles, vendor exhibits, a huge swap meet & cars for sale corral, the tire-screeching Goodguys Autocross, a model car show and arts & crafts!

Both participants and spectators will also have one last chance to win the Goodguys 1965 Ford Mustang Giveaway Car (stop by the Live 105 booth for your chance to register)! It’s gonna be a bonafide happenin’ in P-Town so bring your car, or bring yourself and your neighbors to the 21st Autumn Get-Together this weekend in Pleasanton – it’s affordable fun the whole family will enjoy!

Event Hours
Sat 8am-5pm
Sun 8am-4pm
Admission Fees:
Adult General Admission: $17
Kids 7-12 $6
Kids 6 & under are free
Show & Shine Fees:
Weekend Registration: $60 (includes car & two people)
Sunday Only Registration: $40 (includes car & two people)
Car Corral Fees:
Weekend: $60
Sunday Only: $40
Swap Meet Fees:
10 x 20 swap space $65 (auto related items only)
Swap Meet Set Up Hours
Fri 2pm-7pm (Enter Gate #12)
Sat 4am-8am (Enter Gate #5)
For complete event details visit – http://www.autumngettogether.com/

On a Mission – Goodguys Goodtimes come to Haiti

Thanks to some special Goodguys and gals, the children of Haiti have become Goodguys in their own right. Through the charitable efforts of the Westerville, Ohio based Lifeline Christian Mission, Goodguys has had the fortune of donating gifts, tee shirts and hats to school kids in some of Haiti’s remote mountain schools.

Goodguys first met the folks at Lifeline Christian Mission through one of their Charlotte, North Carolina churches. While helping work event registration at the Southeastern Nationals a numbers of year back, the folks from Lifeline told us about their outreach program which includes aid and service to Haiti, El Salvador and Cuba.

The Goodguys team felt perhaps our colorful shirts adorned with images of hot rods and customs would go a long way in spreading good cheer in earthquake and hurricane ravaged Haiti.

As you can see from the photos, the merchandise brought smiles to the Haitian’s! All of us at Goodguys would like to thank the Lifeline team for their generosity, courage and service! To find out more about Lifeline Christian Mission or assist them on a project, visit them online here: http://www.lifeline.org/index.html

Curt Ukasik named 2010 trendsetter!

Las Vegas, NV – Curt Ukasik of RPM Hot Rods in Warrendale, Pennsylvania was presented with the Goodguys Trendsetter award in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award is presented annually at the SEMA show to rising young talents in the realm of rod & custom car building.

Hand crafting cars in the mountains of southeastern Pennsylvania, Ukasik has left his mark on the industry in both hot rod and muscle car fabrication. With a vision to build cutting edge cars that combine reliability, style and extreme performance, he has taken RPM Hot Rods to the forefront of the industry. He and his talented team turned out the Goodguys 2009 Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year (Bill Steele’s Model A) as well as the Goodguys 2009 Detroit Speed Muscle Machine of the Year (Bryan Frank’s ’69 Pontiac Trans Am) before setting his sights on the 2010 Goodguys Grand Prize Giveaway Car – the BOSS SNAKE.

Starting with nothing more than a Dynacorn body, various parts from suppliers and a Jon Kaase BOSS 429 hemi, RPM Hot Rods hand built the majority of the car, including suspension, engine and body modifications turning it into a muscle car masterpiece to recreate the famed “Quarterhorse” cars from the 1970s. The original Quarterhorse Mustangs didn’t allow room for a BOSS 429 shotgun hemi, necessitating a complete reconfiguration of the car’s inner structures. Ukasik and his team made it look so seamless it appeared as though it rolled off an assembly line somewhere in Detroit. Ukasik is the 13th recipient of the prestigious award.

Past recipients of the Goodguys Trendsetter Award include; Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Eric Peratt, Tim Strange, Dave Lane, Zane Cullen, Dean Livermore, Jesse Greening, Troy Ladd, J.F. Launier and Phil and Jeremy Gerber.

Nearly 400 Nostalgia Nationals Photos Now Online!

Check out the “BIG” gallery at http://www.nostalgianats.com/2010

All photos available for purchase! Not just photos, but gifts too!

SEMA Show Underway in Las Vegas

The 2010 SEMA Show is underway here in Las Vegas and the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is right in the thick of the action! We’re located at booth #22775 on Hot Rod Alley. We’ve seen lots of friends, members and industry partners so far, many coming to gawk at the BOSS SNAKE Grand Prize Giveaway Car which is located inside the booth. We’ve got plenty of 2011 event schedules, Gazette’s and yearbooks to give away too!

The excitement is already starting to build for tomorrow’s autograph session! Twelve former Goodguys trendsetter award winners will participate in an exclusive poster signing Wednesday, November 3rd from 10am to NOON at the Goodguys booth. The all-star cast of builders scheduled to attend include Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Eric Peratt, Tim Strange, Dave Lane, Zane Cullen, Jesse Greening, Dean Livermore, Troy Ladd, J.F. Launier and Phil & Jeremy Gerber. Free commemorative posters will be personally signed and given out while supplies last!

Goodguys welcomes WIX Filters to the family!

WIX® Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, will become the Official Filter of The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the world’s largest hot rod and custom organization, beginning in January 2011.

“WIX is proud to be the Official Filter of Goodguys,” said Jeff Blocher, brand manager for WIX Filters, which recently signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with Goodguys. “We look forward to sharing the passion for custom hot rods with Goodguys’ 70,000 members and the hundreds of thousands of car enthusiasts that attend their annual events across the United States.”

The sponsorship agreement includes WIX as the title sponsor at the 1st WIX Filters Speedway Nationals at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sept. 16-18. The 21 events in 2011 begin in March and run through November. The complete 2011 Goodguys schedule can be viewed online.

Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment. WIX, a member of the Affinia family of brands, is the number one filter in NASCAR and an exclusive NASCAR Performance Product. Its NASCAR relationship also includes the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award, which recognizes the drivers leading the most laps in each race. For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com.

Affinia Group Inc. is an innovative global leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and marketing of industrial grade products and services, including extensive offerings of aftermarket parts for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles. With approximately $1.8 billion in annual revenue, Affinia has operations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and India. For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com