Goodguys Give Back, Close Season in Del Mar

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association closed the 2011 season on a high note with the 1st annual Fall Del Mar Nationals at the Del Mar Fairgrounds north of San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend. The first time event attracted well over a thousand cars and a bustling holiday weekend crowd.

The Thanksgiving spirit was enhanced by a toy drive which produced over 2,000 toys for the needy children of San Diego County. In addition, over $2,500 was raised in support of the Camp Pendleton “Wounded Warriors” detachment. The nationwide Wounded Warriors Project is a program designed to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

“We couldn’t be happier with our weekend in Del Mar. It went off great,” said Mission Coordinator Virgil Whitehead. “We had a great spot at the event gates and the hot rodding family came together to support the kids and the Wounded Warriors.”

The successful event looks to have established an annual tradition for Goodguys. “I think all of us at Goodguys are planning on spending many more Thanksgiving weekend’s at the Del Mar Fairgrounds,” said company President Marc Meadors. “You couldn’t ask more from a first time event. The cars and crowds came out and the weather was spectacular. It was a perfect weekend to start a new tradition in Del Mar” he said.

The 2nd annual Goodguys Fall Del Mar Nationals is scheduled for November 23-25, 2012. We hope to see you there!

Put a little Goodguys on Yer Tree!

Just in time for the holidays comes the all new Goodguys limited edition holiday tree ornament! If you’ve got a little motor oil in your veins this is THE ornament your tree needs! The silver shatter-resistant ornament comes with the colorful Goodguys logo printed on one side and is guaranteed to put a little extra horsepower in your holiday tree!

The ornaments are $10.00 plus shipping and handling! Get yours while supplies last! Last year’s ornament sold out quick, so don’t miss out- Get yours now – click here to order today!

1st Fall Del Mar Nationals Underway in Sunny Del Mar!

Greetings Goodguys & Gals! The final event of the 2011 season is underway  at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in ol’ Del Mar! The Goodguys 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals runs today-Sunday Nov 25-27. Over 1,500 1972 & earlier hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and trick trucks will be on display creating a color sense of nostalgia as Goodguys close the door on another great year.

In addition to indoor & outdoor cars shows, the event includes vendor exhibits, a swap meet & cars for sale corral, Goodguys AutoCross (all 3 days!), Surf culture exhibit (featuring Woodies, surf music and more), Nitro Thunderfest (featuring cackling vintage top fuel dragsters), live music, model car show and the all new “Super Sunday” Get-Together welcoming all years, makes and models of American powered cars and trucks on Sunday the 27th.

San Diego resident Don “The Snake” Prudhomme will be on hand at the event talking with fans and exhibiting his “Mongoose & Snake” 70s Ramp Trucks complete with their original Hot Wheels sponsored Funny Cars!

It’s a full final weekend of Goodguys Goodtimes in Del Mar! Be there!

Goodguys 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals
Event Hours:
Friday, Nov 25th 8am to 5pm,
Saturday, Nov 26th 8am to 5pm
Sunday, Nov 27th 8am to 3pm

General admission
Adults $18
Kids 7-12 $6
Kids 6 and under FREE
Fairgrounds parking is $9.

-Bring a new unwrapped toy and get a $3.00 coupon good for a discount on your admission!
Participant Fees:
Weekend Registration $75 (includes the car & two people for the weekend)
Sunday Only Registration $40 (includes the car & two people for the day)
All New Super Sunday Registration for Late Model American Cars: $40 click here for a $10 discount coupon and enter for just $30 http://www.falldelmarnats.com/pdf/ss_flyer.pdf

Swap Meet - $55 at the gate. Same price for Car Corral

For complete event details visit www.falldelmarnats.com

Toy Drive Highlights This Weekend’s 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association with assistance from “Wounded Warriors” and US Marine Corp. San Diego will conduct a “Toys for Tots” toy drop during the upcoming Goodguys Fall Del Mar Nationals Car Show which runs November 25-27 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Attendees who bring a new, unwrapped toy will get a coupon good for $3.00 off admission!

The Goodguys 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals features over 1,500 souped up American cars of all years, makes and models sprawled throughout the scenic Del Mar Fairgrounds. More than just a car show, the event includes the popular Goodguys AutoCross (electronically timed vehicle agility course), a special “Surf Culture” display with over 40 woodie wagons, surf board shaping and vintage surf music, a Super Sunday Get-Together featuring all years, makes and models of American powered cars and trucks on Sunday the 27th, a swap meet and car corral, vendor exhibits and a “Nitro Thunderfest” with vintage top fuel dragsters from the 1960s.

The Fall Del Mar Nationals is the final Goodguys event of the 2011 season and event organizers wanted to reach out to the San Diego community with the Toys for Tots toy drop. “We felt our Fall Del Mar Nationals would be a great opportunity to help needy children and kick off the holiday season,” said company president Marc Meadors. “With assistance from our friends with the “Wounded Warriors” San Diego, we look to having a successful event and bring some smiles to area children. I urge all attendees to bring a toy and make someone’s holiday a little brighter.”
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in Los Angeles in 1947 by Marine reservist Major William L. Hendricks. Their goal is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

The “Wounded Warriors” of San Diego, who will assist in collection of the toys at the Fall Del Mar Nationals is a non-profit organization that takes care of the needs of wounded soldiers.

For more on the Goodguys 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals visit www.falldelmarnats.com

Super Sunday Get Together This Weekend in Del Mar!

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is proud to announce a “Super Sunday Get-Together” promotion this Sunday, November 27th in conjunction with the 1st annual Fall Del Mar Nationals Nov 25-27 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Goodguys Super Sunday Get-Together, which welcomes all years, makes and models of American made or American powered cars and trucks has opened a new avenue for car guys and gals of all ages to get in on the fun of attending a Goodguys National event!

All Del Mar Super Sunday Get-Together participants are welcome to participate in all phases of the event including the show and shine as well as the AutoCross! The electronically timed Goodguys AutoCross is FREE to all registered event participants. Participants will also be eligible for show awards as the Goodguys staff will select 10 or more awards from the Super Sunday Get-Together cars.

To register for the Super Sunday just drive your show car to the Del Mar Hilton across the street from the Fairgrounds Sunday morning and register. From there you just head into the event gates! To save $10 bucks on registration, download the coupon below! That’s a full day of showing your car, plus two adult general admission tickets and a full day of fun for just $30 bucks!

See you Sunday!

Alabama’s Scott Gifford Wins CleanAir 55 Chevy!

45 year old Scott Gifford of Valley Head, Alabama has won the 1955 Chevy “Project CleanAir ‘55” grand prize giveaway car. The car was given away this afternoon at the Goodguys 14th Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, Arizona. Gifford was unable to attend the event but taking his place in the ceremony was Roger Lee of Ironworks Speed & Kustom – builder’s of the car.

Gifford was one of 19 finalists with a chance to win the car. He was the lone member qualifier, randomly drawn by a computer from over 70,000 current Goodguys members worldwide. There was one online qualifier and the other 17 were finalists from events throughout the 2011 season. As the ceremony unfolded, Lee, who had drawn key #14 on behalf of Gifford stepped forward and his key was the only one that started the clean red ’55 Chevy convertible.

Reached at his home in Alabama, Gifford was beyond ecstatic. Huddled around the phone with his wife Suzan and their 3 children, they hooted and hollered as they received the good news. “Goodguys is the best,” he said. “I’ve wanted to set up my ’67 F 100 Ford truck for Autocross and I will but I’ll also be out Autocrossing the ’55 Chevy. I’ve read up on the car. It’s a really nice machine. I can’t believe I won it!”

Gifford has been a Goodguys member for just over a year. In addition to his F-100 Ford show truck he owns a ’67 Mustang as well as a ’31 Ford Tudor. Add to that the CleanAir ’55 Chevy!

Designed by Hermance and built by Ironworks Speed & Kustom with paint & body by Kenny Davis Hot Rods, Project CleanAir ’55 is powered by an emissions-legal 433 horsepower LS 3 E-Rod motor, rides on an Ironworks ’55 Chassis and features a Recovery Room stitched brown leather interior with a Kicker audio system. The vibrant red paint is courtesy of PPG.

Congratulations to the Gifford family on their new classic Chevy!

1st Fall Del Mar Nationals Closes Out Goodguys 2011 Season This Holiday Weekend!

The final event of the 2011 season comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds in ol’ Del Mar this Thanksgiving weekend! The Goodguys 1st Fall Del Mar Nationals runs Friday-Sunday Nov 25-27 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Over 1,500 1972 & earlier hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and trick trucks will be on display creating a color sense of nostalgia as Goodguys close the door on another great year.

In addition to indoor & outdoor cars shows, the event includes vendor exhibits, a swap meet & cars for sale corral, Goodguys AutoCross (all 3 days!), Surf culture exhibit (featuring Woodies, surf music and more), Nitro Thunderfest (featuring cackling vintage top fuel dragsters), live music, model car show and the all new “Super Sunday” Get-Together welcoming all years, makes and models of American powered cars and trucks on Sunday the 27th.

San Diego resident Don “The Snake” Prudhomme will be on hand at the event talking with fans and exhibiting his “Mongoose & Snake” 70s Ramp Trucks complete with their original Hot Wheels sponsored Funny Cars!

It’s a full final weekend of Goodguys Goodtimes in Del Mar! Be there!

Event Hours:
Friday, Nov 25th 8am to 5pm,
Saturday, Nov 26th 8am to 5pm
Sunday, Nov 27th 8am to 3pm

General admission
Adults $18
Kids 7-12 $6
Kids 6 and under FREE
Fairgrounds parking is $9.
-Bring a new unwrapped toy and get a $3.00 coupon good for a discount on your admission!

Participant Fees:
Weekend Registration $75 (includes the car & two people for the weekend)
Sunday Only Registration $40 (includes the car & two people for the day)
All New Super Sunday Registration for Late Model American Cars: $40 click here for a $10 discount coupon and enter for just $30 http://www.falldelmarnats.com/pdf/ss_flyer.pdf
Swap Meet – $55 at the gate. Same price for Car Corral

For complete event details visit www.falldelmarnats.com

Champions Arena to Feature 2011 Terrific 12 Award Winners in Scottsdale

In what has become an annual tradition at the Goodguys Southwest Nationals, all 2011 Terrific 12 award winners will be displayed together as a group inside the “Champions Arena” presented by the Street Rod Headquarters at the 14th Southwest Nationals November 18-20 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The winners will be coming in from all over America, giving fans an up close look at the country’s finest rods, customs, muscle cars and trucks. “It’s become one of the most popular event attractions of the year” said Goodguys VP of Event Operations Harry Daviess. “To have each major national Goodguys award winner parked inside the same arena is a rare and special opportunity not to be missed.”Adding to the uniqueness of the exhibit will be each winner’s custom toolbox from Snap-on. Each winner receives their toolbox in Scottsdale, wrapped with pictures of their ride.

The Champions Arena presented by Street Rod Headquarters will be located on the upper paved paddock at Westworld next to the giant exhibit tent. Don’t miss it! Here’s a look at all 12 winners!

The Goodguys 2011 Mother’s West Coast Custom of the Year – Joe Proski’s ’50 Merc

The Goodguys 2011 March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance – Jeffrey Chandler’s ’33 Ford

The Goodguys 2011 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year – Phil & Debbie Becker’s ’32 Ford

The Goodguys 2011 Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year – Alex Covington’s ’67 Nova

The Goodguys 2011 Flowmaster America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod – Harold Wiley’s ’39 Buick

The Goodguys 2011 Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year – Bruce & Judy Ricks’ 56 Ford

The Goodguys 2011 Grundy Kustom of the Year – Ken & Jan Wall’s ’36 Ford

The Goodguys 2011 Detroit Speed Muscle Machine of the Year – Gerry Kerna’s ’62 Chevy

The Goodguys 2011 Hemming’s Muscle Machines Muscle Car of the Year – Ted Stephens ’68 Dodge

The Goodguys 2011 LMC Trucks Truck of the Year Late – Travis Noack’s ’56 Ford F-100

The Goodguys 2011 Street Rod HQ Truck of the Year Early – George Poteet’s ’34 Ford

14th Southwest Nationals Rumbles into Westworld in Scottsdale This Weekend!

The penultimate event of the 2011 season comes to Westworld in Scottsdale this weekend as the 14th Southwest Nationals takes center stage! 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 “Champions Arena” presented by Street Rod Headquarters will feature all “Terrific 12” award winners from this season 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 and their custom Snap-on toolboxes too!

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 Drew’s Garage in Tempe for the Thursday evening kick-off party! Hot Rods by Dean and founder Dean Livermore will then host the 5th annual Goodguys Southwest Nationals TGIF party on Friday the 18th starting at 5pm.

Project CleanAir ’55 will be given away Sunday, November 20th at the 14th SW Nationals! Make sure and deposit your Sunday Lucky ticket for one last chance to win!

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! Plus don’t forget Sunday’s Grand Prize Giveaway ceremony featuring the “CleanAir ’55!” Make sure and deposit your Sunday Lucky ticket for one last chance to win! The Southwestern climate is PERFECT in mid-November so come on out! We’ll see you there!

Event Hours:
Fri 8-5
Sat 8-5
Sun 8-3

Tickets:
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

Tom Overton wins 1969 Chevelle Giveaway Car!

Tom Overton and his wife Johanna had a day to remember at the Goodguys 22nd Autumn Get-Together. They drove to today’s event together but happily drove home in separate cars as Tom won the 1969 Chevelle SS 396 Giveaway car presented by J Rockcliff Realtors, CBS 5 and radio station KITS FM, known locally in the bay area as “Live 105.”

Overton, a retired San Leandro, CA police officer couldn’t believe his luck. “I had an SS 396 El Camino but it was stolen and never recovered. Today’s my lucky day” he said with a large grin. A resident of nearby Dublin, CA, who’s also an avid motorcyclist Overton plans to bring the car right back to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds for next year’s events. “I’m gonna keep it and cruise it,” he said. “Maybe even do a burnout!”

The striking muscle car include the big block 396CID engine, front disc brakes, factory SS wheels, power steering, factory bucket seats, air conditioning, Flowmaster exhaust and original Daytona yellow paint. It’s the 6th car in the last 13 years Goodguys has given away as a promotion in Northern California.

Congratulations to Tom from all of us at Goodguys!

Truck Exhibit Highlights this weekend’s Autumn Get-Together!

If you dig trucks then you’ll really dig this weekend’s 22nd Autumn Get-Together at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds! The entire Young California building at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds will be filled to the brim with over 50 trick trucks of all shapes, sizes and styles!

Leading the charge will be “The Patriot” Monster Truck from D Rodoni Racing. Custom painted and highly modified semi trucks, street trucks, street rod trucks and late model trucks will also be featured!

Bring your camera! It’s gonna be a great weekend in Pleasanton! And don’t forget to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots toy drop and get a $2.00 discount coupon!

For more visit www.autumngettogether.com

22nd Autumn Get-Together Takes Center Stage This Weekend!

The Goodguys northern California season comes to a glorious close this weekend at the 22nd Autumn Get-Together, November 12 & 13 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. Two big days of car lovin’ fun are on tap! Goodguys has teamed with the Livermore/Pleasanton Fire Department to conduct a “Toys for Tots” toy drop on Saturday, November 12th. Attendees who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive a coupon for $2.00 off general admission. All toys collected will be distributed as holiday gifts to needy children in the local community!

Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a $2.00 discount coupon towards admission!

This year’s 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 throttle-mashing Goodguys Autocross, pinstriper’s “Brush Bash”, a model car show and arts & crafts!

Not one but two Batmobiles will be on display inside the Young California building!

Featured vehicles at the 22nd Autumn Get-Together include two versions of the world famous “Batmobile” as well as the “Patriot” monster truck. All three will be displayed indoors.

Both participants and spectators will also have one last chance to win the ’69 Chevelle Giveaway Car (stop by the J Rockcliff Realtors/Live 105 booth for your chance to register)! It’s gonna be a bonafide happenin’ in P-Town so bring your car, bring yourself and your neighbors to the 22nd Autumn Get-Together this weekend in Pleasanton – it’s affordable fun the whole family will enjoy! Click here to purchase tickets: http://www.autumngettogether.com

The J Rockcliff/Live 105 ’69 Chevelle will be given away Sunday, Nov 13th! Register to win it at the show this weekend!

Event Hours
Sat 8am-5pm
Sun 8am-4pm

Admission Fees:
Adult General Admission: $17
Kids 7-12 $6
Kids 6 & under are free
*Bring a new unwrapped toy and get a $2.00 coupon good for a discount on general admission!

Show & Shine Fees:
Weekend Registration: $60 (includes car & two people)
Sunday Only Registration: $40 (includes car & two people)
Car Corral:
Weekend: $60
Sunday Only: $40

Swap Meet:
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)

Ring Brothers Named Goodguys Trendsetters for 2011

Las Vegas, NV – Mike and Jim Ring, renowned designers and builders of cutting edge Muscle Cars and Street Machines were dual recipients of the Goodguys 2011 Trendsetter Award. The award is presented annually to rising talents in the realm of rod & custom car building. They received the award in front of their peers at the Hot Rod Industry Alliance Industry Reception held during this week’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

With an affinity for 1960s era Muscle Cars featuring cutting edge design, extreme performance and precision, the Ring Brothers have become a household name in the automotive aftermarket industry. Working from their Spring Green, Wisconsin shop, they’ve turned out a decade-long stream of trend-setting machines.

Projects like the “Reactor” ’67 Mustang and “Razor” ’69 Camaro have brought the Ring Brothers international acclaim and top awards including the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year two consecutive years, Mother’s Shine and Ford Design awards. They received the “Golden Builder” award at the Hot Rod & Restoration industry show in Indianapolis as well as being named Car Craft Magazine’s Pro Builder of the Year award.

They grew up two of seven kids in and small Wisconsin home and have stayed in the Badger state their entire adult lives. They got their start rebuilding custom cars as kids using discarded lawn mower engines they found near their father’s service station. And they’ve been designing and fabricating ever since.

Their Spring Green, Wisconsin shop is a hub of activity. In addition to building their signature Muscle Cars and Street Machines they’ve also gained recognition as parts manufacturer’s offering a full line of billet aluminum accessories for Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Mopar vehicles. Their trailer can be found on the Midway at most industry events offering customers a closer look at their cutting edge designs.

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.

Southwest Nationals Hot Rod Tour Kick Starts Big Weekend in Scottsdale!

The Goodguys 14th Southwest Nationals is just a few short weeks away and promises to be bigger and better than ever this year! While the weekend will be full of show & shine fun at Westworld, the action officially gets started Thursday, November 17th with the annual Hot Rod Tour hosted by the Over the Hill Gang!

Seven stops are featured in this year’s tour which visits hot rod shops and places of automotive interest in and around the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas before ending at Drew’s Garage for the official event kickoff party! There are two food stops included as well! The gang at Desert Valley Auto Parts will serve lunch while the Drew’s Garage team will roll out there awesome dinner spread!

Don’t miss this festive annual tradition and your chance to see some cool shops and meet new friends! Here are this year’s tour stops:

Stop #1
Vintage Auto Repair LLC
2120 E Rose Garden Ln, Phoenix, AZ 85024

Stop #2
Creative Audio Werks
21006 N 22nd St Suite A1.
Phoenix, AZ 85050

Stop #3
Smarty’s Garage
2660 #20 E. Mohawk Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85050

Stop #4 – Lunch stop! Lunch served after 11am
Desert Valley Auto Parts
22213 north 21st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85085

Stop #5
Brighton Motor Sports
15650 N. Northsight Blvd #1
Scottsdale Az, 85260

Stop #6
Discover Classic Cars
7224 E McDowell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Stop #7 – Final Stop – Kickoff party and food served after 5pm!
Drew’s Garage
410 S. Perry Lane
Tempe, AZ 85281

SEMA Show Update!

Greetings from Las Vegas and the 2011 SEMA Show here at the Las Vegas Convention Center! This year’s event is bustling with activity. It’s the busiest SEMA show we’ve seen in years which is great news for the entire automotive aftermarket industry!

Our booth, featuring project “CleanAir ’55″ is located right in the heart of Hot Rod Alley – just look for our banner at both #22775. If you’re at the show drop by and get a 2012 event schedule, renew your Goodguys membership or a brand new Goodguys Gazette!