A Closer Look at the Goodguys 2011 Grundy Custom Rod of the Year award

The Goodguys 2011 Grundy Worldwide Insurance Custom Rod of the Year award criteria has been modified from previous years. Under the older award criteria, a custom rod was defined as a custom car which tastefully blended traditional customizing techniques with modern day performance, engineering, components and styling.

( Bob Rosencrant’s 1949 Plymouth is the perfect example of a Custom Rod that fits both the older as well as the new criteria. Custom body modifications as well as drivetrain and suspension mods work well here. )

Those types of Custom Rods are still out there and are still eligible to win today, but out of necessity, Goodguys needed to open the award to stock bodied vehicles which fall more under the “Resto Mod” style (stock bodied 50s and 60s cars with custom wheels, interior and modified suspension).

Here’s a closer look at this year’s award, where finalists will be selected and the new criteria. You’ll also notice photographic examples explaining the differences between styles of Custom Rods old and new.

Goodguys 2011 Grundy Worldwide Insurance Custom Rod of the Year:
A finalist will be selected at each of the following events:
2nd Spring Nationals, March 11-13, Scottsdale, AZ
1st Spring Lone Star Nationals, March 18-20, Ft Worth, TX
6th Nashville Nationals, May 20-22, Nashville, TN
14th Colorado Nationals, June 3-5, Loveland, CO
20th Heartland Nationals, July 1-3, Des Moines, IA
10th Midwestern Nationals, Sept 2-4, Kansas City
*The winner will be selected from the six finalists chosen at these events. The winner will be announced Friday, October 7th on www.good-guys.com!

Who’s Eligible: Custom Rods 1949 through 1972 vintage.
How to Enter the Competition: Attend any of the six events listed above in your custom rod, park in the “Builders Choice” area and you’ll have a chance to be selected as a finalist! One finalist will be chosen from each of the six events listed.
Basic Criteria: A custom rod is defined as a custom car which tastefully blends customizing techniques or factory stock bodies with modern day performance, engineering, components and styling.