Goodguys: History, hot rods and more
Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is America's leader in hot rod show and event planning. Founded by Gary Meadors in 1983, Goodguys has over 70,000 members from around the world; they are enthusiasts dedicated to hot rods and preserving their history. The corporate headquarters are in Pleasanton, Calif. In 2006, Goodguys will host 24 shows from Washington to California, across the Midwest, and even in the Eastern United States, from Florida to New York. An event with 20,000 or more attendees may last a couple of days; one with more than 100,000 attendees can last up to four days. Goodguys has an event to satisfy all tastes: dragsters, hot rods, rat rods and street machines.
Visitors receive special treatment
At every Goodguys event, participants receive special treatment. It's customary for Goodguys to give each one a Goodguys yearbook, a copy of the Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette, a goodie bag, a beverage stein, a name badge and an event dash plaque. Participants are given other souvenir items depending on the event type.
At many shows, vehicles are displayed so far away that it's difficult to see beyond the cars' exteriors. At Goodguys events, however, spectators can view the automobiles up close. This provides attendees with a more personal experience with the cars and trucks they love
Entertainment from the past
Goodguys events are always fun and lively. Musical entertainment from regional and national bands such as the Coasters, Papa Doo Run Run, the Van Dells and the Drifters is offered to take event guests back in time. There are nighttime parties with dancing and musical stage shows.
Affecting the community
When thousands of hot rod fans flood a town, so do the dollar bills. When a Goodguys event is in the area, hotels are filled, restaurants and popular sites are busy, and nightlife booms. Local and national magazines and newspapers usually cover the events, too.
Goodguys publications
Goodguys has its own publications: Goodtimes Yearbook and Goodtimes Gazette. They both provide year-round coverage for events as well as the latest trends in hot rodding.
Goodtimes Yearbook features photos of hot rods and shows from the previous season. Fans can keep it as memorabilia for shows they've attended. Also, Goodtimes Gazette is published monthly and covers hot rod events, hot rod heroes, individual hot rod owners, hot rod resources and companies, and hot rod news. Both publications keep hot rod lovers in touch with their favorite hobby.
Prize giveaways
Attending a Goodguys show can mean winning a prize. For more than a decade, Goodguys has given away trucks, cars, specialty hot rod products and more. Assembled street rods in raw form have been given away as grand prizes. There are also sponsored prizes from companies such as Goodyear, Vintage Air, Ford SVO, B&M and Chevrolet.
Types of events
Goodguys hosts a number of events, from hot rods to dragsters. Hot rod and customs events, which feature colored hot rods and customs, are usually held at venues such as speedways or fairgrounds. Fans find a variety of roadsters, coupes, sedans, vintage cars and trucks that have been turned into hot rods or rat rods. Street machines events feature cars and trucks from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Vintage drag racing attracts thousands of fans to the Western United States as antique dragsters hit the road for an astounding performance. Drag racing fans are able to visit with drivers and enter the pits. They get to see old school-looking dragsters that have modern, high-tech engines to make them soar.
Fans get together
At Goodguys "Get Together" events, fans from all walks of life come together to see a variety of hot rods, sports cars, classics and muscle cars. Cars and people of all ages mix and mingle, and spectators get to see what the cars and culture was like in other eras. States that often have Goodguys events include
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Goodguys auto festivals are promoted to reach target audiences in niche magazines such as Super Rod, Popular Hot Rodding, Rod & Custom, Hot Rod, Street Rodder, National Dragster, Drag Racer, Classic Truck and many others. Publicizing the events in these magazines enables Goodguys to attract thousands of fans every time.
Goodguys shows bring fans together from around the world to admire the beauty of cars from an era that will never be forgotten.
Web site
Visit the Goodguys official Web site at www.good-guys.com .
