Goodguys Rod and Custom started their year of car shows on March 7-9, 2014 in Scottsdale, AZ. The 5th Spring Nationals was held on the grounds of Westworld, which was also the site of the Barrett-Jackson Auction in January.
Over 2,500 cars were registered for the weekend of fun and sun. Cars come out from across the country and even some Canadians get in the mix.
Goodguys started in 1983 and has expanded over the years and can be found at different venues across the United States. The concept is pretty simple; pay a registration fee and drive your car in for a fun weekend. Goodguys picks over 75 cars for various awards with some selected to vie for later nationwide awards, like Muscle Car of the Year.
Depending on the show location, often the cars are limited to 1972 and older cars. But in a nod to being inclusive (and help fill in the gaps on Sunday when the classics thin out), Goodguys now has "All American Sunday" where late model entries are welcome to show up. This week even some new 2014 Corvettes were in the mix of cars.
Besides the cars to see, there are plenty of vendors and a car corral area where folks are selling their cars and some local vendors set up their used parts to dicker over. Sort of like the back pages of Auto/Truck Round Up! They also have an Auto Cross competition with pros and amateurs showing what their cars and trucks can do on a short road course. This timed event is free for registered cars after passing a simple tech inspection and is great fun. It is nice to see the cars in action and see if they are all show with no go!
To encourage the youths to get involved, there are usually some kid play areas, plus PPG sponsors a coloring contest and there is a "Make and Take" model car offering. And if you registered a car, Goodguys offers you an unlimited number of free children admission tickets. So you can bring your children or grandchildren along for the show.
Although the title is Goodguys Rod and Custom, there is everything from bone stock original classics to modern trucks and everything in between. Best of all, you can hang out with your buddies and watch the scene unfold around you.
Sunday the awards are given out and then the cars meander out of town on to the next car show or Goodguys event. You can check out their site for more information at www.good-guys.com.