The stage is set for another season of Full Throttle fun, Goodguys style! Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is poised to return to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, June 12 to 14 for the 23rd Grundy Worldwide Insurance East Coast Nationals, bringing together more than 1,500 candy-colored and chromed hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, trucks through 1972, plus all years American made and powered vehicles for action-packed days of true American car show fun.
A car guy founded it
Official car nut Gary Meadors founded Goodguys back in the spring of 1983 as a way to get car people and hot rod aficionados like him together to show off their cars, trade ideas, listen to some live music and have a little fun. The vision behind the Goodguys events was simple: to welcome all genres of American car enthusiasts with a lean towards V8 powered, low-to-the-ground eye catchers like hot rods from the 1930s and 40s, lead sled customs from the 1950s, Muscle Cars from the 1970s as well as the new breed of American Muscle like the 5.0 GT Mustangs, Z28 Camaros, Chargers, Challengers and everything in between.
What stated over 30 years ago is now a strong, 21-event series that allows car guys to meet and hang out with car guys. The spirit of hot rodding is alive and well at the Goodguys events for sure in the generations of cars on display.
At the 23rd East Coast Nationals, fans will get a close-up glimpse of just how eclectic the modern day hot rodding scene is. Acres of American made and powered hot rods, customs, classics, trucks g-machines and more glistening with candy colors will sprawl through the scenic Eastern States Exposition. It is a trip back in time for many. The sight of all of those cars in one place is a car lover’s utopia!
There will be speed
For those who have the need for speed, the shrill sound of rubber meeting pavement will fill the air with excitement as competitors in the Goodguys AutoCross, a closed performance race course, vehicle speed and agility meet to battle it out in a weekend long fastest-car-wins contest of speed and skill. Again this year, the Goodguys event season will showcase the AutoCross Shootout Finals qualifying at each event. The Duel in the Desert, the Final Shootout will take place at the 18th Southwest Nationals, Nov. 21 at WestWorld.
And shopping
For those who need to do some shopping for a project, there’s the midway featuring multi-million dollar custom big rig tractor trailers (a show in and of themselves) offering high-performance parts and accessories to budding hot rodders and do-it-yourselfers. Having the chance to interact directly with manufacturers has long been an appealing aspect of Goodguys events. Throw in a giant used car parts swap meet and Auto Trader Classics car corral (world’s coolest used car gathering) and it’s literally auto-utopia for any red blooded American with motor oil in their veins.
The kids are welcome
There are fun things for the kids to do, too, at the 23rd East Coast Nationals. There’s even a model car program sponsored by Revell that sends the little one’s home with their very own model kit forging big dreams to one day come back to the show with a life sized version. Plus the PPG coloring contest and other kids games.
The details
The Goodguys 23rd Grundy Worldwide Insurance East Coast Nationals gates are open Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $17 at the gate, kids seven to 12 years of age, $6. Eastern States Exposition center parking is $5. Visit www.good-guys.com to purchase event tickets or to register a show car. Call Goodguys at 925-838-9876 for more information. Discount $14 general admission tickets are available at good-guys.com until midnight, June 11 only.