Goodguys
The Goodguys car show, rain or shine is an experience! Are you experienced?
Goodguys rod and custom car show at the Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California the beginning of spring for me so; a little rain on shinny cars didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for this classic American car show. On the other hand with the weather occasionally turning into severe downpours a la Florida the order of the day was let’s go indoors as soon as possible! As my camera man signore Dan Gentile opens the door, we both look at each other knowing we are in for another treat, or should I say candy for the eyes as my father always said.
What a display of classic Chevrolet’s! Yes, Low riders in a display of Art, culture, style, family, and pride of ownership. No I didn’t forget the Cadillac how could I! For me the biggest accent on some of these gorgeous cars was the superb engraving on the bright work. I believe this to be influenced by the Los Angeles Low Rider culture.
Rain did not dampen everyone’s enthusiasm.
I always enjoyed driving my classic cars in the rain and, looks like I’m not alone here! Indeed the rain did lower the turnout and the grass fields usually packed with vintage classics to the brim suffer a bit with low turnout but, the show made up for that with fantastic indoor displays that for me was reward enough. The good was most car owners remained indoors as well providing great conversations between the viewing public and the car owners who are so delighted and Happy to answer questions about their ride.
The energy and time that went into the display itself was impressive and creative to say the least. What I really want to say is, it’s more of a fashion show with a Latin flare celebrating a deep passion for these automobiles and what they mean to each owner and how their passion is shared with family members.
I was caught starring a the workmanship in the engine bay of this 1966 Chevrolet Belair and I began to comment on the car to my photographer about the small details when suddenly an attractive young woman taps me on my shoulder confessing to overhearing my conversation and whispering in my ear she is the lucky owner of this beautiful 1966 Chevrolet! As I look her up and down I realize she’s cleverer than I am! She inconspicuously hung around the scene listening to the peoples thoughts on all the cars on display and, she was having a great time doing it.
Melisa, now that we’ve been introduced she was dying to tell me all the little details on her baby. First thing is first she just installed a fresh Chevrolet crate motor and her child was no trailer queen driven to any and all events. I love this woman.
1957 Chevrolet display
A must mention is the dueling 1957 Chevrolet convertibles with continental kits to boot! No pun intended… together side by side in a, his and hers kind of, sort of way. The quality exhibited here near Pebble Beach concourse levels is truly outstanding.
Mustang Corral
Let’s not forget the Mustang corral in the next building! A very eclectic collection to be polite, should I say a mélange of outstanding and not so outstanding cars. The jewels here again are the people, the owners of these cars that make each car story come alive and once again another owner, another woman passionate about her Mustang was Linda, she admits this car has been hit more times than you can shake a stick! She’s been hit everywhere she said but it’s all about the love. So there you go. Goodguys it’s a family affair.
But wait there’s more…
Is it Art? is it Culture? Is this someone paying homage to their beautiful wife, girlfriend? Perhaps. In the end it’s all of the above! I have so much respect for everyone who wish to explore and share the California dream, So-Cal, Nor-Cal it’s all different and the same. Car culture is Family culture. See you at the next Goodguys!
My thanks to the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association for their invitation and to Dan Gentile for his photographic genius.
Clark Rodgers Host of F1Weekly.com Podcast.
