Incomparable NorCal

We're the first to admit, Goodguys West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, California, is one of those shows with few rivals. For just about everybody on the West Coast, it's one of those shows near enough to navigate, yet far enough away to feel like a vacation. Inevitably someone knows a few people in the Bay area, the weather couldn't be any closer to perfect, and the whole town gets into the festivities. Not only that, it's one of the few occasions we get to see a show from the rodder's perspective.

As in years past, Pleasanton isn't just a weekend event, it's a week-long social. For example, this year, the Sunday before the actual show, the Goodguys crew started everybody at Andy's Hot Rod Picnic Reunion, Solano Fairgrounds in Vallejo, California. In 1996, Andy hosted his 30th and allegedly last picnic. Due to popular demand, though, Andy dusted off the tables and returned after a five-year hiatus.

On Monday, the crew toured southward to Brizio Street Rods, Mozart's Car Collection, & Dennis Varni's automotive palace. On Tuesday, everybody pointed northwest to Sonoma Wine Country for Steve Castelli's Automobilia, and ended up at the Joker's Car Club Dinner in Richmond, California.

On Wednesday, everybody headed south to Monterey for a gander at Don Orosco's Collection, Reggie Jackson's Automotive Museum, and Bruce Canepa Design. On Thursday, everybody blazed out Central Valley way to visit Dominator Motorsports, Sacramento Vintage Ford, and Chris Alston's Chassisworks. Thursday night the whole gang headed up Highway 680 to Danville, where the Danville Merchant's Association throw their Annual Hot August Nights get-together.

At about 500 rods, customs, and pickups, Danville's quite the scene; last year's event garnered so much attention, the law came out and cooled things off. This year, though, everything followed through hassle-free, proving we know how to behave ourselves when necessary.

Friday night, after the first official day of the show, we ducked out mid-afternoon to cruise Main Street. For the past seven years, the Pleasanton Downtown Association has hosted Hot Rod Heaven on Main Street, an event where rods and customs rumbled up and down the drag for a full-sensory experience. This year, however, the promoters closed off the whole area and sold tickets to park along the streets. Although more cars could park for the evening, it made the event feel a little artificial.

There were no exotic fuels, no cackling pipes, or blowers whining. The only rumble throbbed from high-tech audio systems pumping out hip-hop from Hondas and '90s mud-bog trucks. Suffice to say, it was slightly off base for an event dubbed Hot Rod Heaven. With so much hype and so many people on Friday, we're beginning to really appreciate Saturday nights on Main Street.

Saturday and Sunday, though, are the real action days. Pleasanton has to have the greatest collection of open cars, hands down. Due to weather, climate, and location, there are probably more roadsters in Pleasanton than at all several other shows combined. This year alone, no less than half of the Top Ten cars were open cars. A number go nostalgia, a few more contemporary, but the overwhelming majority are tried-and-true, straight-forward hot rods. In one weekend, Pleasanton probably has more Halibrand, American, and steelie wheels than spectators.

But alas, all good things must come to an end, and by Sunday afternoon we were already planning next year's event. And we have to say, if you've never experienced it first-hand, we'd highly advise the adventure. With so many cool cars, cool people, and cool places in or near Pleasanton, you'd be hard pressed not to have a good time!