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Goodguys 13th East Coast NationalsGreat location, great people, great cars, what more could you ask for? From the February, 2009 issue of Street Rodder All contributors: Jason Walker
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This year's East Coast Nationals wasn't just my first time at the event, but also an eye opener to what the East Coast has to offer by way of rods and customs, and some of the most scenic and beautiful landscape in the country. After a red-eye flight into JFK airport, we weren't sure what to expect while driving through New York City, but with Rhinebeck located some 90 miles north of the city, we felt sure we would be seeing some sort of countryside along the way. What we weren't sure of was just how beautiful the state of New York really is. So beautiful in fact that we didn't even mind stopping to pay toll after toll all the way up state to Rhinebeck. Remember, not until very recently, Southern California didn't even know what a toll road was. Needless to say, pitching in a few bucks for the upkeep of New York's highways and beautiful scenery was well worth the toll charges. Once we arrived in Rhinebeck we were again amazed, only this time it was for purely historical reasons. The town of Rhinebeck is basically one historical landmark after another all located within the Hudson River Valley. From the historic Roosevelt home and library, to the Vanderbilt mansion, to surrounding towns like Poughkeepsie and Woodstock there is much to see and appreciate even before the show starts. With rain in the forecast, we weren't too sure of what to expect when we rolled through the Dutchess County Fairgrounds gates Friday morning. But as luck would have it, the rain stayed light for most of the day bringing out more than just the diehard bunch of rodders. We have learned that when attending any car show from the Midwest all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, rodders don't care about a little rain, the point is to get the car out of the garage, where it has been in hibernation all winter and get on the road despite the weather. This was exactly the case, and a good thing for us, as we were anxious to check out New York's finest rods. Like any other Goodguys event, the 13th Annual East Coast Nationals had a little something for everyone, including the kids. We especially liked the swap meet area, as there seemed to be a plethora of trinkets that are either hard to find or outrageously expensive on the West Coast. The best part however was checkin' out the cars. We saw a large showing of customs, which you will see a small portion of in the following photos, and rare breeds mixed in with the usual hot rods and street rods. Some of the standouts that didn't make it into our coverage include the Hemmings Motor News perfectly restored, tri-colored, baby blue '34 Dodge panel truck that just blew us away; Chris Pekarek's, of Statesville, NC, Fabulous Flames winner '57 Buick wagon; and Dave Watson's of Belleview, Ontario, Canada, Custom Country winner the amazing two-toned, period-perfect '51 Ford Vicky with DeSoto grille, molded lake pipes, and bubble skirts. All of these and many more were so stellar they all deserve mention. Unfortunately, we can only show you a choice few, so take a look and believe us, Rhinebeck couldn't have been a better place for a Goodguys show combining stellar cars and natural beauty no matter which direction you happen to be facing. See ya' there next year.  So okay, there was some rain...  So okay, there was some rain and dark looming clouds for most of the weekend, but as we all know, rain doesn't stop any of the 24 Goodguys events from happening, nor does it seem to deter some of the finest rods and customs from showing up and having a good time. This event was no different.  This is a great example of...  This is a great example of a pickup that is rarely seen at rod runs, yet has perfect lines for transforming into a hot rod or custom perfectly. This '36 Dodge is owned by Larry Campbell of Elmira, NY, who obviously knows how to accentuate the '36's great body style with that nice chop, cool scallops and color scheme, and perfect stance.  The beautiful mildly customized...  The beautiful mildly customized '56 Ford Crown Victoria owned by Craig Nash of Webster, NY, looked right at home sitting next to the equally mild '57 Ford convertible owned by Sam and Elaine Matoes of North Kingstown, RI. Both cars run original Y-block engines and traditional back East styling.  You'd be hard-pressed to find...  You'd be hard-pressed to find a cleaner pickup than John and Gail Venuti's 3x2 Chevy small-block-powered '35 Ford, and even though this show attracted more than a couple of super clean trucks, this was our favorite, which is why it received a Top Ten award. The detail in the body and paintwork, the small-block, and the cool nerf bars set this resto-rod far apart form the rest.  Obviously, we never get tired...  Obviously, we never get tired of looking at lakes modified roadsters like this one owned by Jim Fleming of Washingtonville, NY. The four-banger-powered roadster featured some attractive and ingenious drilled bracketry throughout, as well as a cool lakes-style paint job. The detail built into this hot rod just screamed Top Ten winner.  This lowrider/custom-esc '48...  This lowrider/custom-esc '48 Pontiac owned by Larry Simonutti of Chester, NJ, couldn't have looked cooler. This body style was meant to have wire wheels, slammed stance, and skirts. That pretty much covers all necessary mods for a factory sled like this one.  Paul Fiedler of Bridgewater,...  Paul Fiedler of Bridgewater, NJ, cruised up state in this beautifully restored '33 Ford pickup equipped with one of the cleanest looking, sounding and presumably running injected Flathead engines we've seen in a long time. This truck is absolutely stunning in person.  So where did all the customized...  So where did all the customized vans of the '60s and '70s go? We spied this one from Massachusetts owned by Paul Aldrich. This '63 Ford Econoline cabby featured custom work from head to toe, including some custom taillight lenses that look as though they were made and mounted when this baby was first built. You gotta dig the pipes and dual antennas though no matter what you're into, but we dug the whole damn thing and hope to see more pop up at car shows everywhere.  Dick Applegate's beautiful...  Dick Applegate's beautiful '40 Ford sedan from Wall, NJ, is one of the cleanest resto-rodded '40s we've ever seen. What more could you ask for and what more could we say, except beautiful job!  A strong showing of custom...  A strong showing of custom cars is always expected at Goodguys events, and this year's East Coast Nats attracted some great '50s and '60s cruisers like this '50 Chevy sedan owned by Joe Aletawder of Stratford, CT. Joe's sedan was traditional to the bone with the addition of a molded to the body '53 Chevy grille surround with an early Vette grille, '55 Chevy headlights, and a great paint and pinstripe job.  Bill Joerman of Stramford,...  Bill Joerman of Stramford, CT, made the drive to represent the '60s custom crowd with his nicely shaved and slammed '68 Caddy. Joe's heavy sled had clean white paint with a few pink licks down low to set the car apart.  When is the last time you...  When is the last time you saw a Delray as clean as this one? Bill Edgar cruised the louvered black beauty all the way from Bloomsburg, PA, to show us all what a '58 Chevy should look like.  Even though we didn't catch...  Even though we didn't catch the owner's name, we simply had to run a photo of this "how every Merc should look" Merc. It's not easy chopping a '51 Merc as hard as this one and still come out with perfect proportions, but there it is sitting pretty with Buick headlights, a clean shave, and traditional scallops.  If a straight-axle '55 Chevy...  If a straight-axle '55 Chevy doesn't turn you on there just might be something seriously wrong with you. Take a look at Jerry Sontos' blast from the past from North Hampton, PA. This Chevy featured a bitchin' undercarriage, a well-equipped, dual-quad-topped, 327ci small-block with an appropriate four-speed trans, and a few cool body mods to boot.  Not deserving of a Street...  Not deserving of a Street Rodder Top Ten award? Think again. This rare '34 Buick 90 series Model 91 is no stocker. How about a 500hp, 502ci Chevy big-block, '96 Corvette suspension, dual A/C units, disk brakes all around, and airbag suspension? Ed Sears of Annapolis, MD, had no problem transforming the one-of-only-12 in existence, big beautiful Buick into a highly modified ground pounder, and that's exactly why we had to give him a Top Ten award. Now if we could just talk Ed into letting us take her for a spin!  Big chrome-plated Americans,...  Big chrome-plated Americans, soothing blue paint, nicely chopped convertible roof, and LS1 Chevy power turned this Downs-bodied '37 Ford, owned by David and Joyce Marfeo of Warwick, RI, into an easy Top Ten pick.  What could be said that this...  What could be said that this photo doesn't already say about Andy Laflamme's beautifully built '48 Chevy pickup? Well, it runs a 396 Chevy big-block hooked to a 700R4 trans. Obviously it was the extensive custom bodywork and flawless orange paint that compelled us to give Andy a Top Ten pick. Nice, nice, nice!  Those of you that are really...  Those of you that are really into sedans should be as astounded as we were when getting a closer look at Scott and Linda Cave's (of Clinton, CT) '32 Ford sedan. From the chopped roof to the baby blue paint to the polished blown Flatty, this highboy really stood out for all the right reasons. This sedan has a great tuck and roll job on the inside, with a super fit and finish on the outside, forcing us to give it a Top Ten pick.  Another rare find at a rod...  Another rare find at a rod and custom event to take a Top Ten award is this super fine '38 Olds coupe owned by Tom Dayo of Scituate, RI. This coupe runs a 350/350 combo and is dressed in one of the smoothest black paint jobs at the show. The plated Americans, great stance, and smooth running boards seem to be just the right tricks to make this oddball car look like street rodding royalty. Any ride this right deserves a Top Ten pick.  Maroon paint with a chopped...  Maroon paint with a chopped convertible top and Radar wheels with wide whites? Yeah, Bill and Barbara Valone of Northport, NY, have one cool ride. Every detail of this '46 Ford was old school to the bone. Imagine the detail work it took to chop the roof and rework the glass frames and mechanisms. This type of work isn't seen everyday and really impressed us up close. Top Ten for sure!  Phaetons are fun, especially...  Phaetons are fun, especially when they are outfit with all the necessary bad weather equipment. This example is owned and operated by Jim Crovetto of Wilmington, DE, and runs a clean 350/350 combo and a great "look at me" lime with orange wire wheel paint scheme. Now Jim has a Top Ten award to accompany all the other trophies he has surely gathered with this '32 phaeton.  John and Tricia Tully of Northport,...  John and Tricia Tully of Northport, NY, not only easily deserved a Top Ten pick, but had the coolest truck at the show with this '35 Ford with a '35/36 car front nose combo, a chopped roof, molded lake pipes, and a cool little custom flamed surfboard mounted to the bed cover. We especially dug the E&J headlights and bright red paint with wide whites.  This is a'34 Ford coupe owned...  This is a'34 Ford coupe owned by Bob Rotondo of Peabody, MA. The coupe features a 350/350 combo, highly detailed undercarriage, and an amazing red leather interior.  Check out the paint job on...  Check out the paint job on Butch Martino's '32 three-window. You can imagine this coupe was visible from across the park and made quite an impression on us even amongst a large number of superbly painted rods. Butch cruises the '32 with help from a small-block Chevy powerplant, IFS, and a set of Boyd Coddington billet rollers rounding out a very clean package.
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Goodguys Indy 2003
You'd be hard pressed to go to any event in the Midwest and not be "greeted" by some rain. But this...
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