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2008 Goodguys Denver Colorado Nationals - Rockin' The RockiesThe Goodguys 11th Annual Colorado Hot Rod & Custom Car Nationals From the September, 2008 issue of Street Rodder By Jim Rizzo Photography by Jim Rizzo
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For the last dozen years or so, I've been wingin' (I'd rather be cruisin', but time won't allow it) across the country covering various Goodguys shows, but this year I had the good fortune to start my travel season by covering the Goodguys Colorado Hot Rod & Custom Car Nationals. It was my first time covering this event, and I wish I'd drawn this assignment a long time ago! Upon my return and reflection, the Colorado gathering was perhaps one of the best regional Goodguys shows I've ever attended. The cars and trucks were knock-your-socks-off gorgeous and the people perhaps the nicest I've ever had the pleasure to meet. How's this for a classy Deuce... How's this for a classy Deuce roadster? This Fort Worth, TX-based '32 is on the money; cream-colored paint, Wheel Vintiques wires wrapped in wide whites, and a matching convertible top create a cool hot rod look with an air of elegance. It's a perfect example of the high-quality street rods that made their way to the show. The gathering was a huge indoor and outdoor happenin' at The Ranch at Larimer County Fairgrounds in Colorado, featuring more than 2,000 hot rods, customs, classics, musclecars, and classic trucks through 1972. There were countless vendor and exhibitor booths, a good-sized swap meet for automotive-related parts, and a car corral with a bunch of potential projects for sale. As is the case with all Goodguys get-togethers, there's also lots of fun available for the whole family with a model-car show and a free kids' car model build-and-take, sponsored by Revell, plus live entertainment all weekend long. Goodguys' kickoff party was held Thursday afternoon at Pinkee's Rod Shop. The Pinkee's staff went all out with food, beverages, live music, and a great open house so everyone could check out the awesome projects, both complete and in progress, they had in house. The traditional Goodguys TGIF Party was held the following evening at the Hilton Fort Collins host hotel and featured tons of fun and some great live music provided by Rodney James & the Blue Flames-both parties set the fun-filled tone for the balance of the weekend. Jerry Smith's cool '34 Ford... Jerry Smith's cool '34 Ford pickup drew a crowd of admirers throughout the weekend. The Golden, CO-based commercial is, refreshingly enough, powered by a stout little 289-cube Ford motor backed by a C4 automatic. As I stated earlier, the cars were awesome and the people great. In fact, I'm still not sure which I enjoyed more: checking out the street rods or bench-racin' and shootin' the bull with the attendees! No matter, the Goodguys Colorado Hot Rod & Custom Car Nationals was great all around, and I'm hoping I draw the event again in next year's schedule! I'd also like to take a second to recognize the efforts of the Goodguys' staff; these folks work their tails off just to ensure we all have a great time, and let me assure you, everyone had a ball-especially me! So, make note, if ya didn't get to the show this year, mark your calendar for 2009's Goodguys Colorado Hot Rod & Custom Car Nationals.  Aside from runnin' into my...  Aside from runnin' into my pals from back East, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with another close friend whom I hadn't seen in way too long, Roger Ward. Roger is perhaps one of the best painters and bodymen in the hot rod industry, plus he's one of the few guys in the country that's as short as I am.  Harvey Richardson's dirt track-inspired...  Harvey Richardson's dirt track-inspired '31 A coupe was a neat homebuilt hot rod that was also pretty darn popular with the crowd. Heck, it took me a few trips by just to get a clear shot. Harvey's A is powered by a 350-cube SBC backed by a 700-R4 overdrive automatic.  John Dodson's '33 coupe is...  John Dodson's '33 coupe is a perfect example of a timeless '70s look. Nice rake, full hood and sides, and fat rear tires take one back a couple of decades-and, man, it's cool.  At the other end of the spectrum...  At the other end of the spectrum from the Hardings' luxo-rod is John Hovdenes' bad-to-the-bone '33 Chevy sedan. This baby, even being a four-door, is a great representative of the hard-core hot rod contingent.  Here's one cool commercial...  Here's one cool commercial that caught my eye. Jenn Berndsen's '36 Ford pickup is powered by a 350/350 combo and sports a resto-rod look that makes for a neat driver.  Clint and Sue Harding cruised...  Clint and Sue Harding cruised to Denver from their home in Augusta, KS, in this beautiful LT1-powered '34 Chevy cabriolet. It was another example of hot rod muscle nestled in classy coachworks. Are we seeing a trend here?  Here's a neat little A coupe...  Here's a neat little A coupe I found hiding in a corner of the fairgrounds. Chris Rowe's '30 runs a 302/C4 Ford combo as well as a quartet of Torq-Thrust Ds.  Now this is my cup of "T,"...  Now this is my cup of "T," if ya know what I mean. Kris and Amy Gordon's '26 was one hot rod I had a real hard time walking away from. From its bare-metal finish to its Model A wheels, this thing just blew me away. Hey, Kris, wanna trade for a nice FLH?  Got a light? How about a fire...  Got a light? How about a fire extinguisher? Bob Truwillo's smokin'-hot '36 Chevy sedan is one heck of a flamed-out flatback! Aside from its hot licks, Bob's Chevy sports a stroked SBC and all the creature comforts needed to burn up miles of blacktop with ease.  Jay Page is the rightfully...  Jay Page is the rightfully proud owner of what has to be the world's coolest Ford Falcon. Jay's flawless '63 Squire wagon is amazing-and with its 427-cube Roush SBF, it has to be one of the fastest, as well!  I almost got the chance to...  I almost got the chance to get my lineup of STREET RODDER Top 100 picks on film-almost. But, five is better than none, I guess.  Surprise of surprises! I walked...  Surprise of surprises! I walked around the corner and right into the roadsters of two close friends I had no idea would be at the show. Barry Pleasant of Coventry, CT (my old hometown), and Dale Grau of Rice, MN (formerly of Connecticut, as well), made the Goodguys show while on a cross-country trip to the L.A. Roadsters' Father's Day Show in California. Great to see you, guys, and the cars looked great, as usual!  The crowd in Denver was huge...  The crowd in Denver was huge and everyone, spectators and participants alike, spent a picture-perfect weekend eyeballing an awesome array of street rods, customs, and classic trucks.  Mitch Parker's Greeley, CO-based...  Mitch Parker's Greeley, CO-based '29 A roadster pickup is a great little homebuilt hot rod that's right up my alley. Mitch's A is powered by a fresh Flathead backed by a '39 trans and a Columbia two-speed rear.  Talk about an E-ticket ride!...  Talk about an E-ticket ride! Ken Schell shoehorned a big bad Boss 429 between the framerails of his awesome bright-red Vicky and hasn't stared at many taillights since.  Post-'48 cars (the Colorado...  Post-'48 cars (the Colorado Nats allows hot rods up to 1972 to join the fun) had a great showing at the event. Jerald Owings' Chevy hardtop is a perfect example; the '65 sports a 350/Powerglide combo and a flawless Roger Ward paintjob.  Rodney James & the Blue Flames...  Rodney James & the Blue Flames rocked the fairgrounds Sunday afternoon, as well as earlier at the kickoff party.  How's this for a neat lineup?...  How's this for a neat lineup? Like I said, the Colorado Nats played host to some of the nicest street rods I've seen in a long time.  Mr. Goodguys himself, Gary...  Mr. Goodguys himself, Gary Meadors, was at the show. I caught him discussing the finer points of chopped tops with fellow rodder Dan Smith as Dan lined up to receive his STREET RODDER Top 100 award, presented by Turtle Wax, Sunday afternoon. Gary, along with his wife, Marilyn, of Alamo, CA, founded Goodguys back in 1983, and the association currently boasts a roster of 70,000 members in the U.S. and abroad.
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