For the past 22 years, some of the finest hot rods, customs, and classic cars on the West Coast have gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, as part of the Goodguys West Coast Nationals. Over 3,500 cars rolled in for the August weekend festivities which included hot rod seminars, vendor exhibits, swap meet and car corral, and our favorite, the mini engine display. The Goodguys staff was busy all weekend handing out endless awards to a sea of worthy cars, while we seemed to have the easy job: picking 10 cars to add to the Turtle Wax Top 100 finalists list.
While the show formally kicked off Friday morning, the week preceding the event was packed full of gearhead activities for those who wanted to get things started early. Known as "Hot Rod Week," the Goodguys had tours planned each day that left the Hilton host hotel departing for different Bay Area destinations, taking in various local shops, sites, and museums that catered to us hot rodders.
Taking cues from early dry...
Taking cues from early dry lakes and drag cars are Tom and Cindy Christian's '33 Ford and Troy Moyle's '34 Ford. Cruising in from Carson City, NV, Christian's coupe sports a Dodge Red Ram Hemi while Moyle's is powered by a '53 Buick nailhead.
This year, the West Coast Nats had a very special feature in the Roy Brizio Street Rod Reunion. Gathering over 100 Brizio-built cars for the first time in history, it was definitely an impressive sight to behold. The Brizio crew was on hand fielding questions and Roy was signing copies of his new coffee table book, Roy Brizio Street Rods: Modern Hot Rods Defined. It's easy to forget the impact the shop has had on the traditional hot rod movement until their body of work can be taken in at once, in person; it truly is spectacular.
We managed to fit in the weekend's events on our way home from Bonneville Speed Week, capping off a most excellent road trip. From the hot rods on the salt to the hot rods cruising the fairgrounds, we definitely needed to decompress upon returning to the daily grind. Next year, we're going to try to make it out early for Hot Rod Week and put some more miles under our belt. Hope to see you on the road!
Turtle Wax Tech Tips
Clean Wheels and Tires Regularly
Turtle Wax introduced ICE wheel and tire cleaner and ICE tire shine. It's important to clean your wheels and tires regularly since brake dust, grease, and other harmful road elements can cause corrosion and damage. With ICE wheel and tire cleaner, you can remove buildup and grime in one step.
The concentrated formula removes road soil buildup on tire sidewalls and brightens lettering with its unique low pH formula and co-solvent cleaners. It also breaks down brake dust and other road debris for an easy clean up. It is safe for use on all aluminum, chrome, steel, painted, and clearcoated wheels, as well as all makes of rubber tires.
Handy Tips Headers:
Block hugger headers for Ford small-block engines have long been around but they have often caused interference with the motor mounts. To keep a street rod look but with more options for motor mounts check out Ford Racing's SR header (M-9430-SR302), which features a semi-clamshell design to resist cracking.
Modular engines seem to be getting more popular due to their unique look and excellent driveability but headers can be an issue. Luckily Hanksville Hotrods (www.hanksvillehotrods.com) makes Two-Valve block huggers and lake-style headers and Sanderson (www.sandersonheaders.com) produces Four-Valve block huggers. In some cars like the Factory Five Hot Rod we built last year, you can use factory-style headers originally designed for Mustangs. In fact BBK just began producing their Two-Valve header with a Three-Valve flange to make it easy to squeeze a Ford Three-Valve into a Factory Five. If you'd prefer to build your own headers, SPD Exhaust produces flanges for just about any Ford engine you can imagine (www.spdexhaust.com).

Ron Beard's well-traveled...

Ron Beard's well-traveled '33 Ford is based on a Speed33 body and features a 3-inch extension in the wheelbase and similarly lengthened fenders. The custom dash features Classic Instruments gauges set into an instrument panel painted to match the tan upholstery. The convertible is powered by a Ford DOHC V-8 and rides on a Heidts IFS and 9-inch Ford rearend sprung-on coilover shocks.

Jon Hall's Saginaw, MI-based...

Jon Hall's Saginaw, MI-based Lombard Blue roadster pickup is based on a Shadow Rods XL-27 body designed to fit a '32 Ford chassis. A 302ci Ford engine coupled with a Tremec five-speed transmission provides the motivation for the hot rod while disc brakes, a John's 9-inch rear, and Pete & Jake's 4-inch dropped I-beam axle sort out the suspension duties.

Jim and Kim Watson drove their...

Jim and Kim Watson drove their homebuilt '34 Ford three-window coupe from Elko, NV. The coupe sports a Chevy 350ci engine mated to a five-speed with a Halibrand Champ rearend putting the power to the pavement via Firestone dirt track tires.

Pinkee's Hot Rod Shop recently...

Pinkee's Hot Rod Shop recently completed this Deuce coupe for Larry Christensen from Arvada, CO. The five-window features a Momar-injected LS1 engine backed by a T56 six-speed transmission with a Winter's quick-change out back. Burgundy Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels shod in blackwall big 'n' littles and a Washington Blue-hued paintjob complete the hot rod theme.

Built in Chandler, AZ, by...

Built in Chandler, AZ, by Hot Rods by Glen, Frank and Lousie Ledesma's '48 Buick Special now resides in their hometown of Hollister, CA. The Buick features contemporary amenities such as a Chevy 350ci engine, Mustang II IFS, and a Camaro rearend.

Jon and Kali Budda's kustom...

Jon and Kali Budda's kustom '57 Chevy was purchased new in Seattle, WA, before being customized in the early '60s with Ford pickup headlights, '59 Chevy taillights, Impala buckets seats, Thunderbird wrap-around rear seat, a DeSoto front bumper, and filled door handles. The Buddas purchased the hardtop at a Spokane swap meet and decided to restore as an original custom with a 283 Corvette V-8, dual quads, and a four-speed trans.

Hailing from Mansfield, TX,...

Hailing from Mansfield, TX, is Don Smith's '32 Ford sedan "HemRod." The Slime Green sedan sports a 4x2 induction setup atop a 392ci Chrysler engine mated to a five-speed driven through a quick-change.

The Deuce features numerous...

The Deuce features numerous one-off parts fabricated by Pinkee's Hot Rod Shop, who built the car for Don.

Dan Morris just finished building...

Dan Morris just finished building this exquisite Modified roadster in time for the West Coast Nationals Show. Dan started with the front half of a '27 Ford phaeton, lengthened it 2 inches, then used1 1/2-inch tubing to create the upper body edge. A Model B four-banger engine was equipped with a Miller OHV head and an SU side-draft carburetor mated to a '33 Ford gearbox. An implement tank mounts above the '33 Ford rearend, while Ford wire wheels are shod in Firestone rubber.

Vic Herrmann built this gorgeous...

Vic Herrmann built this gorgeous '34 Ford three-window coupe using gennie Ford steel and Chevy drivetrain parts. A 2 1/2-inch chop got the roof sitting right before a Chevy 350ci engine backed by a T-10 transmission was installed between the framerails. Herrmann used '37 Ford spare tire covers to fabricate the front cycle fenders while the rears were bobbed.

Doc and Elsie Kinney brought...

Doc and Elsie Kinney brought out their gorgeous '37 Chevy coupe all the way from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. Powered by an LS7/4L60E combo, the champagne-colored coupe also received plenty of attention in the Builder's Choice section of the show.

The Best Ford in a Ford award...

The Best Ford in a Ford award went to Dan and Britt Bogue for their homebuilt Green Mica Metallic '54 Mercury Monterey.

Ford power comes in the form...

Ford power comes in the form of the 351ci Cleveland variety with an Edelbrock induction setup.

Amenities include electronic...

Amenities include electronic ignition, air conditioning, and one-wire alternator.

Rich and Yvonne Arnott's '31...

Rich and Yvonne Arnott's '31 Model A coupe is powered by a 161ci Chevy II four-banger engine.

We dig the hood straps and...

We dig the hood straps and lack of hood sides on Dan and Suzanne Varosh's Livermore, CA-based '36 Ford cabriolet.

The Goodguys and Roy Brizio...

The Goodguys and Roy Brizio Street Rods combined forces for the Goodguys Brizio Street Rod Reunion...

...gathering over 100 cars...

...gathering over 100 cars that rolled out of the famous South San Francisco shop for the first time in history.

Among the hot rods at the...

Among the hot rods at the 'grounds were a number of righteous customs, including Gary Morales' '54 Chevy 210...

...and metalman Terry Hegman's...

...and metalman Terry Hegman's '51 Merc.

One of the cars brought out...

One of the cars brought out for the reunion was none other than STREET RODDER's own flagship roadster, the McMullen Deuce. Now owned by Jorge Zaragoza, the Brizio crew restored it to its April '63 Hot Rod magazine cover guise.

Dave Houston opted to go the...

Dave Houston opted to go the "Chevy in a Chevy" route with his Deuce but used a 302ci inline six-cylinder instead of the more common small-block. A handful of Strombergs and straight pipe headers are traditional hot rod cons.

We caught Ray Simpson's '41...

We caught Ray Simpson's '41 Willys pickup while it cooled down in between cruise laps of the fairgrounds. Hailing from Whitefish, MT, the gasser is powered by a blown 350ci Chevy.

Of course there was ample...

Of course there was ample steel to be had out in the swap meet and car corral section.

Gary Hubback's '27 T/V-8 roadster...

Gary Hubback's '27 T/V-8 roadster is a study in hot rod simplicity.

The early flat knocker sports...

The early flat knocker sports a dual high-rise intake and Bohnalite heads and backs up to a '32 gearbox.

Restored by Dick Steinkamp...

Restored by Dick Steinkamp and Jon Falcon, the '53 Studebaker Kart Hauler was originally built by Lee Talbot and Sam Chakries...

...and exhibited at the '59...

...and exhibited at the '59 "Oakland Roadster Show" to haul a Rupp Dart A-Bone go-kart.

There is a distinct sound...

There is a distinct sound that a Flathead motor makes, but a mini Flathead motor, well that's a whole 'nother tone in and of itself.