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Goodguys Del Mar Nationals - Where Hot Rods PlayFun in the sun at the Goodguys Del Mar Nationals From the August, 2011 issue of Street Rodder By Tim Bernsau
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In 1937, hot rodders around L.A. formed the Southern California Timing Association to help organize dry lakes racing. That same year, near San Diego, the Del Mar horse racing track opened. Bing Crosby was at the gate to welcome fans. Who would have guessed that by the year 2000, hot rodders would be pouring into this chic Hollywood playground by the thousands—and nobody would even think of calling the police? The prestigious Street Rod... The prestigious Street Rod d’Elegance prize went to Jeffrey Chandler’s handbuilt ’33 roadster. The one-off, all-steel car, created by Steve’s Auto Restorations, runs a supercharged Mustang Cobra engine. In addition to its remarkable appearance, the roadster features some wild engineering, including an independent front suspension split tube axle. This year marked the 11th anniversary of the Goodguys Del Mar Nationals, a show that has become a magnet for some of the finest hot rods and customs in the country, frequently drawing cars that were competing under the lights at the Grand National Roadster Show just months before. Goodguys highlights some of those top-shelf vehicles in Del Mar in the indoor Display of Excellence exhibit. We spotted an AMBR contender or two in there as well as the 2011 Ridler award winner. Goodguys also uses this event to award its prestigious Street Rod d’Elegance. But Del Mar isn’t all about elegance and elite-level show vehicles. Homebuilt Heaven, Ya Gotta Drive ’Em, Suede & Chrome Pick, and Youngguys Pick are among the many award categories aimed at the original grassroots level of the hobby. And considering Del Mar’s beach location and the large surfer population, it’s no surprise that this show always draws a bunch of beautiful woodies, most of them gathered in the Good Wood corral. In honor of the performance roots of hot rodding, Goodguys invited a handful of restored ’60s-era dragsters to light ’em up during the Nitro Thunderfest held several times during the weekend. We walked away with ears ringing and eyes teary—from nostalgia as much as from the nitromethane fumes. And at the far end of the venue, the Autocross competition let participants compete on the cone course for more than show ’n’ shine glory. Jim Payne named his Model... Jim Payne named his Model A the “Too Cool ’31,” but Goodguys judges named it “Hottest Hot Rod”—probably something to do with the paint. The coupe has a 5-inch chop, slight channel, and pearl white rolls ’n’ pleats interior. The Chevy mill is topped with triple Rochester 2G carbs. If you missed this one, here’s the good news; you don’t have to wait a year to join this party. Goodguys is doing it again at the First Fall Del Mar Nats in November. Hope to see you there. Painless Performance Products presents STREET RODDER Top 100 For the Top 100 program, STREET RODDER attends 10 particular car shows each year and picks 10 vehicles at each to make up the Top 100. For more on where those shows are, check www.streetrodder.com. The grounding of your ride is essential. Always connect the battery ground to the engine and tie the engine to the frame as well as the body with heavy ground straps or cable. If your dash gauges fluctuate when you turn on the lights, there is a grounding problem. One of our favorite shoeboxes... One of our favorite shoeboxes of the weekend belongs to Jim Cooper from Laguna Hills. Cooper’s cherry red ’50 Ford Custom is Blue Oval powered with a Flathead fed by a trio of Strombergs with frog’s mouth scoops. The Ford won the Host Club Pick award. After the first day of the Goodguys Del Mar Nats, many participants headed to nearby Escondido for the 2011 season opener of Cruisin’ Grand. Every Friday evening from April through September, the downtown side streets are closed to traffic and Grand Avenue is opened to cruisers. A live DJ (the best kind) was there to play classic oldies and host activities—including a hula-hoop contest—while hundreds of hot rods kept the show rolling. Joe Schenk is the luckiest guy in Las Vegas, and it has nothing to do with gambling. Schenk owns this hot-rodded ’56 F-100 big-window pickup. He drove a big-window ’56 to take his driver’s license test way back when and had always wanted another one. His wish came true about a year ago Schenk’s ’56 gets plenty of power from a 4.6L DOHC engine, backed by a Tremec five-speed. The framerails were boxed and RideTech airbags were installed to drop the ’56 practically to ground level. All exterior brightwork was eliminated except for the grille, tailgate hinges, and Billet Specialties rims. Ron Mangus created the black leather interior. Who says a truck can’t be classy?  Jeff Sposito, Danville, CA...  Jeff Sposito, Danville, CA / 1949 Mercury Check out this unchopped, nosed, and decked custom. Tasty pinstriping from Art Himsl on the dash and lots of red vinyl make the inside pop. There’s a ’75 Monte Carlo suspension underneath. Sposito has more plans for the project, but right now he’s having too much fun driving it.  Henry and Mary Ann Rossi,...  Henry and Mary Ann Rossi, Gilroy, CA / 1932 Ford roadster Starting with a Brookville steel body on a SO-CAL Speed Shop frame, this homebuilt knockout combines the look of an early ’60s hot rod with some beautiful custom touches, including unique hand-carved emblems and trim on the dash, grille, and elsewhere. The spreader bar was once part of a wing strut on a World War II plane.  Brian and Denise Stone, Torrance,...  Brian and Denise Stone, Torrance, CA / 1955 Chevy It’s tough to take a Tri-Five Chevy and depart from nostalgic without going too far, but every detail on this LS1-engined ’55, from the triangulated four-link rear to the ground-level stance to the nickel and brushed bumpers and wild leather interior is imaginative and amazing.  Ryan and Raeleen Vanderhook,...  Ryan and Raeleen Vanderhook, Yorba Linda, CA / 1941 Willys coupe As a kid, Ryan used to watch them race at Lions Drag Strip. His all-steel Willys is built from a true ’60s Gasser, and was inspired by the great Big John Mazmanian. The blown ’57 Hemi 392 has ported and polished Junior Johnson heads. Its racing days are over, but it’s still driven and wins a lot of attention.  Nick Kallos, Las Vegas, NV...  Nick Kallos, Las Vegas, NV / 1932 Ford roadster Nick Kallos proved a big point when his mostly owner-built, budget ’32 was an AMBR finalist at the Grand National Roadster Show. The chopped and dropped roadster sits on a pinched frame. The sheetmetal mods alone could fill a book. Triple Rochester carbs top a Chevy small-block.  Reginald Jack, Camp Verde,...  Reginald Jack, Camp Verde, AZ / 1933 Ford roadster Reginald Jack did a great job on this beautifully detailed, just-finished ’33, giving the American Speed body the perfect stance and packing it with a 392ci Chrysler Hemi (not so easy, and only 1/8 inch of clearance when done). The top is retractable and the split bench seat wears brown leather upholstery.  Bruce Ricks, Sapulpa, OK /...  Bruce Ricks, Sapulpa, OK / 1956 Ford Sunliner convertible The 2011 Ridler Award winner, built by Steve Cook, features a body that’s been progressively section wedged and stretched for a truly custom profile. The 427 SOHC engine is fed by dual Autolite 4V carbs. Trim is nickel-plated aluminum. Underneath, there’s a custom tube chassis.  Daryl Ducommun, Larrabee,...  Daryl Ducommun, Larrabee, IA / 1950 Ford coupe Daryl Ducommun’s metallic root beer shoebox, built by Brent Elsen at Dakota Muscle Cars, is custom all over. The glass is flush mounted in the chopped top. Airbag suspension drops it to the ground. The 289 engine is backed by a four-speed. The inside is covered in leather and basket weave Ultrasuede.  Joe Proski, Glendale, AZ /...  Joe Proski, Glendale, AZ / 1950 Mercury Originally built 20 years ago by Squeeg Jerger, the Merc was recently rebuilt by Doug Jerger at Squeegs Kustoms. The engine and suspension is Oldsmobile. Custom elements like frenched headlights and taillights, rounded corners, 3-1/2-inch chop, and Merlot paint, are only partly why Proski’s beautiful sled is the Goodguys West Coast Custom of the Year.  Jeff Mattazaro, El Cajon,...  Jeff Mattazaro, El Cajon, CA / 1956 Chevy pickup Of course it was the eye-catching Kiwi Green paint that drew us to this ZZ4-powered pickup, riding on a Total Cost Involved front and rear suspension setup and rolling on 20- and 22-inch Race Line rims. The up-to-date interior is covered in cream-colored leather. Inside and out, it’s a beauty.  Brookville Roadster body No....  Brookville Roadster body No. 11 rides on an original ’32 chassis, with a 383 small-block Chevy, Richmond five-speed, and Halibrand quick-change moving it along. Jack and Donna Linden from Prescott, AZ, are owners of this chopped highboy.  Sure, it’s shiny. Notice the...  Sure, it’s shiny. Notice the sun bouncing off the hood of Dave Iversen’s chopped ’36, built at Iversen Originals. A ton of fabrication work went into the roadster, which was once a five-window coupe. The ’37 Flathead is backed by a ’39 gearbox. The DuVall-style windshield is a one-off piece.  The paint on Bob and Sharolyn...  The paint on Bob and Sharolyn Kerns’ ’50 Olds Holiday coupe was bright even inside the Display of Excellence building. The shaved, slammed, tubbed, chopped Olds sits on a Jaguar front and rear suspension. The Olds is owner-built except for upholstery and the ’56 Olds engine.  Trevis Berry from Gilroy has...  Trevis Berry from Gilroy has the completely correct attitude about his ZZ4-powered Deuce five-window, which he’s owned since the mid-’90s. As nice as it is, it’s built to drive. Berry’s motto is “I’m going to put the dings into it myself.”  Rick Geilenfeldt still has...  Rick Geilenfeldt still has the $140 Bill of Sale from when he bought this ’50 Olds as a high school kid in 1964. Since then, he’s added a 455 from a ’73 Toronado, seats from a ’65 Corvair Monza, Fatman IFS, and a narrowed 9-inch.  This hand-patina’d original-steel...  This hand-patina’d original-steel ’33 was built by previous owner Rod Palmer at Arizona Street Rods. Bruce Albertson from L.A. bought it as the L.A. Roadster Show last summer. The engine is a 502ci GM crate motor. Bison leather covers the interior and nickel plating covers the Halibrands and many other components and trim pieces.  The Good Wood corral is a...  The Good Wood corral is a popular part of the show in Del Mar, and the Good Wood Pick award was given to Joe Free’s ’50 Ford woodie, completed one day before the event. The passenger compartment is finished in dark tan interior and wood paneling. A Ram Jet crate engine is underhood. “It’s gonna be a driver,” Free promised.  Another Del Mar veteran is...  Another Del Mar veteran is Lou Lettino’s unchopped, channeled ’27 T coupe, from Cardiff (United Kingdom). The dual Stromberg ’banger we remember has been replaced by a 292 Y-block with three deuces. Lettino took home the Goodguys Suede & Chrome award.  Look real close to see the...  Look real close to see the white pinstriping along the beltline of Scott Robert’s ’41 Ford truck, built by Hot Rods & Custom Stuff. There’s more striping on the tailgate. This knockout pickup is packed with a Flathead with two deuces and Edmunds air cleaners. The cab is done in cream tuck ’n’ roll.  The bright red finish on Buddy...  The bright red finish on Buddy Pepp’s ’34 three-window is a driveway lacquer job sprayed in the ’70s. The chrome is from the same timeframe. Pepp has had the coupe for more than 15 years. Drivetrain consists of a small-block Chevy and TH350 automatic with a 9-inch Currie rearend.  In the truest custom tradition,...  In the truest custom tradition, Tony Miller’s slammed ’56 Ford Victoria was modified with ’55 Customline side trim and grille, ’56 Lincoln hubcaps, ’55 Olds headlights, ’55 Merc taillights, a ’65 GTO hood scoop, and ’64 Thunderbird interior parts, to name only a few mods. Underhood is a built-up 351 Windsor.  Needing something to drive...  Needing something to drive to Del Mar, Carly dePeralta bought this low-mileage ’55 Chrysler New Yorker a week before the show. The Hemi is the original 331. Lace paint covers the top, while she got rid of the fur carpet but kept the fur dash top.  One of our Del Mar favorites...  One of our Del Mar favorites is Jack Burns’ ’41 Studebaker Champion Deluxe Custom Club Sedan (it was a Top 100 pick back in 2006). The Nailhead-powered Stude with a mid-’60s switch pitch (variable stator) TH400 still looks great with Cypress Gold Frost paint and Torq-Thrust IIs.  Terry James’ ’49 Chevy Fleetline...  Terry James’ ’49 Chevy Fleetline features one of our favorite body styles. This homebuilt Chevy is nosed and decked, with frenched headlights and taillights. Traditional rolls ’n’ pleats fill the orange and cream interior. The engine is a 425ci Buick Nailhead.  The historic Pete Henderson...  The historic Pete Henderson roadster from the early ’40s is one of the “75 Most Significant ’32 Ford Hot Rods” and the legendary “car that raced the horse” (Google it). It was recently restored by current caretaker Ralph Whitworth of San Diego, and won the Period Perfect and Real McCoy awards this weekend.  Still fresh from the Grand...  Still fresh from the Grand National Roadster Show, Dana and Lorene Hinkle’s “Gold Rush” Deuce pickup has ’60s show rod written all over it. From the gleaming small-block to the white diamond stitch interior and African zebrano wood bed, the steel-bodied ’32 attracted a little bit of attention.  Joe’s pavement-scraping ’56...  Joe’s pavement-scraping ’56 wears a shade of red that would make the lights on the Vegas Strip look dim in comparison.  Ron Mangus Hot Rod Interiors...  Ron Mangus Hot Rod Interiors covered the custom seats, console, panels, and lower dash in black leather.  This Ford four-valve DOHC...  This Ford four-valve DOHC modular 4.6 packs Schenk’s pickup. Schenk kept the engine stock and is beyond satisfied with the power it makes.
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