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Goodguys 20th Annual East Coast Nationals Rhinebeck - East Coast CoolFrom the December, 2011 issue of Street Rodder By Chuck Vranas
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For rodders, there’s nothing like setting course through the picturesque winding country roads leading to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, New York, to take in the Goodguys East Coast Nationals. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, it’s an event that showcases not only the finest in rods and customs the East has to offer, but also its culture and history. When you finally motor into town you’ll immediately note the classic architecture that frames the quaint little town of Rhinebeck. Loaded with historical sites, it’s a place where time seems to stand still, making it a refreshing change of pace from the everyday rat race. Even before making your way to the event there are countless points of interest that you should be sure to check out, including the vast collection of vintage aircraft from the Pioneer, World War I, and the Lindbergh/Barnstorming eras at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Weather permitting, you might even have a chance at taking a Barnstorming flight in a ’29 New Standard D-25 open-cockpit biplane over the scenic Hudson River. Tony Jobson used the right... Tony Jobson used the right formula on his ’49 Chevy by giving it a right-on chop, dousing it with polished black suede and adding classic flames. Arriving at the event, Goodguys always rolls out the red carpet to its attendees and this year was no exception. For the 20th year, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds welcomed visitors to check out an endless array of the finest rods, customs, classic trucks, and muscle cars in the Northeast. After stopping by and getting your credentials, you entered the heart of the fairgrounds, which offered countless, well-designed, tree-lined cruising roads and plenty of opportunity to get settled within its vast confines. Once settled in it was time to get out and tune into many of the finer points of interest, including hundreds of vendors showcasing plenty of their latest wares to outfit your rod or custom with cutting-edge technology. When the need to feed hit, there were loads of vendors hawking just the right combination of fried goods, and cold beverages, giving you loads of energy to check out the expansive car corral and swap meet area. Sure it wouldn’t be Rhinebeck if it didn’t rain (which it did for a bit), but dedicated attendees didn’t let that alter their plans for a weekend of fun and excitement. With weather in the 70s and 80s, it was perfect for taking the kids for a stop over to the Make-n-Take model build area or take a break while jamming to the live entertainment by Crimson Tears who ripped it up during the day and evening at the Saturday night hot rod party and dance. There were loads of rods and customs in attendance, covering all different types of build styles, from traditional to slick high-tech rides with just enough primered cars to keep it real. On Saturday there were a number of special parking areas to showcase various categories, including the Builders Choice, Homebuilt Heaven, and Young Guys, to name but a few. These areas are always a hotbed of activity for everyone to check out between 7 a.m. to noon. With the rolling topography of the fairgrounds there were plenty of unique areas to visit as you walked the event, including hot rod hill to take in some of the most bitchin’ traditional rods and customs of the weekend. There was even a display of vintage fire trucks in attendance showcasing restored vehicles from the horse and buggy era all the way into the ’60s. Channeled 4 inches over a... Channeled 4 inches over a ’51 Ford truck chassis, Brian Darcy’s ’29 Ford roadster pickup had loads of neat details, like a four-pot-fed small-block Chevy and ’57 Chrysler hubcaps. This year there were plenty of standouts to dig, like Keith Goettlich’s ’37 Chevy that was just plain bitchin’ with its dramatic Westergard styling, Jon Schuchart’s ’26 Ford roadster was pure soup-job packed with a ’55 Merc V-8, and Dick Applegate’s downright evil ’41 Willys filled with a 528ci Hemi mill. By the time Sunday afternoon arrived, it was time for Goodguys extensive awards program to blast off, bringing a fun-filled weekend to completion. If you haven’t yet experienced the magic of the Goodguys East Coast Nationals, mark your calendars for 2012 to experience firsthand what everyone in the Northeast considers one of the finest events around.  Fred Provenzano’s ’50 Lincoln...  Fred Provenzano’s ’50 Lincoln looked stunning with a perfectly proportioned chop, and classic elements, like rear skirts, Caddy caps, and decadent burgundy icing.  From RPM Hot Rods, Danny Johnson’s...  From RPM Hot Rods, Danny Johnson’s ’62 Chevy was pure evil with its RideTech slammed stance, 502 Chevy-injected Rat, and Billet Specialties rollers.  Straight from Koolsville,...  Straight from Koolsville, Woody Cafarelli’s ’30 Ford coupe was hammered, channeled, and packed with an Offy-topped small-block capped with Rochester carbs.  Built into a radical custom...  Built into a radical custom by Hank Fournier in 1959, this wild ’39 Ford was then rebuilt and sold by Willy Ouimette in 1965. Forty-five years later, Ouimette located it and restored it back to its glory.  Gassers like Guy Moran’s ’55...  Gassers like Guy Moran’s ’55 Chevy are wicked hot nowadays, especially with a nosebleed stance, 532ci Caddy mill, biscuit-stitched bucket interior, and whitewall slicks.  Bill Rawlings’ ’30 Ford hauler...  Bill Rawlings’ ’30 Ford hauler was packed with a full-house Flathead running Sharp finned aluminum heads, Thickstun PM-7 intake, and a pair of Stromberg 97-series carbs.  Nosed, decked, shaved, chopped,...  Nosed, decked, shaved, chopped, and frenched, Ward Jones’ ’51 Chevy custom was then treated to a custom grille and doused in effervescent green vibe.  Still wearing its cruising...  Still wearing its cruising mask, Les Madaus’ ’39 Chevy looked ready for the long haul with its comfy leather interior and Billet Specialties wheels shod with black rubber.  Harvey Bagshaw’s ’56 Chevy...  Harvey Bagshaw’s ’56 Chevy was just plain wicked with its 2-1/4-inch chop, ’54 Merc headlight bezels, reworked nose and rear quarter-panels, and mile-deep candy burgundy body.  Dipped in a vat of effervescent...  Dipped in a vat of effervescent blue and slammed to the ground, Guido Panni’s ’40 Ford hauler rolled on American Racing five-spokes and featured a 350ci Chevy for power.  Ready to hit the strip, Steve...  Ready to hit the strip, Steve Manganaro’s ’51 Henry J was downright nasty, packed with a 413ci Chrysler mill sucking air through a louvered hood.  Nothing oozes class like a...  Nothing oozes class like a slammed ’66 Caddy. Ed Henderson’s barge was drenched in rootbeer metallic, treated to a custom interior, and given a pulse from a Caddy 429ci V-8.  Randy Bianchi’s ’32 Ford had...  Randy Bianchi’s ’32 Ford had the right combination of attitude and Flathead power with a mill capped with Edelbrock heads breathing through a matching two-pot intake.  A well-traveled fixture on...  A well-traveled fixture on the East Coast rodding scene, Jim Valentino’s ’27 Ford T-bucket never sits long enough to gather any dust, and to us that’s the real deal.  Garret Terhaar’s ’31 Ford...  Garret Terhaar’s ’31 Ford coupe was stoke with its burnt orange flaked body, wide whites, and 276ci Flathead with Weiand heads, and Edelbrock Super two-pot intake.  Following a post-war build...  Following a post-war build style, Al Dingertopadre’s gloss black Deuce roadster had just the right look and packed a ’49 Merc Flathead linked to a three-speed trans for go power.  Bill and Linda Yorker’s ’41...  Bill and Linda Yorker’s ’41 Willys was all business, filled with a fresh 350ci Chevy topped with a Dyers 6-71 huffer breathing deep through a pair of 750-cfm Barry Grant carbs.  You can bet that Brian Dolin...  You can bet that Brian Dolin has a blast racking up the miles in his black suede ’31 Ford drop-top with its 327ci Chevy pushing the power through a TH400 trans.  Thanks to a 7-inch channel...  Thanks to a 7-inch channel and 4-1/2-inch chop, Paul O’Keefe’s Deuce was ready to party packed with a ’67 Chevy 327ci V-8 linked to a Muncie four-speed.  On Saturday, we caught up...  On Saturday, we caught up with some members from The Beatniks of Koolsville who had a killer grouping of kustoms and hot rods on display over the weekend.  Proudly displayed by the Hyde...  Proudly displayed by the Hyde Park Fire Department, this ’34 Ford fire truck was in service till 1979 and was restored in 2009 to honor Chief Ken Underwood Sr. 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 and how they’re voted on, check StreetRodder.com.  Paul White, Portland, ME /...  Paul White, Portland, ME / ’58 Chrysler Imperial There’s always plenty of creativity flowing at Back Bay Customs in Portland, Maine. Shop owner Paul White came across a clean ’58 Chrysler Imperial and decided to update it with cutting-edge technology while keeping the mechanicals all Chrysler. The car was matched with an ’06 Dodge Magnum SRT8 platform (stretched 14 inches) complete with a 6.1L Hemi, suspension, and interior.  Keith Goettlich, Rochester,...  Keith Goettlich, Rochester, MA / ’37 Chevy coupe Influenced by Westergard, Keith Goettlich’s coupe was chopped 3 inches by good friend Dave Paras of Paras Rod & Kustom. It was then slammed with a Heidts IFS and RideTech ’bags. The ’38 Chevy headlights, custom hood sides, and Foxcraft skirts round out the body while a ’53 Olds dash cluster and 401ci Nailhead V-8 complete it.  Ken Reister, Littleton, CO...  Ken Reister, Littleton, CO / ’33 Ford coupe A unique design brought to life by Chip Foose, Ken Reister’s coupe was built at Reister’s Rod Shop, blending the lines of a ’33 Ford coupe with the nose of a ’36 Ford. Rolling on custom wheels by Foose, the coupe gets its go from a 392ci Ford SVO engine topped with a Kinsler fuel injection (originally mechanical and converted to electronic).  Jon Schuchart, York, PA /...  Jon Schuchart, York, PA / ’26 Ford roadster John Schuchart’s roadster rides on an owner-built spine featuring a C’d front and 12-inch rear kick while ’38 Ford lever shocks and Lucky 7 hairpins add style. Steering is through a Schroeder box via a vintage boat wheel while a ’55 Mercury 292ci V-8 topped with an Offy three-pot sets the pace.  Bob Schutte, Henniker, NH...  Bob Schutte, Henniker, NH / ’32 Ford roadster If you’re 6-foot-8, your hopes of fitting into a Deuce are pretty slim. Bob Schutte worked with Mike Casey at Enigma Rod Shop who engineered a rear-engine hot rod with plenty of interior room from a Harwood body and an extended firewall. An injected ZZ4 Chevy 350ci mill is linked to a TH425 motor home trans.  John Peters, Edison, NJ /...  John Peters, Edison, NJ / ’37 Ford coupe After completing the rolling chassis and nailing a 302ci Ford V-8 to the ’rails; John delivered the coupe to the team at Bad Donkee Hot Rods to work their magic. Completing it in lustrous ruby red polished suede, they dialed in all the systems and handed it over to Mike Sholley to lay out the business office.  Doug Bredbury, Durham, CT...  Doug Bredbury, Durham, CT / ’32 Ford coupe Built in his home shop, the coupe features a masterful chop, bobbed rear fenders, a perfect stance, and magnesium wheels. A dressed-to-impress 348ci Chevy mill topped with an Offy six-pot linked to a Tremec T5 dumps spent gases through custom lake pipes while power goes through a Jag rear.  Bryan & Kerela Jones, Fairport,...  Bryan & Kerela Jones, Fairport, NY / ’36 Ford Tudor Wrapping up an eight-year home build, the ’36 was loaded with custom touches, including a perfect steel body coated in a combination of merlot and champagne gloss, a seamless headliner with stainless trim, an Ultraleather interior, and Billet Specialties Fast Lane wheels. A detailed 383 Chevy V-8 linked to a 700-R4 trans makes long trips a breeze.  Mark Giambalvo, Womelsdorf,...  Mark Giambalvo, Womelsdorf, PA / ’56 Ford Ranch Wagon To create a signature ride for his shop, Creative Rod & Kustom, Mark Giambalvo went all-out on the wagon, setting the stance with an IFS and four-link rear while adding one-piece side glass and Mini Cooper door handles to the body. Bathed in black, a Ram Jet 350 adds plenty of power to spin classic American Racing wheels.  Don Kalina, Dalton, PA / ’61...  Don Kalina, Dalton, PA / ’61 Chevy Impala Don Kalina’s Impala had plenty of aggressive attitude, thanks to the crew at Distinctive Street Rods who made the body razor-sharp and slammed then it to the ground on RideTech ’bags. Power comes from a 572ci GM crate V-8 linked to a Tremec six-speed while its immaculate interior was by Rick Perez. Voltage drop is common in vehicles when too small gauge of wire is used to power accessories. Bad connections can also cause voltage drop as well as a switch that isn’t designed to carry enough amperage for an accessory. Check the output of the alternator and compare it to your voltmeter; they should be within a tenth of a volt for best performance. It’s easy to see that Tom’s... It’s easy to see that Tom’s coupe has just the right stance to make it look bitchin’ cruising the strip on any given night. Best Ford in a Ford With the fairgrounds packed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Goodguys East Coast Nationals, it was a perfect time for Street Rodder and Ford Racing’s recognition of Street Rodders who install a late-model Ford engine in a Ford hot rod. A thorough cruise through the event led us to Tom Weisman of Poughkeepsie, New York, who is the latest award recipient with his cool ’40 Ford coupe, fitted with a 302ci Ford Racing crate V-8 linked to a Ford C4 transmission. Breathing deep through an Edelbrock intake and matching 650-cfm carb, it was dressed up with just enough chrome accents. The coupe sits on an original spine updated with a Ford 9-inch rear out back and IFS up front for smooth handling. Rolling on vibrant wheels from TQ capped with BFGoodrich wide whites, a razor-sharp body was treated to just enough navy blue pearl accented by vibrant red pinstriping. Inside, a comfy bench was covered with yards of dazzling white vinyl while business is handled by a Lokar shifter along with a Flaming River tilt column topped with a classic banjo-style wheel to set the course. For added comfort, Vintage Air keeps the cabin cool while Pioneer keeps the tunes cranking and VDO gauges monitor the vitals. Congratulations to Tom Weisman who will receive a Limited Edition jacket as the award winner.  The Ford Racing 302ci crate...  The Ford Racing 302ci crate V-8 looks perfect with just enough dazzle, accented by an Edelbrock intake and matching 650-cfm carb to make plenty of power.  Classic threads were expertly...  Classic threads were expertly matched with just enough comfort features from Vintage Air, Flaming River, and Lokar.  Congratulations Tom Weisman...  Congratulations Tom Weisman and welcome to the exclusive group of rodders who have received special honors for their accomplishment.
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