In 2004, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has expanded the scope of its popular Del Mar Rod & Custom Nationals to include vehicles up to and including 1972 models, rather than limiting the event to pre-1964 cars and trucks.
Now, in addition to the 2,000-plus vintage hot rods, street rods, wild customs and classics, the event will also showcase the raucous muscle cars and high-performance street machines of the Pony Car era. For three days from April 2-4, the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif., will be transformed into a scene from American Graffiti as the wild rods and customs sprawl across the scenic acres in a candy-colored, eye-popping display and an array of revs and reverbs.
"As more enthusiasts join the ranks of the hot rod hobby, many of these new owners are opting for those cars they loved from their youth," says Gary Meadors, president of Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. "Muscle car popularity continues to escalate with no end in sight, so we wanted to welcome these enthusiasts and their terrific vehicles to our Del Mar event for the first time. The more opportunities people have to enjoy their cars, the greater the likelihood the cars will be around for the next generation of hot rodders."
Headlining the weekend's activities will be a dazzling smorgasbord of customized cars and trucks - grouped for easy viewing and judging into special feature car corrals such as:
* Deuce Doin's - featuring those spectacular 'Lil Deuce Coupes and roadsters
* Homebuilt Heaven - open to all owner built machines
* Good Wood - for those wonderful "woodies" with polished timber sides
* Wide White Way - for any car sporting traditional whitewalls
* Young Guys - open to owners and builders 25 years and under
* Muscle Reunion (1960 - 1972) - for those wonderful street machines with horsepower to spare
The newest creation from legendary customizer Boyd Coddington - called "What The Haye" - will be on display as part of its national debut. This stunning Viper V10-powered roadster, based on a 1930s-era Delahaye, is a striking interpretation of a 21st Century hot rod with an eye-catching swept-fender silhouette reminiscent of the great French sporting cars of the Art Deco era. Coddington has worked his magic once again, reaching back to an elegant automotive design to produce an aggressive, edgy monster with brute horsepower and lots of innovative, modern and surprising touches.
During the weekend, Coddington will also select his Pro's Picks from among the thousands of vehicles on display. Additionally, editors and staffers from Street Rodder, Custom Rodder and Classic Trucks magazines will select the Top 10 picks in each of their featured vehicles' genres. PPG will also award a trophy for the vehicle it selects as its "Dream Car," and sponsor Eagle One will choose the event's 2004 Street Rod d'Elegance.
Unlike stuffy concours, where selections are made based on points and judging sheets, the committee members at Goodguys events make their selections subjectively - based on the quality of craftsmanship, body and paint execution, fit, form, functionality, stance and overall creativity of design and concept. On Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3, Mecum Collector Car Auctions will host "Mecum at Goodguys," a two-day auction at the Del Mar Fairgrounds adding to the ambience of the event. The hot rod-packed collector car auction preview begins Friday at 9 a.m. and the auction officially opens at 1 p.m. On Saturday the auction preview also begins at 9 a.m. and day two of the "Mecum at Goodguys" auction kicks off at 11 a.m.
Weekend festivities also include non-stop nostalgic music, a used auto parts Swap Meet and Cars 4 Sale Corral, technical and how-to seminars, shopping along the Manufacturers' Midway, plus special activities for kids. On Sunday afternoon, the atmosphere be comes electric as hundreds of special awards are presented on the Entertainment Stage to dedicated and enthusiastic participants who have traveled hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles, to showcase their rare and exceptional vehicles.
The 4th Annual K & N Filters/Goodguys Del Mar Rod & Custom Nationals are on Friday, April 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, April 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $15 per day, seniors 60+ are $12, children ages 7-12 are admitted for $6 per day and children under six are admitted free. Spectator parking at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is $7 per day.
Open to all hot rods, customs and classics through 1972, members may pre-register online at www.good-guys.com, call Goodguys at (925) 838-9876, or register at the event.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Alamo, Calif., the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is the nation's leader in producing and promoting exciting automotive enthusiast events. The association's 22 events are staged in 18 cities, 14 states throughout the U.S. - from New York to California, from Florida to Washington, ranging from two-day events to weekend extravaganzas attracting over 100,000 auto enthusiasts, catering to many diverse groups of auto enthusiasts. For additional information about Goodguys, its products and its upcoming events visit the company website at www.good-guys.com.