Few are the shows that'll wrench us from a dark sleep to get us to drive to. Sure, with a booked flight and a meager expense account, we can make just about any show in the country on a moment's notice. But there's one show we eagerly anticipate driving to: Goodguys' West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, California.
For the fourth year running, we've found a few more nutcases who are wacky enough to follow us up the coast for the gig. This year we jammed four cars strong there and back. We also took advantage of the scenery by taking the less-traveled 101 up and the incredibly scenic Pacific Coast Highway back. The show itself was pretty good, too; with postcard-perfect weather and a large, well-organized event, there's something for everybody. This year's tour included a trip to Arlen Ness' new bike shop, the Blackhawk Museum, Sacramento Vintage Ford, Leonard Lopez' Dominator Motorsports and Accessories, Moal's Body Shop in Oakland, and Bob Dron's Harley-Davidson shop.
While we didn't witness it ourselves, we heard that the Pleasanton Downtown Association didn't cordon off the main drag and sell tickets to park or use the thoroughfare. That's good news; it gives us a good venue to witness the kinetic artwork we call hot rods and street rods in motion.
As for the show itself, it's a doozey since Goodguys unveils America's Most Beautiful Street Rod at the event. Of course the Hiboy Heaven, Willys Roundup, the Real Rod Nationals, and the Young Guys areas make attendance well worth it. For more on the show, check out the January 04 STREET RODDER for expanded coverage. Until then, enjoy this for a teaser:
To the winner go the spoils--in...
To the winner go the spoils--in this case Ron Whiteside and his '34 Ford coupe. The coupe features a Chip Foose design and buildup, a Don Ridler Memorial Award trophy, and the same name on its title for almost 40 years--Whiteside's.
This roadster may look eerily...
This roadster may look eerily familiar; we featured it as part of Craig Newcomb's garage scene back in the October '02 issue. Well, he's finally on the road, and he scooted on by on his way back from Bonneville--as evidenced from the salt and the very nifty umbrella option. For the record, it's a low-deck Dodge Red Ram against a LaSalle trans. Best of all, Newcomb whittled up darn near everything for the car.
Oh, if we could only call...
Oh, if we could only call Phil and Ruthie Marler's '52 Willys a pre '49. Don't let the stock facade fool you; it's got a Heidt's IFS, a RamJet/700R4 combo, Classic Instruments gauges, and Vintage air. The tri-toned body, plaid cloth interior, and radial whitewalls only add to the classic theme.
When good design speaks for...
When good design speaks for itself, don't interrupt. That's the case with Mick and Kaye O'Neill's '39 Lincoln Zephyr. They brought the cabriolet up to modern highway standards with a 429/C6 combo, a Mustang II frontend, and a Ford 9". They even hid the power window switches and A/C system to maintain the early look.
It's a fact: resto rods are...
It's a fact: resto rods are back--and we don't mind one bit if they're all as nicely executed as Jack Ketlinski's '33 Chevy phaeton. To many a restorers' chagrin, Ketlinski started with a complete older restoration, but instead of butchering it, he mapped a thoughtful buildup with a Kugel IFS, a '95 LT1 and 4L60E combo, and a Mark Williams 9" Ford rearend. The Chev runs 14- and 15-inch Wheel Vintiques wires and a sublime British racing green/tan combo.
Joe and Debi Ortega proved...
Joe and Debi Ortega proved four doors are bitchin' in their own right. The very subtle shape changes they made really make the car stand out. For example, they chopped the top, but instead of whacking it, they nibbled a modest 1 1/2-inch out. They also slanted the windshield and rear roof inwards the same amount. Joe's an engine builder by trade (Joe's Engine Shop, Concord, CA), so the sedan runs a warmed-over, 390-horse Ramjet against a 700R4.
Bill Oslakowski's Dodge pickup...
Bill Oslakowski's Dodge pickup was so fresh, it still reeked of catalyzing paint. He'd finished it on Thursday night and drove it over. Aside from uncommon, it's very tidy: Wheel Vintiques wires, Coker radials, a purple heart wood-inserted bed, and turn signal-style Guide headlights. Actually, we jumped the gun to a degree; Oslakowski hadn't even finished the interior!