|
|
The Goodguys Rock RhinebeckThe 12th Annual Goodguys East Coast Nats From the February, 2009 issue of Rod & Custom
|
|
Back East, the summer of 2003 will be remembered as being one of the soggiest on record. Since there were so many rainy weekends, rod and custom enthusiasts got used to it. After all, it is something we take in stride. When it began to rain midway through the Goodguys 12th Annual East Coast Nationals in Rhinebeck, New York, no one missed a beat. Umbrellas started appearing Saturday afternoon, along with a few raincoats, and participants found themselves wiping down vehicles. No one complained. A little rain cannot spoil a good time, and the participants at this event were having a very good time. The sun was beaming brightly Friday when the curtain went up for the show. The Hudson Valley Street Rods had a poker run that allowed participants to see some great Catskill Mountains scenery. Times Square strolled the Dutchess County Fairgrounds serenading everyone with popular doo-wop tunes and entertained later that evening at the TGIF party. One of the best features of the expansive fairgrounds is its layout, with gently sloping grassy areas amid tall shade trees and plenty of paved lanes for cruising. All weekend long, rods, customs, classics, and musclecars were cruising the grounds. With a host of vendors on hand, plus the Ladies Marketplace, a model and pedal car show, car corral, and swap meet, there was plenty to do, and judging by the crowd, people were enjoying themselves. Gray skies greeted participants Saturday morning, but the fairgrounds filled up quickly with entrants and spectators. On-and-off drizzles throughout the afternoon failed to dampen the enthusiasm for all of the activities. In fact, as one hot rod owner looked up at the clouds, he was heard commenting, "Well, that's why they make towels." There was a good turnout for the special parking areas Saturday, with this year's spotlight on Custom Country, Willys Round Up, and Young Guys. Kids had a good time at the Make-'N'-Take model-building session while Rick K and the Allnighters performed some good old rock and roll Saturday afternoon and evening. Rain, however, did force cancellation of the planned fireworks display later that night. Sunday dawned with gray skies and light drizzle, but by late morning the sun was peeking through the clouds. There were more than 75 picks for awards, and all winners were assembled in a special parking area before being lined up for the awards ceremony. Several participants had their lucky numbers drawn as finalists for some special Goodguys prizes, including a Hemi-powered Dodge pickup, Ford and Mopar engines, billet wheels, garage lifts, and many others that were to be awarded at the Southeastern Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October.  Hot rods can be very much...  Hot rods can be very much alike in some aspects, yet different at the same time. The coupe on the left, owned by Bob Cross of Mt. Laurel, NJ, runs with a hefty 351 Ford engine and five-speed tranny, while on the right, Laura and Ron SanGiovanni's three-window from Wallingford, CT, is motivated by a blown flathead.  A 403 Olds engine provides...  A 403 Olds engine provides the punch for this '50 Olds custom sedan. Chopped and shaved, the custom car look is augmented by lakes pipes and fender skirts.  There has been a big renewed...  There has been a big renewed interest in nostalgic hot rods from coast to coast. John Connelly of Waltham, MA, drove in with his gray primer five-window accented by red scallops.  Riz's old pal Dave Paras of...  Riz's old pal Dave Paras of Peabody, MA, owns this cool custom '51 Merc which has a radical chop, Buick headlights, Olds spinners, and gold scallops on black suede--not bad for an ex-four-door, huh?  A roadster with a top but...  A roadster with a top but no side curtains gets help from a couple of strategically placed umbrellas. Ron and Roseanne Rowe of Lindenhurst, NY, own this nice '29 Ford highboy.  The 351 Windsor sits back...  The 351 Windsor sits back into the cowl on Kim Dolins' '29 Ford roadster. It sports a nice chop, wide whites, and patina highlighted by scallops for a nice nostalgia look for the Germantown, NY, hot rod.  This flamed '50 Merc is owned...  This flamed '50 Merc is owned by Sonny and Sylvia Venuti of Lynnfield, MA, and features more modifications than we have space to list--though a bunch of 'em are obvious in this photo.  Dodge Lancer spinners, nerf...  Dodge Lancer spinners, nerf bars, and a righteous chop are all that was needed to nail the nostalgia theme on Ken Rooney's '41 Ford pickup from Johnston, RI.  We love this '53 Studebaker...  We love this '53 Studebaker with its stylish chop, full rollcage, Cadillac engine, and louvered hood and trunk. The period-perfect sedan is owned by Tom Bacon of West Hartford, CT. Look for a full feature in an upcoming issue!  Al Mattuchio's '31 Ford roadster...  Al Mattuchio's '31 Ford roadster is pure hot rod with its flathead power, twin carbs, and early wire wheels done in red to offset the primer finish. Medford, MA, is home for this highboy.  Custom work abounds on this...  Custom work abounds on this '55 Chevy wagon, from the Corvette grille teeth all the way back to the Packard taillights. Ghost flames in metalflake magenta adorn the top, and owner Bruce Comboni of Bridgeport, CT, decided to keep the rest of the paint flat. Its dark burgundy finish is further enhanced by Radir wheels with wide whites.  This nice '36 Ford coupe is...  This nice '36 Ford coupe is tastefully done and looks as if it were built in 1959. Jim Gustin of Winchester, MA, has a Cadillac engine under the hood. The small Ford hubcaps look good on the smoothie wheels.  Frank Passamonte of Farmington,...  Frank Passamonte of Farmington, NY, drove his exceptionally nice, Ford-powered Deuce to the show, much to the pleasure of its many admirers.
|
|
|