Goodguys return

Spokane gets to experience a little slice of heaven – hot rod heaven that is – when the Goodguys roll into town this weekend for the Sixth Annual Great Northwest Nationals at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

The event will draw as many as 1,500 cars and trucks, circa 1972 and earlier, to the acres of exhibit areas. The Great Northwest Nationals will offer something for anyone with even a passing interest in custom cars.

There’s the 75th Anniversary for 1932 model-year cars. “We’re celebrating that with a special parking area at each event,” said Goodguys spokesman John Drummond. “It’s called ‘Deuces Are Wild.’ “

“Fins Are Fifty” pays tribute to the various 1957 model-year cars, most notably the 1957 Chevy, which has become such a collector’s car.

Other areas Drummond recommends include “Mighty Muscle,” dedicated to muscle cars; “You’ve Got To Drive ‘Em,” a section devoted to everyone who came 500 miles or more in their car; and the “Young Guys” area, which features hot rod builders under the age of 25.

The Spokane stop on the Goodguys schedule is one of 23 nationwide. The city falls into company with the likes of New York, Seattle and San Diego as hosts for these showplaces of shine.

Drummond said Spokane deserves its share of the spotlight because of its reputation as a center for hot rods and custom cars.

Said Drummond, “There’s a lot of car activity up in Spokane. Don Wilbur (Spokane Auto Boat Speed Show), Jack White, Tim’s Hot Rods,” are all notable names in the business.

Spokane shops built two cars that brought record prices at the prestigious Barrett-Jackson Auction held annually in Tucson.

“That kind of put Spokane on the hot rod map,” Drummond said. “It’s definitely a hotbed of hot rodding.”

The notoriety Spokane has earned is being rewarded, according to Drummond. At the Spokane show one of only 15 national finalists for the 2007 “Muscle Car of the Year,” will be chosen.

An even bigger honor will be bestowed on a car from the Spokane show. One of only five national finalists for the Goodguys 2007 “Custom Rod of the Year” will come from the Northwest Nationals. A custom rod is defined as any car 1949 through 1972 vintage.

“You know the whole nation is crazy for nostalgia cars and hot rods,” Drummond said. And it shows in some impressive figures. In 2006, retail sales nationally for street rod and custom car specialty equipment products reached $954 million and manufacturer sales were $325 million.

“The local car club there, the Dukes, are our host club,” Drummond said. “They help us run the gate. They take ownership. They spread the goodwill,” Drummond said.

Goodguys started in 1983 when founder Gary Meadors, then a salesman for deodorant products and a car nut, put together a car show in his hometown of Pleasanton, Calif. The single day event, “Goodguys Get Together,” took its title from Meador’s nickname.

What evolved from that little show has gone on to become the nation’s largest sanctioning organization for custom car shows.