SCW at Goodguys West Coast Nationals 2011

As usual, the Goodguys West Coast Nationals were held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton CA. Late August in Pleasanton almost always guaranties great weather. The 24^th annual was no exception. This event attracts more than 3,500 Rods, Customs and Classics thru 1972. One of the highlights of the show is the “Good Wood” area. Gary Meadors, founder of the Goodguys, loves woodies. He has owned a couple and is putting the finishing touches on his latest right now. Gary always reserves a primo spot in a tree shaded area smack dab in the middle of the fairgrounds for the slew of woodies that attend.

Now, as you can imagine, thousands of car people looking for a dinner spot can be a challenge. Long waits for a table at the local restaurants even on the off weekends is the norm. This year, the Santa Cruz Fun Team decided to host a BBQ in the Good Wood area and invite the woodie owners, their families and friends to an old time country BBQ. The first step was to reserve the pits so we had a place to cook. Santa Cruz member Diane Walsh, who works for Goodguys, made all the arrangements and the party was on. The second step was to get the main course taken care of. Sue Vickery and Marilyn Bowman handled the shopping detail and filled the carts to the top. All that was left was to prepare and cook the main courses. The three Jim’s (Ferdinand, Alves and Vickery) somehow, between glasses of wine and beers, had the line of hungry guests eating in no time. The desserts and sitting around BS’ing with friends put a cap on a full day one of activities.

Woodies have become one of the most popular cars at any show, but it’s the people who own them that make any woodie gathering great. Take in a woodie show and see what I’m talking about.