2017 Goodguys Southwest Nationals

West World, Scottsdale, Az

By Conrad Monroe

Photos by Danise Clover & Conrad Monroe

This year’s Goodguys Show at West World in Scottsdale marks a major milestone for the club. After almost 20 years of hosting the show which has grown each year, and picking up a spring show a few years ago, the club voted that enough was enough and that it was was time to move on. In honor of our service the Goodguys organization gave club members free admission and preferred parking for the event. By all measures this was a huge event. The field was full by 10 AM on Saturday, the Swap Meet was sold out by noon on Friday and the Vendor Semitruck parking area was filled as well. Dan Burnett garnered the Best Ford in a Ford with his totally correct Model A banger.

placeholder://OTHG – Phoenix enjoying not having to work the GG Show!

It will be interesting to observe how things will progress in the future. Goodguys are making a lot of changes for 2018; The maximum year of the cars that are allowed onto the field is moving from 1972 to 1987 and here after will increase by a year. Goodguys are clearly intent upon attracting the 40 to 50 year olds into the hobby by accepting the cars of their youth. Goodguys are still restricting imports which may run counter to their goal, since it was during the 1990s that computer controlled fuel injected engines became the norm and the Tuner movement began. The offsetting factor here is that there are a number of younger folks (30 – 50 yr olds) that have fallen in love with the original Traditional Hot Rods and Customs who are very adamant on keeping Old School alive…

I would love to be able to say that Goodguys is trying to make the car hobby tent larger and more inclusive, but… next year the Big Tent will be gone and the entire field will be laid out differently… the inside vendors will move to large building, the Vendor semis will move to where the RV Parking is now and the RVs will move to where the Swap Meet was, the Swap Meet is headed toward where the Big Tent was… the Times They Are A Changing!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming Christmas Party!Conrad