Exclusive: 3,000 Classics, Customs, Hotrods And Lowriders Roll Into Goodguys 39th Annual All-American Get-Together

Springtime marks the beginning of car show season, and Goodguys Rod and Custom Associations – America’s favorite car show – went hard to kick off the Western Swing for 2023. With a three-peat of weekends, the Goodguys All-American Get-Together returned to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Calif. following the Texas LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals and the Arizona FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals.

As one of the first sunny weekends to grace the Northern California skies in recent memory, the 39th Annual All American Get-Together event’s tagline of “Cabin Fever Be Gone!” was apropos. The two-day gathering welcomed over 3,000 American-made or American-powered hotrods, rat rods, muscle cars and trucks, customs, and classics of all years, and auto enthusiasts converged. Spectating wasn’t the only draw as this Goodguys hosted many special events within the main draw.

Event Attractions

An outdoor shot at the 39th Annual Good Guys Rod & Custom Association get together

Highlighting some of the oldest of the old school, Custom of the Year Finalists were showcased indoors. The competition was open exclusively to customs from the production years 1936 to 1965.The strictly Oldsmobile Show and Deadend Magazine’s Lowrider Display also filled indoor buildings.

For those ready to test their performance Goodguys Classic Performance Products (CPP) Autocross Series was open to any vehicle produced in ’98 or earlier with six racing classes from novice to pro. Stock street cars, mild mods, and full track comp racers showed out to run the timed road course. But, that was only the beginning. The roar of Summit Racing’s Nitro Thunderfest Dragster Exhibition could be heard throughout the venue.

The Thunderfest wasn’t the only rumble heard in the fairgrounds. BlackWidow Exhaust, known for their Neighbor Haters brought the audio with the Exhaust Competition. Spectators that dig on laying a patch, know there’s nothing like the smell of burnt rubber, and the Burn Out Competition was ready to smoke ‘em, for those that had ‘em.

Always a fan favorite, Deadend Magazine hosted the Lowrider Hop and the Pinstriper Brush Bass shined with true showmanship. The Swap Meet and Cars 4 Sale Corral was stocked full for attendees with money to burn on parts, memorabilia or cars in any stage of resto. If that wasn’t enough, there was the Cruiserama Bicycle Display, Model Train Exhibit, Kids Zone, Model Make and Takes, GoodGals Gallery, church service, live entertainment, food truck rodeo, and of course the pièce de résistance – the Winner’s Circle and Awards Program.

Winner's Circle Highlights

TopSpeed was onsite to experience it all and drool over the thousands of entrants. Here are some of the standouts for us.

Custom Of The Year Finalist: 1956 Chevy Bel Air

Goodguys Custom of the Year Finalist Award Went to this 1956 Chevy Bel Air

A 1956 Chevy Bel Air took the honor of Fuel Curve’s Custom of the Year Finalist. While there were many exquisite details of this frame off custom, such as the two-tone interior and shaved doors, the exterior ombre paint was the head-turner for us here. House of Kolor was credited with a white sealer, a cream base and multiple coats of Candy Pearl Pagan Gold, with Aztec Gold Candy. Under the hood, the Chevy held a 350 and 700R.

Cool Candy: 1963 Chevy Impala

Goodguys Cool Candy Award went to this ultra-custom 1963 Chevy Impala.

A true work of art, this 1963 Chevy Impala rolled straight outta the indoor Deadend magazine Lowrider display into the winner’s circle to receive the Cool Candy award. A quick glance at the exterior of this Impala just isn’t enough.

Mural highlighted inside the wheel well of the 1963 Chevy Impala awarded the Cool Candy award at the 2023 Goodguys All-American Get-Together.

A full up-down of each individual portrait and mural and engraving hidden throughout the engine bay, trunk, even the wheel wells still won’t reveal all the Easter eggs on this one. It is powered by a 383 Stroker.

Best Engine: 1969 Chevy Camaro

Goodguys Best Engine Award went to this Edelbrock supercharged 1969 Chevy Camaro

No muscle car show is ever complete without a 1969 Chevy Camaro, and this one of a kind droptop ’69 SS/RS is a definitely a standout. Its Edelbrock supercharged LS1 with 620 wheel horse power earned Best Engine of the show, but in our opinion, the engine bay also gets the nod for its super sleek aesthetic to match its black mirror exterior.

GTO Pick: 1965 Pontiac GTO Le Mans

Yellow 1965 Pontiac GTO Le Mans — Jody Only

Original-owner 1965 GTO wins GTO Pick at 2023 Goodguys All-American Get-Together

This 1965 Pontiac GTO Le Mans Hardtop Coupe claimed the GTO pick of the show. Driven in by the only vehicle owner, this Pontiac had a unique backstory with its owner working at the Fremont, Calif. production plant in 1964 and being part of the car’s builders as it came down the line.

The original 389 V-8 topped with a six-pack still powered the GTO. Ordered with a chrome air cleaner cover and chrome rocker arm covers, in addition to the tach-rally gauge, and Red Line tires, the original build sheet with total bill for $3,698.47, including destination fee was still in the vehicle. An aftermarket change out had been done years ago, adding a dash version record player that ran 45’s was still the heart of the audio system.

Goodguys Staff Pick: 1963 Chevy Impala

Goodguys Staff Pick Award went to this custom Jet Black 1965 Chevy Impala

A Goodguys Staff Pick was bestowed upon this House of Kolor Jet Black 1965 Chevy Impala. Custom exterior and interior, and an Air Ride system were only part of this Impala’s glow-up. Its supercharged LSX feeds on flex fuel.

As there were only a few of the best of the best, and we are one step closer to the Custom of the Year awards, TopSpeed cannot wait to see what the 36th Annual West Coast Nationals from Goodguys will have in store for us this summer.