Goodguys

[78trans]

So i have been thinking here lately about the Good guy car shows. i was wondering if anyone else thinks that they should change the year restrictions? I'm building my 1978 trans am and i cant go to any of the good guy car shows with it because it is too "new". Me like most kids at 17 who start to build a car have to start with a late 70's early 80's muscle cars, this means that when we are done we cant go and show off what we built. i know there is probably some good reasons for the years allowed and not allowed. I think they should change that so that way the younger guys can get involved more. they should move it up a couple years and have someone at the gates looking at the cars coming in if they see that the car doesn't belong in the show then they send them home. Who here agrees with me in this???:ripped::ripped::ripped:

[MuscleRodz]

NSRA has raised their year limit to 81 due to lack of attendance. Goodguys does not seem to have that problem at the moment.

[mpozzi]

Good Guys does have a few events where anything American powered or made is welcome but I do see your plight. You're also not the first that's asked this question and you might want to send Good Guys an email. As well as others that have "newer" cars, I'd be curious to hear their reasoning.

Mary Pozzi

[rrunner68]

Plenty of 1000.00 darts novas and mustangs out there.

[Later-A-body]

78Trans, I agree with you and have posted this same subject in the Goodguys section. I feel like I get penalized for having a 1973. I did speak with the director of events at Goodguys about this last year and he has admitted that it has been a subject discussed many times. Some Goodguys "Get Togethers" allow all cars. As for $1,000 cars...I would like to see what a $1,000 Nova looks like?? Most likely a real POS compared to a car in the alternative years that 78Trans mentioned.

[class67]

I completely understand your gripe. Three of the four GG shows in Pleasanton CA. (GG's hometown) are open to all years and makes as long as they are american powered. I would send an e-mail to them reguarding this, who knows? maybe they will get the hint and open it up at other shows acorss the nation!

[dontlifttoshift]

Goodguys will eventually up the year cutoff to later models but it may take some time. NSRA recently upped there cutoff and you would of thought it was a personal attack listening to some of the "core" street rodders. There was a back lash with NSRA and there was a backlash with goodguys when they went to 72.
It really doesn't matter to me....I think 55 is late model.

Also related....they wouldn't let my cat into Westminster. I have sent several emails....I mean, its a really cool cat.:)
45927

[rockytopper]

As long as you young guys don't be texting while your autocrossing I'm ok with it.:)

Just kidding Trans. I met your dad yesterday evening very nice guy. If you guys have any issues with the bracket I dropped off just let me know. Good luck in your plight I am in full support.

[chr2002ca]

I think it will continue to depend on the event and the maximum capacity available there. I agree that later years should be included, but Del Mar was so slammed full of people and cars on Saturday that it was hard to move around. There was a backlog on the AutoX on Friday and Saturday also. I don't see how they could have included more cars.

[Tony_SS]

Goodguys will eventually up the year cutoff to later models but it may take some time. NSRA recently upped there cutoff and you would of thought it was a personal attack listening to some of the "core" street rodders. There was a back lash with NSRA and there was a backlash with goodguys when they went to 72.
It really doesn't matter to me....I think 55 is late model.

Also related....they wouldn't let my cat into Westminster. I have sent several emails....I mean, its a really cool cat.:)
45927

LOL funny post of the day.

I remember seeing a few g-bodies at Goodguys Nashville. They were nice El Caminos, so not sure how they sneaked in. But some folks can get a little crusty about disco muscle cars for some reason...

[SicMonte]

hell...my car is an 88...I can't go anywhere!! That really sucks.

[The Stickman]

hell...my car is an 88...I can't go anywhere!! That really sucks.

Don't feel bad Doug I can't either.

[73GA]

I sent GG the following msg. I'll let you know what comes back.


Good Day All,

First, my thanks and congratulations for putting on such great shows.

The point of this correspondence is to ask that you please change your cut-off year for attendance from 1972 and move it to at least 1980. I know that you have been approached regarding this subject on many previous occasions, but as of today there has been no change to this date. I must assume that your organizers have discussed this matter at some length and your conclusion may have been to keep this matter under consideration.

Putting aside the fact that I have a 1973 vehicle that I would enjoy entering in “any” Good-Guys event, I would simply point out the lost business and goodwill opportunities for GG. Aside from boosting attendance by allowing later model cars and trucks to attend, you are also constraining vendors from possibly developing and displaying new wares for vehicles built after 1972. More attendance by a greater number of vehicles means, more rooms filled in hosting towns, more economic benefit to local economies, more positive press, more opportunities to engage local charities, more vendors, more audience, more profit, more supporting members for SAN, more positive word of mouth, more Twitter, more, more, more!

From a purely business POV, the potential is staggering to expand and improve simply by allowing more model years to attend. Yet from appearances there seems to be some intransigents within GG to embrace new growth and ideas. I know that there is a “core” group of hobbyists that are very firm in championing the idea of sticking to this old cut-off. However, businesses must remain dynamic in order to survive, and if only from a point of view of ensuring the future of Good Guys, then a move to allow more years to attend would be in the best interests of the organization.

Any concern about “offending” long-time members by expanding the model year cut-off would subside in short order as the owners of pre-72 vehicles would see little or no change to the amenities they currently enjoy, while at the same time a whole new demographic would attend that would benefit not only your organization, but also the hobby as a whole.

Thank you for taking the time to review my comments, and I hope that you consider these suggestions in the good and positive spirit in which they are intended.

Sincerely,
Gavin Scott.

[dontlifttoshift]

Well written Gavin! Send it to KIRK! he is the Gazette editor and just all around goodguy! You might also try a thread on the www.goodguysforum.com there is a suggestion box so to speak. Start a thread and link to it from here, rally the troops and be heard in numbers.

I understand where you post '73 guys are coming from but please understand that you are very much a minority at this point. As for the OP's suggestion of volunteers manning the gates and giving a thumbs up or down on cars entering the show.....that doesn't work very well. Ask Schmoov69 on here about his PileUp experience.

[MarkM66]

I think it will continue to depend on the event and the maximum capacity available there. I agree that later years should be included, but Del Mar was so slammed full of people and cars on Saturday that it was hard to move around. There was a backlog on the AutoX on Friday and Saturday also. I don't see how they could have included more cars.

Correct, it's as simple as that. I go to three GG events, all '72 and down, and they seem to be at max capacity to me.

[coolwelder62]

I would like to build an 88-92 camaro, but I don't want to have to drive it from Kansas to Cali. just to atend a GG.I think those 3rd.gen camaro's need love to.Have Emailed GG 4 time's about this issue.Never got a respones at all.They are makin too much money right I guess.

[Blitz]

I can see the frustration of it but I have to bid for the way things are. Don't get me wrong I'd love to see Buick Grand Nationals and 88-98 Sport Trucks and many many other cars but when I go to a Good Guys show I go for that certain era, that certain feel of how things were BEFORE I was born. Sure, my main itch is to get to the autocross track and watch the PT cars n trucks but I'd be lying if I said I wanted the event to be any bigger. I'll tell you what I think is GREAT...here in Fort Worth (Lonestar Nationals), they just went to two shows a year. I woudn't mind seeing something like that, maybe break it up into years like they have now or add more shows and do 73 and newer. Either way, it's not that I don't like seeing "this, that and the other" from vehicles actually younger than me but I do like the way it is now.

[JEFFTATE]

I think the shows should go by body / year / continuation ..
Example :the '70 to '81 camaros and firebirds all had the same body style .

[coolwelder62]

hell...my car is an 88...I can't go anywhere!! That really sucks.Doug,Those late 80's monte carlo's are way cool.Can't under stand what GG problem is.I think some one should start up some event's and call it Everyguy's.GG must not have stockholder's.

[Goodguy Ed]

You guys all have very good points about the year cutoff at the Goodguys events.

As you may or may not know Goodguys has three events in Pleasanton that welcomes all years up to current models right off the showroom floor as long as they are American Powered. We have talked about having an event like this on the East Coast or Mid West to allow guys like yourselves to come to the Goodguys events. The event has to be one that is not already to large to except the extra cars or we will just upset the guys that have been there for years. If you have noticed we are doubling up on events that are really well attended so we can consider this. Charlotte and Kansas would be good places to do a second event with all years but we have to get the dates and make them work into our schedule.

Looking at the cars that are newer than 1972 there is alot of similar bodies that were run for many years pre and post 1972 but where do you draw the line to not leave some car out. We have looked into this and need to figure that out to not offend anyone or try not to. The Get-togethers don't have this problem since they are all years.

Goodguys is always trying to better our events with items like the AutoCross, moving dates for better weather or moving to a new location like we are doing this year at Indy. Until we have a few years at a new place or date we are not able to move the years up because we could run out of space. It is a real balancing act and sometimes we look like hero's to some and sometimes we don't.

We do listen to all your sugestions and these are discussed and looked into for the better of our events. We strongly welcome any suggestions that you have and we will see if we can help out in some way to bring newer cars to certian events.

e-mail me if you like. [email protected]

Thanks for the comments.
Goodguy Ed

[rrunner68]

Seems to make sense to me, if the venue is packed, it stays 72 and older, if attendance is low, open it up. I enjoy all cars, but it does bother me a bit at the all year events when the local corvette club shows up with 20 cars and hogs up prime parking. I go to Goodguys events to see cars that have or had some sort of patina, and require a bit of adventurous spirit to drive not something that rolled off the show floor last week and is still under warranty. But I definately don't envy the job that guys like Ed and Trent have, trying to satisfy the masses.

[dontlifttoshift]

But I definately don't envy the job that guys like Ed and Trent have, trying to satisfy the masses.

It's gravy....the masses are satisfied. This thread has been open for about 10 days at this point. This being the 22nd post i went back and counted the posts from people that sounded like they wanted the years opened up. I was very generous and came up with (drumroll please).....11. Now with 6,345 active members currently posting at this forum those 11 make up .0017% of members on this forum that would like for Goodguys to open up to later model cars. I wouldn't alienate my core customer for less than 1%. It wouldn't bother me that less than 1% would like for this to happen but I don't think comments along the lines of "what's wrong with Goodguys" are really fair, there is nothing wrong with Goodguys, they are doing a pretty good job!

Has anyone started this thread on the goodguysforum.com yet?

[NJSPEEDER]

I have refused to go to car shows with year restrictions for a long time, ever since I was kicked out of a local show while driving my 91 Camaro RS(it was too new but the several year newer Corvette parked next to me somehow wasn't)

To me it just seems a sad sign when a bunch of people who claim to be into cars end up only being into theirs and their friends cars and no others. There is a lot of cool stuff out there and a lot of ideas. If all you do is look at the same style and era over and over again how are you ever going to learn about and of it?

-Tim

[Later-A-body]

The argument of the existing members will be upset by the changes really is a poor reasoning for keeping the current system in place. As with any car show or event, you have a total number of participants allowed, and it has always been on a first come first served basis. If you open the years up to all cars, you will still have all the participants you had previously, you will just need to get your entry in before the event is sold out. So lets be fair about this and not use poor excuses such as our later year cars only represent 1% of the market. I can only imagine what percent of the market the late model Mustang crowd represents alone, not to mention any other GM, Mopar, AMC, or others built after 1972. And if we are really being "honest" then why is Mary Pozzi allowed to attend with a 1973 Camaro. I imagine that because her car is identical to the previous 3 years prior, it makes it easier to allow, but if we are really being "honest" about this, the car does not fall within the rules. Now, I am not trying to disrespect her, she is a great driver and I know she has many followers that will come to her defense, which is well deserved. So with that said, I will now be the point man on taking all the crap people will throw at me.

[dontlifttoshift]

The argument of the existing members will be upset by the changes really is a poor reasoning for keeping the current system in place.
Tell me why.

As with any car show or event, you have a total number of participants allowed, and it has always been on a first come first served basis. If you open the years up to all cars, you will still have all the participants you had previously, you will just need to get your entry in before the event is sold out.
Valid point but I don't think space is the issue and I am not worried about not getting a spot....I'm number 29 for Joliet this year!

So lets be fair about this and not use poor excuses such as our later year cars only represent 1% of the market. I can only imagine what percent of the market the late model Mustang crowd represents alone, not to mention any other GM, Mopar, AMC, or others built after 1972.
To be fair I said nothing of market percentage. I merely presented that the number of people on this board with post '72 cars either don't attend goodguys shows or have an earlier year car that they take instead. It's not an excuse, it's an observation and was mostly in reply to the "what's wrong with Goodguys" comment. My post was NOT an attack on late model cars. I don't live under a rock, I know there are tons of late models out there.

And if we are really being "honest" then why is Mary Pozzi allowed to attend with a 1973 Camaro. I imagine that because her car is identical to the previous 3 years prior, it makes it easier to allow, but if we are really being "honest" about this, the car does not fall within the rules. Now, I am not trying to disrespect her, she is a great driver and I know she has many followers that will come to her defense, which is well deserved. So with that said, I will now be the point man on taking all the crap people will throw at me.
Pretty sure her car is always parked in a vendors booth, as a display item it really doesn't matter what year it is. I don't think any one will give you any crap and please don't take any of this too seriously. Its sposed to be fun remember? Discussions like this are good for the hobby and industry.

[Later-A-body]

It does get a little old though when you have later model car and you are excluded from the majority of local and national car shows and events. It is not unfair to say that many people have a false notion that 1972 is some magic year cutoff. I have had many pre-'73 cars. They are all very cool rides, but in defense of later models such as mine....I have yet to find anyone tell me that my car is not worthy of the same attention the earlier cars are getting. I mean how many mid seventies cars do you see built in the Pro-touring theme? Not enough, but a few have been built, and they are just as cool as the the earlier stuff. Look at all the aftermarket support for '78-'87 G-Bodies. They are very cool cars, but they cant show up either. And while a 1969 Camaro is cool, how many of them do you need to populate the scene? If you've read Popular Hot Rodding lately you will see that they have a real love for the '73-'77 GM A-Body. So I think it is time to stop putting limits on this hobby we have chosen, and let everyone play in the sandbox with the rest of the cool kids.

[showa]

I was a member of Good Guys many years ago and have been pleasantly suprised by the later years they now allow...
Sounds like they have full fields at all the events and don't need to change yet.....
Or if they won't allow your year car (or a Japanese car like mine) then seek out others like you on the forums and put together some shows yourselves that cater to the years of cars you want... Approach those who have already done this and seek counsel...
Good Guys is a nice benchmark to shoot for but there is always room for improvement....
YOU may be the next great promoter who creates the niche needed for your interests.....

[Blitz]

I don't think I could've said it better myself showa. GG is something to shoot for. Too many times have I heard "we started this show about 3 years ago and it just grew and grew". I've been to about 4 GG shows now and my dogs are barking by the end of the day. I've even tried splitting it up into two days but the DFW show is HUGE! Look at the RTTH event and others like it. I just think there is a niche to be filled here if "we" want to have later model cars in shows. It doesn't HAVE to be GoodGuys...does it?

[Tony_SS]

Seems to make sense to me, if the venue is packed, it stays 72 and older, if attendance is low, open it up. I enjoy all cars, but it does bother me a bit at the all year events when the local corvette club shows up with 20 cars and hogs up prime parking. I go to Goodguys events to see cars that have or had some sort of patina, and require a bit of adventurous spirit to drive not something that rolled off the show floor last week and is still under warranty. But I definately don't envy the job that guys like Ed and Trent have, trying to satisfy the masses.

Ditto that... I hope GG keeps it 72 and older. I don't care if I can't park my disco junk there.. If I take the family to a show, I want to enjoy OLD cars, not a bunch of overgrown brats and their 90's "muscle". Sorry if that's a gross generalization, but I'm glad GG can piss these folks off. Most of them deserve it. lol.

[buickfunnycar.com]

Seems to make sense to me, if the venue is packed, it stays 72 and older, if attendance is low, open it up...

That's what our local yearly big car show (Cherries Jubilee) does...and I haven't attended for years.
With polished up big rigs entered,the last thing I'd want to do is park my classic next to one of those or a dolled-up PT Cruiser...ah,pass.

[Tony_SS]

That's what our local yearly big car show (Cherries Jubilee) does...and I haven't attended for years.
With polished up big rigs entered,the last thing I'd want to do is park my classic next to one of those or a dolled-up PT Cruiser...ah,pass.

The fanny pack of cars.

[sr73bu]

It does get a little old though when you have later model car and you are excluded from the majority of local and national car shows and events. It is not unfair to say that many people have a false notion that 1972 is some magic year cutoff. I have had many pre-'73 cars. They are all very cool rides, but in defense of later models such as mine....I have yet to find anyone tell me that my car is not worthy of the same attention the earlier cars are getting. I mean how many mid seventies cars do you see built in the Pro-touring theme? Not enough, but a few have been built, and they are just as cool as the the earlier stuff. Look at all the aftermarket support for '78-'87 G-Bodies. They are very cool cars, but they cant show up either. And while a 1969 Camaro is cool, how many of them do you need to populate the scene? If you've read Popular Hot Rodding lately you will see that they have a real love for the '73-'77 GM A-Body. So I think it is time to stop putting limits on this hobby we have chosen, and let everyone play in the sandbox with the rest of the cool kids.

I hear ya man.... I think the logical thing would be to open it up a few years at a time to "newer cars". Its 2011, not 1991. Car shows have had this 1972 cut-off for years now. I'm not suggesting they open it up to "all" muscle cars, but why not start by allowing 2 more production years as the cut-off every 3 years or so??? So open it to 74 and older in 2012... then in 2015 open it up to 76. There are some really cool and well built cars out there post 72 that I would love to see... why not show them off. It will only draw larger crowds and participants. Believe me, I understand drastic change is never good, but in this case, a slow addition to "newer" cars would only help build the hobby. Adding 2 production years every 3-5 years isn't a crazy concept.

-Sean

[79-TA]

It's gravy....the masses are satisfied. This thread has been open for about 10 days at this point. This being the 22nd post i went back and counted the posts from people that sounded like they wanted the years opened up. I was very generous and came up with (drumroll please).....11. Now with 6,345 active members currently posting at this forum those 11 make up .0017% of members on this forum that would like for Goodguys to open up to later model cars. I wouldn't alienate my core customer for less than 1%. It wouldn't bother me that less than 1% would like for this to happen but I don't think comments along the lines of "what's wrong with Goodguys" are really fair, there is nothing wrong with Goodguys, they are doing a pretty good job!

Has anyone started this thread on the goodguysforum.com yet?

That logic goes both ways. Now turn your statement around and point out that an even smaller number is going out of their way to defend the status quo. Go figure, a small percentage of members discuss any given thread . . . :doh:

[Tony_SS]

That logic goes both ways. Now turn your statement around and point out that an even smaller number is going out of their way to defend the status quo. Go figure, a small percentage of members discuss any given thread . . . :doh:

Touché

[dontlifttoshift]

That logic goes both ways. Now turn your statement around and point out that an even smaller number is going out of their way to defend the status quo. Go figure, a small percentage of members discuss any given thread . . . :doh:

Your right!

[QUOTE=dontlifttoshift;789661]It really doesn't matter to me....I think 55 is late model.

QUOTE]

So the math tells us that nobody cares! :)

[coolwelder62]

Everybody keeps saying goodguys have enough cars the way it is.But if they opened it up to later years then put a limit on the number of cars some of the street rod cry babies would cry because the 5.0 mustang guys,78 & up A &G body groups would get there cars signed up first.Somebody is always going to be left out.I think goodguys should make like 1960-1990 and anything older than 1959 should just go home.

[rrunner68]

Everybody keeps saying goodguys have enough cars the way it is.But if they opened it up to later years then put a limit on the number of cars some of the street rod cry babies would cry because the 5.0 mustang guys,78 & up A &G body groups would get there cars signed up first.Somebody is always going to be left out.I think goodguys should make like 1960-1990 and anything older than 1959 should just go home.
You do realize that that is over half of the cars in attendance at most Good Guys shows right?

[Tony_SS]

Everybody keeps saying goodguys have enough cars the way it is.But if they opened it up to later years then put a limit on the number of cars some of the street rod cry babies would cry because the 5.0 mustang guys,78 & up A &G body groups would get there cars signed up first.Somebody is always going to be left out.I think goodguys should make like 1960-1990 and anything older than 1959 should just go home.

I can see that going well.. lol

[olds87]

I know the GG show here in Arizona is always packed and never see a g-body car at show. Would love if they can open the years up to like late 80's.

[Tony_SS]

I know the GG show here in Arizona is always packed and never see a g-body car at show. Would love if they can open the years up to like late 80's.

They could run a GG show for 72-88 and I bet they'd see just as much volume.

[jeff s]

All second gen Camaros and Firebirds should be allowed at any GG event. IMO

[coolwelder62]

I can see that going well.. lolI made that statement so folks that fall in those years might have an Idea how the fellow car guy that has something nice that was built after 1972 feels.I really think if Goodguy's sat down they could figure something out that would work for everyone.I know at the KC.Goodguys there is so much unused room at the race track they could fit another 1500 car's in that place.If you own something built after 72 it is hard to under stand what the problem is.Googuys are really fun events and I would hope that everybody someday is given a chance to atend with what ever year ride they drive.This hobby needs everybody involved to keep rolling forward.

[rockytopper]

They should just use the 25 year rule. I don't know about the rest of the country but anything in Texas that is 25 years or older is considered a classic. That would allow more and more years to join each year with out letting brand new vets, camaros, mustangs, challengers and gto's in until they reach the 25 year mark. This would prevent it from being overwhelmed. The 25 year old stock is just now getting mass attention and being restored. Just something to think about.

[Tony_SS]

They should just use the 25 year rule. I don't know about the rest of the country but anything in Texas that is 25 years or older is considered a classic. That would allow more and more years to join each year with out letting brand new vets, camaros, mustangs, challengers and gto's in until they reach the 25 year mark. This would prevent it from being overwhelmed. The 25 year old stock is just now getting mass attention and being restored. Just something to think about.

I think they should just put a giant wall up and divide the show in half. Pre 72 on one side and 73-88 on the other. That way folks can pick a side, and not have to be offended by "those cars".

But frankly, the whole problem starts with their name. It's sexist. GoodGUYS? They should be called GoodPeople. Or GoodPersons Rod & Custom.

[Blitz]

I like the idea of doing a 73 and (insert late model cut off here) show.

Well-mannered Community Rod & Custom....crap...leaving out the stock cars now.

Stay tuned to the Lonestar Nationals Well-Mannered Community Aftermarket Equipped and Factory Stock Car show!! Haha