This past weekend marked the Goodguys 26th Pacific Northwest Nationals at the Washington State Fairgrounds and Event center in Puyallup, Washington. This was the eleventh event of their 30th anniversary season.

It was a merry weekend full of nostalgia and the scent of burning rubber – an opening cruiser/tour leading up to the main Goodguys expo, the Friday Nite Vintage Drag Show, a pinstriper’s and custom artist’s heaven known as “Brush Bash,” and the “Make n’ Take” model car sessions were just some of the highlights over the weekend.

At a Goodguys event you can count on a master planned show that caters to all age groups in an effort to achieve one of car cultures most important tenants – preserving the love of the automobile on-through several generations.

Brief History of Goodguys

For anyone not already familiar with the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association here is a bit of light shed on one of the hardest working event planners in our industry.

Founded in 1983 by Gary and Marilyn Meadors of Alamo, California, what started out as a humble attempt to gather local fare and fellow enthusiasts grew into a 30 year legacy setting the bar for large scale national rod and custom shows. A “Goodguys Get-Together” one day event at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds marked the very first show associated with the Goodguys title. That first show attracted over 400 cars of all years, makes, and models.

In 1987, Goodguys followed up with its first national, the Goodguys West Coast Nationals. This was held at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds but this time an impressive 2,124 vintage American hot rods showed out for the event.

Despite the ambitious scale of the Meador’s events and the stress that was often associated with combatting the doubts of rival promoters, the Meadors were able to shape a small town event into one that has now become part of America’s automobile history.

Goodguys has grown into an association that boasts 20 national events in 12 states, 70,000 members worldwide, and draws over one million visitors and 50,000 classic cars annually. For a deeper look at the roots of Goodguys check out the full history here.

Pacific Northwest Weekend Highlights:

Northwest Hot Rod Week
What turned out to be one of the most exciting portions of the Goodguys 26th PNW Nats was the first-ever Goodguys Northwest Hot Rod Week. Following a similar template as the annual West Coast Nationals Hot Rod Week, the cruiser/tour was a scheduled route through Canada down into Washington state. 

The first day and official starting point for the cruise was booked Monday the 21st at the Delta Town & Country Inn located in Delta, British Columbia. The tour spanned through Thursday where all attendees met up in time for the Poker Run hosted by the Kingsmen Car Club. Taking place at the fairgrounds a day before the big event, the synchronization and precise scheduling made for a spectacular build-up towards the weekend.

Throughout the cruise stops were made at the Northwest’s most exclusive car collections, the area’s most reputable shops for an inside tour, and to take in the majestic scenery that only the mysterious wilderness that this span of land can provide.

Pinstripers Brush Bash
Over 45 pinstripers and artists from the United States and Canada made an appearance at this years PNW Nats and comprised what is known as the annual “Brush Bash”. They exhibited their skills inside the Showplex throughout the weekend and were even available to lend their services to the owners of vehicles who wanted to give their rides some updated skin!

Make n’ Take Model Car Program
Keeping the spirit of community alive, Goodguys also had a model car program over the weekend hosted by Revell that sent the youngsters, and surely some giddy adults, home with their very own model kit.

Next Year’s Outlook/2013 Pacific Northwest Nationals Award Winners
The success of the Northwest Hot Rod Week has surely planted a seed and Goodguys is expecting an even bigger turn out for next years Northwest Nats.

For those of you who are on the edge of your seats and can’t wait to trade in that PTO for a week long adventure up to the Northwest, mark your calendars now as the 2014 Pacific Northwest Nationals are set for July 25th-27th. See you then!

For a complete list of this year’s 2013 Pacific Northwest Nationals Award Winners check them out here.

Here’s a look at some of the stunning rides that took home an award during this year’s event.