Ponder cagers whatever way you want, but some of them are really, really cool. We are of course not talking about your run-of-the-mill average, produced-by-the-thousands 4-wheelers. Nope, we are talking about those classics created around the same inspirational spirit that makes us build and ride custom motorcycles: Hot Rods and Custom Cars. More than 2,000 of them got together at West World in Scottsdale/AZ in the middle of March for the 1st Spring Nationals, put on by the Good Guys and the local Over The Hill Gang.
The organizers tripped out on a limb creating a new event for this category of vehicle in times of a worldwide economical crisis. Feeling the pinch one way or the other, still the decision to invest in a spring event proved to be a winning roll of the dice. Historically the city hosted the Southwest Nationals at the end of the season. While attendance by owners of pre-1972 vehicles equaled the number of the well-established Southwest Nationals, first unofficial estimates put the number of visitors at more than 50,000, exceeding the number of last year's end of season event. What a great way to kick this economic doldrums year in the ass.
So, how did the overall scene unfold? Difficult to tell from just one event, yet it seemed obvious to us that there were changes afoot. A younger generation appeared to be more frequently represented among owners of Rods and Muscle Cars, rejuvenating the scene and at the same time infused it with new trends or brought back old rarely seen styles. The events were more dynamic, less exhibition-style. As the announcer at the well attended auto cross parlous put it, “The Good Guys events are no longer only about lounge chairs anymore.” Same as motorcycles, these cars were made to move and it was damn good to see action flourish once again.
Also the attitude towards the custom cars seemed to fluctuate: While it appeared to be all about flashy paint jobs and expensive chrome, there were many more Rat Rods this year than in the past. The group of Rods with flat black paint – or simply no paint – and a well maintained, yet stock from back-in-the-day engine burgeoned. One guy told us about his past experience at the Pavilions, a local weekly hangout for Rodders, Muscle Car owners and Classic Car enthusiasts. His Rat kept attracting a huge crowd every time he displayed, and the guy next to him with his shiny flashy car was frustrated for his lack of draw.
“I used to be that guy,” he told us. “I never had more fun with a car than I am having with this one.” There might be a developing trend, on the other hand: Who cares? What makes this scene and this industry exciting is diversity and contradiction. Whether you drive a 50K 1960s Muscle Car with a blower and rear tires as wide as an average trunk, or a barely recognizable 1930s rust bucket, the spirit is, what counts. Sound familiar?
Another observation bristled in the parking lot outside the event, and proved something. You be the judge. The number of bikers attending the event simply as visitors seemed to be growing. While there was only the occasional bike inside, the line of bikes parked outside, mostly American made with the occasional foreign product sprinkled in, was clearly on the rise. The connection between custom bikes and custom cars is not at all new. Some well known builders like Paul Yaffe, John Shope and Nick Trask might be considered regulars at the Good Guys events.
Last but not least the required post-event information: Weather was great (blue skies, sunshine, 78 degrees), grub was good but a bit on the expensive side, same goes for drinks (bottle of water $4, you gotta be kidding me), and fun was had by all.
Check out the Good Guys' website at www.good-guys.com for their upcoming 2010 events nationwide and other cool stuff.
– – C.S. Berg
