Goodguys 38th West Coast Nationals To Celebrate Northern California Car Culture

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is gearing up for the 38th West Coast Nationals. The event takes place Aug. 22-24 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, bringing over 2,500 classic cars and trucks together for California’s biggest hot roddin’ party of the summer, event organizers stated in a press release.

The West Coast Nationals welcomes 1999 and older specialty vehicles, including vintage hot rods, chromed lowriders, muscle cars, classic trucks and street machines. For fans of the celebrated Tri-Five Chevy, there will be three special indoor exhibits showcasing each specific model year: one full of ‘55s, another with ’56 models and another featuring the finned ’57 Chevy.

Goodguys Top 12 of the Year Awards

On Saturday, participants get to compete for a regional finalist position in the Goodguys Top 12 of the Year Awards presented by BASF including the Snap-on Muscle Car, Vintage Air Custom Rod, LMC Truck (Early), Scotts Hotrods ‘N Customs Custom, Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine, and Dakota Digital Truck of the Year (Late). Top 12 of the Year Awards that have previously been announced this year include Ross Myers’ 1936 Ford Roadster as the 2025 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year; Angelo Vespi’s 1987 Buick Grand National as the 2025 PPG Street Machine of the Year Award; and Dave Kroona’s 1933 Willys coupe as the Tanks Inc. 2025 Hot Rod of the Year.

There are also over 80 other unique awards available, including the Builders Choice Top 10, being selected by Roseville Rod & Custom, and six Memorial Awards.

Swap Meet, Vendor’s Midway, Racing & More at the 38th West Coast Nationals

At the event, attendees can also get up close to artists during the Pinstriper’s Brush Bash before heading over to the swap meet packed with vintage parts, a Cars 4-Sale Corral, and a huge Vendor’s Midway filled with some of the best names in hot rod parts and services.

The Goodguys AutoCross runs all three days with drivers competing Friday and Saturday to qualify for the Fall Shootout title on Saturday afternoon. There will also be a Burnout Contest on Saturday, as well as the Summit Racing Nitro Thunderfest exhibition. Sunday features the Meguiar’s All-American Sunday, where all years of American-made or powered specialty vehicles are welcome into the show, along with the All-American Shootout on the autocross track.

Leading up to the show, Goodguys hosts the “Gary Meadors Memorial Hot Rod Week” with daily road trips around the greater Bay Area. All registered participants of the show are welcome to attend, and the daily road trips start on Tuesday, Aug. 19.