PLEASANTON, Calif. --
by John Boitnott, Web Producer

Gear heads tired of being cooped up all winter are starting to take their hot rods out of the garage, get out the elbow grease, and kick the tires.

The Goodguys 26th All American Get Together was set to kick off Saturday at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.

SLIDESHOW: Hot Rods To Take Over Pleasanton This Weekend

Car nuts can bask in the fun of a large outdoor car show, and a swap meet offering three square miles of vendors selling used auto parts. 3,500 cars will be staged at the show.

The "car corral" will feature a lot full of hundreds of collector cars in all shapes and sizes -- all up for grabs at the right price.

The Goodguys is a company made up of car enthusiasts that put on various automotive shows throughout the year worldwide, company officials said. This is the firm's signature event and the largest two-day automotive event in California.



"It's our oldest event," said Goodguys President Marc Meadors, a resident of Danville. "I remember the first time my parents held this event. I was only 12 years old. It was mom and dad, my brother and I and a few friends. That's all we had. It's always been a popular event because it's really the first big outdoor car happening of the year up here in Northern California."

The celebration of car culture began when the company's founder, Gary Meadors of Alamo, staged a small get-together for gear-head buddies.

"There are so many car people in the Bay Area and statewide," said Meadors. "This is their first real chance of the year to blow out the carbon, rub on the suntan lotion, load up the kids in the back seat, put the top down and hit the highway. It's a great Bay Area event tradition."

Goodguys World's Largest Automotive Association

The Goodguys is now the world's largest automotive association catering to owners of hot rods, classics and muscle cars. There are 70,000 card-carrying members worldwide, officials said.

Goodguys stages 24 annual events in 15 states.

Corporate headquarters are housed in a 23,000 square foot complex in Pleasanton with 45 full-time employees.

The company also publishes a 250-page all color monthly magazine and leads the industry in colorful outdoor vintage automotive events.

"Looking back, I don't think my dad had any idea things would take this path but we're fortunate to have experienced such a great thrill ride," said Meadors.

This year's event will pay tribute to a two-wheeled hot rodder.

Custom Motorcycle kingpin Arlen Ness will be honored by Goodguys as a "Hot Rod Hero."

Ness, also of Alamo, rose to fame in the custom motorcycle world in the 1970s and today is the 'King of Choppers," according to a Goodguys statement.

A display of 30 custom Ness motorcycles, including some of his early customs, will be on display inside the Fairgrounds "Young California" building.

Arlen will sign autographs for fans Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at his booth.

Another event highlight will be the "Cavalcade of Customs" - an indoor display of up to 40 custom cars.

The entries will compete for the "Goodguys West Coast Custom of the Year" award.

A custom, in the traditional sense, is a large bodied American car 1936 to 1964 vintage.

SLIDESHOW: Hot Rods To Take Over Pleasanton This Weekend

Elaborate paint and body modifications, plus leather and velvet interiors and large amounts of chrome are hallmarks of a custome car, officials said.

The winner of the West Coast Custom of the Year will drive off with a healthy check and a sculpted pewter trophy.

"Bay area stylists entering special custom to the indoor exhibit include Frank Alhino ('58 Chevy-Castro Valley), Chet Fulton ('40 Mercury-Saratoga), Kirk Jones ('60 Ford-Concord, CA), Darryl Hollenbeck (Concord-'50 Merc), Mike Mitchell ('55 Chevy-South San Francsico), Marcos Garcia ('51 Mercury-Antioch), Richard Zocchi ('61 Oldsmobile-Walnut Creek) and many others," the company said in the statement.

Sunday's awards ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. showcasing over 100 of the event's top cars and will also feature the ceremony to crown the West Coast Custom of the Year.

The ceremony will be held outside at the entertainment stage.

The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for children.

For more information call Goodguys at 925-838-9878.