Hot rods, classics, customs rumble into Puyallup for Goodguys show

Hot rods and horsepower are set to take over the Puyallup Fairgrounds this weekend (July 24-26), drawing in gearheads from all over the country for the annual Goodguys 28th Wesco Autobody Supply Pacific NW Nationals.

The event is the 14th stop on Goodguys’ national tour to bring automotive enthusiasts together for a weekend full of all things hot rod. Dubbed as a pilgrimage for owners of more than 2,500 hot rods, custom and classic cars, the three-day hot rodding extravaganza provides car buffs from all walks of life another opportunity to have fun with their cars.

One of those classic car afficionados is Donald Ehli of Puyallup. He shows his 1946 Plymouth Special Deluxe nearly every weekend in local car shows, but the Goodguys event is his favorite to enter his black beauty into.

“It’s the largest car show around,” the retired banker said. “Last year, there were over 2,000 cars there.”

For only a $45 entry fee, Ehli and others will spend three days going around asking each other questions about their cars, vying for a few trophies, but as Ehli puts it, “It’s really just a three-day b.s. session.”

While a majority of classic car owners at the Goodguys show have done the work themselves, Ehli bought his Plymouth ready for the road, but his beloved ride still comes with plenty of work.

“It really can be a lot of work, but you really begin to take pride in what you do,” he said.

While the Goodguys National event gates are open at the fairgrounds Friday (July 24) through Sunday, come Friday night, the event takes it up a gear with the Goodguys Friday Nite Vintage drags at Pacific Raceways in Kent. There will be a quarter-mile side-by-side competition of Nitro funny cars, and racing in five other categories. Gates open for tech at noon, time trials at 2 p.m. and eliminations at 5 p.m.

Tickets are available at Pacific Raceways for $20 for general admission, $6 for children age 7 to 12, and children 6 and younger are free.

Back in Puyallup, vendor booths will feature custom tractor trailers, high performance parts and accessories, and more. A giant used car parts swamp meet and the Auto Trader Classic Car Corral, which will have turn-key classic cars for sale, are also on the docket for the weekend.

This story was originally published July 20, 2015 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Hot rods, classics, customs rumble into Puyallup for Goodguys show."