(Photos and Text By Bret Voelkel/Ridetech) RideTech’s own Bret Voelkel is on the Goodguys’ Texas Road Tour currently traveling from Goodguys’ headquarters in Plesanton, California to the Texas Motor Speedway. This is his Day 1 Update.

DAY ONE

“You guys probably think that all I do is cruise from one cool car show to the next fun race. That’s because I don’t write about the boring stuff…nobody cares about that! 

This weeks escapade is the Goodguys muscle car Tour. About 35 of the countries coolest Hotrods are driving from Pleasanton ca to ft. Worth Texas over the next 7 days, ending up at the Ft. Worth Goodguys show next weekend. I’ll do my best to take pictures and add comments about the tour this next week. 

We’re driving our 71 GTO convertible on the tour. For an Indiana boy, it’s nearly a surreal experience to be cruising along the sunny California highways with the top down visiting some crazy shops and car collections with this group of hotrodders. 
After leaving Goodguys headquarters in Pleasanton at noon we stopped by Dennis Varni’s shop in San Jose. Real Hotrods love here…an indycar hanging from the ceiling, a 317mph bonneville car being wrenched on, several historical land speed racers sitting around, and a polished aluminum cobra with a 427 SOHC engine! 

The next stop was Campbell Auto Restoration. Lots of cool stuff projects there…so many that I flat forgot to take any pictures. Oh, well, I was there 🙂

Today is a short day as we’re spending the evening in Morgan hill. Tomorrows route takes us to Bakersfield. Forecast: sunny, 85, and fun! More tomorrow! “

Bret Voelkel
President, Ridetech

Getting our goodie bags for the trip. Goodguys really went to a lot of work setting up this tour!

Just a small selection of the cars on the tour. High end stuff.

Very cool stuff in Dennis Varni’s shop.

The ceiling ornament is an Indycar from the mid 70’s built by Lil John Buttera.

I’ve got this thing for bare metal…especially when it’s SOHC powered!

Jack Trepanier and Greg Schneider looking lost as usual!

DAY TWO

“Day two of the Goodguys’ muscle car tour takes us from Morgan Hill to Bakersfield, a nice drive of about 250 miles.  Two things stuck out to me on this drive today: the roads are better in California than I remember…and I didn’t know they grew cotton here!
We got the privilege of stopping by the car collection of John Lawson in Fresno today. I lost count of the cars but they were all just drop dead perfect. Tonight it’s dinner and a show at Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. Tomorrow…on to Lake Havasu City, AZ. Yeehaw! ”

Bret Voelkel
President, RideTech

Goodguys’ Ed Capen gives everyone the morning pep talk.

A few more of the tour cars.

Ever see a 33 Ford limo?

Rows of beautiful cars in John Lawson’s collection.

Row after row…….

After row…….

And a few spare parts sitting around as well.

I’ve got this thing for bare metal cars. There isn’t anything I don’t like about this car!

Eyegasm!

Of course, no trip to Cali is complete without a trip to In N Out Burger!