Chalk one up for the lovers of the late-model machines and the oddballs found in the Malaise Era of automobiles: Starting in 2018, Goodguys will be accepting in vehicles built in model year 1987 and prior into events, and not just the “Get Together” or “Super Sunday” events, either…every event will allow the likes of a Fox Mustang, a disco-era Camaro Z28, or a Chevelle Laguna. It’s a move that had been on the discussion table for a couple of years, with many involved with Goodguys asking for it to encourage growth and to bring in a wider range of attendees.
Goodguys has had different year cutoffs in the past: 1959, 1962, 1964, and 1972. That last figure has held for about twenty years, and for one notable reason: it’s widely accepted as the end of the Musclecar era, when the last of the big-blocks and high-compression small blocks were axed for numerous reasons, including smog laws, insurance issues, and a general shift towards personal luxury. Add in degrading undertones to the cars that came after that mark and it’s easy to understand why 1972 was the year chosen. But twenty years in automotive time is a long time. It’s 2017….the Camaro is fifty years old, the 1957 Chevy is sixty, and a 1987 Oldsmobile 442 is thirty. Restricting access for Bandit-style Trans Ams and the musclecars that had lived on past 1972 wasn’t helping anyone.
There is no doubt that there will be interest in Deuce coupes and finned cars for a while to come. But there is growing interest in 1970s and 1980s machines, the cars that a younger demographic grew up with, and while there is going to be a backlash, Goodguys claims that over 70% of surveyed individuals indicated that it was time for a change.
Why does this have me wanting to build a Dodge Omni for their autocross?
Seen one at the Hartland Nationals, gutted, caged, tiny WIDE tires…. it was killing the course too!
About damn time!
Stoked! Already booked my hotel for Columbus next summer! So glad I can finally drive my ’86 C10 there.
Im all for it as it gets the younger generation involved. Plus the younger crowd may or may not want or can afford a 61 Impala, early Camaro etc.
The bottom line……. It’s all about the money!
KK
Yeah, imagine that…a business being all about the money.
good now I can show up with my 1978 that will be 40 years old next year
Good. Since most of the cars they now are allowing in don’t cost as much as the 1972 and older cars, maybe it will help inject some new people into the hobby.
This way, those Pigs can charge more cars bigger parking fees and entry fees and $ 7 dollar beers and who know what else and the venues will be gridlocked with mullet-heads.
The L.A. Roadsters killed their Fathers Day show this year with greed. These asshats will kill their get togethers too.
Good Guys ? I personally don’t think so.
Sounds good to me.
Not a good move. Just one step away from having a street rod show with mostly PT Cruisers