1995 Goodguys Spring Nationals, Pomona
The 1995 Goodguys Spring Nationals was held a decade before the Goodguys Del Mar Nationals. The Spring Nationals was a fixture at the Fairplex in Pomona. With its close proximity to so many hot rod shops, legends and history, the event was always a good time. And the cars were the hottest of their day. This particular event was held April 1st & 2nd, 1995.
Making early Goodguys events a “must-attend” were Boyd Coddington’s Pros Picks. At the time, Boyd was the king of hot rods and a household name. Being a loyal friend to Goodguys founder Gary Meadors, Boyd wanted to see Goodguys succeed so he agreed to make his coveted Pros Picks at the biggest Goodguys events at the time – Pomona, Indy and Pleasanton. The chance at an award selected by Boyd himself (along with help from lieutenants Dick and Melba Brogdon) was a big deal for rodders.
Goodguys used just one exhibit building – the massive, 100,000 square foot Building 4 – current home of the Grand National Roadster Show. Like the GNRS, Goodguys filled it with elite machines, vintage dragsters, Bonneville cars and plenty of vendors as you can see below.
The sun was usually shining but there were some cool and cloudy years as well.
As you can see from the cars – the mid-90s trends were in full swing. Fifteen-inch billet wheels, fat fenders, lots of pastels and other time stamped calling cards.
The kickoff parties in those early days were held at Total Cost Involved. TCI’s founder and president Ed Moss wisely used the Goodguys Spring Nationals as a way to service his burgeoning clientele hungry for early street rod chassis and suspension solutions. He always served delicious meals to the masses too.
It was a magical time in street rodding, not so magical in fashion LOL. The LS motor had yet to arrive on the scene and Coddington was fixing to take Hot Rods by Boyd public which he did just months after this event. Time has marched on, but these cool Pomona memories remain.
