The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association promotes and produces some of the world’s most dynamic automotive events. Why? Because we’re car people, just like you. Founded by lifelong hot rodder Gary Meadors in 1983, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is the world’s largest hot rodding association with over 70,000 active members worldwide. Goodguys events feature thousands of candy colored hot rods and customs, tricked out trucks, mighty muscle cars and regal classics sprawled throughout venues such as lush fairgrounds, super speedways and large outdoor stadiums.

The cars, the vendor exhibits, the adrenaline-pumping Goodguys AutoCross, the live entertainment and colorful people create a festive atmosphere charged with electricity. Goodguys offers over 18 events annually across the country from the coast to coast and border to border. Our events range from two-day affairs attended by 30,000 to 40,000 people to three day extravaganza's attracting over 100,000 auto enthusiasts.

Driven by his passion for family, hot rods, cool cars and good people, Meadors touched the lives of millions of car enthusiasts with his vision and enthusiasm for all things automotive. With his high school sweetheart and wife of over 50 years Marilyn riding shotgun, Meadors founded Goodguys in 1983 in Northern California then branched out to stage a national series of hot rod and custom car events beginning in 1987. What started as a passion-based idea blossomed into one of America’s premier automotive event production companies in Goodguys.

A son of a farmer, Gary grew up in California’s Central Valley in the tiny town of Dinuba. It was there he discovered his love of custom cars, tricking out his first rod; a 1947 Plymouth when he was just 16 years old. The first requirement was that it sit way down low – a Meadors calling card. To get it to sit just right, he “cut the coils” removing a few inches from the factory coil suspension springs – a common practice in 1950s era hot rodding. It was the very first in a long line of hot rods and custom cars Meadors built and collected, the most recognized of which was his bright yellow 1932 Ford Tudor. The popular Ford hi-boy sedan, as drawn by artist Thom Taylor, has served as the centerpiece of the Goodguys logo since 1987.

As Goodguys grew as an association with popular events anchored in cities such as Pleasanton, San Diego, Des Moines, Iowa, Columbus, Ohio and Scottsdale, Arizona Meadors successfully developed and sanctioned vintage drag racing events in California and Indiana, adding them to the Goodguys event tour. Historic events like Bakersfield’s March Meet were resurrected to flourish under Goodguys’ direction and care. A speed demon himself, Meadors gained membership to the prestigious Bonneville 200mph club in 1994, when he drove the Dozier & Hegarty Chrysler powered streamliner to a top speed of 223mph.

A true visionary, Meadors was instrumental in encouraging and publicizing young hot rod builders, often helping them launch their careers. In 2000, Meadors and Goodguys spearheaded the development of the Trendsetter award – a perpetual honor presented at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas to rising young hot rod craftsmen. Chip Foose was the first recipient. Other recipients have included Troy Trepanier, The Ringbrothers, Troy Ladd, Dave Kindig and many others.

In 2009, Gary and Marilyn Meadors decelerated a bit from the day to day operation of Goodguys, appointing their youngest son Marc Meadors as company president. With the company flourishing under Marc’s direction reaching new generations of automotive enthusiasts, Gary was afforded the time to do what he enjoyed most – taking a cool car out on the open road. Together with Marilyn and their dog Whitewall, they have crisscrossed America dozens of times these past few years, meeting new friends along the way as they lived out their dream and singular vision to have fun with cars.