DEL MAR ---- Call it an American history museum on wheels.
The 12th annual Good Guys Meguiar's Del Mar Nationals happens Friday through April 1 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, again featuring more than 2,000 classic cars, plus commercial exhibits, a swap meet, cars for sale, a model-car show and entertainment, among other offerings.
Produced by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the show has hot rods, customs, classics and muscle cars manufactured through 1972, along with an AutoCross performance course for show participants. The show will honor the 80th anniversary of the 1932 Ford Deuce, and entertain visitors with a Trick Truck Corral. It all culminates with an awards ceremony Sunday afternoon.
"There is something for everyone," said Betsy Bennett, marketing coordinator for the GoodGuys association. "There will be a special area for honoring the 80th anniversary of the '32 Ford. It's a classic and quintessential hot rod, and has become iconic."
Bennett says car owners will travel from 18 different states and Canada to participate.
"We'll have cars and their owners from Canada, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Rhode Island, Texas and elsewhere," Bennett said. "This is one of the most popular events on our circuit. It's hard to beat Del Mar. The car owners treat this show and San Diego as a destination. They enjoy the weather and take in the sites. It's a terrific backdrop."
Introduced at the GoodGuys Fall show last November was the opportunity for car owners to show off their autos manufactured after 1972. On April 1, the Super Sunday Get-Together will again offer that chance. The event is open to all years of American-made and power vehicles.
"This is a chance for guys who have late-model, American-made cars to show off what they have," Bennett said. "So if they have something like a 2012 Dodge Charger, people can take a look. We did this by popular demand. Car guys are car guys, and they want to see what's out there. The owners can register their cars at the Del Mar Hilton across the street."
The show also honors Southern California hot-rod legends Ed Pink and Ed Iskendarian, who will be onsite at the event signing autographs.
"These are a couple of gentlemen who are hot-rod heroes," Bennett said. "They were instrumental in the early days of hot rods."
The GoodGuys event is a family show, Bennett said.
"We have something for everybody," she said. "For kids, we have the model-car show. On Saturday and Sunday, they can sit down with their parents and use free kits to make and take away their own model cars."
Shows such as these have an emotional appeal for audiences, she said.
"Attending a show like this is kind of like stepping back in time when things were not so chaotic," Bennett said. "You can relive those times when had a '56 Chevy or a '32 Ford. It's a trip down memory lane. And for younger people, they can see the cars we just don't see anymore, the big Buicks and Mercurys. One of my favorite things to see at the shows is little kids pointing at the cars and becoming fascinated by how they look. For all of us, it's a step back in history."
The show runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 1. General admission is $18 for adults and $6 for children ages 7-12. Children ages 6 and younger are free. There is a $9 parking fee. Visit www.sdfair.com or call 858-755-1161.
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