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Celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association [2] has been bringing rodders and custom car owners together from across the country for decades to do what the folks in this industry do best – enjoy their rides.
But Goodguys has always gone above and beyond just putting on any old car show. The organization has strived to give event participants not only the times of their lives at every show, but also the chance to win an amazing custom-built vehicle just for coming out. Known as the Grand Prize Giveaway Car, this year’s vehicle up for grabs is a particularly special little car that partnered Goodguys with some of the best shops and leaders in the industry, including TCI Engineering [3].
[4]The 2015/2016 Goodguys Giveaway Car was revealed at the 2015 PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. The ’32 Ford roadster will return to the show this year where it will be given away to one lucky winner!
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History Of The Goodguys Giveaway Car
“Goodguys has been doing Giveaway Cars since 1987 – our first full year in event promotion and production,” Goodguys Gazette Editor-in-Chief, John Drummond told us. “Our late founder Gary Meadors insisted on giving our event participants a chance at winning a special car, a car that could be driven and enjoyed. Early on, we gave away the cars in raw-assembled form but for the last 15 years or so, all the Giveaway Cars have been turnkey drivers from the industry’s best shops. All of them have been special, and many are still driven and enjoyed today by the original winners!”
So what kind of car did Goodguys choose to give away for their 32nd anniversary? Well, a ’32 Ford Highboy roadster built by Mississippi’s Mike Goldman Customs, of course! And, the amount of time, effort and top-notch components that went into this rod is just incredible!
[7]Image: Goodguys Rod & Custom Association [2]
One company that was particularly involved in this year’s Giveaway Car build was TCI Engineering, which supplied Goodguys with a complete dropped axle and four-link chassis, the perfect compilation of components to make this ’32 roadster a total driver — something that Goodguys prides itself on giving each of its car winners.
“Since it was out 32nd year as a company, and our original logo car was a ’32 (Gary Meador’s ’32 Tudor), we wanted to do something great on this special anniversary,” Drummond explained. “We take these cars on tours and cruises across the country and we want the people that win them to drive ’em,” he continued.
[8]Image: TCI Engineering [3]
The Goodguys/TCI Engineering Partnership
Having had a relationship with Goodguys for decades, and a partnership with the association for more than 10 years now, TCI was immediately onboard when the request for a chassis went out.
“It’s Goodguys! We’re honored to receive a call asking for products,” TCI’s Social Media Coordinator, Jason Wilcox told us. “We’ve been lucky enough to provide products for a few Goodguys Giveaway Cars over the years.” This year, the it got the works from TCI, and Goodguys certainly approves!
“The frame rails are built with U.S.-made steel and stamped for the ’32 reveal,” Wilcox explained. “We built an 11-piece center section and front and rear crossmembers to tie the frame rails together. This particular chassis needed to look good so we upgraded everything to either polished stainless or chrome. So-Cal Speed Shop [9] provided us with its Buick/Wilwood [10] brake kit, fully polished of course.”
“We also utilized a Pete & Jake’s [11] chrome drilled I-beam axle. On the back of the chassis we provided Ridetech [12] single adjustable coilovers and a brand-new Currie [13] 9-inch with a TSD post. The chassis is fully plumbed with stainless brake lines,” Wilcox continued. “We also included a master cylinder, booster and pedal assembly. It [was] basically a full rolling chassis minus wheels [and] tires.” How’s that for the perfect platform to build a ’32 Ford roadster on?
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TCI fully stands behind its work, giving the lucky winner of the '32 roadster the assurance that they are riding on one of the greatest chassis the industry has to offer. Backed by a 6-year/60,000-mile warranty for wear-and-tear, and a lifetime warranty on all TCI-manufactured components, the chassis under the '32 Ford will offer top-notch performance for years of enjoyment. Image: TCI Engineering [3]
“TCI has been a Goodguys partner since 2005,” Drummond told us. “Their products are of the highest quality and never let us down!”
In addition to the full TCI-prepped chassis, the roadster features a Brookville Roadster [17] body, Edelbrock [18] Performer 310 Triple Deuce crate engine, painted Wheel Vintiques [19] steelies, Firestone [20] tires, a Hudson’s Rod & Custom [21] distressed leather interior, and a glorious PPG [22] Suede White paint scheme with special red and black graphics commemorating Goodguys’ 32nd anniversary.
[23]Image: Goodguys Rod & Custom Association [2]
Happy Anniversary
Just like the ’32 roadster built for the association’s 32nd anniversary, a lot of the Goodguys Giveaway Cars are based on special dates or anniversaries, Drummond said. There are also some vehicles that are selected for the giveaway based on design contests, like the upcoming 2016/2017 Giveaway Car — a 1963½ Ford Galaxie 500 — that was conceived through a sketch contest in which designer Eric Brockmeyer won. The car is currently being built by Steve Legens of Legens Hot Rod Shop [24] in Nashville, and yes, we will definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for the first glimpse of this one to share with you!
[25]Image: Goodguys Rod & Custom Association [2]
The ’32 roadster made its debut at the 2015 PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio and then was shown at the remaining 2015 events, and on the Hall of Fame Road Tour. It will continue to tour events until it is given away at the 2016 PPG Nationals the weekend of July 8.
If you haven’t dropped an entry form for your chance to win the 2015/2016 Goodguys Giveaway Car, there is still time to do so. Online [26] entries will be accepted through June 6, 2016, and are procured by registering your vehicle to participate in one of Goodguys’ shows, and filling out the provided “Sunday Lucky Ticket” at the Columbus, Ohio event.