For California residents, when the month of June hits, we are reminded of long summer days and dry heat. However, this year was a bit different. Expecting unbearable heat, we were pleasantly surprised by a cool, steady breeze and overcast skies for most of our epic event weekend in Northern California.
That constant breeze, of course, can be attributed to the cool water from the Bay Area, which was just 40 miles west of us. As the day progressed, the sun managed to find its way out of the clouds and shining atop thousands of cars on display at the 24th Annual Goodguys Rod & Custom Association’s Summer Get-Together event which took place in Pleasanton, California.
While there were plenty of vehicles on the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton from The Big Three, our mission was to find the best Fords and Mustangs that this year’s Summer Get-Together had to offer. During our visit, we had the pleasure of talking to a handful of Blue Oval enthusiasts who were able to attend the show from all over the country.
Just like the Summer Get-Together events prior to this, the show contained an all-weekend-long experience filled with a swap meet and cars for sale corral, as well as the all-new West Coast Autocross event.
Our attention was immediately drawn to this ’66-’67 Ford Fairlane upon entering the grounds of the show.
If you’ve never been out to a Goodguys event, consider attending the Summer Get-Together for your first one. As the name implies, this event takes places in the beginning of the summer (typically in the month of June) right before that sweltering California heat hits its residents. This event, which is nearly a 25-year-old tradition now, is easily one of the easiest going, steady cruisin’ shows you can attend when it comes to the Goodguys’ West Coast schedule.
This year’s show flocked more than 2,500 cars for the two-day weekend event, and we had the opportunity to meet some of the show-goers and onlookers which filled the fairgrounds.
Remember this 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie? Goodguys had the Coyote-swapped Fastback on display at this year’s Summer Get-Together.
This lead-sled surely was an incredible treat to see in-person.
Fortunately, we were able to see just about every type of Blue Oval machine imaginable – from vintage to late-model, and everything in between.
Keep reading for more of the Blue Oval highlights from the event!
Custom Blue Oval cars weren’t the only thing around on the premises, as this 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 finished in Calypso Coral proved.
One would assume that an event built on the foundation of musclecars more than 25 years ago would be filled to the brim with the likes of Fox Mustangs and Third-Gen Camaros. However, that isn't always the case, as even the newer S197 and S550 generation of Mustang owners are allowed in on the fun at this car show.
A rare sight indeed, this Ford Falcon Sprint with its bright red hue caught our eyes as soon as the clouds faded and the sun shined through.
Coyote-powered Mustangs with forced induction, like this Whipple supercharger, were just the norm at the 24th Annual Summer Get-Together.
Mel and Mirian Mello brought their 1966 Ford Falcon Ranchero out to the event this year. Coming from Stockton, California, their Ranchero features a mildly built 302-cube small-block, paired to a rebuilt four-speed manual transmission. The car repainted in a House of Kolors Black hue and features American Racing wheels, and a lowered stock suspension.
Will Kaar comes to us from Clayton, California, and he brought his 1970 Ford Torino Cobra to this year’s show. The car original started life with a 429-cubic-inch Super Cobra Jet V8, but has been treated to modifications which bring the displacement to 521 cubic inches now. Paired to a four-speed manual transmission and a Hurst shifter, the Torino Cobra sees plenty of strip time now, where it uses its CalTracs suspension.
Built as a SEMA car for 2016 by Lucky 7 Speed Shop, this completely custom 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback has been fully built with the Restomod treatment. Dubbed the "Tomahawk," this Mustang features an Edelbrock supercharged Coyote-powered engine, mated to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and a set of Wilwood brakes on all four corners. The attention to detail on this car is purely insane.
Victor Sperry was in attendance this year both as a volunteer and a P-Town Push Rods club member. His 1939 Ford Sedan (pictured below) was also on display at the event, and he’s currently building a classic Ford truck which will feature a 460-based V8 stroked to more than 500-plus cubic inches!
