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The 'Good Guys' of Pleasanton

Original post made on Aug 16, 2014

As tens of thousands of classic car enthusiasts head to Pleasanton for next weekend's 28th annual West Coast Nationals, Goodguys founders Gary and Marilyn Meadors reflect on how they started the event in their Alamo home in the winter of 1987.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Saturday, August 16, 2014, 10:13 AM

Comments (18)

Posted by Randy
a resident of Mission Park
on Aug 16, 2014 at 8:51 pm

I remember when I first moved to Pleasanton we would walk downtown on Goodguys weekend and got to enjoy many beautiful cars parked all along Main St. Main St was closed to traffic and it was packed with pedestrians enjoying the the cars and eating at the restaurants. As a matter of fact it was this positive experience that convinced me to get a "hot rod" and join the thousands attending Goodguys four times a year. Many years ago the Main St closure stopped and the only cars down there are the few that can find an open parking space. Any idea Jeb why they stopped this? It was perfect for families with young kids that can not spend an entire day at Goodguys.


Posted by Sara
a resident of Kottinger Ranch
on Aug 16, 2014 at 10:15 pm

MONEY,MONEY,MONEY !!!


Posted by insurance
a resident of Downtown
on Aug 16, 2014 at 10:29 pm

The reason it was stopped is that the city did not want to pay the high price of insurance that was demanded by the car owners in case someone damaged their car.


Posted by Tom F
a resident of Castlewood
on Aug 17, 2014 at 7:34 am

Great. Good Guys is in town again. Wonderful seeing a bunch of hayseeds tooling around Main St. At least they stay out of the nice restaurants and pretty much congregate in that God awful Albertos 'Mexican' joint.


Posted by Pleasanton resident
a resident of Birdland
on Aug 17, 2014 at 12:04 pm

[Removed] You should be thanking goodguys for bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue to pleasanton in a fun, friendly way! Hot rods are a way of life for me and millions of others. We "tool around" on Main Street because back in the day, we cruised. Sorry that for 4 weekends out of the year you get a stick up your butt and mope around. Open your heart brother, once you accept us we will accept you.


Posted by Don't like 'em
a resident of Ponderosa
on Aug 17, 2014 at 11:47 pm

This is the type of person that is brought into our town by the horrid car show: Web Link I hope our community stays safe and no outsider attacks our humble town like last year. I am planning to be out of town the week of the show so I do not have to deal with the thugs that take over. Hide your kids, hide your wifes, 'cause the bad guy car show is in P-town!


Posted by Don't like 'em
a resident of Ponderosa
on Aug 18, 2014 at 12:01 am

Comment deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)


Posted by Don't like 'em
a resident of Ponderosa
on Aug 18, 2014 at 12:04 am


For maximum safety for the elderly and children, I suggest they hide in a bunker, or run into the hills.


Posted by liberalism is a disease
a resident of Birdland
on Aug 18, 2014 at 7:31 am

liberalism is a disease is a registered user.

It could be way worse....you could be enduring the animalistic behavior of the tribes that have taken over Ferguson, MO. Count your blessings and enjoy the hot rods and fair food.


Posted by George
a resident of Pheasant Ridge
on Aug 18, 2014 at 9:03 am

Hey, Tom F: Don't bad mouth" Alberto's. A fun place, good food, great waiters and great location to "people watch".


Posted by San Ramon Observer
a resident of San Ramon
on Aug 18, 2014 at 12:45 pm

San Ramon Observer is a registered user.

@Don't like 'em,

I usually take my 1973 Maverick Grabber to at least one Good Guys show each year. I have never seen anyone who looks like the guy in your photo. You must be going to the wrong show.

Roz


Posted by Don't like 'em
a resident of Ponderosa
on Aug 18, 2014 at 12:53 pm

No Roz, YOU must be going to the wrong show!

For y'all who are staying behind to bravely defend P-town against the bad guys, I suggest you carry a gun. I you are a silly leebrul who does not own one, I would be happy to give one to you. AT ALL COSTS try to avoid Albertos and the fairgrounds!!! Albertos is where they all like to congregate after the show!


Posted by Damon
a resident of Foothill Knolls
on Aug 18, 2014 at 4:19 pm

Four Good Guys car shows per year is approaching my saturation limit. Nice to see the hot rod cars once in a while, but I hope that the organizers realize that they are really pushing the limit with the big hot rod crowds every few months.

(Comment partially removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)


Posted by Kruzin kris
a resident of Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Aug 18, 2014 at 7:53 pm

Alberto's is awesome! Love the food and the people. I've never seen anyone who looks like some criminal at a goodguys show. The only criminal act I've seen is two old men fighting over a part in the swap meet! Goodguys is fun, and 4 is a perfect number. I


Posted by Damon
a resident of Foothill Knolls
on Aug 18, 2014 at 8:09 pm

Well, the Pleasanton Weekly censored my statement about Alberto's miserable two-and-a-half star out of five Yelp review, claiming that it was "irrelevant" (while at the same time allowing all the "Alberto's is awesome" comments"). So I am re-posting the claim here.

As for you, Pleasanton Weekly, we can play this game all you want. I can continue to post comments about Alberto's on each and every thread and you have no way of stopping me short of locking down each and every thread. You want to play games? I can play games, too! I can [Comment partially removed for making unflattering comments concerning the physical appearance, intelligence, and personal hygiene of certain Pleasanton Weekly staff members].


Posted by Lenny
a resident of Canyon Creek
on Aug 18, 2014 at 11:38 pm

Damon--

You are permitted to talk approvingly of private sector companies. Not so much if you want to be critical of them, even if you are being truthful. Pretty much a standing rule of capitalist newspapers, which means almost all of them. The price we have to pay for reading stuff in this newspaper is that we have to confront ads everywhichwhere. The ads are the newspaper's bread and butter. You simply are not allowed to criticize its clients, or potential clients. (That is why threads on Walmart get shut down as quickly as they do.) If you want to criticize government, that's okay. But not private companies. And that, my friend, is one in-built right-wing bias of virtually all "mainstream" newspapers. Of course, there are many others.


Posted by Chris
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Aug 19, 2014 at 9:08 am

awe..poor P-town trying so hard to keep something alive... while Livermore thrives nightly because of the variety, landscape, parking and fun!


Posted by Arroyo
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Aug 20, 2014 at 9:06 am

I always look forward to the old cars cruising around town. Bring on the Good Guys ~ Welcome to our little town of Pleasanton, where nimbyism is a way of life...




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