Car show or zoo? Try the car show

Virtually everyone has been to the zoo but annually? The Good Guys car show should be a must-see every year. http://www.good-guys.com/news/hotNews.aspx Not into cars? Well how much are you really into wild animals? Don't know much about cars? Do you really know a lot about animals? I have to pick on my dear brother again. The one that hasn't opened the hood of a car for probably 20+ years, bless his heart. Even he appreciates the rolling jewelry and engineering on display. And the animals, well they really don't change much, do they?

I'm not saying don't go to the zoo, it's a great experience. But it really doesn't change much year to year, does it? The zoo is a wonderful place and I love animals. If you can donate to the care of God's creatures, do it. But be sure to check out the creativity and engineering of God's other creatures. This show offers more than the zoo can.

The Good Guys Rod and Custom Association hosted an excellent event in Pleasanton at the Alameda (where is that?) Fairgrounds on May 30th and 31st. What made it so good? The variety, the setting, the autocross and the vendors.

I'm always amazed at some of the colors of the animals at the zoo. So pure and natural, and yes, even the Baboons. However when experts mix special color combinations sprayed in multiple flawless layers over voluptuous curves, chrome plated parts with perfect reflections and uttering monstrous sounds reflecting hundreds of horsepower while their owner and builder is sitting there answering questions about their creation, it is a real treat. Some animals change colors. Guess what? Some cars have paints that change color as the viewing angle changes too.

Ever see the Cheetahs and Rhinos run at full speed at the zoo? One big treat at this show was the autocross where a vast variety of cars run the cone marked course in 1st gear. Hearing and seeing those cars turn and burn rubber was a rare sight. Even if the course meant laps only in 1st gear and at a time in the high 30 second range, it was very cool to watch. Hey, I said full speed, not top speed, right?

The setting is excellent. It doesn't stink like some animal exhibits, there are many shady spots and plenty of tasty food and drink vendors spread around. It's like strolling through multiple parks. The number of vendors selling everything from junk to collectibles, automotive related or not, is staggering. So you're still not convinced? The people watching is better at the show than the zoo, guaranteed.

So while I encourage you to go to the zoo, don't skip the Good Guys show either. You'll enjoy both of them. One last thing, the parking lot at the zoo doesn't have nearly as many interesting "animals" unless you like pigs and cows, er, SUVs and minivans...

picture: Mike's "Sledgehammer" Camaro engine bay. Supercharged and set up for show AND go!