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The summer is heating up all over the country, with low 90s set to hit Colorado this weekend, but it’s more than just the heat that’s adding to the summer time fun around here! That’s because this weekend the Goodguys crew rolls into the Loveland area for the 16th Goodguys Colorado Nationals! But before the actual event kicked off Friday morning, the festivities started off with a bang at the Thursday night Kick-Off Party and Open House at Pinkee’s Rod Shop in Windsor, Colorado.
From unique rat trucks, to $100,000 restorations, hot rods and customs of all kinds showed up to help Pinkee’s Rod Shop kick off the Goodguys Colorado Nationals weekend on Thursday night.
The Goodguys Colorado Nationals runs through the weekend at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, Colorado. In addition to the traditional Show & Shine, AutoCross competition and plenty of hot rod talk, show-goers will be treated to another round of Builder’s Choice picks by the man behind the Front Range’s own Pinkee’s Rod Shop, Eric Peratt.
Last night, we cruised by Peratt’s shop for the annual Goodguys Kick-Off Party and we were pleasantly surprised at the turnout that greeted us!
Cars From Across the Country
In a state blessed with over 300 days of sunshine annually, seeing hot rods and custom cars cruising around town is not a rare sight. But when the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association comes to town, cities along Colorado’s Front Range are inundated with hundreds of pristine automobiles.
At the annual Goodguys Kick-Off Party, dozens of vehicles and even more automotive enthusiasts showed up for some car perusing, bench racing, live entertainment, and of course, a look into the famous Pinkee’s Rod Shop.
Parked on side street after side street surrounding the shop, we found countless cars from out of state, including ones from Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah and even as far as Washington and California.
While many of these out-of-state drivers have access to other Goodguys shows, they choose to participate in the Colorado Nationals because of the unique people, vehicles and atmosphere it brings every year.
The Festivities
In addition to custom cars parked every which way surrounding Pinkee’s, the Goodguys Kick-Off Party offered a unique look at some of shop’s current projects, chances to purchase Pinkee’s merchandise, the opportunity to connect with the local indoor football team the Colorado Ice, chow down on local grub from Nordy’s BBQ and even catch a few classic rockabilly songs performed by Dixie Leadfoot and the Chrome Struts.
Adding to the excitement of all the kickoff activity was an appearance by Dave and Charity Kindig of Kindig-It Design, who brought with them a custom creation oozing with class.
This gorgeous Fairlane convertible is one of the latest designs from Kindig-It Design out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Dave and Charity Kindig brought the car out to the Kick-Off Party for everyone to see prior to its debut at the Colorado Nationals.
'That's why we do what we do - because chicks dig it,' Dave Kindig stated with a compliment from us on his work.
While the Kindig-It car was truly a crowd pleaser, we also found this Chip Foose-built 1953 Ford F-100 pickup front and center at the party. According to Brian O’Leary, owner of O’Leary’s Truck Service and the man in charge of keeping a watchful eye on the vintage truck, this particular ride was created by Foose and WD-40 to commemorate the company’s long-time dedication to the industry and 60th anniversary. Sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction just this spring, this amazing piece of hot rod history is not only one-of-a-kind, its sale also benefited two SEMA Care’s charities!
Foose-commissioned and built, this commemorative truck even comes with it's own customized guitar signed by Foose and country music star Toby Keith. 
Fancy Rides and Friendly Faces
Among the many party-goers, we found many of our previous feature vehicle owners, shop owners and other stand-up folks that aren’t shy about their love for hot rods. From cherry reds to sunshine yellows, we also saw just about every color imaginable on the hot rods that made it out to Pinkee’s, getting us even more amped up for the Colorado Nationals this weekend.
Be sure to check back soon, as we’ll be out enjoying the atmosphere of the 16th annual event starting tomorrow! But in the meantime, check out a taste of what’s to come in the GALLERY below. 
