Are you ready for the biggest, dopest, freest RADwood ever? You are not ready. I am not ready. No one is truly ready, but we’re going to do it anyway, because that’s what heroes do. RADwood – the OG ’80s and ’90s car show – is coming back to the Bay Area on Saturday, October 24th (get your tickets here), and The Autopian will be there in force with an Autozam, a Vector, and an Apple II.
When RADwood co-founder Art Cervantes and our friends at Hagerty started describing the event, my eyes got wider than a Gemballa E24. This new format is a little different from past RADwood events in that it’s free to attend, has a moving exhibit called Wheels in Motion, features a builder showdown with some of our favorite people, and now has a Millenia class for Y2K cars. All of your favorite parts of RADwood will be there, just with more.
I guess I should also mention that we’ll be there, too. We’re partnering with RADwood to bring some Autopian goodness to the event. We’ll be announcing more as we get closer to the day, but expect the 787bb, Beau’s incredible Vector M12, and enough floppy disks to hold, like, one episode of Parker Lewis Can’t Lose at 480p. [Editor’s Note: No, it wouldn’t even be close. Maybe like 10 seconds of the show, in 16 colors. – JT]
RADwood Is Going Dark.. Err Dusk
For the first time ever, RADwood is going to be an evening event, held at the Gold Bar Hangar in Alameda, California. Also, for the first time ever, the event is free with registration, so go register! Here are some of the key details:
- What: New free-to-attend RADwood format featuring Wheels in Motion, a full-throttle demonstration set against the backdrop of the San Francisco skyline
- When: Saturday, October 24, 2026; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where: Gold Bar Hangar, Alameda, CA
- Tickets: Free attendance with registration – a $25 value!
That’s already a lot, but wait, there’s more: A sim race experience presented by Goodyear, a raddest-dressed contest, live DJs, food trucks, and a truly wild build-off between Larry Chen, Mike Burroughs, and Vin Anatra.
Do I have a favorite? I don’t know if I have a favorite. I love a GMT400, I love an ’80s Esprit, and I love an Accord Si-R. Just kidding, I’m low-key obsessed with JTCC/NATCC cars, so I’m definitely leaning towards Larry’s ride. The winner gets $50,000 for a charity of their choice, so it doesn’t really matter who ends up with the best build (it does matter, and the winner better be Larry).
I’m also intrigued by the Millenia class, which is RADwood’s first foray into cars from the aughts. My dream is that someone brings an Infiniti FX45 and wears a velour tracksuit a la Amy Poehler in Mean Girls.
There Will Be Autopians
If you want to meet some Autopians, hear the glorious howl of the 787bb (and the Vector, which is maaaaaybe slightly louder), you definitely need to get a ticket now. Many more announcements coming up, including at least one special guest.
Because we have a space for an activation, Jason has been in his basement tinkering with some special giveaways for members and fans. Let’s just say that I’ve been buying floppy disks in bulk.
A big thanks to Hagerty for letting us be a part of their wildest RADwood yet, and stay tuned for more updates about the event and what we’re planning.
Top photo: Hagerty
What’s our Vector, Victor?
we have clearance, Clarence.
Clarence Oveur, Over.
Surely you can’t be serious.
I am serious, and dont call me Shirley.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue
A few food and drink hints for Alameda:
There’s a great spot for ice cream on Park Street if that’s your thing:
https://tuckersicecream.com/
A very fun place for great cocktails (some bar food available as well as long as you like deep fried), a well known tiki bar:
https://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com/
Can be very busy, especially on the weekend, strongly suggest that you go for a table reservation via their website if you really want to go. Hawaiian style shirts not required but wear them if you have them!
If you’re into pinball (we love this place!):
https://www.pacificpinball.org/
If video games are more your thing, I’m not personally familiar with this place, but it sounds good:
https://www.highscoresarcade.com/
In general, there’s many good to great restaurants, just pick one!
And yeah, you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, so tons of restaurants of many kinds all over.
I might make it!
I’ll be racing sailboats in the north Bay that day and the next. However, I will not drive the TR4 or the 89 K2500 over from Reno.
I’m begging for RADWood to come back to the Northeast. Missed my chance when they did, sniff sniff sob sob.
Jason should know better. That Apple IIc monitor is the monochrome “green screen” monitor.
Either tell me that it’s a restomod and you placed a modern LED screen in the housing… or get rid of the color!
This is an interesting change in Radwood. I’ve been taking my car to the Austin event since they started it. Went from low-budget beaters at the old track to a showcase of the real high dollar cars while the regular joes got shoved in the screw and nail filled COTA-land construction area. Still one of the best shows I attend, though.
Edit: Wow, the entire website has been overhauled since I looked like two months ago!
Edit 2: Oh, I see they’ve introduced a 2000-2009 segment, ever since they started they’ve had a carve-out for ‘approved’ post 2000 cars so I expected this would happen eventually.