The First Annual Gold’s Classic was held in Santa Monica, California in 1976.
The list of guest posers was incredible and included Lou Ferrigno, Bill Grant, Sergio Oliva, Danny Padilla, Robby Robinson and Kalman Szkalak. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane were also in attendance.
As for the competitions. Tony Pearson won the Teenage Division in his first major competition. Tony would go on to win the 1978 Mr AAU America and the 1980 NABBA Pro Universe.
Dave Rogers would beat out both John Brown and Andreas Cahling for the open title. He was a relative newcomer at the time. In 1980 he would win the AAU Mr USA.
Finally Joe Nista took the over 40 crown. Joe had started competing in 1947 and had been a mainstay in IFBB events over the time.
Source: MuscleMag International Annual No.2 (1977)
