In just four short years, the Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up has built itself into one of the "must attend" events for all retro rodders around the globe. Modeled after the West Coast's Paso Robles event, the Austin, Texas, event offers even more with a rockin' night scene in the town that invented live music. The show is based out of the historic Continental Club, which has hosted any and every cool musician you can think of since the dawn of rock 'n' roll, and other live music clubs are within walking distance on Congress Street. The food cannot be forgotten either as these people know how to barbecue just about anything to perfection!
The weekend begins with people and cars converging to the state capitol throughout the week and then really making it a party on Friday night when cruising is a mandatory event. Later that night bands fire up in the clubs and festivities continue into the wee hours. On Saturday morning the rumbling rods and customs roll onto event grounds and line up casually where ever they like. Once the cars are settled, the live music starts up again and continues through the day as spectators check out the rides and wares of many talented artists, like Von Franco and Keith Weesner, who show off their latest creations in the vendor area.
The day is wrapped up with a casual awards ceremony for rides selected by the Kontinentals who do all the hard work making the event happen. That night the action moves back to Congress Street with even more cruising and spectating from the sidewalk. After the sun sets the bands again plug in and rock Austin well into the night, with rodders like Bob Bleed, of Bleed and Bubba Luv, and Hank Cash, of High School Caesar, making it happen.
Wrapping up the wild weekend on Sunday is a leisurely cruise out to a local lake for a burger and some final bench racing and story swapping until next year. For information on the next Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up and a look at past events, check out www.lone-starroundup.com. We'll see you there next year!
Jim Jard's McCulloch supercharger...
Jim Jard's McCulloch supercharger Flattie-powered '32 is the kind of tub we wouldn't mind spending a week or two "soaking" in.
This cool '60s-styled Chevy...
This cool '60s-styled Chevy pickup looks to have origins as a sedan if the long doors are any clue.
Danny Burroughs traveled to...
Danny Burroughs traveled to the Round Up as a father-and-son team in his '39 Tudor along with dad...
...Bruce Burroughs, in his...
...Bruce Burroughs, in his super-rare '32 roadster pickup. Together they represent Bruce's Rod Shop in Spring, TX.
"Mercury Charlie" Runnels'...
"Mercury Charlie" Runnels' '51 Mercury is a rolling art sculpture and a great tribute to all the great Mercs of the past...
...From the amazing Gary Howard...
...From the amazing Gary Howard paint and body to the dazzling multi-carb mill, you could spend all day finding new details on this beauty.
Rocker Bob Bleed made it all...
Rocker Bob Bleed made it all the way from Wisconsin in his roadster that's been in the family for five decades.
Jimmy White was one of many...
Jimmy White was one of many representing the West Coast with a super-sharp '27 RPU put together at his shop, Circle City Hot Rods.
Back with a new car (which...
Back with a new car (which is actually his first car he's had since high school) was Aaron Lobato in his panel-painted '53 Chevy. The Watson-inspired boulevard cruiser spins the slicks with a built Chevy big-block.
Artist-at-Large Dennis McPhail's...
Artist-at-Large Dennis McPhail's chopped '52 Chevy coupe was looking good under gleaming purple metal flake paint.
This cool survivor '29 roadster...
This cool survivor '29 roadster had just been woken from a 40-year slumber and was up for grabs. The dressed Flattie still fires right up!
For the cruise to the lake...
For the cruise to the lake on Sunday, Mercury Charlie picked his T coupe out of his stable of fine rides.
Byron Crump has been making...
Byron Crump has been making the scene in timeless style for a couple years in his time-warpin' '32 Ford coupe.
Although the hard-rockin'...
Although the hard-rockin' owner of this '52 Olds coupe was trying to keep a low profile, his knockout new ride was impossible to ignore.
Mr. Wright is a fitting name...
Mr. Wright is a fitting name for the owner of this early hot rod-style '32 roadster.
The Speed Kings' '29 highboy...
The Speed Kings' '29 highboy showed up in a few different incarnations during the weekend. This rear shot shows it in full race dress with the headlights and windshield removed...
...When it came time for cruising,...
...When it came time for cruising, they dressed it with the street attire. We liked it every way possible.