The L.A. Roadsters club show has long been a staple for many SoCal hot rodders over the Father’s Day weekend, this year seeing the 47th such event. While it changed venues a couple of times as it grew in the early days, the show has been held at the Fairplex on the L.A. County Fairgrounds since 1980, with few changes over the past 21 years. This year, however, saw some major changes to the event.
While the venue remained the same, the layout was substantially different, caused in part by some structural changes to the facility. The old covered area where the 200-plus vendors had previously set up had been torn down since last year’s show, and the vendors relocated inside Building 4, which is also used as the main building at the Grand National Roadster Show every January. With the main part of the show, that for finished pre-’36 roadsters, also relocated to the inner fairgrounds, the whole vibe of the show was altered, along with the layout.
The quartet of fully enclosed...
The quartet of fully enclosed pontoon-style fenders mark this out as a Gen II Deco Rides boattail speedster. The extremely laidback windshield and “wooden inlay”–style hood take the boat theme one step farther.
No longer did visitors have to enter through the preferred parking and swap meet areas, making these sections quieter than in years past, but the event seemed to be divided distinctly into two halves. Speaking of the swap meet, and this scribe will readily admit to spending more time there than elsewhere over the weekend; it was one of the best ever, or was that just because I managed to get everything I wanted, and more? Whether the economy can be blamed or not I’m not sure, but prices, for the most part, ranged from reasonable to cheap!
It’s hard to write about this year’s show without coming back to the new layout, but it remains a must-attend event, not just for the sheer quality and numbers of cars in attendance, but for the chance to check out the vendor booths, the cacklefest (performed twice on the Saturday), the superb swap meet, and the open house events held at local rod shops on the preceding days. An action-packed weekend at the core of hot rodding’s Mecca for sure …
Neat little full-fendered...
Neat little full-fendered and rumble seat–equipped early A-V8 was way cool, with a neat stance and laidback windshield posts.
We caught this roadster headin’...
We caught this roadster headin’ home on Sunday afternoon, a neat ’33 based on an American Speed body, which features a retractable roof and roll-up side windows, yet retains a roadster appearance with them stashed away.
That’s a V8-60 behind the...
That’s a V8-60 behind the T grille shell on this ’26-27 roadster. Note the unique rear bodywork, with more of a bustle than a stock T roadster, providing a useful trunk compartment.
Out in the swap meet area,...
Out in the swap meet area, the Happy Hooker T-Bird was for sale. A genuine ’60s race car that is now street legal in Texas, it runs ’glass doors and front end, and a 351 Ford and five-speed. Those front wheels are by Kelsey Hayes, in a cast 20-spoke design.
We snapped this mucho-louvered...
We snapped this mucho-louvered T Modified as it was leaving the show on Sunday afternoon. Do those framrail covers extend under into a full belly pan, we wonder? This heavily channeled A roadster pickup had a baby Dodge Red Ram Hemi up front, with the radiator out back.
We snapped this mucho-louvered...
We snapped this mucho-louvered T Modified as it was leaving the show on Sunday afternoon. Do those framrail covers extend under into a full belly pan, we wonder? This heavily channeled A roadster pickup had a baby Dodge Red Ram Hemi up front, with the radiator out back.
The 496ci 8-71 blown big-block...
The 496ci 8-71 blown big-block in this ’56 210 is enough to push it to 10.50s at 130 mph, even with a full interior. The 9-inch rearend uses a Strange spool and nodular centersection, with 31-spline axles, hung on leaf springs mounted farther inboard than stock.
Rick Ramirez’s ’36 roadster...
Rick Ramirez’s ’36 roadster proves that simplicity works. No outward body mods, no roof chop, just a solid color and dropped over wide whites on steelie ’n’ caps.
Out in the swap meet, this...
Out in the swap meet, this full fendered real-deal ’50s-built three window was drawing a lot of attention. Pulled from a Colorado barn after almost 50 years in storage, and with just a fresh pair of front tires to replace the rotted originals, this time capsule coupe was looking for a good home.
New shop owner (Reed’s Rides)...
New shop owner (Reed’s Rides) Ryan Reed brought his finished ’37 coupe out to the SO-CAL’s Open House on the Friday afternoon. Not only does the coupe have a killer stance, but there are three pedals in the driver footwell.
Who’d have thought a ’60 Oldsmobile...
Who’d have thought a ’60 Oldsmobile station wagon could look this cool? More proof that lowering anything will make it cooler! Add wide whites, cool paint, and a little trim removal, and vo�la!
Plain baby moon caps on chromed...
Plain baby moon caps on chromed wheels are the perfect choice of rolling stock for Tom Leonardo’s ’32, the whitewall piecrust slicks capturing the intended era too.
Reminiscent of Rodney Harris’...
Reminiscent of Rodney Harris’ green three-window from the same shop, this new ’32 five-window from Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop had the same killer stance and identical rolling stock. These guys just get it right every time …
Terry Riker’s ’23 Modified...
Terry Riker’s ’23 Modified is a cool little roadster, rolling on bent spoke wires and suitable chunky dirt-style tires.
Dunno if this was an old T...
Dunno if this was an old T bucket rolling chassis (note the chromed framerails, old suicide perch, and no front brakes) with a new coupe body, or just an updated old project. Either way it was cool; we dug the trimmed back cowl with the cowl vent now used as access for the distributor.
Bob’s Customs and Rods is...
Bob’s Customs and Rods is based just a few miles from SO-CAL’s Pomona base, the shop truck pressed into service to attend the Open House. Man that paint just glows!
We couldn’t help but notice...
We couldn’t help but notice just how many T-buckets were in attendance at the show, most being old builds, with everything from full-on show cars to drivers represented. Could this be a new trend or just coincidence?