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The 48th Annual L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap - Show ThingFrom the December, 2012 issue of Rod & Custom By Kev Elliott
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The show itself may only be open to roadsters, but the swap meet and Specialty Parking areas are open to all, and who doesn’t love a blown, straight-axle–equipped Mopar? Above right: Ironically, though the owners of both these early Fords are Forever Four members, Don Stevens brought his Flathead-motored A roadster, and “Cigar” Larry’s ’27 T phaeton has had a Quad 4 swapped in since we featured it. The show itself may only be... The show itself may only be open to roadsters, but the swap meet and Specialty Parking areas are open to all, and who doesn’t love a blown, straight-axle–equipped Mopar? Above right: Ironically, though the owners of both these early Fords are Forever Four members, Don Stevens brought his Flathead-motored A roadster, and “Cigar” Larry’s ’27 T phaeton has had a Quad 4 swapped in since we featured it. Almost a half century is a long time for any event to survive, but if you’ve ever been to the L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap, or Father’s Day as it’s more widely known, you’ll know the club strives to improve the show every year, surely contributing to its success. While the show has been at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, for 33 years, last year saw the biggest change in that time, with a new layout expanding into the inner fairgrounds, and opening an air-conditioned building for many vendors. Like or loathe the new layout, there’s definitely more space available for roadster owners, vendors, and those in the Specialty Parking or swap meet areas. It’s the latter that always draws your scribe, who could happily spend the entire event in the swap meet. In the past I’ve done just that, either buying or selling, but that doesn’t get many pictures taken or info gathered, so for the past few years I’ve donned my walking boots and hat, and made sure I saw every corner of the show, camera in hand. I still think some of the best discoveries are in the swap though, whether cars or just cool parts. If you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to make it a date next year. It’s easy to remember, as it happens over the Father’s Day weekend. Just get yourself close to Pomona and follow a roadster to the Fairplex!  Tucked away at the edge of...  Tucked away at the edge of the swap meet was Robert Lomas’ gorgeous full-fendered ’34 roadster, complete with full weather protection and rear-mounted spare. After owning this older restoration for about a year this was the first outing for it in its newly hot-rodded incarnation.  This has to be the best swap...  This has to be the best swap meet of the year for rare and desirable parts. Here’s just a small selection of what was on display, er, for sale.  This has to be the best swap...  This has to be the best swap meet of the year for rare and desirable parts. Here’s just a small selection of what was on display, er, for sale.  This has to be the best swap...  This has to be the best swap meet of the year for rare and desirable parts. Here’s just a small selection of what was on display, er, for sale.  This has to be the best swap...  This has to be the best swap meet of the year for rare and desirable parts. Here’s just a small selection of what was on display, er, for sale.  Not only was this ’36 three-window...  Not only was this ’36 three-window stunning, with a louvered roof insert, but it also had a quad-carbed Olds Rocket underhood.  Did we mention we love the...  Did we mention we love the swap meet at this show? Solo Speed Shop had this all-original ’36 Ford pickup for sale at $8,000.  Couldn’t find any info or...  Couldn’t find any info or anyone to ask, but the workmanship on this Deuce was very impressive, including the interior and trunk. We particularly dug the knock-off wheels and staggered stacks.  For $25,000 you would have...  For $25,000 you would have got this cool T Modified with a two-jug V8-60 under the four-piece hood.  Is it just us noticing them...  Is it just us noticing them more, or are ’46-48 Ford customs really getting more popular?  The Specialty Parking area...  The Specialty Parking area is open to all makes and models, this particularly sweet chopped ’n’ dropped Shoebox catching our eye. Top: A member of the Sidewinders, Frank Sloan brought out his 1913 Buick speedster. Yep, those are wooden wheels!  Whoa boy, this chopped ’34...  Whoa boy, this chopped ’34 on pie-crust slicks was just about perfect in our mind! Check the extended rear pan and body-hugging bumper between the framerails, too.  Parked since 1971, fitted...  Parked since 1971, fitted with a fresh 327, and hauled out to the show, this straight-axle ’32 Vicky was offered at $50,000.  The Specialty Parking section...  The Specialty Parking section was also home to the cackle fest dragsters on Saturday, including this killer T-bird.  Frank and Marilyn Bird’s ’23...  Frank and Marilyn Bird’s ’23 roadster pickup was running a Chevy six between the bobbed framerails.  Running a Tri-power on a small-block...  Running a Tri-power on a small-block Chevy, and ’34-esque hood sides, Jim Bochniarz brought his ’29 roadster up from San Clemente to escape the overcast beach weather.  Yes it’s street legal. It’s...  Yes it’s street legal. It’s also a roadster, so it qualified for the show!  No cookie-cutter hot rod here,...  No cookie-cutter hot rod here, thanks to that V windshield and choice of engine.  John Foster’s ’33 Chevy cabriolet...  John Foster’s ’33 Chevy cabriolet was looking good in black. There’s a 283 under that hood.  With a quartet of downdraft...  With a quartet of downdraft Webers on an Ed Pink small-block, we’ll bet Tom Malloy’s ’32 is a little more rapid than outward appearances might suggest!  The Specialty Parking area...  The Specialty Parking area is open to all makes and models, this particularly sweet chopped ’n’ dropped Shoebox catching our eye. Top: A member of the Sidewinders, Frank Sloan brought out his 1913 Buick speedster. Yep, those are wooden wheels!  “Shock Therapy” featured a...  “Shock Therapy” featured a supercharged straight-six and more clever aluminum fabwork than could be taken in at one time, as well as an Edsel grille.  From Prescott, AZ, Jim Butler’s...  From Prescott, AZ, Jim Butler’s ’29 A roadster sported a heavily chopped top.  Todd Stevens’ choice of color...  Todd Stevens’ choice of color on his Hemi-fied ’32 certainly gets it noticed! Check out the drilled inner framehorns and through-the-frame exhaust.
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