15 Best Hot Rod Engines at 2011 LA Roadster Show
Hot Rod Hemi’s, Flatheads and Bangers – Take Your Pick!
#1 Overhead Valve Conversion Banger Ford Flathead in a Slick looking Slingshot.
Best Engines of the 2011 LA Roadster Show
We tried this at the 2010 LA Roadster Show and it’s been a great story with interesting feedback. So why not try it again?
Everyone’s got their own style and as you can see from the engines I picked out, I trend towards nostalgic, blown, FAST looking engines. How about you? Take a look at these and choose which one your favorite! Hit the “Like” button above and call it out by number.
Or, if this is your car or you happen to be an expert on early Hemi’s or overhead valve conversion flathead motors, then let us know what we’re looking at. I hope I caught something to your liking!
#2 Another well executed Ford “Banger” Flathead – Think there’s enough carburetion?
#3 I’m a sucker for the black and chrome look with simple lakes style headers. This Ford Flathead engine’s got Harrell Los Angeles Racing Equipment on board. Learn more about Jim Harrell and the flathead parts that bear his name here: http://harrellengineshotrodding.com
#4 This bare metal hot rod had slight Jimmy Shine truck look to it… or maybe I just thought so because it was parked at the SoCal Pomona Show – they are totally different trucks. Either way, I got nothing for you on the cool flatheads on this V8, but I like it! (Any info out there?)
#5 My buddy Jim from the Throttle Kings has been fine tuning his hot rod pickup for several years now and showed very well in the 2011 GNRS Suede Palace. From here, we have to slip in the common, but tried, true and high performance small block Chevy.
#6 It’s the details around the engine that make it. I bet those pipes sound wicked!
#7 Loved the pinstriping and the engine turning work on the firewall. Classic and built for speed!
#8 Another great twist on the small block Chevy is the side draft weber induction.
Before we all Hemispherical on you, I want to throw out a few of the unusual finds from the LA Roadster Show:
#9 You see these all the time. I shoulda wrote down some info for you, but the WWI and WWII folks probably know this one. It’s a vintage airplane engine turned backwards that looked like an 8 cylinder, but it was only a four. The guy drove it to the show!
#10 With the valves, spings and rockers all exposed, I sure this old Buick Roadster didn’t use any oil.
#11 Look closely. This is cool. Wish I coulda heard it running.
And now, it’s time for the HEMI’s!
#12 It’s almost unfair to include a Hollywood Hot Rods built motor in a “best of” list. Getting the most Hemi power requires custom, hidden electronics fuel injection, 2 coils and practically no exposed wires. This is the benchmark.
#13 Just so you don’t think I’m totally adverse to billet, I give you this blown Hemi example. I heard this beast running and the surge and growl it made idling down the street turned every head. If you don’t love that, check for a pulse.
#14 Another fine blown hemi example. You pretty much can’t go wrong! I got a crazy fisheye lens picture of this engine here.
#15 Last but not least… Representing Desoto… another true classic including the six pack. Can you see how the engine’s been smoothed? This was the coolest hot rod in Pomona for the LA Roadster Show.
That’s it. 15 this year of the best looking, best detailed engines of the LA Roadster Show. Now’s your chance to say which is your favorite!
CLICK HERE for tons more LA Roadster Show Pictures
Want more “Best of” Engines? Check out the Best High Performance Engines of SEMA 2010
Shiny and Finished – Inside the 2011 LA Roadster Show
Hot Rod Roadsters – Only the Pretty Ones at 2011 LA Roadster Show
(click on any picture to see it full size)
I mentioned in the 2011 LA Roadster Show kick-off story there’s three parts of the show: the “Proper” roadster show, the “other” cars (also the part I like best!) and the swap meet. I’d say there’s four parts if you include the Pomona SoCal Speed Shop open house. We’ll cover all of those for you at MyRideisMe.com! Stay tuned and check back often!
As you can see, there was no shortage of custom hot rods at the show. The key difference for the LA Roadster Show is of course, they all must be roadsters. The strict definition is “no roll up windows” but who cares! If the top comes off, it’s a roadster to me.
By the afternoon, the sky had finally cleared from its dreary (and miserable to photograph!) gray color and was showing a beautiful blue sky. Isn’t this what we always think of for California?
The few Model T’s and late 30′s and 40′s roadsters were easy to spot and served to break up the red-orange-black-yellow field of 32′s-34′s and model A roadsters.
Case in point! I’m drawn to little buckets like this because of my own roadster. This scalloped beauty had some incredible detail! The craftsmanship of the rear mounted tank and suspension were amazingly well done. You can just barely make out the finned ends of what looked like a custom-built fuel tank. There’s no mistaking this fantastic little Track T.
While we’re talking about cool little tricks, check out the hood of this cool custom roadster. The paint accentuates the raised edge on the hood the ties in with the lines on the cowl and door. Beautifully done! The louvers were interesting too… see how they’re curved?
Front and center at the show was the 1934 Ford Roadster that competed and won as 2011 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Owned by Daryl Wolfswinkel’s and built by my friend Doug Jerger here in Arizona at Squeeg’s Kustom. While I can appreciate this hot rod, especially the mirror smooth black paint, I think you can see what kind of hot rod roadsters I prefer…
From the sticker, I guess this roadster’s out of San Jose, CA and from the bugs (can you see them?!) I bet it was driven the 300+ miles to Pomona. First and foremost, the cars I prefer are DRIVEN! Don’t get me wrong, I know the AMBR winning 34 above is driven too, but this guy was showing the proof on his windshield.
Other than that, I usually give the nod (and photos here at MyRideisMe.com) to nostalgia-styled hot rods. I love steel wheels with simple hub caps and either tall black walled tires or the occasional wide white. It’s simple, classy and timeless. How many hot rods have you loved but wished they had different wheels? Or how many have you seen then said, “That was built in the 80′s” simply by looking at the wheels? You can’t go wrong with the steelies!
There’s absolutely nothing overstated on this classic roadster. A nice change-of-pace-green color, just the right splash of chrome applied and a perfect hot rod stance. YES!!
Finally, throw an unpolished blower on a roadster with some vintage race lettering and I’m sucked in. (get it?) I just wish I coulda heard this baby rumble! Look for this engine as an entry into the BEST ENGINES of 2011 LA Roadster Show (coming soon). Here’s the best engines from 2010 LA Roadster Show.
So that’s the shiny side of the show. The rest of the show (the 1975 and older specialty parking stuff), including engines, pinstriping and more great swap meet finds are on the way. Plus, TONS more pictures will be uploaded to the hot rod picture gallery. (Bill, get busy!)
If I shot your car, please let us know! We’ll add the detail to the photos.
We’re also looking for feedback on the new layout of the show. Did you like it?
First Pictures from 2011 LA Roadster Show
June 17, 2011 by pikesan · 4 Comments
Custom Hot Rods Rock the LA Roadsters
Back again! For the 5th year, this is one of the best hot rod and custom car shows you’ll see, in California, or maybe anywhere. It’s easy to see why this show’s a success:
- The Roadster Show “proper” – finished, shiny painted no-roof cars only
- The “Other” cars… every other custom car in So-cal, pre ’75, want’n a primo parking spot
- A freakin HUGE swap meet!! (if this doesn’t get yer motor turn’n… move on now)
Make your way to Pomona, make sure to Learn the NEW LA Roadster Show layout and enjoy what we found…
2011 LA Roadsters Show
Here’s how the day starts for most people attending the LA Roadster Show. It’s a massive line.
We arrived at about 3:30AM on Friday morning (no we’re not psycho, that’s just when we arrived from AZ!) and were in the 5th line. Each line was about 1/2 mile long with trucks, trailers and RV’s filled with swap’n goodies.
It’s not long before you realize… you might see just about anything…
Look closely, that’s a right hand driver Chevy Ute. When’s the last time you saw one of those cruising your home town?
Keep’n the truck theme, outa Ventura, this Studebaker pickup kissed pavement on all four corners and did it with the paint it’s worn since Peter,, Clement and Henry Studebaker were in short-pants!
This Stude’s part of the bigger picture though… the swap meet. Anything you need can be found. You may pay more than you wanted, but you should be able to find it. Case in point:
This guy had the Edelbrock “Air Gap” intake I was looking for, but it was a single plane and pops wants a dual plane. Every seen a larger collection of finned valve covers? Both of these photos was one vendor.
Not far away:
If you were trying to decide… send your kids to college or get a rare, Hollywood Eddie Meyers flathead intake and air cleaners setup… (anyone know more about this intake?)
More Custom Hot Rods!
Traveling in a custom hauler I may only every dream of, this Hemi powered 32 Ford 3 window coupe was stunning.
Inside and out the car was perfectly done. It’s my mission to find out more about this coupe.
From the coupe to custom hot rods with a distinct racing vibe, if you’ve never noticed, I have a thinng for vintage styled gassers. This 1957 Ford Thunderbird sports a straight axle and Kelsey mags up front. Nose in the air, that’s how we like the “Happy Hooker”.
“Nasty Habit”? Why? This Willys gasser sits perfectly, has white headers just like the models I used to built and looks wicked fast just sitting there. I suggest changing the name to something that better reflects how I feel about it: “Daily Vitamin” (I’m not so good with names…)
Finally, this banger-sport’n sling shot digger from before my parents knew each other…
I must know what this beast sounds like!
So what’s left? Duh! The Roadsters of the LA Roadster Show! For 2011, the LA Roadsters moved things around, so I didn’t get a chance to see too much of the roadster show. No problem! This is only Friday. Officially, the show hasn’t even start.
Look for more roadster pictures here.
How’s it going so far?
Changes for 2011 LA Roadster Show – Don’t Get Lost
June 8, 2011 by pikesan · 7 Comments
What’s New for the 2011 LA Roadster Show
Looking for show coverage for 2011? Try these links!
First Pictures from 2011 LA Roadster Show
Shiny and Finished – Inside the 2011 LA Roadster Show
SoCal Pomona’s Open House – Nothing to See Here
There’s few shows not to miss. One of them is the LA Roadster Show in Pomona, CA. This is the 47th car show for the Los Angeles Roadsters Car Club and this year’s Father’s Day Weekend, June 18th-19th. If you’re planning to attend, you should know about a major layout changes so you don’t get lost on the way in.
Spectators:
The biggest change is for spectators. This year, you’ll be parking in the Blue Lot off White Avenue through Gate #9. If you’ve ever been to the Grand National Roadster Show, it’s the same for that show. There’s a bus/trolley available to help you get back and forth, or you can make the short walk through the tunnel.
It’s a long walk from the parking lot and the Roadster Show Parking/Vendors area over to Specialty Parking and the Swap Meet so make sure you jump on one of the trolleys provided!
Specialty Parking:
Hot Rodders and crusiers of all varieties, as long as you’re PRE-1975, get special treatment at LA Roadster Show. It’s what I call, the “Show within the show”. The variety of cars, shiny or suede, with roofs or open air… whatever, it’s just as entertaining, if not more so, than the Roadster Show itself.
This year, you’ll enter through Gate #15 off Arrow Highway. Guess what? That’s what you did for the last few year! Your parking area moved where the bulk of the swap meet was last year and the swap will be where you parked. Switch-a-roo style…
If you’re driving a smooth custom car, classic pickup or ground pounding muscle car… park in Specialty Parking. You’ll pay the standard entry fee and it’s alot shorter walk to the Swap Meet!
For Nitro lovers, or should I say everyone with a pulse… there’s a new Cacklefest taking place this year on Saturday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the Specialty Parking area.
Swap Meet:
Swap Meet sellers should enter Gate #15 off Arrow Highway, just like you’ve always done. Move-in is Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday 6:00 am. Folks start lining up at the crack of, “Are you kidding me” AM and earlier, so if you want a great spot, better be up early. The LA Roadster guys have been doing this for a long while, so entering is smooth despite the huge turnout of eager sellers.
Bring CASH though! These sellers live near the birth of hot rodding and bring rare and desirable parts, but buyers come from everywhere! Don’t be surprised to hear several different languages including English spoken kinda funny by our friends from Australia. They pre-arrange a shipping container to fill with American go-fast-goodies and pay the same amount empty or full.
Don’t forget, if you’re not a seller, you park through Gate #9. (At least that’s what it shows on their map.)
Roadsters:
Feast your eyes on the finest drop-top rides 1936 and older. You might think there’s just hot rods, but I saw a coach built 1932 that’s rarer than a barn find five window deuce! Over 875 roadsters attended last year, so expect a big number this year too. The LA Roadster Show only allows completely finished, glossy paint cars, so if you’re looking for the rat rods, this ain’t it.
Roadsters enter through main Gate #1 off McKinley Avenue. That’s just north of the NHRA Museum, another must see while in Pomona.
The Vendors:
The canopies that offered shade for the vendors last year are gone… to keep buyers and sellers cool, the vendor area hass been moved to Exhibitor Building #4. For GNRS visitors, that’s the main hall where the “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” competition takes place.
With cool, conditioned air waiting for everyone inside and the roadsters surrounding… expect a full house of the best new parts and services to chose from.
If you need a map of the new LA Roadster Show layout, click here. Or anything I miss, head over to the LA Roadster Show home page here.
Need More LA Roadster Show Pictures?
If you’re going, drop us a note below… we’ll see ya there!
1960 Starliner Part 1 – Low Mile Stocker
July 18, 2010 by pikesan · 3 Comments
When you’re cruzin’ the LA Roadster show, you never know what you’ll find. Roadsters, yea, but like I’ve said before, the LA Roadsters brings out the best in all of SoCal. Here’s one of the best you’ll see anywhere from Rod Barrett of Rancho Dominguez, CA. This original and unrestored 1960 Galaxie Starliner has a little over 10,000 miles on the odo.
This is part 1 of 2 Ford Starliners found this summer, but maybe there was a part ZERO? KIRK! from Billetproof and now Goodguys Gazette fame has (had, he sold it now) one of the finest 60 Starliners ever built. If you’ve never seen it, check it out in Kirk’s garage here.
So much has been written about Kirk’s ride, I’m skipping to this bad black beauty.
One thing 60 Starliner folks are happy to tell you is that they own the longest and widest Ford ever built. At 5.7 inches longer and five inches wider than the 1959 Ford, they’re still shorties compared to the 1959-60 Caddy coming in at 213.7 inches compared to the Cad’s 225.
Looking around the web, I found numerous mentions of the super-long rear overhang on the 60 Starliner. No problem if you’re using Ford’s “Sporty” fastback as a racing platform as the NASCAR boys did, but look out for steep driveways or those cool aluminum rear gravel shield are toast!
I caught Ron just as he parked this beauty and heard him say to some new mates from Australia that the car only had 10,740 miles on it. From 1960, that’s only 214 miles/year! Ron found the car with 7800 miles on it in upstate New York, so don’t think he’s not driving it. In fact, he said, “I never trailer it!”
Ron swore the for sale ad must be a mistake at only 7800 miles. He thought, “Don’t you mean 78-thousand?” But since Ron owned and raced a 1960 Starliner in his younger days, he called anyways and a deal was made. He’s heard offers since, but he asked, “Where will I find another like this?” You won’t.
What originally caught my eye, before hearing the mileage, was the interior. Check it out! (Click to see the pic full size). I’ve been shooting pictures of interiors for my Falcon Wagon project and had to have one of this! What’s the best name for the patterned cloth insert on seats like this? The sheen on the seat is from the originally installed clear vinyl seat covers. Everything inside is perfect.
Ron 292 cu. in. equipped stocker is backed by the 2 speed Fordomatic trans. Not as desirable as the 352 or later the 401 HP tri-powered 390 with a 4 speed, but hey, it purrs like new.
So thanks to Ron for sharing some info about his Starliner and for parking right next to where I was walking. Got a lower mileage 1960 Starliner? I’d love to see it!
Look here for Part 2 of the 60 Starliner Series. This next one’s a hot rod!
