SoCal Pomona’s Open House – Nothing to See Here

Hot Rod, Street Rods and Customs Pack Pomona

(click on any picture to see it full size)

In all the years I’ve been going to the LA Roadster Show, I’ve always attended the SoCal Speed Shop’s open house car show on the Friday night before the Roadster Show. By about 4PM on Friday, everyone’s already setup their swap spaces and scoped out the early deals, so besides grabbing a bite, there’s not much else to do except see some great local custom hot rods and see what Jimmy Shine and the other builders are up to at the shop.

Outside the shop, the streets are lined with hot rods and customs like this 49 Buick Sedanette. Out of all the cars I saw this weekend, this Buick was one of my favorites. It was for sale too. Got an extra $45k?

Much like the high style and high dollar cars found at the LA Roadster Show, SoCal brings in some of the finest hot rod examples to be found in all of California… and farther. They normally have at least one Billy Gibbons project going on, and he’s, “Bad, bad, bad… nation wide!”

Speaking of projects, here’s two in progress. The one on the left sports a 409 Chevy and all the touches of a very special nostalgia hot rod. On right is the Indy Speedster fashioned after an Indy-like sprint car with a Roush motor. It’s taken 15 years of construction to make the hand formed, all aluminum body. This will be one of a kind, to say the least, when finished. Do your projects look like this when they’re going together?

Finishing strong:

The paint on this Willys Gasser doesn’t have the shine of the other hot rods at the Pomona show and probably didn’t before it sat for 15 years untouched in  Jack “Racer” Warren’s garage… but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I owe you a feature story about this Willys after the Viva Las Vegas Show. Some day!

Here’s the rest of the best pictures from Socal Pomona. Look for more in the Hot Rod Picture gallery… soon!

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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

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:

1. The Roadster Show “proper” – finished, shiny painted no-roof cars only
2. The “Other” cars… every other custom car in So-cal, pre ’75, want’n a primo parking spot
3. 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?

Name That Roadster! Or Highboy? Or Phaeton?

As I journey along in the car world, little by little I’m learning. From mechanical issues to car culture history to just plain cars. Recently, while at the LA Roadster Show, I was able to learn a little about all three! It all started with the question “What makes a roadster a roadster?”

To help me answer that question I enrolled Lynn Houchin, longtime LA Roadster Club Member, to be my guide. He answered all of my questions (and was able to point out examples!) about important distinctions surrounding roadsters including: Model A, Model T, highboy, coupe, phaeton, tudor, and more! Read on to get schooled!

First things first – What defines a roadster? Sure, I know its got something to do with having a removable top… but that same definition would also define a convertible so there must be more to it than that. So here it is, two simple things. A roadster must have removable windshield posts, one that is not one with the body – and no roll-up door windows.

Now that mystery is solved, let’s move onto the next.  Model A and Model T, what’s the difference? Hearing car guys talk about this I’d always been confused thinking it was a model type. As it ends up, Ford only made one model of car (albeit with different variations) during these years. So Model T is the earlier Ford car made between the years of 1908 and 1927. A perfect example of a modified Model T would be our very own Pikesan’s 1927 “Bonnie” . In 1928 Ford switched things up a bit adding a splash apron, widening the fenders some, and changing the body style in places. The Model A was then produced between 1928 and 1931, and can be seen in the picture above.

In 1932 Ford switched things up again, and this time it’s a little easier to notice – they added a radiator cover. 1932’s often get called “deuces” but you could also call them Model Bs (for some reason though I’ve never heard car guys use that term.) 1933s and 34s are recognizable by their pointed grills – and a 1933 has curved louvers on the hood sides whereas a 1934 has a straight louvers. So the above picture is what year? That’s right, a 1934. At the LA Roadster show, you can get your roadster in up to the year 1936.

But enough of these nitty-gritty distinctions. Now that you’re on your way to being a schooled car buff, let’s learn some more vocab!

Highboy. A roadster with the fenders removed. (Fender = those curvy things that go over the wheels.)

Phaeton: A 4-door roadster.

Truck: True roadster trucks are rare, but they were made. On top is a  beauty done by Hollywood Hot Rods. I first saw it in October at Ultimate Street Challenge and it also made an appearance at LA Roadster Show… but it’s much funner to see it in action! Below that, I couldn’t help but add this cute aqua and black roadster truck sighted at the LA Roadster Show, I want a ride!

Channeling: Lowering the body over the chassis instead of on top of them. Most rat rod roadsters are channeled. This one was on display at SEMA this past November.

The following terms are NOT referring to roadsters. But they’re applicable to these years of cars – and sometimes, people apply them to roadsters improperly!

Coupe: A 2-door single-seat hardtop with windows. There are both 3-window and 5-window coupes. The 3-window also has suicide doors. (Suicide Door= a door that hinges at back instead of towards the front)

Tudor: A coupe with a back seat.

Sedan: A 4-door hardtop with a back seat.

Cabriolet: Fixed-post windshield (its connected to the body), soft-top, can have roll-up windows, 2-door, single seat.

And the final question: Does it have to be a Ford? No! While the majority of roadsters you’ll see are Fords, it can be something different. Remember, to be considered a roadster a car must have a 1.)Removable windshield post and 2.)Have no door windows. Here’s one of my favorite roadsters of the show and it’s a Mercury!

With nearly 800 roadsters present at the LA Roadster show, I had plenty of opportunity to practice my new naming skills! Next time you see one of these beauties on the road (or looking through the MyRideisMe.com LA Roadster Show gallery) see if you can properly name it…you’ll be on the way to being bonafide!

Want more learning opportunities? Check out Pikesan’s article on 13 of the Best Hot Rod Engines or the learning page at GreaseGirl.com!

Standing Out At LA Roadster Show

Today marked the start of the 46^th Annual LA Roadster Show held at the fairgrounds in Pomona, California. As the name implies, this is a show focused on roadsters. Roadsters aren’t the only thing to see though. In fact last year, I was so busy checking out the informal car show that happens in the “preferred parking” area that I didn’t even make it over to look at any roadsters! This year I decided to remedy that and take a good look at all those purdy roadsters.

As I walked through row after row of pristine roadster my head started to spin! Rather than continuing on with glazed-over eyes I decided to try and learn a little, recognize roadster differences, and figure out which I like the best.

What’s there to learn about a roadster? Tons! First, how about a definition of what makes a roadster a roadster? Most know one when they see one, but could they define it? Then you’ve got Highboys, Model A’s, T-Buckets… what are the differences? I know I’m not the only one who’s unsure about these distinctions. I learned a ton today (thanks Donnie and Chuck) but still have to track down some of the LA Roadster Club members to steer me straight on these differences tomorrow. Be on the lookout for that article in the next couple of days!

As I was learning, I was also noticing what I did and did not like on roadsters. Here’s what I found…

A roadster is a driving-mans (or woman’s) car… so it should have good motor. Not only did I like the looks of this one – from the color choice to the tires to the metal-paneled interior – but it had an impressive engine also.

Some roadsters are too modern for my likes and others too antique. This ’32 Ford was hot rodded in the fifties and remains nearly untouched since then. I like it!

Of all my choices, this is the only one that isn’t a 1932 and that does have fenders on! This 1933 Ford almost screams both fun and elegance! Can’t you picture driving it up the California coast?

This one’s stance must’ve been a good foot above all the rest. It looks ready to have fun out on the road, in a show, or on the flats!

Classic done right. Enough said!

So these are some of the one’s that I like – what qualities make a good roadster to YOU!?!? Leave a comment and let us know!

There’s still another day of the LA Roadster Show!!! Make sure you check back and see what else Craig, Swanee, and I run into!

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