2009 Viva Las Vegas Car Show – See for Yourself
As a Viva LasVegas car show virgin, I drove blindly into a sea of horseshit opinions about what the Rockabilly Weekender is… without first hand experience, I checked and heard varying opinions about the show, especially about what I’m most interested in, the strolling pinups… no, scratch that, the hot rods! Just like the saying goes, everyone’s got an opinion and I have to say, most of what I heard STANK! Living in Arizona, and only about 5 hours from Las Vegas, I decided to roll up and check for myself. (so here’s my opinion… keep the air-freshener handy)
First off, what had I heard about the Viva Las Vegas Car Show or “Rockabilly Weekender” as it’s called? I heard the quality of cars sucked. NOT true. I heard it wasn’t a fun crowd. Also not true. Then, even though I’m not a big rockabilly fan, I did enjoy the music… and I only got to hear what was played outside at the car show.
About the rides… The cars I found were almost all right up my alley. Nobody goes to a car show and only finds what they like, but if you’re into DRIVEN cars that are owned by guys that eat, sleep and shit cars, then you will find cars you like at Viva Las Vegas. I guess I expected to see a bunch of the bare-bones type “rat rods”, cause that’s what I was told.
Defining rat rod at this point is downright boring, but what I mean is cars built without basic necessities like for example, a floor. Cruising with a u-joint spinning next to my hand and ass is not my idea of fun. But that’s not what I found! I found tough looking hot rods with rough edges, but done purposefully. Leaving a weld unfinished like what I found in this low-slung sedan in the picture was cool and different.
Then, in addition to the hot rods and (screw the word rat) traditional style rods, the customs on hand were great. Chopped, dropped, some painted, some not, but all with the attention to detail that is exactly what, My Ride is Me is all about. This slick 53 Chevy 210 Sedan custom shown here was DAMN rusty… but who cares! The character was unmistakable and you won’t see this thing wasting away in a garage somewhere! For me, the cars were the stars of the show and will bring me back next year, hopefully driving my falcon wagon.
Picture of all the hot rod and custom cars at the Viva Las Vegas Car show are uploaded.
From here, there’s much more to say, but It’ll wait for another blog.
The Story’s DONE! Look at Ladies of Viva! Viva Las Vegas is known for the pinup and generally vintage-style girls strolling around and either digging the scene or for a smile and a “would-ya-please” they’ll stand next to your ride and strike a pose. Swanee shot a bunch of girls doing their thing and we’ll post them in the Hot Rod Pinups Gallery soon.
(Swanee! Get to work!)
MyRideisMe.com is also starting our own Pinstriping photo gallery. Use it as a reference for your own ride or to teach yourself different styles or techniques of striping, lettering or logos and characters. I dig pinstriping and wish I could do it myself. Since that’s probably not in the cards, shooting pics of the great many examples of pinstriping at Viva Las Vegas car show was a natural!
The first set of pictures are now loaded. More coming soon! (want your work featured?) Here’s more info about the pinstiping art gallery.
Also look for great show coverage from Kristin or “Grease Girl”. She was at the show and made alot of new friends with pinups and other women enjoying the show. She’s also gonna fill us in on the drive she made in her hot rod Studebaker.
Finally, why was Viva Las Vegas a great show? It was easy for car folks to enjoy! Instead of gouging car owners, the price of the car show was included in the 4 day price of the show. That included all the bands, the burlesque shows and admission to the Tiki Pool party. Why do other shows make the cars pay extra? Great job!! The Viva crowd dominated the Orleans hotel bars and tables all having a good time. For the car show itself, it was only five-bucks to enter! The line of people stretched 200 long waiting to get in, and when they did, they still had extra cash to spend on the many quality vendors. That’s the way to do it. Cool hot rods and customs, the strolling pinups looking hot and live music with friends. What else is there? (oh, cold beer! Thanks Throttle Kings!)
So what’s your opinion? Did you enjoy yourself? Will you be there next year? Will you recommend it as a “Must Show” for next year? Let us know…
The scoop on the 2011 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend Car Show
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i totally agree… its about the cars, the women and the cars. some beer and music is a added pleasure.
WREN
Being there before, it was a little strange not being at the Gold Coast. But, having said that I thought that the Orleans did a great job maintaining the huge sea of people. I for myself had a blast! Great music, Great rods and real good times( sorry we couldn’t hook up man) Met alot of cool people and had my fair share beverages. All in all I thought it was put together well and everyone was sane …for the most part. Hope to see all of you next year! – HC
I wish I could go to a show and see cars like that! Man I love that rod at the top with the wheel as big as the car!
oh yeah!! cold beers and good times!!!
Got my set of Pinstripe photos loaded up in the pinstripe picture gallery!
I’ve been going since it started, Built a 51 Merc… took off to Viva Las Vegas from Montana no. central area and went to roof top of parking garage Friday nite and it was wild parting flame throwing burn outs it was crazy but cool! loved it sat morning went to roof top of Gold Coast the organizers check your car out had to be old school home built or they would not let on the roof, sorry… and that was cool my ride went through I’ve been going ever since old lady and i now with grand kids they love it
Chris-
I was there too when the car show was just a small gathering of super cool cars on the rooftop of the Gold Coast parking garage – I remember those flame throwin’ days!
Although I’ve been going for years, this was my first with my own car – a 1955 Studebaker. So much fun having her in the show and makin lots of new friends! I thought the Orleans did a good job in organizing…I’ll be back next year of course!
Check back at MyRideIsMe.com soon for some VLV12 coverage by yours truly…and find out what the girls were up to during the best rockabilly weekender ever :)
-kristin
Came over from the UK for the car show and had a blast ! I also had heard some stories about the quality of the cars that show up. Most of the cars I saw though were of a very high quality. Some really beautiful kustoms built to a very high standard.
Look out Vegas – we’ll be back !
You forgot to mention that the Shifters are the organizers of the car show at VLV. I’ve been going to this event since 2001. The show did indeed make a downhill fall somewhere a few years back when everything seemed to be over exaggerated or plain black primered 4 door with red wheels. The past couple of events however, have turned around and some real quality traditional Hot Rods & customs from all over are starting to appear.
The show seems to still be in flux, our cars were turned down !
NOT the kind of rods they want in the show…….
So , there is an ANTI-VIVA car show happening at the HARD ROCK, for those “types” of ratrods..
History tends to repeat itself…… and the backyard mashups are still the outlaws !!
LONG LIVE RATRODS
Alan
What car on the second picture?
Not sure what you’re asking? The 2nd car in this story, the rusty Chevy, was the subject of some pretty cool art…
Hi does anyone know how I can buy the picture second from the top?
Hi Kristn, that picture was taken by Paul Swanson. You can find him on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Swanee3?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
That’s been a very popular shot! -pikesan