Gone Racin��to the 41^st Annual L.A. Roadster Show

There�s history galore at the famed L.A. Roadster Show held on Father�s day weekend at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, California. This year we were the guests of Jack Stewart, whose book, �The L.A. Roadsters, A Retrospective,� defined what this show was all about. Stewart told us that the purpose of the car show was to save the history of the roadster design. �Anything prior to 1936 with an open body, is what we are trying to promote,� said Stewart. At first it was just a group of guys who had a love for the chopped, channeled and defendered cars, but they soon found themselves creating a car club that has lasted over 5 decades, and referred to as the L.A. Roadsters. �It got so big and the guys were having trouble finding parts for the old cars,� said Stewart, �that we decided to add a swap meet to the car show format, and it just took off from there.� With a two-day show, the L.A. Roadster Show on Father�s day fills the entire lot on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, California. The interesting thing about the L.A. Roadster Show is that it is very egalitarian. They don�t hold a spot open for your car. If you want to display your special show car you have to get there early to get your favorite spot, and drive it home that evening! The next day you have to be there early to guarantee that your spot will be waiting for you. They don�t play favorites, just the way hot rodders like it. The cars offer a wide ranging look at the gamut of roadsters. You won�t find vintage here, but you will see what it means to customize and make it your own version of the perfect roadster. One bit of advice, bring good walking shows, a wide brimmed hat and a folding chair, or make friends, because going to the two day roadster show is an exhausting and fascinating experience.

Mort Smith, Show Chairman showed us around this vast sea of pre-1937 roadsters, which will go over the 900 mark this year. Smith explained that the L.A. Roadster Show gives admission, a barbecue on Saturday night, pewter mug, dash plaque and a souvenir bag to anyone bringing a pre-1937 roadster to the event. Stewart mentioned that the roadster has to be �polished, painted and upholstered,� to qualify. I talked to roadster owners who came from Wisconsin, Texas and Tennessee, and Stewart says that more than 15 states and 2 foreign countries are represented. �We put the red carpet out for the roadsters. Carte Blanche,� said Mort. We left the Roadster grounds and Mort showed us the covered car port area where the vendors are stationed. This is not your average carport. Measuring some 600 feet by 600 feet, this carport is about 8 acres in size. You can find just about anything that you want here and some of the vendors are well known, such as; Meguiars, PPG, Brookville Bodies, So-Cal Speed Shop, Du Pont, Eagle One and many others well known to hot rodders. The vendors filled every inch of the carport and spilled outside where transport trucks were unloading unfinished bodies by ASC/Hot Rods and Horsepower, Rod Hadfield�s Utes, Brookville Bodies and Scandinavian Hot Rods. Hadfield and his wife Carol came all the way from Australia to show off their customized hot rods, and the �34 Australian Ford Utes which they have stamped out. The design is an original pick-up truck suitable for farm work during the week, and stylish enough to take the family to church on Sunday. Bob McCoy led the vanguard of artists and craftsmen that sell a variety of artwork. McCoy used to race the likes of Parnelli Jones back in the 50�s, and is extremely busy with his artwork today. Chuck Gollahon from Brookville Bodies said that they sell 500 metal stamped �32 Model A bodies a year and �can�t keep up with the demand.� Justin Edgerton from Hot Rods and Horsepower says that they have already delivered 208 of the �32 Dearborn convertibles. With the flick of the wrist the top folds down into the body and the convertible becomes a very stylish roadster.

Smith and Stewart took us to the top of the hill overlooking the roadsters and showed us the covered picnic area where they will host the roadster drivers and their wives at the annual barbecue. There are 30 members of this venerable club, 15 associate members, and 40 more family and friends who put on this remarkable show. Dick Anderson is the treasurer. He says that profits from the show fund the L.A. Roadster Club activities, which include helping other car clubs, shows and charities, such as the Shriners Hospital, City of Hope, Beacon Home and many others. The L.A. Roadster Club also rents space to promote their event at the Grand National Roadster Show, the California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, California, and many other car shows and events. We can�t forget the wives who cook breakfast and lunch, and work in the many booths. Pauline Steckart is the �Boss lady,� with able helpers in Betty Small, Cindy Albright, Caroline Cogswell and Karen Dyar. They are up at 4 a.m. preparing the meals for the staff. �The L.A. Roadster�s wives jobs are never done,� says Pauline. The men repay this devotion by taking their wives out to the Friday night Awards Banquet for the club.

Steve Moal, builder of the 2005 Grand National AMBR car was displaying 6 of his cars, including the AMBR Roadster. He said that he produces about 2 or 3 cars per year and has 10 in the design and building process at any given time. It takes about 1 � to 2 years to complete these special cars depending on complexity. He has spent 40 years as a metalworker. �The competition,� he said, �is pretty severe. Builders spend a lot of money, the stakes are high and it is difficult to win at the top shows any more.� But, Moal added, �the L.A. Roadster Show is just a traditional outing on Father�s Day. There are no awards, no show, just time to enjoy the cars. It is also a target date to get something done.� Mort then took us to the huge swap meet filled with cars, car parts and more for sale. Club member Jerry Olds was in charge of the swap meet area and he pointed out that 900 spaces were marked out in chalk, each at least 15x20 feet in size. Jerry says that it �is one of the best swap meets on the West Coast for older cars.� John Swanson waved hello. He is one of he regulars for as long as anyone can remember. �Stormin� Norman Benham always gets there early to get his favorite spot under the many trees on the site. Next to the Swap meet is a special parking lot designated for pre-1975 cars. Dick Bergren supervises a crew that includes Mel Taormina, Norby Saavedra, Lee Kasabian, and Jerry Cogswell. Bergren says that they have over 2000 spots reserved for these specialty cars which are also on display.

Gone Racin� is at www.oilstick.com  

Copyright 1999 - 2005 Hot Rod Hot Line All Rights Reserved
No Portion May Be Used Without Our Written Permission
Contact Us Toll Free (877) 700-2468 (US) or (208) 562-0470 (Outside US)
230 S. Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709