he L.A. Roadsters Show, Roadster Show, Father’s Day, Los Angeles Roadsters Show & Swap, by whatever name you have come to call it, there is no denying this local show has national appeal. Hot rod owners from around the country and from oversees come each year to get a “feel” for SoCal rodding. This year’s 57th Annual L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap felt like it enjoyed a bit of a resurgence over the past five or so years.

After the 50th show (2007) there was a noticeable drop-off in show attendance, with the hiccups in the economy and the pandemic creating a downward spiral. But it seems as though there was a marked improvement this year as we could see 300-plus roadsters, over 700 specialty parking hot rods, and over 1,000 swap spaces reminding us of what the show could be. There was also the manufacturers midway. The weather was a classic, thoroughly enjoyable SoCal mild summer day.

Formed in 1957, with the Father’s Day tradition beginning in 1960, the storied history began. This year saw the 57th presentation of the show and swap meet and the 41st year held at the venerable Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, California. What started as a single-day show has turned into a two-day affair, Friday and Saturday are the official show days with Sunday, Father’s Day, set aside for being with family.

Noticed we said the “… Friday and Saturday are the official show days …” as in the past the swappers could be seen setting up on Thursday night with plenty of parts swapping hands overnight and in the wee hours of the morning. Just like the old days! Another page taken from the “old days” are the open house celebrations that go on the day before, now on Thursday. In the morning we stopped by Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory in Upland, some 6 miles from the Fairplex. Another open house we visited later that day was at the newly opened facilities for SO-CAL Speed Shop now located in San Dimas about 4 miles from the Fairplex.

As expected, Thursday night until early Friday morning saw lots of swap action going on while everyone was waiting in line. Once the doors opened on Friday the swap area was clearly “ground zero” and that’s where everyone wanted to be to check out what could be had for their next project. Clearly not everyone is ready to head out to the Fairplex on Friday for the show as the car count was down, but the swap spaces were at a max. Come Saturday the “sea” of roadsters appeared along with a large “wave” of Specialized Parking that included all makes, models, and years of closed hot rods. Once again it is obvious that ’60s on trucks are a hot commodity with plenty on site to be viewed. While Friday was cool it turned out that Saturday the weather was a perfect example of what a summer day can be.

While the L.A. Roadsters have enjoyed great success with the show over the years it should be noted that they have taken the time and effort to share this good fortune with a handful of charities. Back in 1968 the Roadsters were chartered as a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation and now for four-plus decades they have given back. (Job well done.) Should you find yourself at the 2024 show, be on the lookout for those white pants and red shirts; some things never change, as one of the roadsters members is there to help.

ince the day the father-and-son team of Terry and David Stoker opted to open a hot rod business, they have hosted an open house—that was back in 2012. The shop and the open house are now staples in the SoCal rodding scene.

Both are and have been on the hot rod scene for decades, with David even working on the advertising staff of Street Rodder for years. Since the beginning they have built a continuing stream of great-looking traditional hot rods and have also competed for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster at the Grand National Roadster Show. Let’s not pigeonhole the shop, while they build great-looking early cars you will see some great-looking, potent street machines. Come by and watch their chassis dyno in action and you will see the Camaros, Novas, Chevelles, Pontiacs, and even an early Cadillac.

Should you find yourself on the West Coast for either the Grand National Roadster Show or the L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap, mark down in your calendar that the Thursday before each show there is an open house at Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory.

Get there early because they do serve coffee and doughnuts so you know where I will be!

he history behind SO-CAL Speed Shop is as storied as our industry has. The beginnings go back to 1946 and Alex Xydias. What he built and accomplished is amazing, to say the least, but then came the hiatus. In the early ’70s Pete Chapouris and Jim “Jake” Jacobs got Pete & Jake’s up and running and they enjoyed tremendous success before selling the company. A short time later Pete started a company called PC3g. It wouldn’t be long before he and Xydias would join forces for the modern-day regeneration of the old So-Cal Speed Shop brand into today’s SO-CAL Speed Shop. (Note the spelling of “So-Cal” from the early days to the modern treatment of “SO-CAL.” After spending hours talking with Pete, as we would drive from one spot to another, I’ve always thought that was both Xydias’ and Pete’s way of making a subtle distinction with no difference, so to speak.)

The “torch” has now been passed onto Peter Chapouris, general manager of the business, who is carrying on with the new shop that was put together in a mere 2-1/2 weeks before the show. The open house was filled with hot rodders spanning several generations. There were also plenty of hot rodders checking out the sales counter, making sure to get the latest in proper hot rod clothing. (That would be a double or triple X T-shirt with a big logo.)

SO-CAL Speed Shop still carries a significant line of hot rod parts to literally start from the ground and work your way up to a running hot rod. Should you find yourself in the area stop by—you will like the hot rod vibe.