By Brian Brennan he annual L.A. Roadsters Father’s Day Show is back. Having just attended the 56th annual show (several years were passed over) was a reminder of what the “good ol’ days” were like. The one-day event has grown into a two-day event now held on Friday and Saturday. It was a wise move to leave Sunday (Father’s Day) alone so that families can honor their get-togethers.
The club was formed in 1957 and the first show was held in 1960 at the Hollywood Bowl. This year was the 40th time it has been held at the Pomona Fairplex. The first year in Pomona it was a single-day event but beginning with the next year it became a two-day event. (I was club secretary during that time frame.) Before that it was held at the Great Western Exhibit Center as a one-day event. (I know I’m missing one of the sites; maybe one of our readers will remember and let me know.)
After several years of pandemic-initiated absence, it truly was a good feeling to be back to some impetus of “normal.” For me the “show” has a steep tradition beginning in 1971. That’s a long time and I’ve spent every year wandering the parking lots of several venues to enjoy all the happenings. There was a time when I was a member of the L.A. Roadsters and worked the show. It is a staggering amount of work. Nowadays I drive my roadster, enjoy the show, grab my pewter mug (thank you), and head home. It was (is) something worth looking forward to. The irony of being a famous magazine guy is how little I get to drive my roadster. There were many years when this was the only time I could get out and drive it. (That’s a sad commentary.)
For me the show is about seeing lots of friends, many from far off lands, like NorCal, Phoenix, San Diego, and numerous other points from within SoCal. The swap meet portion was always a great barometer on what parts where “hot” and how that translated into dollars. A recent tradition that has taken hold is the Specialty Parking for all those non-roadsters and later-year hot rods. It has turned into a show onto itself with an amazing variety of hot rods, customs, trucks, and specialty vehicles.
If you haven’t been or you’re an old timey who has shelves full of pewter mugs, you will want to check out 2023. For more info, make sure to keep visiting laroadsters.com.
Lil’ John Buttera’s “white” ’29 Ford highboy roadster is now owned by Karpo Murkijanian who has maintained it impeccably and has it out to all the events. Great to see this piece of rodding history. Lots of stories to tell about this roadster.
Dennis Varni of the Bay Area is always out and about with his AMBR-winning ’29 Ford highboy roadster. First street-driven hot rod that I had ever seen with a 200-mph speedo!
Specialty Parking allows hot rods, such as this amazing ’33 Ford fenderless coupe, to have its own spot. I didn’t speak with anyone who didn’t want to take this beauty home. The perfect look.
The Swap Meet has it all … including vintage as well as modern wheels and tires. I’m partial to the slotted mag (Halibrand) look, so this was an instant draw for me.