Friday 6/18- Sunday 6/20... So-Cal Open House and the L.A. Roadster Show

We had a great time visiting many of the legendary Southern California shops on Thursday and now we were in the home stretch... the only thing standing between us and the L.A. Roadster Show was the huge So-Cal Speed Shop Open House. (Which, for the uninitiated, happens to be one of the most enjoyable pre-event activities on our agenda!).

The So-Cal Open House really is a big deal; everyone who is "anyone" in the world of Hot Rodding (and who is in the region to attend the Roadster Show) makes a point of attending. There are a limited number of highly coveted parking spaces within the actual So-Cal Shop grounds... we were fortunate to have secured 4 of those "inside" parking spaces through Ray's relationships and reputation.

Following are some pictures from the Open House

We took a break to grab some lunch and our "Spokes Model" ran into a Hot Rod magazine "Pin Up" model so we couldn't resist the photo-op

back to reality...

So-Cal caters the event every year (IN-N-OUT Burger!) and the line for food is usually full... the catering trailer is up ahead on the right in this pic

  

There's something for everyone's taste at the Open House- Hot Rods, Customs, Low-Riders, Former Race Cars, you name it...

Jimmy Shine, Hot Rod celeb and TV star, pointing out some details on a new So-Cal roadster...

Wouldn't mind finding one of these on an engine stand in my garage... Stacks and Zoomies... mmmm...

After a great afternoon of hanging out in the sun at the So-Cal Open House, we grabbed some dinner and hung out at the hotel so we could be prepared for the first day of the Roadster Show.

Day 1: L.A. Roadster Show

At last, we finally get to enjoy the crown jewel in our journey- the actual L.A. Roadster Show! The weather was perfect (as usual in Southern California) and we were ready to go! There was a bit of trepidation on our part as Ray and I drove into the event becuase the rules state that the Roadsters are to be completely "finished" which implies a "glossy" paint job... basically, no primered cars are allowed inside the show- they have to park outside in the specialty parking area. Ray's roadster actually is "finished". He simply decided to leave the color coat in a "flat" or "matte" finish which makes it look like it is primer. 

As we pulled up to the entrance gate we didn't know what to expect. As it turns out, the gate crew gave the car a once over and were a bit leary until Ray explained that the paint was "finished" (and showed them that the dash was actually the same paint, but with clear coat), and they welcomed us in. I'm sure they also enjoyed the fact that we DROVE cross country from Maryland to be at the event... so much so that they ushered us in to a "power parking" spot directly in front of the Brookville Roadsters booth. Pretty cool!

Here are some pictures from Day 1 of the show

    

The Hot Wheels Car Hauler and Don "The Snake" Prudhomme's 'Cuda Funny Car

First stop: the Swap Meet area

And our "big find" from the Swap Meet... a license plate "topper" from Applegate Motors! Dick plans to put this on his '40 Ford.

Here are more shots from inside the show, specialty parking area and the fairground

In front of the NHRA museum

Day 2 of the L.A. Roadster Show

Late model, "High Girl" (as opposed to High Boy), low mileage, posi-traction rear, high performance headers...

The world famous "Munster Mobile" with car builder George Barris riding in the back

Dick and Bob attempt the old ZZ Top arm wave... notice I said ATTEMPT

 A view we "Right Coast" Rodders don't get to enjoy everyday... love those palm trees.

Well folks, this is where the journey ended for me. I had to get back home to prepare for an interview and  another trip I had on my schedule. My traveling companions were terrific- I think we all brought something unique to the group which made the overall experience richer than it would have been had we done it on our own. Make no mistake my friends- Dick, Bob, Chuck and Ray are the real deal; They sleep, eat, work and live around their passion for Hot Rodding. It truly is an honor and privilege to have shared this once in a lifetime event with them.

I'm sure we will all carry fond memories of this trip to our death beds... After all, there's nothing like cruising in real traditional Hot Rods, with your closest friends, as the majesty of our great country rushes into your field of view like a technicolor dream on steroids... the sound of the barely muffled engines, the wind rushing into the car, the smell of the great outdoors mixed with good old fashioned internal combustion exhaust and the thrill of being pushed back in your seat as you accelerate HARD,  is something that will never grow old to a true Hot Rodder.  

So, with heavy heart, I bid the crew adieu Monday morning. They still had the trip back home to experience, which I've heard was awesome... maybe they will share photos and their recollections with me so I can chronicle them here for you. We shall see.

Best regards,

Your blogger- Pete