The L.A. Roadster Show And Swap - Father's Day Frolic

For the past 44 years, the Los Angeles Roadsters Show and Swap has been one of the premiere Southern California summertime events for hot rodders and car guys. Roadsters from across the country swarm to Pomona, California, for a weekend of fun in the sun, all to share in the love that is the topless American automobile. But the hordes of antique open cars has almost been eclipsed as of late by a sideshow that began as a small gathering outside the show and has grown to almost epic proportions.

This side show, of course, is the other half of the roadster show, the swap meet, and specialty parking section. This is where those who wish to enjoy the show but don't own a finished roadster or come to swap parts and stories congregate. The swap meet itself has become an almost enigmatic part of the roadster show and has proven itself as the swap meet nationwide when it comes to early Ford parts and rare, collectible, or otherwise desirable hot rod parts. We saw everything from N.O.S. S.Co.T. blowers to Deuce coupe bodies to built Flatheads change hands out at the swap meet, something that used to be a more common occurrence at swap meets across the country, but thanks to things like the Internet, have all but dried up.

The swap meet at the L.A. Roadster Show, however, seems to be that last bastion on the brink of extinction, yet somehow grows larger every year. Part of this may be linked to the hordes that come out for this one show every year to buy, sell, or swap their treasured parts. If it's rare speed equipment or gennie steel you're looking for, this is the place to find it.

Adjacent to the swap meet is another area that has been evolving in recent years, thanks to the growing number of car enthusiasts who want to cruise their pre-'75 rides out to the show. This specialty parking area has grown to become almost an event in its own right, albeit slightly more low-brow than the actual roadster show itself. This is where you can find finished and work-in-progress hot rods and customs parked sprinkled amongst the groups of owners barbequing and bench racing throughout the day.

So whether it's glossy finished roadsters or rusty old time speed parts that get your motor hummin', the L.A. Roadster Show should be at the top of your list of summer destinations and hell, it's held on Father's Day, so stop letting that wife tell you what to do and head on out to Southern California next year and join in the fun!

SO-CAL Speed Shop Open House
The gang over at SO-CAL Speed Shop has been opening up the doors to the public for quite a few years on the Friday before the big roadster show, and every year the crowd gets bigger. This year was no exception, with the line for the free burgers stretching on for what seemed like miles and cars parked up and down the block even further.

Walden Speed Shop Open House
Across town, things were only getting started at Walden Speed Shop as Bobby and Melinda Walden were welcoming guests with open arms into their shop to check out all the new stuff going on. Bobby's had an impressive resume up to now, and with him teaming up with hot rodding icon Jake Jacobs, one can only imagine where it will go from here.