Need a deal on some belly...
Need a deal on some belly tanks? We saw three of them at the show, including this pair o’ tanks in one booth that were for sale for around $1,000 each.
With apologies to all those roadster owners out there, the fact of the matter is the massive L.A. Roadsters swap meet is a happening unto itself, and it would probably be a very successful event even if no roadsters showed up next door.
For decades the L.A. Roadsters have carved out a section of their show for those who wanted to buy, trade, or sell old car parts and, being held only once a year, many folks rely on this two-day affair to get their business done.
The swap meet has always been a big draw for out-of-state attendees, too, because most of this stuff you just can’t find anywhere else. More than 1,250 spaces were filled, and though parts’ prices seemed to run between fair to high, an adequate amount of the finished car projects looked to be a bargain with prices being lower than what you could buy all the parts for.

It was a little rough in some...

It was a little rough in some parts but you could have picked up this ’31 Ford coupe, which was already chopped 3 inches, for $3,800, including the rolling frame.

We probably saw more smoothie...

We probably saw more smoothie magnesium Halibrands at this show than any other we’ve attended. This set of four-pin drives were offered at $3,000.

What a perfect car for a hot...

What a perfect car for a hot rod club to get involved with. Steel-bodied Topolinos must be rare (rather than the fiberglass copies) and, for $12,000, you could have rolled this one into your garage.

What a perfect car for a hot...

What a perfect car for a hot rod club to get involved with. Steel-bodied Topolinos must be rare (rather than the fiberglass copies) and, for $12,000, you could have rolled this one into your garage. If you ever needed a particular gauge you could probably find it at this show. The box in front had gauges from $1 to $5 while the box in back had them for $10 each.

This ’27 Ford roadster trunk...

This ’27 Ford roadster trunk section has got be getting close to getting on the scarce list, but this steel one for $600 looked to be in good shape.

This Ford had been sectioned...

This Ford had been sectioned 3 inches before the wood was added to the exterior, making it look like no other ’49 out there. With a 302 and a coral pink paintjob, the price was $17,900, or best offer.

Lots of dashes were for sale...

Lots of dashes were for sale at the show, and adding one that didn’t originally belong in your ride is an inexpensive way to customize it. This one was for sale for $175.

The ’28 roadster pickup was...

The ’28 roadster pickup was listed at $28,500 while the black ’26 T pickup next to it had an $8,500 price tag on it.

Complete and with fresh goodies...

Complete and with fresh goodies inside, this rebuilt ’36 Columbia two-speed rear was offered at $3,700.

Looking like it might be a...

Looking like it might be a good base to work from, this 331 Hemi was lacking induction but was up for sale for $2,500.

You don’t see too many ’38...

You don’t see too many ’38 Lincoln Zephyr dashboards around. Missing some of the important pieces, this one was still selling for $400.

At $40,000, this three-window...

At $40,000, this three-window coupe was on the high end of the pricing for hot rods for sale in the swap meet area, but you probably couldn’t build it for less.

Artillery wheels anyone? We...

Artillery wheels anyone? We saw a $100 price tag, and we’re pretty sure that was for the set of three.

One of the more interesting...

One of the more interesting finds was this Model Y ’36 Ford, and the owner claims there are only 1,250 known to exist. This one seemed to be an interesting deal at $5,500.

If all you needed for your...

If all you needed for your 426 Hemi was the top end...

At a show that brings out...

At a show that brings out the rare items, these pin drive wheels were pretty interesting. The group of five was offered at $1,000.

After buying some kids chairs...

After buying some kids chairs for his expanding family, Blake Tomlinson was still cruising the aisles looking for more.

There were some decent deals...

There were some decent deals for complete drivers, like this ’27 that was powered by a 2.3L Ford four backed to a C3 trans. With an Arizona title, the owner wanted $14,000.

Tired of having what everyone...

Tired of having what everyone else has? How ’bout a ’32 Studebaker? This one ran and drove, and was put up for $6,500.