Some traditions, like Father's Day, are an integral part of our culture. The L.A. Roadster's Father's Day Show has become an annual automotive tradition. Each year the L.A. Roadster Club supports several charities, such as the City of Hope, with a donation; total donations are now over $100,000. This year, the 41st Annual L.A. Roadster Exhibition, Trade Show, and Swap Meet was held for the 26th time at the Pomona Fairplex, Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19.
As we toured the show on Saturday, it was as if time had stopped, and we witnessed many smiles as wide as ours. We talked to builders, hobby-hauler owners, and custom vintage truck and car component manufacturers. We met fabricators, craftsmen, painters, and enthusiasts whose eyes shared the same gleam. What a great hobby!
Within the preferred parking area, we saw more custom vintage pickups than we'd ever seen at the L.A. Roadster Show. In the guest roadster area, limited to drop-top '36-and-older vintage vehicles, we gathered ideas of components we'd like to incorporate in the CUSTOM CLASSIC TRUCKS Smith Men '34 Ford roadster pickup.
Throughout the day the show's announcers allowed sons and daughters of all ages to wish their dads a Happy Father's Day. Those children sounded so cute those of us without youngins almost felt like adopting. What made the event most special for many of us was spending time with the guy who first introduced us to the hobby: Dad. Taking your dad to the L.A. Roadster Show as an adult is as much fun as playing catch with him in the backyard as a little kid--and it's less sweaty. In essence, spending Dad's Day Weekend with your father at the L.A. Roadster Show is both timeless and priceless.
Since you already know when next year's event will be, you and your dad should mark your calendars. Until then, enjoy some of what we appreciated this Dad's Day Weekend.
In February '04, Vickie and...
In February '04, Vickie and Derek Meacham's '59 Suburban graced the cover of CCT. Look familiar?
Here's an early-'60s Unibody...
Here's an early-'60s Unibody Ford truck that's long on looks, panel prep and fitment, paint, wheels, and stance.
We know that sedan deliveries...
We know that sedan deliveries are a bit of a stretch in a vintage custom truck magazine. We couldn't resist photographing this bright-yellow '57 Chevy.
We'll make a gentlemen's bet...
We'll make a gentlemen's bet that you're looking at a '36 Ford pickup wearing American Racing Torq-Thrust IIs.
Beware, sometimes Chevys wearing...
Beware, sometimes Chevys wearing steelies and looking stock make great sleepers.
We never grow weary of seeing...
We never grow weary of seeing a bad-to-the-blown Pro Street Willys pickup.
Tri-Five Chevy trucks were...
Tri-Five Chevy trucks were well represented at the show. American Racing Torq-Thrust Ds look good on any vehicle.
An early-'50s Studebaker had...
An early-'50s Studebaker had an Emberglo-esque paint scheme.
Do you think the owner of...
Do you think the owner of this '58 or '59 Chevy panel delivery drove all the way from Valdosta, GA? Kudos to the Chevy's caretaker if that's the case.
Pearlescent blue paint on...
Pearlescent blue paint on an Effie panel delivery works fine, if you've spent the time to prep the panels for paint, as this proud owner has.
Some lucky bloke may have...
Some lucky bloke may have drove home in a clean early-'70s Chevy Cheyenne. It was for sale.
A '58 or '59 Chevy 1/2-ton...
A '58 or '59 Chevy 1/2-ton had some Kustom cues: satin maroon paint, '50s pinstriping, wide whites and '50s-era car hubcaps. Kool daddy!
An early-'30s Chevy pickup...
An early-'30s Chevy pickup and a '41 Ford truck basked in the sun side by side. If they can do it, perhaps Ford fans and Chevy lovers can get along . . . maybe not.
Chassis builder SAC Hot Rod...
Chassis builder SAC Hot Rod Products, of Orange, CA, displayed several of its award-winning products, one of which was the chassis under a customer's '32 Ford three-window coupe.
Big billet rolling stock and...
Big billet rolling stock and steel-blue paint looked great on someone's Tri-Five Chevy truck.
Within the vendor area, automotive...
Within the vendor area, automotive artist Mike Miernek displayed some of his creations.
Here's a '34 Ford closed cab...
Here's a '34 Ford closed cab pickup wearing steelies, beauty rings and caps. Stylin'!
Khaki's a crisp color to paint...
Khaki's a crisp color to paint a mid-'30s Ford pickup. CCT's editor captured the truck's current caretaker entering the preferred parking area.
Hopefully, there wasn't a...
Hopefully, there wasn't a fire in Dodge City on the weekend of the L.A. Roadster Show. We bet the Ford Model A fire truck is always first on the scene of any conflagration!
Barbara and Mike Tobermani's...
Barbara and Mike Tobermani's '53 Chevy Pro Street pickup is looking for a new home. Their Chevy graced the cover of the Winter '04 issue of CCT.