LA Roadster Club does it the 45th time!
Jackie Houchin
June 26, 2009
Billed as the "Largest Roadster Show on Earth," the 45th annual, Los Angeles Roadster Exhibition, Trade Show and Swap Meet covered nearly half of the Fairplex grounds, with 885 roadsters, hundreds of commercial vendors from across the country (and Europe), swappers, and thousands of "specialty" pre-1975 classics, hot rods, and special interest cars.
Roadsters of all types and colors, ranging from vintage Model T´s with delicately etched side windows, to small "Speedster" racing types, and "zoomie" custom cars with chromed engines and blowers that towered above open hoods, their massive exhaust pipes arching out and swooping along the sides.
Eye candy? Shoot, it was cake & ice cream, apple pie, and hot fudge sundaes, displayed over acres of tarmac for the spectators´ pleasure.
Proud individual owners, as well as caravanning car clubs returned to show off their roadsters (or perhaps sell them) and stayed for the complementary "perks" provided by the LA Roadster club, which included a packed "goodie bag," a sumptuous BBQ dinner on Saturday night, and the coveted, custom-engraved pewter mug.
This year, spectators were also treated to a "Cackle Fest" on Saturday, when the long and sleek, alcohol and nitro-methane burning dragsters fired their 4,000 hp engines in bursts of sound and compressed energy so strong the vibrations could be literally "felt" in your body.
D. J. "Kipp" from Ultimate Audio provided atmosphere for the 2-day event with nostalgic music and commentary. He also encouraged donations to the City of Hope "Wishing Well" (a charity the Los Angeles Roadster Club has traditionally supported) and allowed youngsters to wish their "Daddies" a Happy Father´s Day over the loud speakers.
Actor Henry Winkler was present both days, autographing photos and copies of his "Hank Zipzer" children´s books, with the proceeds going to children´s charity. (www.hankzipxer.com) Parked nearby was club member Bob Barnes´ silver & maroon ´34 Ford Roadster, featured in Winkler´s "Happy Days" TV show.
Another cool, charity-minded, roadster owner is Dave Schaub, who´s planning a 9800-mile trip for the Ronald McDonald House in September. He will drive through 49 states in 9 days in his black ´32 Ford Roadster. (www.49in9.com) "Just a penny a mile is all we ask!" is his fundraising slogan.
The Los Angeles Roadster Club was established in 1957 when a group of guys decided to meet together to enjoy their street rods and to support legislation for safe and on-going hot-rodding opportunities. This is the 30th year their annual Father´s Day show has been held at the LA Fairplex. Check out their website for more info and to meet the guys and their families behind the show. www.laroadsters.com