2011 L.A. Roadster Show

The L.A. Roadsters Father’s Day show and swap meet is one event I never miss. My dad took me when I was a kid, and it’s one of the only events that my dad, my son and I all attended together. Father’s Day.

This year the event featured pleasant weather, a million cars (roadsters and otherwise) and their biggest swap meet ever. The swap featured literally miles of aisles and, as usual, the world’s best selection of vintage hot rod parts. The economy seems to have encouraged folks to start thinning their stashes and, while the prices haven’t yet dipped into the basement, there was a lot to choose from.

There were also a lot of cars for sale, and a few really smokin’ deals. I snapped a couple of photos. Enjoy.

This A hiboy on Deuce rails was well-detailed and full of build ideas.

I’m a sucker for traditional cars, and there were lots to enjoy. Drop a repop body onto an original chassis, bolt in a built flathead, and you’re on the road. Ha! Don’t you wish it was that simple?

Whoa — nice chop.

Gray Baskerville’s roadster was sitting out in the preferred parking area. The five window was built by Pacific Northwestern guy Orv Elgie. Simple and clean, it’s based on a body from New Age, the best of the fiberglass fivers. I climbed all over a good original five window body in the swap meet. It had great sheet metal, but was missing its firewall, window garnish, etc. The real buzz kill though was the price: $24K.

This ’35 roadster from New Mexico was an original paint/original interior car, still running its mechanical brakes. It was in wonderful shape and priced in the low 40’s.

It wasn’t all Fords. This Special was hand-built sixty years ago and featured flathead Chrysler engine and running gear. It had great proportions, just needed a little door top adjustment. The asking price was $22K.

How about a T roadster? Or a little belly tank?

Worst Sign.

This hot rod Subaru would make a cool little parts chaser.

There were a lot of bitchen coupes, too. Some guys reserve swap spaces to park their non-roadster rides. It’s like preferred-preferred parking.

Commercial vehicles included this Mail Truck…

Vans, as well as stock and (bizarrely) modified Sedan Deliveries:

This ’41 Buick was fresh out of 50+ year dry storage in the high desert. The wood was outstanding, but the scope of this kind of restoration and the $95K asking price probably scared most guys off.

This black Stude definitely fell into the Odd Rod category.

That’s it for now. We have Woodies on the Wharf coming up. Then Gary’s roadster has been invited to display at the Palo Alto Concours exhibit on flathead hot rods — so check back in, we’ll have pictures.