Standouts from the LA Roadsters Show

June 22, 2015
Story By
Kristin Cline

One of my favorite things about roadsters (other than being the ultimate hot rod) is that they're so extremely customizable. As I learned when working on this past story about past America's Most Beautiful Roadster winners, they reflect the tastes of the era. While at times one's eyes can begin to glaze over at the LA Roadsters Show from walking past roadster after lovely roadster, these unique standouts made me look twice, love them or not.

Storm Trooper

I've never seen this flat white/black color combination used before on a roadster - and while it's a little bit of a surprise to my eyes, the build is very nicely executed and this rod looks both modern and nostalgic at the same time. If a Storm Trooper drove a roadster, this would be it.

Garden of Roses

I've never seen lace paint work used quite like this. Before I wrote it off as an '80s build, I stopped for a closer look and really came to appreciate it. The coloring on the lacework is uber cool, and paired with interior woodwork and a tri-carb flathead, I really began to dig this number.

Piss & Moan Club T

Befitting it's style, this father & son-owned T bucket has beautiful scroll work throughout the engine and massive blower/intake combo. Paired with etched windows, shadow flames, a brass radiator, and of course the Piss & Moan Club plaque out front, this car looks like it hopped straight outta the '70s.

Baby Got Back

While this bucket does actually have a trunk, it's tiny by today's standards. The same can't be said for those huge tires widening up that rear. Along with little front wheelies, the resulting rake at the rails, and the massive dual-4 barrel fed blower, I'd say this baby is ready for the strip.

Classic but Different

A classic green/green combo with wire wheels and body line pinstriping - but this roadster pickup (a fact that already begins to make it unique) is powered by something a little different. While you can choose nearly anything to power a roadster (see this LS-stuffed one in Jonathan Wong's article), this owner choose to be unique with an inline 4-cylinder Ford. While I'm no expert on vintage engines (I know my bits and pieces and am building a '53 Cadillac 331 engine for my Studebaker... but far from expert), I can say with fair certainty that this little engine is related to the one that powered the Pinto. Neat!

A Different 2-Seater Configuration

One usually thinks of passengers squeezing up next to the driver if you're sitting in a roadster together, but not this 1914 Woods Mobilette. A true cyclecar (not like the fabulous re-creations we cover here), this design more mimics what we see from early sportscars... except there's a passenger seat in back.

Wired

While our Instagram fans didn't love the addition of these wire wheels, they'd be more comfortable in the lowrider or DUB scenes, we enjoyed the bit of variety they brought to the LA Roadsters Show. After all, if you can't do what you darn well please in your own garage... where can you?!

Love at Last

You can't come to a car show like the LA Roadsters Show without choosing a favorite, and this one's mine. The 1933/34 Ford body style has always been my favorite, with it's graceful front grill leading down to a point and it's sloping side-hood louvres - this combination just worked for me. A nice, clean, traditional build with fenders on - it's even wearing one of my favorite colors and wheel combos... I just hope it doesn't have a small block Chevy underneath that hood!

Another thing I love about the LA Roadsters Show is it has a "specialty parking" area also, which is basically just a non-roadster car show. Check out some of my favorites from inside AND outside the show below.