So, it's probably been close to decade since my last Viva Las Vegas show. I know back then, the show coordinators were fairly strict on what cars were allowed in the show. So much so, that another show (The RatCity Rukkus) formed as a place for all the cars not making the strict Viva cutoff. I remember a lot of my friends that had deeper ties than me at the time to the Vegas car scene having a lot of drama regarding this at that time. So, this week I was watching coverage of the 2024 Viva show on YouTube (about a 3 hour long video) and only made it about a 1/3 of the way through but spotted dozens of "non-Viva" cars and mods. I was pretty shocked to be honest. So what gives? Did Viva LV loosen their requirements? Is VLV still a "traditional" show?
WHAT CARS ARE ALLOWED Built 1963 and earlier – Stock Classics – Painted cars – Finished Cars – Un-Finished Cars – Primered Cars Work In Progress – Bare metal – Traditional Hot Rods – T Buckets (built in 1940s, 1950’s, or 1960s style) Traditional Customs – Traditional Show Cars – Nostalgic Race Cars (Meeting above criteria) Stock Motorcycles (Pre-63, period correct.) WHAT CARS ARE NOT ALLOWED Fad T’s (built in 1970’s or 80’s style – Billet wheels – High Tech Street Rods – Muscle cars No VW’s or PT Cruisers – Post-63 Low Riders(with small wheels/tires) – Japanese Cars Fenderless cars w/ Steam Roller Tires – Tubbed Rear ends Off road and/or 4 wheel drive. – Diesel engined – No 17″ or larger wheels – no Dubs allowed. * “Themed cars” or “Rat Rods” must be pre approved. Please email a photo for approval.If in any doubt please email us a photo to tom@vivalasvegas.net
Their rules are still quite strict (and repetitive), but I've heard that the show isn't what it once was. https://www.vivalasvegas.net/car-show/ I went in 2014 and there was stuff that didn't meet the rules then, but the show promoter found it interesting enough to let in.
The show was once awesome, then devolved into a ratrod mess and I swore I would never go back. I just happened to be in Vegas the weekend of the 24 show and stopped by. I was pleasantly surprised as entry rules were tightened up and it felt like a glimmer of past shows. I think it’s going to come back.
Yeah, that's been the rules for as long as I can remember, but ... there were several "high tech street rods", a lot of modern interiors, billet wheels (most of which looked at least 17s), and I noticed at least a couple of cars which appeared to be on small tire deep dish wires. I mean, all cool cars, just some I wouldn't expect at VLV. Maybe that's it, just personal decision on the promoters part.
* *Viva Las Vegas reserves the right to accept cars that they consider to be of interest to the car show but might not meet all criteria listed above.
There are some rat rods that creep in, but, I walk past those and the street rod BS. It is a great show.
The Jalopy Journal
