Featured Event Coverage LARS 2025

This is all true. It was THE event of the year

 

Ahh you’ve got a fair point. I’m looking at the quality of the cars and missing that the complaining is about the shrinking swap.

 

The car show part was nuts too. The roadster part was packed and then the other parking was epic. This was a time of before internet so if you wanted to see or be seen this is where you went

 

Well turning back to the roadster anyone got more pictures of Squeaks new yellow roadster? I’m not finding anything online? Caddy power?

 

Squeak is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Spend 5 minutes with him and it seems like
you've known him forever. I wouldn't have the tack strip for my 3 window if it weren't for him. In my
opinion, Squeak is responsible for all the interest in Cadillac engines being put in hot rods right now.
I'm one of them.

 

Back in the day the Rose Bowl had huge swap meet twice a year. The LARS was great focused on mainly early ford stuff. There were good swap meets all over SoCal on most Sundays

 

Ironically back in the day LARS swap meet had mostly early Ford vendors me being a GM guy I got some great buys I could spot GM NOS in Ford vendors spots as they had no idea what it was worth!

 

I have to say there was a lot less non-car related bullshit like toys and lawn ornaments at this swap than the regular Pomona swaps. Considering the state of the industry in general it was pretty good actually

 

Yes, it has always been a premier event, legendary in fact. I have never been to it, but would have liked to attend......but now its just too far away and too expensive. There seems to be some question about whether it continues to be as fascinating as it once was, and if it will continue. I hope that it continues into eternity and that attendees will encourage other rodders to support it.

 

Thanks for all who shared photos, great to see this stuff.

 

Yep, he sure is. Thats because he is a Kiwi, and I can say that cause I'm from Australia, but don't tell anyone that, I'm trying to keep it a secret down here, cheers

 

Next year is the 60th anniversary and supposed to be big - and a great opportunity to attend. It’s 1200 miles each way for me and I always look forward to it. I saw lots of friends from around the country and had a blast as always. You should try and attend next year

 

There were a lot more roadsters and classic cars on Saturday, but it seemed to me that the swapmeet was more empty, that some of the vendors from Friday left and didn't come back, a lot more open spaces.

Somebody I missed seeing there this year was Dean Lowe. I always see his yellow RPU there and try to say hello if I can find him. But his truck wasn't there either day. I hope he's OK, it's not like him to miss this event.

 

If you mean my comments above yours, other than perhaps the silly emoji, what gave an impression I wasn't ?

And before you answer, let me provide some context to my comments:

I've been seriously into & involved with variety of vintage cars, including early (i.e. up to mid-'50s) period correct hot rods for nearly 50 years (& counting), about 40 years pretty much full-time, both as an enthusiast/hobbyist/owner of numerous and a rebuilder/restorer of countless, and understand there has always been (or at least for the decades I've been involved with this) a noticeable (significant ?) presence of fakes/replicas/tributes/whatever among all this and I personally view them perhaps differently than others do.
I know there's a lot of vintage cars, be they Ferraris or Fords, that have been (re-)constructed around an original serial number or less by using aftermarket/replica bodies, chassis, drivetrains, etc and claimed or misrepresented as "real".
To me, they represent the same approach/mindset as fake/replica Handbags or Jewelry (for ladies), Rolex/etc watches, Superformance/etc "Shelby Cobras", i.e. not genuine/real, which in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing as there appear to be plenty of those who are happy to own such, but in mind they should always be clearly identified as fake/replica/etc., hence my question about '32 Ford Roadsters (and alike).

As for my comment about LARS being specifically about Roadsters was based on personal experience nearly 35 years ago (and I've mentioned here before) when I attempted to attend with my freshly finished(?) and still in the same configuration 1932 Plymouth Roadster, only to be denied entry at the gate accompanied by several rather snarky & snobby comments/remarks like "What the heck is THAT ?", "That's not a real Hot Rod", " ... not a real Roadster." etc., presumably because it just didn't fit their square peg hole for blinged up, shiny A/B/V8 Fords adorned with every imaginable (modern ?) aftermarket trinket available and popular at the time or perhaps the fact that we actually just drove up, instead of trailering her there.
My passenger, an older fellow hot rodder who had been involved with this shit already in the 1950's became upset, got out and proceeded to argue with these gatekeeper clowns, but I couldn't help but laugh, asked him to get back in so we can avoid being associated with these yahoos and once he was in, I just peeled out.

And while I do support or have supported some vintage car related clubs, either by member- or sponsorships, I rarely participate in their events, especially ones that don't involve some interesting drives, either to/from or as a part of the event itself.
Just standing/walking around parked cars doesn't really do it for me.

Cheers and may the roads ahead be enjoyable for you.

P.S. To summarize: Yes, I do take all this seriously, always have & probably more than most.

 

You don't say when this happened to you, but things have changed over the years. The rules appear to be very relaxed these days, unfinished(unpainted) cars are allowed in, as are non-hot rods, non-Fords, non-original cars (I saw one of those fibreglass bodied roadsters based on old Jaguar or other British/European cars with modern drive trains), as well as several Cabriolets, all in the roadster section.

In addition to the roadsters there are what LARS calls "Specialty Cars", pre- 1985 that become part of the show. The drivers get a dash plaque and a Participant badge; the 2 are separated by a main drag, though a few cross over either way. Roadsters get in free, Specialty Cars pay. And there is also a huge vintage/classic car themed swap meet. It's not just about Roadsters.

You always seem to have a chip on your shoulder, maybe relax a little. I'm sorry you felt mistreated by the LARS crew when you attempted to take part; maybe it's time to let it go. I'm sure you would've been welcomed had you gone this year. Maybe think about going next year for the 60th.

 

We didn’t get the dash plaque or a participation badge- they basically took our money and vaguely pointed where to park.

 

You got that right. Not only the Rose Bowl, but the Model T/Model A/ Early Ford V-8 Club swap meet
in San Diego, the Long Beach swap meet, and the regular Pomona swap meet at the Fairplex were all
packed. During the Carter administration, inflation/interest rates went sky high. In 1980 it seemed like
half the state of California was un-employed. The regular Pomona swap meet was packed with finished
cars, project cars, and every kind of parts you can imagine. Not because the sellers wanted to sell, but
because they HAD to. V-8 quick change center sections for $150, Halibrand spindle mount wheels for
$150-$250, and on and on. There was a project car that haunts me to this day, but I can't remember
if it was at the LARS or the Pomona swapmeet. It was the nicest 1933 3-window I have ever seen that
was for sale. Mint rust free body, fenders, hood, perfect grill etc. Sitting on a Pete Eastwood frame set
up for smallblock chevy and turbo 350 transmission. It was sitting on a trailer but the owner was not
around. There was a for sale sign on the windshield, but as I recall there was no phone number. I waited
for about half an hour for the owner to return with no luck and I had to drive home to southern Nevada.
The price: $12,500. Like I said, haunts me to this day.

 

I went to the swap on Friday .Wasn't as big as in the past. I always find something I need there.. Always have a good time. Some of my friends only sold on Friday.

 

$12,500 in 1980 was nearly $50k in today money. Were they worth that much back then?

 

The problem on Friday at least was that nearly everyone there was a participant- either showing a car or at a booth… It was pretty obvious there were very few spectators. Maybe Saturday was different; I have heard from old timers the second day is usually slower… So considering that the price to enter a non-roadster was almost identical to general admission for two heads, I decided that it wasn’t worth the price to go back Saturday and I spent the $50 on gas and pizza actually driving the car with my wife instead.

 

You must considered the cost to rent the place, and the overhead cost to make it happen, crow has diminished in the last few years, and is out of their hands, can't force people to participate or attended, it isn't cheap, prices go up just like everything else, lost of people said , is not like it used to be, my question will be, what have change, everything they do still the same, same place, same people but less members for what I can tell, instead of being negative about a tradition that they still keep going just for guys like you or I, let's help the show by showing up and be part of something that has been going for so long.

 

Imaging if everything is the way we think it should be, life will be boring, but by the same token, things do change, and instead of bashing on something that has been good to all of us, why not trying to promote it instead, it sure will help to be positive on a tradition that has been part of us for so long, negative comments does make the show any better, but understanding the circumstance for the higher cost involve in making it happen, will, and most definitely help to keep it going, in my world, you're not force to do something you don't want to do, not knowing the ins and out of what it takes to put it in place, either, but don't trash it if you do not know.
Is like putting windows in your house after 20 years and expect to pay the same price as you did back then, same window, perhaps better quality, but, same view.

 

They've been putting this event on for the past 59 years. What event that you know of is the same after running for the past 59 years? The one constant in life is that shit changes. Barcia60 is spot on. If you want it to be there in the future, you have to participate. A diminished swap and show is still better than NO swap and/or NO show. This is/was an iconic event. Stay away and it goes away. It's that simple.

 

I feel several great points have been made above. It definitely is a very important part of our hot rod history and is worth supporting. As said, the cost to put everything together is astronomical at the Fairplex - and that is with what I believe to be a 100% volunteer workforce. I don’t live in Southern California, or California at all for that matter, but it’s up to us enthusiasts to support this epic event and see it continue. Please support it and the club and let’s make next year’s 60th anniversary the greatest celebration yet. I thought I heard there were a little over 1,000 Roadsters at the 50th in 2016 , which included mine , and I plan on driving it the 1200 miles each direction next year for the 60th celebration. Remember , Roadsters get in FREE! Maybe there’s a more affordable location for the future, I don’t know. I’m all for some positive energy for the future and will continue to support the club, I hope you guys will too.

 

Well said ^^^

 

I just noticed another thing when looking to register for Goodguys in Puyallup. Single day admission is $48 and weekend is $80-95. Spectator admission is $31.55 per day. It looks to me like our hobby's cost is just adjusting to the current times. My only experience with the entry cost of the LA Roadster Show is free in my roadster or swapmeet booth cost but based on what I have read throughout this thread maybe the club should offer a weekend pass if they don't already. Also, my observation of the general parking tells me based on credit /debit cards only accepted for parking and the attire worn is that the Fairplex collects that money not the club.

 

They do, I bought the weekend pass, saved 10 bucks.

 

I'd have to think that a big part of the Goodguys Puyallup increase covers added money over previous years that the fairgrouds =state is demanding of Goodguys. I know that the Yakima Fairgrounds is always wanting more money out of the Vintiques for their show and tacking on added fees and costs.

 

Typically the way it works is that the venue gets the parking $$ and $$ from the food & beverage venders. The show promoters get the rest. Make the pickins pretty slim for the club. As far as changing the venue there are very few possible left in Socal especially one that is centrally located like the fair grounds. Ironically the GNRS seems to be thriving in virtually the same space.

 

I’ve said this before but the problem with these shows in the modern day is marketing. It is nearly 100% word of mouth amongst people who are mostly at an age where they have become skeptical of newcomers, and that does not bring in new people after 50-60 years. I live 35 miles from the Fairplex, drive down the freeways which are now lined with digital billboards every day as I work all over southern CA. I completely missed the big GNRS last winter, despite the fact that I am a fully invested gear head. I am under 40 and so are most of my gear head friends, and I don’t know anyone in my social circle that went either… Despite the fact that I know of at least 20 now with families that might have been interested. 15-20 years ago the radio ads and billboards were frequent. I only made it to this one (LARS) because I happened to see this thread two days before. Do churches just congregate on Sunday and hope people waft in like a cartoon hobo floating along the scent of a pie cooling in the windowsill? No, they spread the word. This isn’t any different. I know marketing can be expensive as hell, but there are ways to do it that aren’t expensive, and can be as simple as passing out flyers at a similar or tangential event.

As an example, I just went to a local show in Perris, CA called “Rods and Rails” at their railway museum. Why? I saw a billboard ad for it on 215. Besides the cars and trains, they had a petting zoo, food vendors (more than LARS even, despite being smaller) community outreach booths from the city of Perris, games for the kids, and even an old west firearm demo (shooting blanks). It wasn’t big, but there were at least as many if not more attendees than the LARS, and the average age of attendance was WAY younger. They made an effort to let people know about it, and they showed up. It goes to show a little can go a long way.