The Los Angeles Roadsters have wrapped up their 46th exhibition. While we didn't venture into the big show, we did spend quite a bit of time walking the swap meet trying to get our monies worth back from the parking and gate fees. There were certainly many show-quality examples of shaved '32 Fords, pastel-hued Hiboys, and bazillion dollar traditional (don't say rat) rods and … [Read more...]
El Mirage is No Illusion
While far saltier dry lake cousin Bonneville gets most of the glory, it was in the dusty Southern California desert where drag and dry lake racing got going on a grass roots level. Miscreants, racers, nerds, and tough guys alike motored out from Los Angeles and Orange County to the high desert in hopped-up gow jobs and jalopies. The goal was to run flat out in an unlimited … [Read more...]
Full Race Jalopy
The American Heritage Dictionary defines jalopy as a word used to describe an old, dilapidated motor vehicle - especially an automobile. The origin of the word itself is hazy. The Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary goes further, suggesting the word may have come into being as a result of many dilapidated automobiles sent to the Mexican city of Jalapa. The second definition of the word … [Read more...]