My brother in-law and I are going to SoCal from Iowa next week (Oct 14-Oct 18). He is really into drag racing and I am more into Kustoms and model cars. Other than the Peterson and Pamona museums what do we need to see? What are the best cruise nights? Any good hidden gems? Thanks!! Carmak Riverside, Iowa
We are staying near Beverly Hills / Sant Monica (I'm not sure). My sister in-law got me the trip for my 40th birthday and she made all the reservations. Carmak
Get to Bakersfield for the Hot Rod Reunion! Drag Racing Irwindale Raceway local bracket race on Oct 17. Unusual? Try Justice Bros Museum for cool racing history stuff.
Once they closed Riverside International Raceway there was no reason to go there. Well maybe the new RIR Museum (anybody been there?)
well this is awkward. but yes its true. not a whole lot to see over here. and the museum is not worth it, trust me.
http://socalfair.com/ http://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/ (pack a thick wallet) http://www.petersen.org/ http://socalspeedshop.com/ http://www.museum.nhra.com/
Hidden gem, both a hot rodding museum and a live source for parts...the old Gene Scott antique Ford parts plae on East Garvey in Rosemead, which is east LA. I had time for one thing on a quick run to LA, and chose it over the Petersen. An old thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256202n.
Although it's a ways away...as noted by another, for racing and real hot rod swap meet stuff, the California Hot Rod Reunion just north of Bakersfield is a VERY good outing. Friday thru Sunday. It's about 165 miles from my house, near Pomona...! Lately I've just gone Saturday, leave about 4am. and get home about midnight or a little later. The Pomona Museum, next, the Peterson Museum next. If you go to the CHRR, going to Irwindale won't seem like much fun. If you don't make it up north, then Irwindale would be good to hit too. Mike
wed night art chrisman has a get together- he is in santa ana. very nice guy- there is also a fab shop behind him where the guy does one off stuff- i think he goes by squeek or something like that. def a stop i make every time i am out there, mainly b/c my bro in law lives 10 min away. marcels and barry's srrc is in corona- about 30-45 min drive- marcel has been slow so not sure what he will have but he will talk shop with you for hours hollywood hotrods foose(has a caddi he built with boyd there and that impala which is an amazing build, you have to go during lunch) i have found that any shop will let you look around and most will talk if they have time.
wed night art chrisman has a get together- he is in santa ana. very nice guy- there is also a fab shop behind him where the guy does one off stuff- i think he goes by squeek or something like that. def a stop i make every time i am out there, mainly b/c my bro in law lives 10 min away. marcels and barry's srrc is in corona- about 30-45 min drive- marcel has been slow so not sure what he will have but he will talk shop with you for hours hollywood hotrods foose(has a caddi he built with boyd there and that impala which is an amazing build, you have to go during lunch) i have found that any shop will let you look around and most will talk if they have time.
................oct 16th all day event next to the pacific ocean, plenty of hot rods and customs AND ITS FREE
See something FREE. The Donut Derelicts car show in Huntington Beach CA every Saturday morning from 5:30am to 8:30am. At the corner of Magnolia and Adams. Best FREE car show on the West coast. It is worth the early rise and drive. Hundreds of vintage cars and trucks.
FOOSE DESIGN in Huntington Beach any day of the week, but you have to be there from noon, to 1:00 p.m. Some one will give a walk around tour, for a few minutes, then you're free to browse, and chat with any employee that isn't takin' lunch at the burger place next door. Even if Chips not there, like in my case, the place will leave a BIG deposit in the memory bank. Don't leave with out going ALL the way down to the end of the cul de sac to see Lanzini Body Works. All the people at both places were real friendly and open to chat with. Plus you can go down to the beach and play in the Pacific. Also see MOONEYES in Sante Fe. It's an historical landmark I believe, probably because that's where Carrol Shelby built his prototype Cobra. The store is like walking into their catalog. Dean Moons kid still works there, and is an easy going guy, that will show you around the shop, tell you some history about the place, and the different race cars sitting around, and if he's got the time, he may show you how they make their MOON discs. Have a great trip, sounds like Pomona is a must see.
hit the wed night cruise at the broiler on weds night in downey 5pm to 10... or on sat night thees usally a few guys....