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Show Pictures Brought to You By Classic Performance Products

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Oct. 1, 2, 2011
Long Beach, CA
Story and Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz

Roger Rohrdanza

Roger Rohrdanz

   The Long Beach Motorama is actually a revival of the Renegades car club shows that were produced from 1958 through 1961 in Long Beach.  Cars shows in the 50’s and 60’s were different then, mainly because of the cars young people drove during that era.  The only cars considered for car shows were customs.  Hot rods were raced on the dry lakes and at drag strips.  They were “rough”, purpose-built machines for racing.  So, with few exceptions, the only cars at early car shows were customs.  This first Long Beach Motorama takes you back to that era.  The “Kings” of that time were Ed Roth, Sam Barris, George Barris, Bill Hines, Dean Jefferies, Larry Watson, and Gene Winfield, just to name a few.  The “Wall of Legends” is one of the highlights of this event.  It is a display of 25 of America’s first

generation of customizers.  These plaques include a full scale glass casting of each Legend’s hand holding something that reflects the expertise each Legend is recognized for.

    The new version of the Renegades Motorama took place at the Long Beach Convention Center on October 1,2, 2011.  The event was produced by Keen Productions and Trace Edwards, a partner in Keen Productions.  Inside the Arena were over 100 beautiful, pre-’64, Kustoms (spelled with a “K”), including several international entries.  A nice showing of motorcycles were in a side hall. The feel of nostalgia and the past were present everywhere.  This year the Diamond Cup Championship was added; a perpetual based trophy specifically created for the coach builder and owner. The DCC is an open category award with a 1969 cut-off year. The winner takes home a platinum metal cup with a $5000 cash prize.

   The lobby had the “Roth” cars all together, the amazing “Wall of Legends”, the awards, and many more displays.  Outside, on the grass around the Rainbow Lagoon, was another eclectic array of 150+ pre ’69 cars.  Just outside the arena was the Horsepower Corral. This area was for our classic dragsters to fire-up and “Cackle”.

I’m looking forward to next year.  Visit their website at  www:lbmotorama.com

Thanks for the Show!


Click on Photos to Enlarge

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This Legend plaque belongs to Mike “Blackie” Gejian. The reason his hand is holding a Shish Kabob is because Blackie invented the car rotisserie.

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This Legend plaque belongs to Stuart Hilborn. He invented fuel injection.

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This Legend plaque belongs to the “Cam Father” Ed Iskenderian

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This Legend plaque belongs to Tom Kelly a master pin striped.

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The Diamond Cup Trophy; a perpetual based trophy specifically created for the coach builder and owner. The DCC is an open category award with a 1969 cut-off year.... The winner was Ken Reister and his Chip Foose built “Impression” 36 Roadster

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The Grand Trophy is awarded with a $20,000 prize!!

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This original, unrestored, ’59 Cad powered, ‘56 Ford pickup was a “Barn find”. “Li’L Nugget” was entered in the ’62 –’63 Grand National Roadster Show. The owner is Jerami Schoeman.

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The “Roth” cars are all together.

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Tom Cobb received a special award for his contribution to the sport.

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In the lobby, Ed Iskenderian’s Ford Roadster sits in front of the “Wall of Legends”.

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Legend of Motorsports Special Recognition Trophy, which was given to two men, Jack Walker from Missouri and Joe Moreno from Ca

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- Inside the Arena were over 100 beautiful, pre-’64, Kustoms.

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The largest bubble top ever made! This is Gary Chopit’s “Beatnik”. You will never guess what this creation started life as …… a ’55 Ford??  Check out the small block Chevy with 6 deuces.

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Zack & Vicki Brombacher brought their very stylish ’50 Ford Coupe from Ashland, OR.

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(l-r) Scrub Hanson, Blackie Gejian & Gary Chopit.

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(l-r) John D’Agostino & Blackie Gejian.

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“Firestar” is a restored D’Agostino deigned ’61 Ford Thunderbird. The current owners are Nick & Shauna Berger of Westminster, CA.

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The 4” section gives Nancy & Don Tippit’s ’49 Ford Coupe a slick look. Other mods include Olds headlights, & Pontiac side trim.

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Allan Clark brought his extreme ’61 Crown Imperial from Chowchilla, CA.  Check out the 413 super Wedge Mopar motor.

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They call this a “Mild Custom”? The only thing Mild on this wild wagon are the white walls! Check out the graphics on the dash!! The lucky owner is Robert McDonald from Bakersfield, CA.

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The story board calls this The Lockheed Lakester. Owner Ed Pettus of Cedar Rapids, IA. Says it is a 1917 Crow/Lakester?

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 This ’65 Chevy Impala SS is owned by Jeffery Hess of Woodland Hills, CA.

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This display pays tribute to the early days of drag racing and features Lions Drag Strip.

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My camera wouldn’t leave this “work of art” alone. The Blastolene team have come up with another “Wonder-ful” piece of work. It is called “Decoliner” and was designed by Randy Grubb from Grants Pass, OR.  The cab is from a White truck.

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“Decoliner” designer Randy Grubb (l) meets Hot Rod’s Director of Photography Randy Lorentzen

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Driving the Decoliner from the fly bridge, into its position in the arena

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“Decoliner” designer Randy Grubb (l) meets “Hot Wheels” creator Larry Wood. Now that’s a pair to draw to.

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John Atkinson of San Diego, CA. brought his ’59 Glastron Seville boat and his vintage travel trailer, and his ’60 Cadillac convertible. San Diego must have had a sale on fuchsia paint?

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Parked with other “Sultans” is Angel Milla of Lakewood, CA. and his sharp  289 Cobra powered ’65 Ford Fairlane.

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Scenes from around the event

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