SO-CAL Speed Shop Open House

Fathers Day weekend in Southern California host many events. The longest lasting and most enduring must be the LA Roadsters Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. There have to be more ’32 Roadsters there, then even Henry Ford himself has seen in any one setting. I joked a couple of years ago that they should line the cars up in color order. Reds over to the north, then the orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, etc.

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With the big show hosted by the LA Roadsters club at the Fairplex, some of the top shops in the area have open houses during the weekend. Pinup photographer has had open houses at her San Dimas studio, and Bobby and Melinda open their Walden Speed Shop on Saturday night.

I’m here to talk about the Friday afternoon SO-CAL Speed Shop Open House. Arguably the oldest and largest speed shop in our industry. What started on March 3^rd 1946 with some borrowed money after his discharge in the Army Air Corps, Alex Xydias opened the first SO-CAL Speed Shop on Olive Ave. in Burbank. Many years, partners, franchisees later, SO-CAL Speed Shop continues to reign high over hot rod haven.

SO-CAL Speed Shop invites top rods to show on their campus during the Friday before Fathers Day weekend’s Open House, and hundreds more show up and line up four rows deep closing all but two lanes of Grand Avenue. People come from all over the country to the LA Roadsters Show, but I would have to challenge if they are there for that show or to come over to SO-CAL and tour their facility to see what new projects Jimmy Shine and the boys are working on today. As gracious hosts, their shops were open for all to see (and escape the heat). There were near completed cars, rolling chassis’ and many other top rods we will see in the big shows and strips next year on display.

So, mark you calendars and make a trip to their open house next year. Sure to overwhelm your senses. And bring Dad too.

Tony Colombini

My Uncle Delmar made me do it. Then my two older brothers egged me on. And after we moved down to So Cal in ‘72 this 10 year old would be tested on passing vehicles on our yearly trip up the 101 and down the 5 to visit relatives in Santa Rosa. The Chevelle passes us up and as I watch the skinny tail lights disappear through the back window of the Country Squire, I’d yell out ‘68! I study the grille of the Impala following close behind and I know it’s a ‘65. Fast forward thirty years later and with a degree in Visual Communications and this artistic classic car enthusiast is living his dream creating art, design and yes even writing a word or two on the automotive industry. And with a couple of bit parts on My Classic Car, Chop Cut Rebuild and on the cutting floor of Overhaulin’. I’m very proud to share my passion for all things art and fuel with you.

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