Customizing automobiles is as old a practice as the automobile itself, and you can see this automotive heritage on full display at the next Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show.

The first customizers were often coach builders employed by society’s elite to make their cars “like none other.” But it was the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s in Southern California where the passion for hot rodding and customizing established itself as part of the very fabric of automotive history in the United States. Flathead V8s souped up with high compression heads coupled with light roadster bodies offered the perfect combination for young car enthusiasts. A small but growing culture developed as adrenaline seeking gear heads converged on the flat open areas of California’s dry lake beds to see how their car stacked up against others. These locations were ideal but it was still a good haul from the greater Los Angeles area. Therefore, much to the dismay of local constables and older citizens, open stretches of city and suburb streets began to see their fair share of traffic light to traffic light races and hot rod cruising.

Other custom car pioneers were swapping parts and trim pieces from various automotive manufacturers to create unique hybrid custom cars that took appealing designs and melded and welded them into their own creations. The birthplace and epicenter for these endeavors and the culture it developed was right here in Southern California. This changed, however, during World War II.

As young soldiers from all over the country joined together to serve America’s effort in Europe and the Pacific, photos and stories from the SoCal ‘rodders and customizers spread. After their services overseas was complete, young men who were lucky enough to return to their homes through out the states had become exposed to this growing phenomenon. Anxious to blow off some steam and utilize their recently learned mechanical expertise, veterans from all corners of the country began dreaming up and building their own personal rides. Today, hot rodding and customizing is a multi-billion dollar US industry that is more popular now than ever.

You can expect to see many wonderful examples of this at the next Pomona Swap Meet. Whether you’re looking to buy one of these unique hot rods/custom cars to ride and enjoy or if you are looking for parts and ideas to build your next project, contact us for more information about our next event. Or check out our Classifieds to get in on this before the next meet. Either way, the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show is the place to be.