After a busy weekend in Bakersfield, we’re back at the office and able to sort through some of our photos from the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion. Now in its 26th year, the show is revered as a mecca for those drawn to vintage racecars of all shapes and sizes. Although things kicked off with rain and uncharacteristically chilly weather, the skies cleared and the temperatures rose, creating ideal conditions on and off the track.
Shades of the “Rattler” Fiat Topolino, the newly restored “Little Blue Coupe” was a big hit at this year’s Hot Rod Reunion. From the injected smallblock Chevy to the candy blue paint and matching Plexiglas windows, it was a favorite of ours too. Stay tuned for more on this period-perfect Competition Coupe in the not-so-distant future.
From Friday morning until Sunday afternoon, Auto Club Famoso Raceway was jam-packed with everything from restored front-engined dragsters to heavily altered match racers. Hot rods filled the famed Bakersfield Grove, while the top dogs in Nostalgia Top Fuel tuned their slingshots in preparation for their next sub-six second pass. No matter where you stood, you weren’t far from a pair of slicks and a fuel-burning Hemi.
Like any reunion worth its salt, the people are what bring the CHRR to life—and you never know whom you’ll run into...
It wouldn’t be a Hot Rod Reunion with Bill Pitts’ Winkel, Trapp & Fuller “Magicar” AA/FD. During its heyday, hot shoe Jeep Hampshire pushed the gold Metalflake Fueler deep into the sevens at more than 200mph. Ever since its rebirth, the car has been a Cacklefest staple.
Out in the grove, we were drawn to this ’40 Willys survivor campaigned by Bruce Frumweller during the Gasser Wars. With its fiberglass tilt front end, injected smallblock Chevy and nose-up stance, the C/Gas coupe looked as if it were untouched by time. We were all over it.
Race cars, hot rods, you name it—you can find them all at the Hot Rod Reunion. Here Burbank Choppers member Deron Wright and his son, Murphy, catch some of the racing action from atop their ’32 Ford three-window.
