where it all began‏

This weekend, HOT ROD magazine presents a car show like none before: a once-in-a-lifetime collection of 300-plus historic custom and performance cars that have been featured in the pages of the iconic magazine from 1948 until now.HOT ROD is an American success story. Born in the post-WWII years on the dry lakes of the Southern California desert, the magazine quickly established itself as the trumpet of the entire hot rodding movement, and it has become one of the most recognized automotive brands in the world. To have a car featured in the pages or on the cover of HOT ROD has long been a pinnacle achievement for car builders from backyard garages and professional shops alike. The cars in HOT ROD are the best of the best, and to celebrate the magazines 65th year, the staff has sought out 300 past feature cars and will present them in chronological order in a show called the HOT ROD Homecoming. It will be a living history of one of the greatest American hobbies.Many of the cars featured in HOT ROD remain very well known, while others have stayed under the radarits those cars that HOT ROD has sought out for this event, and many of the display cars have not been in public in decades. HOT ROD has looked in all corners of the map to find these unique cars, and some are coming from as far away as Australia.In addition to the 300 indoor display cars, the HOT ROD Homecoming has sold out its outdoor space with 350 local custom cars. There will be 60 vendors at the show, including title sponsor Chevrolet Performance, which will bring its own historic factory project cars as well as a ride-and-drive event where participants can experience a new Corvette. There will also be an autograph session with some of the legendary heroes of hot rodding.The HOT ROD Homecoming will be held at the Los Angeles Fairplex in Pomona on March 23-24. Hours are 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Entry is $20 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and kids under 6 are free.The selection of the Fairplex itself was important to the magazine staff. According to David Freiburger, HOT ROD Editor-in-Chief, The historic site is the location of the very first NHRA drag race and the home of the NHRA Winternationals. Its also the location of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, The LA Roadsters show, and the Grand National Roadster Show. Road races were held there in the 50s and 60s, and the parking lots around the fairgrounds served as the location for the photo shoots of many HOT ROD feature cars of the same era. This event is an ideal example of the bigger-than-ever ambitions for HOT ROD. Source Interlink Media has made a significant investment to improve the HOT ROD portfolios products throughout the year, having redesigned the magazine, created an entirely new video presence, and breaking new ground for other successful, longstanding events like HOT ROD Power Tour and HOT ROD Drag Week.