This past weekend Rod Authority made it out to the 2013 Ventura Nationals. The one day event took place on Saturday, August 31st, 2013 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. It was a perfect summer day in the high 80s, with clear skies, and a pleasant ocean breeze. We were able to catch photos throughout the grounds and covered every lot that showcased everything from kustoms and hot rods to lowriders and bikes.

Gates opened to registered participants at 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. to the public. We hit the road early in anticipation to arrive right at 9:00 and witness all the action and get a head start on covering some ground before the place started to get really packed. The grounds were peaceful and calm for the first two hours or so, which made for plenty of good photo time.

The fairground parking lot was dotted with only a few cars at the time and getting through the gates was a breeze. Inside, event attendees were still prepping the stage for bands, San Miguel Hall’s vendors were breaking out their merchandise and setting up shop, all to the tune of engines revving in the distance.

Band Lineup

This year, four bands graced the stage and provided the event with morning through afternoon entertainment: Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys – A band for more than 25 years and having recorded more than 14 albums Big Sandy and his boys were definitely the veterans at this year’s Ventura Nats. First formed in the spring of 1988 in Anaheim, California these guys are looking forward to another 25 years or more.

Nikki Hill – Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, Nikki is influenced by her Deep South soul honesty. Nikki’s musical roots originate from singing in gospel choirs as an adolescent. When she moved to nearby college town Chapel Hill she was introduced to a whole new culture of music.

The community of underground and varying musical styles inspired her to entertain the idea of music as a possible career. Nikki eventually paired up with her guitar toting husband, Matt Hill, relocated to St. Louis, Missouri and they have since then established themselves as rock and roll name-stays.

Gambler’s Mark – A trio hailing from the San Gabriel Valley. David Arechiga is the guitarist and lead vocalist, his brother Dan-e Arechiga plays the stand up bass and provides back-up vocals, while Ricky Lobo is on drums and also provides back-up vocals. The band is influenced by many mid 20th century movements such as Rockabilly, Surf, 50s rock n roll, Ska, and newer genres like Psychobilly as well.

Rumble King – Rumble King is an original American Roots-Driven Rock & Roll band from Southern California. The guys in Rumble King are making waves nationally with their traditional sound, be sure to check out their link above as well as the other acts from this year’s Ventura Nationals for show dates.

San Miguel Hall

No car event would be complete without its best counterparts – food, music, and vendors. The San Miguel Hall was this year’s one stop bazaar for merchandise ranging from custom shifters that guests could paint themselves, pinstriping booths, art print merchants, and mom and pop pomade manufacturers. The heat of the day was ironically great for vending business because it kept the cooler hall packed throughout the day with those trying to get a bit of relief.

Show Tour

To give those of you who weren’t able to attend the nats in Ventura this year a general lay of the land, we wanted to give you a quick layout of the grounds and what was going down in each area. Main Gate Park flanked the entrance to the event and featured a yard of antique fords chalk full of barnyard dust and seasoned with rust. Alongside these freeze frames in history the legendary Revelation Dragster put on a show for guests revving up while the crew tuned and tweaked it.

The Sea Breeze Square featured lines of fastbacks and coupes from the Dukes Car Club. Across the way we got a chance to meet up with the guys from the Long Beach Cavaliers. You’ll see a shot of member Aladdin’s ’29 Chevy roadster with contrasting blue accents and a renegade stance. Stay tuned for a complete Club Profile and coverage of the Cavalier’s 65th anniversary coming this November!

Lot C greeted us with a great wave of 50s lowriders and customs. Clubs such as the Loco Banditos and Viejitos were hanging out either hanging out in the shade shooting the bull with friends or barbecuing with the family. One of the guys from Viejitos  even offered us some of their succulent smelling barbecue, thanks for the hospitality fellas! Channel Islands Plaza featured more customs and lowriders while Kelley Court Plaza rounded out the car exhibit with a mix of genres from 30s hot rods to 50s sleds.

All in all, the Ventura Show grounds hosted an amazing plethora of cars from an impressive variety of eras. If pre-classic iron from every decade is something you appreciate make sure you mark your calendars for next year’s 2014 show.

Rod Authority Closeups

There were so many beautiful cars at this year’s event. The folks who put the Nationals together this year even said it was the biggest turn out they’ve had in a long time.

Snapping pictures of thousands of cars was the easy part. Picking a few highlights was a bit more difficult. Below are only a few of the cars that were shining examples of the beauty that classic car culture garners. Some were chosen for their sleek look at first sight, and others because it was simply nice to see a familiar face!

1959 Ford Ranchero – Marisa Cuevas’s 1959 Ford Ranchero is one mean custom. From the louvre work to the pearlescent green tones, this thing looked like a menace. The interior was upholstered with a zebra print cloth, custom vintage knobs and metal flaked accents throughout. Beautiful ride Marisa and props to Hoods CC, that’s one Ranchero with a heaping dose of attitude.

1931 Chevy 3-Window Coupe “El General” – As always, it’s such a pleasure to run into one of our last car features and it’s owner, Tony Ibarra Sr. of the Loco Banditos Car Club. The last time we saw it was at the Santa Cruz West Coast Customs Cruisin’ Nats and boy, running into it doesn’t get old.

Tony and the gang were hanging out in the shade enjoying other media crews and guests checking out their rides. He even showed us a photo album he had brought this time around with photos of what “El General” had looked like when he had first picked it up. We can’t stress enough the inspiration that Tony imparts, his Chevy was practically three-quarters of a rusted out shell when he got it. Good seeing you and the boys out in sunny Ventura Tony. You can check out the full car feature here.

1960 Cadillac Coupe Deville “Stardust” – Reine Dabuet’s 1960 Cadillac Coupe Deville aka “Stardust” was one clean ride. It maintained the stock aesthetic of the first generation Coupe Deville with its nude pink paint and original grille. Hat’s off to Reine and the Socal Tribe Car Club for bringing out one time machine of a big bodied beauty.

Crowd Stand Outs – Chevrolet Edition

When it comes to customs and hot rods there are no doubt iconic models which enthusiasts tend to gravitate towards. Whether it’s for that first project build or that one wish list model to add to one’s collection, the following cars were just a few of those household models that stood out during this year’s event. Check out these killer Chevs in action!

Chevrolet Advance Design

“The Advance Design series was General Motors’ first major redesign for post-World War II. It was billed as a bigger, stronger, and sleeker design. First available on June 28, 1947 these trucks were sold with various minor changes over the years until March 25, 1955 when the Task Force series replaced the Advance Design model.”

The following truck caught our eye because of its beautiful paint. It boasted some serious iridescent qualities and in person subtly reflected the tint of the fastbacks neighboring it.

Chevrolet Fleetline

“The Fleetline is an automobile which was produced from 1941 to 1952. From 1946 to 1948 it was a sub-series of the Chevrolet Fleetmaster rather than a series in its own right and from 1949 to 1951 it was a sub-series of both the Chevrolet Special and the Chevrolet Deluxe.”

This 1950 Fleetline caught our eye from 100 yards away. The icy blue paint and bleach bone interior were simply stunning. All the knobs, from radio console to door locks also accented the whites and blues of this iconic lowrider.

Chevrolet Bel-Air

“In 1957 Bel Airs were outfitted with the Super Turbo Fire V8 option producing 283 hp with the help of continuous mechanical fuel injection. These so-called fuelie cars are quite rare, since most Bel Airs were fitted with carburetion. The 1957 Bel Air is among the most recognizable American cars of all time; well-maintained examples, especially Sport Coupes and Convertibles are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. They are roomy, fuel-efficient, with tastefully restrained, period use tail fins and chrome.”

Despite this 57’s pinstriping detailing its rear end, this was definitely a stand out Chevy and no ordinary looker. The car featured some fine gold plated accents and an amazing turquoise body. The photos don’t do the chrome work justice but let’s just say that in Ventura’s sun it was dazzilingly blinding!

Smile Cam

Check out this special gallery we made for you folks out there. It’s Rod Authority’s very own smile cam featuring some shiny front ends from the show.

All in all it was a successful trip up to Ventura. We met up with some familiar faces, stayed hypnotized by the sheer amount of classic cars in attendance, and had no shortage of fun checking out all the neat tid bits that DIY merchants from across the coast had brought out for guests to peruse. We look forward to 2014, see you there!

For more exclusive RA photos, check out the GALLERY below: