Speedorama 1953

A newspaper clipping from The Fresno Bee, January 30, 1953, promoting the upcoming Speedorama show at the Fresno County Fairgrounds. The article highlighted Joe Bailon's radically customized 1941 Coupe, valued at over $12,000, as one of the star attractions. Organized under the direction of 1950 Indy 500 winner Johnnie Parsons, the four-day event promised a spectacular mix of custom cars, race cars, motorcycles, and speedboats.

Frank Rose of Oakland behind the wheel of his black roadster, which took home the Sweepstakes Prize at the 1953 Speedorama in Fresno. Originally based on a 1927 Ford Model-T, the hand-built car featured custom aluminum components throughout, including the dashboard, hood, rear deck, fenders, and underpans. The roadster’s craftsmanship and sleek design made it the standout of the show. This photo was published in The Fresno Bee, Mon, Feb 09, 1953.

Joe Bailon of Hayward poses with his wife Margie and a pair of trophies at the 1953 Speedorama in Fresno. Bailon’s radically customized 1941 model, featuring a hand-built dashboard valued at $1,160, won both the spectator vote for Most Popular Automobile and the judge’s award for Finest Custom Construction. This photo was published in The Fresno Bee on February 9, 1953.

The 1953 Speedorama was held February 5–8 at the Fresno County Fairgrounds in Fresno, California. A major automotive exposition of its time, the four-day event brought together a bold mix of custom automobiles, motorcycles, racing machines, and speedboats, drawing over 12,500 spectators. Organized under the direction of 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner Johnnie Parsons, the show offered a unique blend of high-performance engineering and hand-built craftsmanship, with golden trophy awards up for grabs.

About the Show

Held inside the commercial exhibit building at the Fresno County Fairgrounds, the 1953 Speedorama boasted more than 100 unusual entries from across California. The show ran from 7 PM to midnight on Thursday and Friday, and from 1 PM to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. It featured custom and competition cars, motorcycles, antiques, and speedboats, all competing for top honors.

Jerry Piper, executive manager of the exposition, announced plans for an even larger show in 1954 due to the strong attendance and interest.

Frank Rose’s Sweepstakes-Winning Roadster

The show’s highest honor, the Sweepstakes Trophy, was awarded to a black roadster exhibited by Frank Rose of Oakland. The hand-built vehicle, based on a 1927 Ford chassis, featured an aluminum dashboard, hood, rear deck, fenders, and underpans. The car’s craftsmanship and attention to detail made it a standout among fierce competition.

Spotlight on Joe Bailon

Northern California customizer Joe Bailon of Oakland also had a banner showing at Speedorama. His radically restyled 1941 coupe, which had taken eight years to complete and was valued at over $12,000, won the Spectator's Choice Award for Most Popular Custom.

Bailon’s coupe was equipped with a souped-up engine, chrome radiator, sectioned front and rear ends, and a hand-formed body. The maroon velour interior featured a built-in tool compartment and a custom dashboard valued at $1,150. In addition to the spectator award, Bailon won first prize in the hard top custom division for construction as judged by professionals.

Award Winners

Spectator Awards:

• Most Popular Custom: Joe Bailon, Oakland
• Top Roadster: Michael "Blackie" Gejeian, Fresno

Sweepstakes:

• Winner: Frank Rose, Oakland

First Place Winners:

• Custom Hard Top: Joe Bailon, Oakland
• Motorcycles: Helen Marovich, Fresno
• Speedboats: William DuGranrut, Fresno
• Antiques: Herman Bear, Lindsay
• Competition Coupes: Frank Rowland and Norman Dick, Fresno
• Foreign Sports Cars: Thomas Thornburgh, Gardena
• Street Coupes: Lewis Thompson, Hughson
• Tank Dragster: Eugene LeBlanc, Cupertino
• Competition Sedan: Dick Hubbard and Al Palamides, Oakland
• Pickup Roadsters: Clarence Rodrick, Turlock

Second Place Winners:

• Roadsters: William Montero, San Jose
• Motorcycles: Rosalie Boyd, Fresno
• Competition Sedans: Ralph Lynde, Los Gatos
• Antiques: Hugh Darby, Lindsay
• Boats: Henry Wagner, Fresno
• Hardtop Customs: Ron Dunn, Glendale
• Convertible Customs: Elton Kantor, Oakland
• Foreign Sports Cars: Robert Cardwell, Kerman

Third Place Winners:

• Motorcycles: A local radiator shop
• Custom Convertible: James Sanders, Modesto
• Competition Car: Keith Etheridge, Fresno
• Boats: Ernest Bender, Fresno
• Hardtop Customs: Robert Hirohata, Arcadia

Special Awards:

• Midget Car: Donald Kofoid, Caruthers
• Competition Sports Car: Richard Trimble, Oakland
• Ingenuity in Body Building: Vale Wright, Berkeley
• Speedway Division First Prizes: Leonard Thompson, Sanger; George Zaroumian, Dinuba

CHP Involvement

During the Speedorama, Ezra Erhardt of the California Highway Patrol announced the preliminary formation of six automobile and roadster clubs to promote traffic safety. One of these clubs was formed specifically for girls. More than 4,000 windshield stickers and CHP safety bulletins were distributed at the show, underlining the state’s commitment to safe driving both on the road and on the track.