National Roadster Show 1950

Larry Neves' Ford Model T at the 1950 National Roadster Show. The girl in the car is Miss California, Jone Pedersen. Larry's roadster came second to Bill NieKamp's 1929 Ford roadster for the America's Most Beautiful Roadster award at the show.

A photo of Gene Winfield's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster from the 1950 Oakland Roadster Show. This photo was advertised for sale on eBay in June of 2018. With a number 237, Gene must have been one of the late entries.

Orvel Reichert and Evelyn Horn in front of Gene Winfield's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster at the 1950 Oakland Roadster Show. Photo provided by Orvel Reichert

The first annual National Roadster Show was held January 19-22, 1950 at the Oakland Exposition Building in Oakland, California. Known as the Oakland Roadster Show, more than 25,000 persons visited the show during the four days. William A. NieKamp's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster was awarded as the first "America's Most Beautiful Roadster". Runners-up for the honor were the 1947 - 1948 championship roadster of Larry Neves of Oakland, California and the no. 100 entry of Fred Ige of Los Angeles. A total of 45 trophies were awarded in a ceremony.

A show feature during the show was the construction of a roadster in 32 hours. The car, built under the direction of Ben Hubbard was started up successfully Sunday night. The exhibition also was marked by a Navy plane and engine display, an Oakland Police Department movie and safety exhibit, a showing of ancient automobiles and an electric train hobby display.

Cars Attending

105 - Jim Nelson's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster
201 - Mac Schutt's 1932 Ford Roadster
202 - David Mitchell's 1928 Ford Model T Pickup
203 - Warner Minor's Austin Bantam Special
204 - Jesse Lopez' 1941 Ford
237 - Gene Winfield's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster
Gordon Vann's 1917 Dodge Roadster
Fred Ige's 1923 Ford Model T Roadster
Harold Casaurang's 1923 Ford Model T Roadster
Larry Neves' 1924 Ford Model T Roadster
Don Rocci's 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup
Bill NieKamp's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster
Ken Furman's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster
Mac Schutt's 1932 Ford Roadster
Nick Reynal's 1932 Ford Three-Window Coupe
Pat Leighton's 1932 Ford Roadster
Bill Carash's Roadster
Pierre Paul's 1941 Buick Special
Vincent E. Gardner's 1947 Studebaker

Awarded Cars

America's Most Beautiful Roadster:

First Place: Bill NieKamp's 1929 Ford Roadster of Long Beach.
Second Place: Larry Neves' 1924 Ford Model T Roadster of Oakland.
Third Place: Fred Ige's 1923 Ford Model T Roadster, West Los Angeles.
Fourth Place: Ken Fuhrman, Berkley.

Greatest Contribution to Auto Industry:

First Place: Alex Xydias and Dean Batchelor with So-Cal Speed Shop's 1934 Ford Coupe, Burbank.
Second Place: Barris Kustom Shop, Los Angeles.
Third Place: Vince Gardener, South Bend, Indiana
Fourth Place: Howard Johansen, Los Angeles
Fifth Place: Lon Hurley, Long Beach

Construction - Street Division:

First Place: Barris Kustom Shop, Los Angeles
Second Place: David Mitchell, La Canada
Third Place: Bill Carash, Oakland
Fourth Place: Don Rocci, Oakland

Construction - Speedway Division:

First Place: Fred Ige, West Los Angeles
Second Place: Larry Neves, Oakland
Third Place: Al George, Oakland
Fourth Place: Fay Mooney, Bakersfield

Most Magnificent Custom Roadster :

Vincent E. Gardner's 1947 Studebaker Sportster

Originality in Street Division:

Bill Carash's Roadster