Lone Star Round Up takes place this weekend in Austin
One of the most anticipated and beloved hot rod and custom shows in Texas is the Lone Star Round Up in Austin, which takes place this weekend at the Travis County Expo Center. Loved by hot rod fans from all over the world, it has become synonymous with a good, down home car show.
The official Facebook page for the event has been teasing fans with images of some truly exquisite vehicles that are featured entries to the 14th annual show for months now, showing off some really top of the line customs and classics that will be in attendance this weekend. Among the stand outs they’ve featured are Jon Michelson’s 1956 Chevy Bel Air, Cody Wall’s 1959 Chevy Brookwood Wagon, Roy Drapal’s home built 1930 Ford Model A Coupe and David Ramey’s flaming blue and white 1957 Ford Fairlane.
Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop, of Alabama, will be bringing a few stunning entries to the show this year, as well. Wesley Johnson’s immaculate mint-hued 1932 Ford Roadster is one of the show’s featured entries, and will be joined by four other Johnson beauties, including their shop car, another 1932 Roadster, in the more classic black.
One highlight of this year’s event is the debut of a couple of high-profile hot rod books that have been garnering some serious buzz, namely the photo book All Tore Up, by George Brainard and the University of Texas Press, as well as the first book from California based hot rod e-magazine and website DeadEnd Magazine. Whether you want to see vivid portraits of those who make up the scene or just drool over some of the finest rides, your interests will be covered. While Brainard’s release features excellent black and white images of the characters and personalities populating the Texas hot rod culture, the boys at DeadEnd deliver in the way they usually do, serving up stellar imagery of some of the best looking custom and classic cars that have been featured in DeadEnd over the years.
The weekend will also include a party to celebrate the revival of Hop Up magazine, bringing the old school favorite back to print again and kicking off the first new issue at a party at Austin Speed Shop on Friday night.
It always amazes me that, no matter how huge the Round Up becomes - and it certainly has - it always remains one of my favorites, filled with tons of familiar and friendly faces from the hot rod and car communities and still somehow maintaining a small scene feel while being inclusive and, at the same time, massively expansive. It has grown exponentially since I started going back in the second year it was put on, yet it never seems to lose its homegrown attitude and charm. If you have never been, it is definitely one show that is worth the trip.
General admission parking at the Expo Center is free, as is entry for children 12 and under, while general admission for adults is $15 at the