Roadster

The Eugene Von Arx Special of California. Built in 1940 by Bungholers of Hollywood member Eugene Von Arx Jr., the Eugene Von Arx Special is a rare prewar custom roadster that fused dry lakes performance with high-end coachbuilding. Designed and hand-formed by Eugene's father, an alum of the Walter M. Murphy Company and Don Lee Coachworks, the body featured Art Deco styling, 1937 Chevrolet and 1937 Oldsmobile lighting, and a split Duvall windshield. The chassis was crafted by Frank Kurtis using twin 1939 Chevrolet frames, and the car was powered by a rare Riley OHV-equipped Ford flathead V8. It recorded a 114.4 MPH run at El Mirage in May 1942. In August 2025, this early piece of California hot rod history returned to the spotlight, offered at Mecum's Monterey Auction.

Built in late 1967, the Dodge Daroo I was a radical factory show car created by Dodge design manager Bill Brownlie in collaboration with George Barris of Barris Kustoms. Based on a 1967 Dodge Dart GT convertible with the rare 383 CID engine, the body was shortened 10 inches at the rear and lengthened 17 inches up front, with a sharp V-nose and low wraparound windshield giving it a futuristic roadster profile. Finished in Pearl Honey Yellow, the Daroo debuted as part of Chrysler’s Scat Pack and Rapid Transit show-circuit displays. Retired after touring in lime-green candy for a second season, the Daroo I later resurfaced in the collection of Steve Juliano.

Andy Saunders' Dodge Daroo I Tribute of Poole, Dorset, UK. Inspired by Dodge’s 1967 factory show car built by Bill Brownlie and George Barris, Andy Saunders' Daroo I Tribute pays homage to one of the most radical Scat Pack-era creations. Based on a 1969 Dodge Dart and reworked to match the original’s 1967 profile, the tribute features a 10-inch shorter rear, 17-inch longer front, V-nose, wraparound windshield, and signature side pipes. Built using only two reference photos and period-correct details, including Parnelli Jones mags and Firestone Goldline Tires, the car was completed in June 2025 after 1,200 hours of work. Saunders debuted the car at the Beaulieu Custom and American Show, honoring the bold design legacy of the original Daroo I.

A Roadster is a lightweight, open-top car with no fixed roof, side windows, or rear quarter glass—built for style, speed, and the pure joy of driving. In the world of hot rodding, roadsters, especially Ford models from 1928 to 1932, became the ultimate platform for performance and personalization. Stripped-down and hopped-up, early roadsters dominated the dry lakes and drag strips, earning their place as icons of American speed culture. Builders often favored them for their simplicity, low weight, and timeless lines. To this day, the traditional hot rod roadster remains one of the most beloved and recognizable symbols in the scene.