The 20-member club, which mandates members have a roadster, roadster pickup or touring car 1936 or older, was formed in San Jose, California by Ray Silva back in 1962. They’ve stayed together throughout the years holding monthly meetings as well as serving as host club for the annual Roadster Roundup events, sharing that duty with the Bay Area Roadsters and LA Roadsters.
At the West Coast Nationals, four of the club members will attend with the original roadsters they brought into the club over 50 years ago! Chet Lehman will bring his red ‘32, Rich Perusina will bring his green ’36, Eldred Nelson will bring his green and black ‘29 rdstr pickup and Vince Burgos will bring his red ‘29.
“The San Jose Roadsters are our kind of club” said Goodguys VP of Event Operations Harry Daviess. “They’ve stayed strong through the years, they drive their cars everywhere and most of the cars in the club were built at home in the garage. We’ll roll out the red carpet for them at the 26th West Coast Nationals having them park together on ‘Wind Mill Hill’ area of the fairgrounds Friday and Saturday.”
If you dig roadsters and you dig real hot rodders, stop on by “Windmill Hill” at the West Coast Nationals and congratulate the San Jose Roadsters on 50 great years!
The San Jose Roadsters were featured at the 1966 Cars and Stars show in San Jose. Pictured are (Bottom left to right) Art Mata, Vince Burgos, Bob Maiwale, top row (left to right) Chet Lehman, Ray Silva (club founder), Frank Rocha, Steve Kirby and Les Erbin.
The San Jose Roadsters gather for a group picture at the Pismo Beach Roadster Roundup circa 1968. That's Joe Cardoza and friend in his roadster pickup.
Vince Burgos, one of the original founding club members stands next to his '29 roadster which won the Gold Medal at the '66 Grand National Roadster Show in Oakland. After Burgos suffered a stroke in 1994 his wife Rose put the car back together for him.
Posted on August 7, 2012 by goodguys