Hosted by the Lions Automobilia Museum
When the engines fire and the polished chrome glistens under the Southern California sun, you know the Lions Automobilia Museum is once again alive with the spirit of drag racing history. The 6th Annual Roar of Lions Car Show brought together gearheads, families, and legends of the sport to celebrate an institution that keeps the heart of hot rodding beating strong.
The Venue That Roars Back at History
The Lions Automobilia Museum isn’t just a car collection—it’s a walk through the golden age of motorsport. Nestled in Rancho Dominguez, the museum preserves the legacy of the legendary Lions Drag Strip, which from 1955 to 1972 stood as the proving ground for countless racers. Inside, visitors find immersive dioramas, vintage race cars, and larger-than-life tributes to SoCal car culture. For the annual show, those exhibits spill outside into a vibrant celebration of horsepower.
Hot Rods, Customs, and Classics Under One Banner
The 6th Annual Roar of Lions Car Show featured a lineup that mirrored the diversity of the Southern California car scene. Rows of classic muscle cars gleamed, while high-winding dragsters and nitro machines reminded fans of the museum’s deep racing roots. Local enthusiasts rolled in with everything from hopped up classics to patina-rich traditional hot rods that looked ready to roll straight off the return lane.
More Than Just a Show
What sets the Roar of Lions apart from a standard car show is the energy. Live music, food vendors serving SoCal staples, and curated exhibits made it a festival of culture as much as cars. The museum offered newcomers an inside look at drag racing’s pioneers—Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, and the countless Lions legends who shaped the sport. Part of the event was to celebrate the 104th birthday of rodding pioneer Ed “Isky” Iskendarian! Isky cams were a staple at Lions and dragstrips around the country. For veterans of the sport, it was a reunion spot to reconnect with old racing friends.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
The Lions Automobilia Foundation uses the annual car show as a fundraiser to keep the museum alive and to fuel its mission of education. Programs connect younger generations with the heritage of hot rodding, ensuring the flame of Southern California’s car culture doesn’t dim. This year’s 6th Annual Roar of Lions Car Show stood as proof that the Lions’ roar still echoes loudly. It was a day where history met horsepower, and where everyone—from wide-eyed kids to seasoned racers—could feel the magic of Lions Drag Strip living on.
