Ever seen a rat rod? Or sat in the driver’s seat of an old farm truck that’s been converted into a zombie outbreak response vehicle? I hadn’t, until I stumbled upon the Twin City Bomber Bash, an unusual custom and classic car show that will return for its seventh annual event, Sept. 13 & 14, 2013, at Rodeway Inn in Bossier City. While I’m not a regular at classic car shows, I feel pretty confident that most car events aren’t like this one, where wildly-customized cars, trucks and motorcycles compete for titles like “Koolest Kustom” and “Nastiest Rat.” In addition to the car show, this year’s event will feature a drive-in style screening of the horror thriller Christine, the annual Miss Bomber Bash Pageant, and barbecue by one of Louisiana’s best-known competitive barbecue teams, Memphis in May People’s Choice Award-winners Rhoda Brown’s Smokin’ Fatties.
So, what’s a rat rod? It’s a classic car that’s been restored in some ways, but in other ways…kind of looks like it was just pulled out of a rotting barn somewhere.
“Originally, it started because people couldn’t afford to completely restore the vehicle, they couldn’t afford to do the chrome,” said Chris Goad, organizer of the annual event. “Now, it’s become an art form.”
Not all of the vehicles at this show are outlandish, but they’re all interesting. My favorite entry from 2012 was this unbelievable car, which took home top honors.
The 7th Annual Twin City Bomber Bash event schedule is as follows: Drive-In Screening of Christine, Friday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m.; Car Show, Live Music and Swap Meet, Saturday, Sept. 14, 1-5 p.m., Miss Bomber Bash Pageant, Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. To register a vehicle costs $20-25, admission is free for non-competing spectators. All events will be held at the Rodeway Inn at 3033 Hilton Drive in Bossier City. For more information, contact Chris Goad at (318) 470-4605.
RSVP to the 7th Annual Twin City Bomber Bash on Facebook.
View a gallery of photos shot at the 2012 Twin City Bomber Bash.
