Growing up in Eagle Rock, I always knew of and saw the Trompers around town. Whether it be at community events, hot rod gatherings at Jim’s (now the Oinkster) or just ripping up Eagle Rock Blvd…they were around. Hot Rodding has always been a part of Northeast LA life, and the Trompers definitely played a big part of it - since 1945.
Last year I was invited by the Trompers to participate in a classic car show along with the concerts in the park at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center. It was a good time with a decent turn out, but I did notice their presence was not as strong as I remembered when I was a kid. There’s no doubt about it. Original members are getting older, and the energy to come out just isn't there anymore. As an outsider looking in, it was a little worrisome. Was the club and culture getting phased out…becoming just a thing of the past? I really hoped not.
A few months later, I picked up my son from his preschool and recognized a yellow ‘57 Plymouth Belvedere that I had photographed at the Tromper’s car show. It was in a driveway up on jack stands, and a young group of guys were working on it. I pulled up and started chatting with the owner, David. He told me he was a member of the Trompers, and they were doing some repairs on his car, trying to get it back on the road before the Mooneyes New years Party. I was surprised, happy, and relieved to see a twenty-something year old young man claiming the Trompers AND working on his own ride.
Weeks later David reached out to me on social media with an invitation to a local classic car meet thrown by the Trompers at the new Denny’s on York. As many of you know this was the old Coco’s where the Car Club held their regular meetings. I had just gotten the Valiant running nicely so I was excited to take it out. It was at this event I met Stephen aka Bubba, Chuey, Marco, and a handful of other younger members. There was new energy flowing through the club, and it felt good.
I’ve kept in touch with these young men because I like their vibe, attitudes, and drive to keep hot rodding alive. Stephen has deep roots in the Northeast LA area coming from a family of train engineers that settled in Cypress park because of its proximity to the railroad. David grew up in Cypress Park as well and is now in El Sereno. I also recently met another good friend of theirs, David aka OD…who also grew up in the Glendale/Eagle Rock area. He’s a metal/body guy, but also has a thing for tattooing and film photography. Hanging with these guys, it doesn't take long to notice they may be in their early 20’s, but their souls are much older. They each have a unique set of automotive skills that they are honing, but a common passion and the courage to take on big projects. They call themselves Timeless Autoworks and are currently working out of a small workshop next to the old Offenhauser machine shop (where they work and are helping to revive). With a soundtrack consisting of Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and Los Teen Tops, they are currently working on Stephen’s grandfather’s old ‘64 Chevy C10 - doing a frame off build with the whole chassis down to bare metal. The welding and metal work going on in this little workshop is impressive. These guys get down and definitely take pride in their work.
Some of the new age of car culture has turned into just a competition of who has the bank account to afford the latest and greatest. The culture of getting to know a vehicle, learning skills, and figuring out ways to improve it doesn't hold the same appreciation as it used to. People see something pretty that goes fast and just want to write a check to buy it without appreciating the craftsmanship that went into creating it. But fear not, world…there is hope. Let me introduce you to the next generation of Eagle Rock Trompers and the fresh blood of hot rodding. They’re called Timeless Autoworks.