Pasadena Reliability Run 2026 BY TONY THACKER

Pasadena is a ritzy town north east of Los Angeles and was one of the original homes of hot rodding. In 1927, Pasadenian Earl Mansell hosted the Southern California Championship Sweepstakes, at Muroc. Pasadena was also home to early speed shops owned by Reg Schlemmer, Jack Eisen, Al Hawkins, and Don Blair. In fact, Blair’s, now owned by Phil Lukens, is the world’s oldest continuously open speed shop that opened in 1945 and is still open.

Pasadena was also home to some of the earliest hot rod clubs including the Night Flyers and the Velociteers. In October 1945, the Flyers and the Velociteers joined forces to form the Pasadena Roadster Club and one of their main activities was their annual Reliability Run that started in 1947.

In 2002, the club was reinvigorated and held their first modern Reliability Run in 2004 covering the original 1947 route. This year saw the 14th running of the event with more than 60 hot rods covering the two hour, 100-mile route up into the San Gabriel Mountains. It was a blast.

WORDS & PHOTOS TONY THACKER