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The Granddaddy's Great -- Event Coverage -- Custom Classic Trucks
The 57th Annual Grand National Roadster Show
February, 2009
By D. Brian Smith
When a new vintage custom truck and car show season rolls around, we're more than ready to bring our camera gear out of hibernation. Though the amount of time from the last show we've been to until the Grand National Roadster Show in January is typically one month, it always seems as if more time has passed. Why is that, you might ask? The easy answer is, collectively, we're a bunch of gearheads who can't wait to see the latest and greatest custom creations. The other part of the answer is that the GNRS never disappoints. Steeped in history, the show has been produced 57 years. Known by many as The Oakland Roadster Show, for 54 years the event was held in various Northern California cities. Since 2004, the GNRS has graced the Pomona Fairplex complex in Southern California. We SoCal dwellers may feel guilty that one of the country's greatest automotive shows is no longer held in its birthplace, but we'll never admit to it. We pray the GNRS stays here. The event certainly draws top-notch participants and plenty of spectators. On Saturday, we could hardly get attendees out of the way long enough to photograph the next great pickup. We saw creations from young emerging pro builders who astonished all our senses, and were amazed by new custom creations from established shops that made us realize why these builders had such great reputations. There were also many home-built vehicles as impressive as the professionally constructed customs. If we had the money and the technology, we'd transport every one of CCT's readers to the GNRS. In full-color and in person is the absolute best way to experience the show. If we ever develop a teleporter, as is used on TV's Star Trek, we'll beam y'all to the event. Until then, enjoy some of the standout moments from the 2006 Grand National Roadster Show in words and photos. For more information about the GNRS, visit www.hotrodshows.com. 
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|  If you haven't seen Rick Clutter's...  If you haven't seen Rick Clutter's '56 Ford F-100, you need to see it in person. The '56 won Goodguys' Truck of the Year-Late in 2005 and the Sweepstakes Award Truck here, earning a trophy, a Meguiar's detail kit, and $500. The Clutters reside in Lancaster, CA. Jordan, owner of Super Rides by Jordan in Escondido, CA, built the awesome hauler from the ground up. Congratulations, Rick and Jordan! |  So-Cal Speedshop's illustrious...  So-Cal Speedshop's illustrious 60-year history was honored with an awesome NHRA Museum exhibit, which launched the first day of the Grand National Roadster Show. Alex Xydias founded the shop on March 3, 1946. He, with current owner Pete Chapouris by his side, shared some anecdotes of the early days at the media premier of the So-Cal exhibit with a crowd of automotive scribes and photographers. |  The show's contestants parked...  The show's contestants parked their creations inside the various buildings. Other participants who weren't competing for awards could pay to display their vehicles outside. A nice '57 Chevy 3100 reposed in the January Southern California shade. |  An entire building was reserved...  An entire building was reserved for patina pickups and suede- or satin-hued hot rods. Mike Van Zetten of El Cajon, CA, showed off his low-slung, well-done '31 Ford pickup. |  An awesome restomoded '41...  An awesome restomoded '41 Ford pickup looks as though it's still a work truck/promotional vehicle for its current caretaker. |  Uli is the owner and builder...  Uli is the owner and builder of a '47 Lincoln V-12-powered '30 Ford roadster pickup. If you built such a potent pickup, you wouldn't have to have a last name either. In fact, his buddies probably call him Mr. V-12! |  When was the last time you...  When was the last time you saw a Star Wars, Darth Vader-themed '56 Ford F-100? Never, is the answer we were looking for. Father Vern and son Kyle Rauch of Garden Valley, ID, built the beautiful black, gull-winged door'd truck. They won Outstanding Interior, Truck. Well done, father and son! |  For more details on Gene Welter's...  For more details on Gene Welter's '55 Chevy Cameo, consult the July '05 CCT and read "Killer Cameo," page 62. Gene and Geri Welter reside in West Covina, CA. The Welter's ride earned a Class Award in the Full Pickup classification. |  Earning a Class Award in the...  Earning a Class Award in the Semi Pickup category at the Grand National Roadster Show is not an easy task. Robert Dochnahl of La Verne, CA, did so with his brilliant blue '56 Ford F-100. |  Old Coach Works Restorations...  Old Coach Works Restorations in Yorkville, IL, designed and built a blown 350ci Chevy- powered '48 Chevy pickup sporting a Roadster Shop chassis equipped with a Heidt's Superide II IFS. Cool truck, eh? |  Stainless Steel Brakes premiered...  Stainless Steel Brakes premiered the Chevrolet Winged Express by Performance West Group and Year One. The '59 Chevy Sedan Delivery has modern components, like a LS2 engine, Tremec six-speed trans, Air Ride Technologies Cool Ride system, and SSBC disc brakes. |  In the Altered Rod Pickup-Pre-1935...  In the Altered Rod Pickup-Pre-1935 classification, Michael Feinstein of Northridge, CA, earned a Class Award for his '54 Desoto, 276ci Hemi-powered '30 Ford pickup. We wonder how well the Desoto Hemi sounds? |  Mr. Connie and son Rick Lamarche...  Mr. Connie and son Rick Lamarche built a very clean '72 Chevy C10 shortbed for the other son/brother, Lee. In the Full Pickup category, father and sons Lamarche earned a Class Award. They all reside in La Verne, CA. |
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