The Grand National Roadster Show has been one of the most prestigious indoor car shows since its inception back in 1950. Since then, it’s undergone a few name changes, changed locales a handful of times, but never has it wavered from that original esteem and pedigree that it had established way back in the day. And yet today, with all the pomp and circumstance that comes with any indoor show, there also seems to be bit of the opposite happening. With the addition of the outdoor drive-in a few years back as well as the spontaneous atmosphere in the Suede Palace all weekend long, the GNRS has become as much of a social gathering as it has an indoor car show, albeit one that covets one of the most respected awards in the hot rodding world, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.
But among all the glitz and glamour of the tens of thousands of dollars in displays and the TV crews and the media blitz, there still exists a down-home feel throughout the show thanks in large part to the balancing presence of custom cars, motorcycles, and of course our favorite, trucks. This year’s show was surprisingly truck heavy, with nary a row of cars in each building that didn’t have two or three trucks in it; quite a feat considering the show spread out amongst eight buildings in addition to the drive-in portion outside, which was a car show in and of itself!
The Grand National Roadster Show has been a favorite amongst die-hard gearheads and hot rodders for sixty-plus years and it’s no wonder. For whether your taste is died in the wool traditional hot rods, over carbureted muscle cars, chopped and channeled customs, or sleek and slammed trucks, the GNRS has a little something for you. Oh, and did we mention there was also live music throughout the weekend, a historic gathering of custom cars in the Customs, Then and Now hall, a Pinstriper’s Reunion, and an art auction on Saturday? Yup, and they also gave out a couple awards on Sunday. But let’s get to what you’re all waiting forthe trucks! CCT
It’s always fun to see a full-fendered...
It’s always fun to see a full-fendered early Ford. Robert Larson, from Apply Valley, California, brought out his Ford and it’s a ’34 to be exact.
Norman Carrera had his cool...
Norman Carrera had his cool ’55 Chevy panel parked just outside the Suede Palace on Saturday, participating in the drive-in portion of the event.
This righthand drive-converted...
This righthand drive-converted ’50 Chevy pickup built by Brizio Street Rods belongs to a guy from ol’ Blighty who goes by the moniker ‘Slowhand’. Yup, that Slowhand.
Jack Foye’s ’26 Model T pickup...
Jack Foye’s ’26 Model T pickup shouldn’t have any problem burning off the rear skins thanks to a blown dual-quad Hemi.
Of course, there wasn’t any...
Of course, there wasn’t any shortage of hot rod pickups outside. Dig the green and brown non-Ford!
You can’t go wrong with a...
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Tri-Five Chevys, suede paint, wide whites, and pinstriping!
Inside the Suede Palace, there...
Inside the Suede Palace, there was no shortage of hot rod haulers. Check out Paul Soliz’s wild ’41 Willys.
Jim Ramirez went one step...
Jim Ramirez went one step further when he altered the stock layout of his ’36 Ford. Channeled, chopped, and Nailhead powered, Jim’s pickup is pure cool.
…while Travis Perich went...
…while Travis Perich went a slightly different route with his black, Flatty-powered ’29.
On the other side of the coin...
On the other side of the coin is Gerry Reynolds’ channeled yet unchopped ’29 from San Juan Capistrano…
Similar to Norman’s panel,...
Similar to Norman’s panel, except with windows, is Ron Medina’s ’63 Suburban. The orange and white custom cruised in from Whittier, California.
Dana Hinkle’s Gold Rush ’32...
Dana Hinkle’s Gold Rush ’32 Ford was given the full indoor car show treatment, and it looked the part to boot!
Joe Epstein’s La Habra Heights-based...
Joe Epstein’s La Habra Heights-based ’50 Chevy is straight perfect.
“Tranny” John Saltsman’s ’50...
“Tranny” John Saltsman’s ’50 Studebaker pickup “Atomitron” is sure neat with more mods than you could shake a lead stick at!
Steve Frisbee brought out...
Steve Frisbee brought out Ramrod, a custom ’33 Dodge pickup 97 percent handformed from steel, aluminum, and stainless steel built by his Portland, Oregon-based shop, Steve’s Auto Restoration.
“Gow Job” is not a term heard...
“Gow Job” is not a term heard often around these parts, but that’s exactly what you call Jorge Guiterrez’s ’29. That is, of course, if you’re really cool.
Ricardo Garza’s ’48 Chevy...
Ricardo Garza’s ’48 Chevy Carryall sat right and looked flat cool.
Tom and T.J. Pagano restored...
Tom and T.J. Pagano restored Mountain Pearl, a Hot Rod magazine Milestone pickup from 1959, which looks as cool today as I’m sure it did back then.
Coby Gewertz’s Van Go Econoline...
Coby Gewertz’s Van Go Econoline is just pure madness…and we love it!
If the patina’d look is more...
If the patina’d look is more your taste, check out Lauren Stephenson’s ’55 Ford.
With a little help from Vintage...
With a little help from Vintage Hammer Garage, Rene Lugo’s ’58 Chevy was finished in time to make its spot in the Suede Palace.