The “inside” show featured...
The “inside” show featured a variety of trucks, including the Atomitron. The list of what hasn’t been done to John Saltsman’s ’49 Studebaker pickup is shorter than the list of what has. Some of the more obvious modifications are the 6-inch chop and the Cad front bumpers—not seen is the bed cover made from a ’59 Chevy trunk lid.
Of all the car shows held nation-wide, only the Grand National Roadster Show is constantly referred to as the Grand Daddy of them all. Maybe that’s because it’s the longest running show around, it is indeed the best, or possibly because not everyone is sure of its real name.
Some of the confusion about the show was the result of a name change early on. First held in 1950 at the Oakland Exhibition Hall, it was called the National Roadster Show. The event was moved to the larger Oakland Coliseum where, in 1963, it was advertised as the Grand National Roadster Show. However, by that time it was best known by the name it was never officially given, the Oakland Roadster Show, or Oakland for short. But there were more changes to come that would confuse the issue. The next home for the GNRS was San Francisco, first to the Concourse, then to the Cow Palace, and next it was held at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. The running joke was that the suspense wouldn’t be who would win the 9-foot tall America’s Most Beautiful Roaster trophy, but where it would be awarded.
While there had been a number of surprises concerning the location of the show, none were greater than the announcement that its new producer, John Buck, was moving the long running Northern California event to the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona.
Tony Tennant’s ’47 Ford pickup...
Tony Tennant’s ’47 Ford pickup is a maximized version of a minimalist truck. Chopped, channeled and basically whittled down to the basics, the detailing is first-rate. Staying true to its origins, power is from a 351 Ford.
Along with the gutsy change of venue, Buck has introduced a number of unique features to the iconic event, and one of our favorites is the outside show called the Grand Daddy Drive-In. Thanks to plenty of open space surrounding the multiple buildings that house the show vehicles, and the usually nice SoCal weather, this outdoor addition has become an annual event. Registration is open to pre-’73 cars and trucks. Participants get to drive their vehicles onto the grounds for VIP parking and receive a dash plaque, goody bag (pre-registered only) and admission to the show. A number of magazines, including Custom Classic Trucks, give out awards to their favorites. There are no rules for our pick so the choice is usually based on a simple process, it comes down to the truck we’d like to drive home. This year we chose Mike Hoguin’s ’55 Chevy.
While the official name of this event is the Grand National Roadster Show, to some old-timers it will always be the Oakland Roadster Show no matter where it’s held, then again some refer to it as the GNRS and a few are starting to call it Pomona. Of course, you’ll never go wrong if you just call it the Grand Daddy of all car shows. CCT
Scott Robert’s ’41 Ford pickup...
Scott Robert’s ’41 Ford pickup was recently completed by Hot Rods and Custom Stuff, in Escondido, CA. Underhood is a fully detailed Flathead V-8 with Edelbrock finned aluminum heads and a two carb manifold mounting Stromberg 97s.
The Big Daddy Drive-In outside...
The Big Daddy Drive-In outside show never fails to draw some interesting participants, such as Ted Silver’s ’47 Ford truck. Note the unique under-slung front suspension. The frame-rails run below the axle and the springs.
Nick Herring came to the Drive-In...
Nick Herring came to the Drive-In at the wheel of his ’46 Dodge pickup.
Underhood is a small-block...
Underhood is a small-block Chevy neatly camouflaged with Cadillac rocker covers and an oil-bath air cleaner. Note the firewall-mounted canteen used for a brake reservoir.
Probably not the most efficient...
Probably not the most efficient truck for making deliveries, Marion and Lynn Marquez own this ’36 Ford pickup that wears the name of their dairy on the doors. Power comes from a blown Flathead exhaling through straight pipes.
In the “Suede Palace” portion...
In the “Suede Palace” portion of the show, we found Jason Pall’s ’34 Ford pickup. Originally built on the east coast in the ’60s, the cab has been channeled 8 inches and chopped 3 inches. The small-block Chevy engine is topped by a half-dozen Stromberg 97s.
Pete Wittenberg of Pete’s...
Pete Wittenberg of Pete’s Rod and Custom showed up with his ’58 Chevy Apache. The body has undergone tasteful changes—the trim along with the door handles have been removed and a visor was added—but the scallops and the ripple caps with wide whites remind us of the mild customs of days gone by.
Once a family ranch truck,...
Once a family ranch truck, Tony Carrillo was given this ’49 Chevy pickup when he was 11 years old. Since then he’s done his first top chop, lowerering the lid 3 inches. Underhood is a 235 six with a Clifford intake and homemade headers backed by an S-10 T5.
Sometimes less is more, a...
Sometimes less is more, a case in point is Aaron Dickison’s ’55 Ford F-100. The stock bodied truck has had the bumpers pulled in and it sits right. The solid wheels and ’41 Ford hubcaps fit the clean theme perfectly.
Louie Aguilar’s ’72 Chevy...
Louie Aguilar’s ’72 Chevy C10 is a great example of what makes these trucks so popular. Great factory styling along with plenty of aftermarket parts, lowering kits and a huge selection of custom wheels make them a natural to build.
The straight body and nice...
The straight body and nice detailing on David Fields’ ’57 Chevy caught our attention, then we looked in the bed.
We found that Fields was hauling...
We found that Fields was hauling a ’58 Ans Craft quarter midget originally sold by Ansen Automotive. Could it be that a young Dave was once behind the wheel?
Said to be a clone of a GM...
Said to be a clone of a GM concept truck, the Cameo/Nomad inspired Suburban was build by Vince Borzilieri and the crew at JV Enterprises. A massive amount of work went into chopping the top slightly both above and below the drip rail.
This lakes pipes rubbing ’63...
This lakes pipes rubbing ’63 Chevy Suburban belongs to Ron Median. Power comes from a 350 Chevy backed by a 700R4 trans. Rolling on 15-inch Supremes while the stance is courtesy of air bags all around. Inside are seats out of an ’05 Tahoe.
A variety of influences can...
A variety of influences can be seen at the rear in the Cameo quarters, taillights, Nomad style tailgate, and lift-up window. We’d bet Chevrolet would have sold a ton of these.
We awarded our Custom Classic...
We awarded our Custom Classic Trucks Editor’s pick to Mike Hoguin. His ’55 Chevy has a ZZ4 and 700R4 engine and trans combo. Front suspension is a Camaro clip in back is a 12-bolt Chevy rear end on air bags held in place by ladder bars and a Panhard rod.
Albert Larrea’s ’56 F-100...
Albert Larrea’s ’56 F-100 wears a unique shade of gunmetal gray over its perfectly straight sheetmetal. All the emblems and the vent windows have been removed and the bumpers have been moved in. Underhood is a late-model Ford powerplant.
We’d love to be able to say...
We’d love to be able to say more about this ’63 Ford F-100 but we couldn’t find its Drive-In registration or owner. We can say we liked it.