Event>>grand National Roadster Show Wrap Up

Time to take a a break from posting your guest blogs and finish up my coverage of the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona. Here, we'll take a look at some of the interesting cars in the indoor show, a few from outside, and some of the historic hot rods from the "Cars That Made a Difference" exhibit.

Cars That Made a Difference included 34 different hot rods and customs featured on the cover of Rod & Custom and Street Rodder Magazines from 1953 to the present. You could quite literally watch the history of hot rodding unfold as you walked through the hall. Once again, it's these one-of-a-kind displays that make the GNRS such a storied event.

This is the Price '32 Roadster, which graced the cover of the very first issue of Rod & Custom Magazine in May, 1953.

The "Tall T" appeared on the cover of Hot Rod in 1960 and Rod & Custom in 1962. It even appeared at the Seattle World's Fair in 1960. One look at the car and you can see why it's been dubbed the "Tall" T.

You don't hear a whole lot about hot rods from the 1970's these days, but this car was one of the biggest builds of the era, featured in the October, 1975 issue of Street Rodder. Note the width of the rear tires!

It wasn't just hot rods that were part of this display, but customs as well. This '52 Chevy is a replica of Larry Watson's "Grapevine". It looks identical, on the outside at least.

The iconic Watson touch in the paintwork…

This '57 Chevy Nomad is pure 1960's custom style, as shown in a 1967 issue of Rod & Custom.

The 1980s-90s style hot rods aren't too popular these days. However, nothing stays out of style forever. Will these be the big thing in 2030?

Moving back outside, does it get any cooler than this dropped '64 Chrysler Newport hardtop wagon?

If any of you guys were at the show, did you get the chance to look in the trunk of this unrestored '55 Chevy? Interesting substance in there…

I can count the number of mini-trucks seen on Speedhunters with a couple fingers, but I really liked this retro-themed Chevy S10. Check the headlight conversion…

…as well as the taillights.

The interior is also totally old school. Very nice work here.

The "Thriller" is a heavily customized '68 Dodge Polara with an aggressive roof chop. Sleek.

This '51 Chevy sedan out of Orange County is a stunning example of a period custom.

A huge display of lowrider craftsmanship thanks to LA's famous Lifestyle Car Club.

There was even a decked out Dodge van straight out of the '70s. I'm still waiting for these things to make their big comeback…

An interesting mix of the modern and the traditional on this roadster. Love the wheels.

This '54 Corvette "ZR1" is just nuts.

Yep, the name comes from the car's LS9 engine (out of the new 'Vette ZR1). I'm thinking we should try to pursue a full feature on this beast…

You see countless early '50s Chevys out there, but not too many Pontiacs. Gorgeous car.

Them Duke boys even made it out…er at least one of them did, along with the actress who played Daisy in the TV series.

This '59 Ford Ranch Wagon was easily one of my favorite cars in the whole show. I've never been a big fan of crazy paint jobs, but these retro jobs just work.

A work of art really.

I've noticed that early '60s Fords are getting a lot of love from builders these days.

This one is fitted with a late model DOHC mod motor with a blower. Not entirely unlike the one in Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Mustang.

This pro touring style fastback Mustang from Campbell Auto Restoration has paintwork inspired by Parnelli Jones' Boss 302 Trans Am racer.

One more cool Roadster to close out my coverage of the show.

And finally I'll throw in this picture of an unrestored '61 Plymouth I spotted in the parking lot on my way out. Just look at how much this thing stands out compared to the cars around it.

Well, that does it for my coverage of the show, save for a couple of Car Spotlights which will be coming soon.

Next January, make plans to be in Pomona for the GNRS!

-Mike Garrett

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments



Comments are closed.

22 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest
1

All of them such sexual!!! Excellent photos.

2

I love my S13 but one day i´m gonna ride in a Genral Lee clone and play the horn all day long. Lol... :-)

3

"I'm gonna get dem Duke boys! Cu cu cuuuuu!" Love the GNRS coverage!

4

This '54 Corvette "ZR1" is just nuts. Wow. wow. wow. I love Corvette's but the 50's versions were just so-so for me. That is the first early model of vette I have ever really liked.



I also need to build a flat head ford just to put an old school Craggar blower on it from the 60's. They might be by gone technology and all but they have that cool factor that you just can't touch.

5

what year was 'american grafitti' based on? sorry for off topic its just that this post reminded me of it more than any other of the hot rod/customs posts

6

Full feature on the 54' ZR1!

7

I love the 51 Chevy sedan! Really clean look

8

More on that 54' ZR1 !!

9

So what was in the trunk of the 55 Chevy?

10

What was in the trunk?

11

That 1954 Corvette must be a handful to drive!

12

I wanna know whats inside the unrestored 55 Chevy's trunk!!!!!!

13

fuuuckkkkkkkk gray corvettee its justttt dammm!!!!

14

Definitely do a feature on the 54 zr1 car. Other than the steering wheel that thing was immaculate in person. I couldn't imagine how that thing is to drive.

15

I think the '55 had moonshine or something in the trunk, if i remember correctly. There was alot of nice cars at that show. I was there for nearly 10hrs and I could have been there for two weeks straight looking at all the cars. Awesome coverage.

16

I cam back again just to look at the corvette and the flathead!

17

I have to say, despite all the awsome cars at the GNRS, I'd have to say that last pic of the 61' fury was the best. nothing better than unrestored, nothing

18

That 54' is AWESOME!!

more,more!!

19

The red 1960's ford starliner has a DOHC 5.4 FORD GT engine

20

Oh God that '54 ZR1 is sick.

21

Hey Mike, I'll look for you at shows and especially at the next GNRS. I must have been in the room with you during the media preview in the Street Rodder room. I especially like that lead shot and the one of the truck and Watson's work. Great job!

OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS