For this part of my Grand National Roadster Show coverage, I'll be showcasing some of the historic machines found inside the "History of the Race Car" display. This was the one of the main features of this year's show, and the exhibit more than delivered. Nearly 100 years of American motorsport history were packed into one of the large halls at the Pomona Fairplex.

Race cars of every type could be found, but naturally it was the salt flat/dry lake racers and drag cars with the largest presence.

The first car that caught my eye was "The Bug", a purpose built dragster from the early 1950's. So primitive, and so cool.

A better view of The Bug's ample safety features…I mean seat belt.

Although the car started off as a Model T Roadster, by the time builder Kraft had finished with his weight reduction, little was left except for the motor and the frame rails. Thus the term "rail job" was born…

Just across from the dragsters was this group of early top speed racers. The red and black car is a recreation of the 1940's era Warth-Hilborn Streamliner.

A display like this wouldn't be complete without some belly tank race cars. This was interesting for me, as a week earlier I was checking out a restored P38 Lightning fighter at the Planes of Fame museum in Chino. If you didn't know, these cars were built out of surplus P38 belly tanks after the war…

This machine, known as the Meteor was built from "at least five different cars, an airplane, a truck, a tractor, and a motorcycle".

The Meteor was powered by an engine from a 1937 LaSalle.

It's incredible to think that something this streamlined was built in 1930's, in a man's garage of all places. The body is entirely scratch-built.

Another early rail dragster, the "Cotton Chopper". At least there's a bit of protection for the driver there…

Check out the cool station wagon pusher behind it….

…complete with vintage artifacts, including a pair binoculars and some issues of Hot Rod Magazine.

The Morris Bros So-Cal Speed Shop Roadster, looking untouched by the hands of time.

As the years go on, the dragsters become more aerodynamic and "complete". There was more to fast ET's than high power and low weight…

Moving into the 1960's era, we have this '37 Willys drag car.

It was cool to see the old trophies from the long defunct Raisin City Drag Strip, located near my hometown in California's Central Valley.

A couple more '60s era drag cars.

Lightweight cars like the Ford Anglia served as the basis for a lot of drag cars during this period. Of course there's very few similarities between this car and a normal Anglia…

Mooneyes USA brought out their dragster from the shop in Santa Fe Springs.

And finally, this pair of Pontiac Tempests serve as a good halfway point for our trip through this display.

Back tomorrow with more classic race cars from the GNRS!

-Mike Garrett