Grand National Roadster Show 2022

Carol Freshley April 5, 2022

Tom took his 11th annual trip to Los Angeles for the Grand National Roadster Show. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, it is considered the definitive expo of its type by enthusiasts world wide. This year marked the 72nd anniversary of the show, making it the longest running show in the country.

A 1932 Ford, also referred to as a ‘deuce’. It is the most popular roadster style. A roadster is defined by folding cloth top and no roll up windows.

Also a deuce roadster but with the fenders intact. The previous roadster had the fenders removed to attain a different style and reduce its weight. There will be other examples of deuces since this year marked 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford and a large gathering was assigned their own area on the fairgrounds.

Is this a deuce? No, this is a 36 Ford coupe designed as an early style custom.

is this a deuce? Yes, you have caught on already!

Another deuce roadster and it was the winner of the last show’s top award, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR). Prize included a trophy and $10,000 (a very small portion of what it cost to build it).

Two highly modified early Ford custom rods.

Also a deuce, but it is a sedan body model.

A 1934 Ford with extensive modifications.

We are now wandering into the 1932 special exhibition area. This is a a station wagon commonly known as a ‘woodie’, one of the rarest of all the body styles. It is desired by surfers world wide for transporting their surf boards.

Classic deuce roadster. Winner of the 2017 AMBR.

Front view of previously shown 1934 Ford 5 window.

Extreme low rider, 1963 Lincoln Continental.

A collection of deuces from the So-Cal speed shop.

Can you guess what kind of car this is? A deuce!!!

This years winner of AMBR Award, a 1935 Chevrolet.

Historical custom car from 1951, the famed Hirohata Mercury, by Harris Kustoms.. It had just been sold at the Mecham auction in Florida the previous week for a record $1.9M.

1940 Cadillac with mild custom adjustments.

Grand National Roadster Show 2018

Carol Freshley February 28, 2018

This is an annual event for Tom. It takes place on the grounds of the Fairplex in Pomona, California. This was the 69th annual show and it is the longest running indoor car show in the world.

Display of mostly tiny European cars from the past.

1935 Ford pickup customized some 50 years ago and recently restored.

Each year the top award goes to the most beautiful roadster in the show.  This is this year's winner, a 1932 Ford.  It was created first as a race car and then brought up to show condition. — Each year the top award goes to the most beautiful roadster in the show. This is this year's winner, a 1932 Ford. It was created first as a race car and then brought up to show condition.

1934 Ford roadster built in the 1940s style.

This roadster was built as a Cadillac but most of it is completely hand made.

Hot rod created from massive 1937 Lincoln.

This car has body parts from a 1929 Model A, a 1932 Ford and 1935 Ford.  Carol's comment . . . it is a mutt car. — This car has body parts from a 1929 Model A, a 1932 Ford and 1935 Ford. Carol's comment . . . it is a mutt car.

1940 Ford coupe built in early 1940s style.

This is a partially complete roadster on display in one of the builder's booths.  It has many hand made parts. — This is a partially complete roadster on display in one of the builder's booths. It has many hand made parts.

Tiny 1950 Nash Metropolitan with over-sized dragster motor.

Last year's America's Most Beautiful Roadster, built as a Packard but largely hand made.

One of the 8 finalists for Most Beautiful Roadster, a handmade Cadillac.

1932 Ford coupe designed in a late 1960s style.

Aluminum race car with chopped 1937 Ford convertible.

Lavishly painted low rider top and bottom.

An exact copy of the most famous lead sled of all time, the Hirohata Mercury.

Classic deuce three window coupe hot rod.

Stock bodied but hot rodded 1932 roadster.

Two early style low riders, known as 'bombs'.

Ardun hemi-head conversion of traditional Ford flathead motor.

Restored 1950s build was favored by most show-goers to win the top award.

Grand National Roadster Show

Carol Freshley February 15, 2016

Once again Tom heads west to one of his favorite roadster shows. Good thing for us that he loves taking photos of these old 'grands'.