Up next BURLEY WOODS | ’63 Chevy C10 Published on June 18, 2020 Author JASON R. SAKURAI Tags America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, GNRS, grand national roadster, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 The Best Trucks from the Grand National Roadster Show Few indoor shows boast the storied history of the Grand National Roadster Show, and in its 71st annual iteration, held Jan. 24-26 in Pomona, California, once again it did not disappoint. Contenders for “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” award may have been the center of attention, but our focus was on the trucks that were entered. What the GNRS might have lacked in quantity, it certainly made up for in quality. The array of trucks present this year were among the finest in the Western U.S., with a few brought from even further, such is the attraction of this particular event. At the L.A. County Fairgrounds’ Fairplex, where the show takes place, each building had a prevailing theme. Building 4, where the AMBR contenders were located, had the most foot traffic of all, and it was also where the Pinstriper’s Gathering and Auction took place. In Building 9, “Drag Racing Then and Now” was the theme and Building 10 was home to the “Suede Palace,” which was dedicated to traditional rods and customs. Trucks were displayed throughout the Fairplex, some more closely aligned with the theme of that hall or the grouping of vehicles competing for awards in their respective categories. Set in mostly sunny Southern California in relative proximity to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Hollywood, the attractions that caught our attention were contained inside the Fairplex. If you haven’t been before, it’s a must-see for any automotive enthusiast. The GNRS certainly keeps us coming back year after year, and looking at the trucks captured in these pages, we think you’ll agree it’s worth the effort to get there. Standley Bros. Hot Rods built “Just A Big Ol’ Fiascoe,” Jeff & Jaime Chambers ’47 Ford COE with a 383/700R4 powertrain, Holley Sniper EFI, PPG paint and Magnaflow exhaust. “Fat Jack” Robinson’s famed ’51 Ford F-1, nicknamed “Too Low Too Fast.” Cool ’40 Ford Woody out of Zane Cullen’s Cotati Speed Shop in Santa Rosa, California. Adam Bateman, no doubt enjoying not being in Minnesota at Wizards’ HQs. Let’s face it—the new Bronco is not going to be as cool as the original, this one in Stroppe Baja Bronco livery John Young’s blue metal-flaked ’86 Chevy G10 full-size Van, a House of Klear showcase. Fresno, California’s Mike Scelzi had his baby blue ’57 Chevy 3100 on display. LS engine nestled in the ’57’s tidy engine bay. Check out the exhaust tucked up into the bumpers on the ’49 F-1. Emily Bradsher, aka Miss Ricochet Red, laying down some lines at the Pinstriper’s Gathering. Caught in a moment (L-R) Steve Strope, Tim Foss, and Michael Hamrick. South City Rod & Custom restored Bob Panella’s ’41 Willys Gasser pickup. ’49 Ford F-1 pickup by Dinuba, California’s Double Z Hot Rods, in almost completed form. United Pacific’s all original style ’32 Ford Truck steel cab assembly got us thinking of a new project, and probably you too. “Consuming Fire,” Jeff Roberts’ O.S.T. Customs built, Chris Harwood painted ’67 El Camino really caught our attention. Wes Doktor’s ’56 Bel Air pickup, powered by a 5th Gen LT-1, rolls on Curtis custom wheels, with Starside Design paint. How about something a little different? Vincent Mayeda’s ’63 C10 is powered by a 400 Pontiac from BMS Racing Engines, with the bodywork and chassis by Mayeda Motorsports. The 400 Pontiac in Mayeda’s C10 has A/C and all the other accouterments. Lowriding is big here, and Carl Gioiosa’s ’72 C10 represented this segment well. Media passes for the GNRS are earned, not bought. For that finishing touch, try Billet Badges, renown for reproduction and custom badging. At Rich Evans’ Huntington Beach Body Works, this Bronco was finished using Vintage Flatz. Hailing from Napoleon, Ohio, Ron Ernsberger’s ’36 Willys PU is Arias Hemi powered! No doubt a work in progress from the Jimenez Bros., a ’40 Chevy pickup in metal. Mark Sands’ ’70 C10 has a 502 CI big block under the hood, perfect for freeway flying. Ed Borge’s ’80 Square Body is covered in PPG Mango Tango Toxic Orange, with its Showwheels Streeter wheels powder coated in Gold Haze and wrapped in Falken tires. It’s the “Bomb” alright—Salvador Sierra III’s lowriding ’36 Ford from Porterville, California. ompton, California’s Tim Sharp’s ’57 Chevy Stepside is smooth, clean and classy. ’49 Merc Flathead, C4 automatic and an 8-inch Ford rearend comprises the drivetrain on Bob Diehl’s ’29 Ford PU, a shop truck and push car at Kearney Bowl and Clovis Speedway. Veazie Bros. Fabrication’s burgundy ’32 Ford 3W Pickup was a period piece for that era. We don’t know who owns this ’65 Dodge D100 Stepside that’s nearing completion, but we wish it was ours! Wayne Patrick’s ’56 Big Window Ford has a 428 CJ with Doug Holmburg headers, 5-speed Tremec tranny, and a quarter sawn oak bed. Metalwork on this beauty is by Eddie Woods. Dart 427, Hilborn EFI, GM 4L65E tranny, and a Strange 9-inch rear came together at Gilbert, Arizona’s Speed Sports, with Kandyshop painting Clint Tinker’s ’53 Thames Panel Truck. Ron Lagorio’s ’67 C10 has a LS1/T56, Hill’s Rod & Custom chassis, and a yellow color you don’t often see. Scott Cooper’s ‘70 Chevy El Camino, with attention to detail taken to another level.