Last weekend was the 61st Annual Grand National Roadster Show. There are tons of pictures of the great cars that were there on the web already. In Building 9 there was a special exhibit this year featuring the “History of Race Cars. Landspeed guys were well represented with old and new alike and it was fun sitting there and watching folks walk up and say I remember that or wow it's really cool, what is it, or how fast will it go. If you looked a little deeper at the cars scattered around the other buildings and outside you can see how the dry lakes cars of the past and present have influenced builders. It should be taken as a big compliment that their toys have set trends in style that will never go away. If you've ever been to one of these shows it's overwhelming. So many cool rides and one out-does the next and next and before long your head is swimming with ideas.
Wear the most comfortable shoes you can find. The Grand National Roadster Show is like a candy store for hot rodders and you will definitely see everything that you could possibly ever want to see, and walk a lot farther than you thought you would. John Buck, a local Southern California guy, is the event promoter. Producing a show as large and complex as the Grand National Roadster Show is no easy matter as you try to keep everyone—vendors, exhibitors and car enthusiasts—all happy. That Buck has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams is a testament to his love of beautiful cars and his friends in the business.
The Show actually begins on Wednesday and Thursday, at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, California, as the exhibitors, vendors and officials arrive to set up their booths and cars. The event then opens to the public on Friday, and runs through Sunday, when the winners are announced and the awards and trophies are handed out. We arrived on Friday morning to a long line of cars waiting to enter and set up their exhibits. We found the entrance and there to meet us was Buck. He seemed to know each and every contestant, and something about the men and their cars. Although the stress on opening day was telling, John and his crew personally welcomed every exhibitor who came through the gate.
Spectacular cars are the name of the game, but those competing for the illustrious America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award topped the list. The field of contenders for the AMBR this year was amazing! They ranged from a car owned by Brule Hampton of Moline, IL that he built at home in his two car garage - to cars like “Possessed “ by Scotts Hot Rod Shop, and the fabulous Jerry Magnuson car designed and built by a team of our industries most talented people.
The winner was “Possessed” a 33 Ford built to incorporate the original style of the car with a flair from the European craftsmen of that era. What a wonderful job they did !
Thanks for the Show!
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