Grand National Roadster Show Returns February 2-4

You’d be hard pressed to name a custom car show with more history and prestige than the GNRS.

Since 1950, the Grand National Roadster Show has served as a standard-bearer for traditional hot rod culture. After all, it’s here where America’s Most Beautiful Roadster is crowned. The AMBR trophy is arguably the single most prestigious custom car show award in the world. A win at the GNRS legitimizes a custom shop and validates thousands of hours of work and a six-figure build. Previous winners include Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose. It’s no exaggeration that this award is a career-maker.

Now in its 74th year, the GNRS has remained true to its roots. It’s an elite show that displays the best of what America’s custom car builders can produce. This historic show returns, once again, to the Pomona Fairplex from February 2 through 4. Attendees will see more than just the most impressive hot rods in America. They’ll also be treated to a smorgasbord of customs, lowriders, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Since 1974, the GNRS has also awarded the Al Slonaker Award to find America’s most beautiful non-roadster. Since this class is open to postwar cars, there’s a bit more variety from the usual Ford Model Ts, Model As, and Deuces. You’ll find hot rods, sure – coupes, sedans, and pickups this time – as well as street machines and customs. In fact, two Dodge Chargers are in the running to win the Al Slonaker award this year.

Hot Rods and Customs Everywhere!

In addition to new builds gunning for awards, there will also be a “Custom Room” displaying legendary custom cars. Some of the most influential hot rods from history will be there, built by icons such as George Barris and Gene Winfield.

In addition, you can visit the Suede Room to be transported back to the glory days of hot rodding from the ’40s through to the ’60s. We expect to see quite a few old Fords with early Hemi power. After all, it was a popular upgrade back in the day.

There’s also a live pinstripe auction, where top artists will create pinstripe art and auction it off for charity all weekend. They’re not just striping dashboards and decklids – they’ll be adding a touch of style to anything from bowling pins to laptop computers.

Even if you aren’t a huge fan of hot rod culture, the GNRS should be a bucket list item for any car enthusiast. Trust us – if you haven’t been at least once, you’re missing out. You can buy your tickets online by visiting rodshows.com/gnrs or calling 877-763-7469. We hope to see you there!

Photos: Grand National Roadster Show

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.
He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.
In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.
You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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