Homer and Mary Zamora’s 1957 Pontiac Safari, built by Kenny’s Rod Shop, features a Scott’s Hotrods & Customs chassis powered by a 6.2L LS3 engine with a 4L80E trans.
At the very top of the Northwest United States, Washington is the last state on the West Coast before crossing the border into British Columbia, Canada. The 10th Annual Spokane Speed and Custom Show for 2026 was held April 10-12 entirely inside the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, which housed eight buildings and featured over 400 entries from surrounding states and western provinces.
Tony DeMarco from Hayden, ID, owns a metallic blue 1930 Ford Tudor sedan. Powered by a Tri-power small-block Chevy with polished Speedway stainless steel Ram Horn exhaust and Moon-finned no-name valve covers.
The weather offered short bouts of sunshine, filtered in with occasionally chilly rain, so spending the day inside eight heated buildings checking out the show was rather pleasant. One of the food vendors was Longhorn Barbecue, so we had a great lunch. After locating the six entries in the ARP West Coast Challenge Series and shooting a variety of different angles, we returned to the show entrance and took a closer look at the second car in line, Sue and Tad Leach’s bright PPG yellow 1956 Lincoln Premiere. The Lincoln is based on a concept illustration penned by British Columbia illustrator Murray Komant.
Lucky Seven finalist from Calgary, Alberta, Jeff and Karen Way’s 1969 Camaro. Won Best Custom Semi Hardtop Sedan. Powered by a fully polished 560hp LS3 with T56 six-speed trans, and a Currie 9-inch with 4.11 gears. Painted in House of Kolor Razberry Pearl.
More than 90 awards were presented at the Spokane Speed and Custom Show, ranging from the City of Spokane Valley Mayor’s Pick, which went to Barry Barns’ 1959 Corvette, to the Producers’ Pick, show promoter Brian Anderson’s pick to drive home, Tanner Wood’s 1934 Ford roadster. Five Outstanding Display awards were given, three to entries in the ARP West Coast Challenge and two to competitors in the main show. For the ARP West Coast Challenge, the winners were Monica Fitzel’s 1937 Ford pickup, the Butts’ 1957 Chevrolet convertible, and Peter Andresen’s right-hand-drive 1958 Corvette. In open competition, competing by class, Tad Leach’s 1956 Lincoln “Lucille” garnered Outstanding Display, Best Full Radical Handbuilt, and Outstanding Paint.
A 1932 Ford five-window coupe belonging to Jim Boorman spent 20 years collecting parts to build this perfectly recreated clone of THX 138 John Milner’s Deuce coupe, starring in 1973’s American Graffiti.
The Spokane Speed and Custom Show is an integral part of a five-show circuit spanning three states, beginning in California at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona. From Pomona, the circuit moves to Oregon for the Portland Roadster Show. Next is the Spokane Speed and Custom Show, the only show in Washington, followed by the Medford Rod & Custom Show in Oregon. The finale, where the major awards and prize money are presented, is the 75th Annual Sacramento Autorama.
Buried under 2 gallons of clear, Dave and Michelle Hooker’s purple ’flake 1955 Chevy Handyman two-door wagon with a vinyl ’flake interior. Powered by a 6-71-blown 350 Chevy mated to an M22 “rock crusher” four-speed.
The Crème de la Crème: not only do these five indoor shows attract the nation’s best show vehicles but attending one or all of them is a great way to enjoy the unique flavor local builders express in distinctive regional styles. Special guest appearances for 2026: Noted fine artist/car builder Dave Shuten and “The California Flash” Butch Leal.
The Spokane Cup Lucky Seven finalists were Charlie and Alanna Butts with a 1957 Chevy convertible, Gary Holyoak with a big-window 1963 Chevy C10, Monica and Willy Fitzel with a 1937 Ford pickup, Peter Andresen with a right-hand-drive 1958 Corvette, Homer Zamora with a 1957 Pontiac Safari wagon, and Jeff and Karen Way with a 1969 Camaro.
Lucky Seven finalist from Calgary, Alberta, Jeff and Karen Way’s 1969 Camaro. Won Best Custom Semi Hardtop Sedan. Powered by a fully polished 560hp LS3 with T56 six-speed trans, and a Currie 9-inch with 4.11 gears. Painted in House of Kolor Razberry Pearl.
Hugh Tucker’s 1928 Chevy street roadster, a five-time National Championship holder. One-off custom fiberglass body with aluminum hood and 1932 Ford grille shell. Powered by a 671 Jimmy-blown 430-inch 1956 Chrysler Hemi.
Bryan and Annie Baxter of Forest Grove, OR’s 1953 Chevy Bel Air “Abracadabra” was bought new in Pendleton, OR, and customized in 1955. In 1958, Nick Hicks tuck ’n’ rolled the interior.
Brian Kelly of Cashmere, WA’s 1932 Ford three-window coupe. Bought new in Spokane, it was bought in 1951 with 38,000 original miles. In 1955, powered by a Desoto Hemi, it ran 154.63 mph at Bonneville.
From Delta, British Columbia, Canada, Keith and Jan Biddlecombe’s 1932 Ford highboy roadster “Nail-it,” built by Cam Grant, powered by a 1966 425-inch Buick Nailhead with three-twos. T5 five-speed trans with Winters quick-change rearend.
Clay and Scottie Julian from St. Maries, ID, brought their 2-inch chopped 1934 Ford four-door sedan, which was awarded Modern Rodding Editor’s Pick at the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show, and is powered by a 351W Ford with Lokar-shifted C4.
Full Custom Rod Sedan class. Bob Roberts of Auburn, WA’s 1940 Lincoln Zephyr, the “Blue Dragon,” powered by a Brian Loder–built 465-inch/540hp BBC mated to a beefed 700-R4.
Car collector Jerry Logan is a Kustom Kulture preservationist. His 1951 Shoebox Ford X-51 was originally built and owned by Ron Courtney of McMinnville, OR. Radical body mods include a 5-inch section, nosed, decked, and shaved body.
Brothers Dale and Wayne Gibson finished Wayne and Gail’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air two-door hardtop, a car that sat dormant for 12 years in storage, in two-tone Seamist Green and Ivory White.
Dan Holmes and Tim Norman’s 1956 Chevy Bel Air “Madame FiFi” is a faithful tribute to the Headers Car Club member’s “Madame FeFe,” powered by a 1957 Chrysler 392 Hemi with a 1937 LaSalle transmission.
Tad Leach’s 1956 Lincoln Premiere “Lucille” cleaned up, winning Outstanding Paint, Outstanding Display, and Best Full Radical Handbill Award. Art Morrison chassis, Roush Performance 427, Borla eight-stack EFI, and paint by Platinum Unlimited.
Dan Weaver’s 1956 Packard “The Caribbean,” built by Oz Welch at Oz Kustoms, painted by Marcos Garcia at Lucky 7 Customs, and upholstered by Bob Divine at Divine’s Custom Interiors.
John Craig’s 1957 Olds Super 88 two-door hardtop from Spokane Valley, powered by a BBC 502 with a 700-R4 automatic overdrive transmission and a 3.04 Posi. Finished in two-tone PPG Black Cherry and Champagne, upholstered in Espresso leather.
This 1961 BSA non-unit 650cc Super Rocket is owned by Jerry Ennis of Greenacres, WA. As built in the mid ’60s with Akront alloy wheels, TT pipes, and a leather cobra-style seat, flamed by Bob McCoy.
Current owner John Foxley’s 1962 Pontiac “Atomic Creamsicle” is a Lucky 7 Customs recreation of Richard Zocchi’s 1962 Pontiac, originally built by Gene Winfield. Zocchi commissioned Winfield to recreate his car from 1962.
“Boosted Bertha” Big-Window Shortbed Fleetside 1963 Chevy C10 powered by a Mast Motorsports LS mated to a beefed-up TCI 4L80 automatic overdrive transmission. AccuAir-controlled bags damped with QA1 coilers. Stopping is assisted by a CPP Street Beast HydraStop.
Winner in the 25 or Younger Class, Sawyer Tannehill got this 1965 Chevy Impala from his folks as a high school graduation present. Tannehill bagged it, installed an Iron Block LS, and painted it five days before the Spokane show opened.
Built by OCD Customs, Chris Leigh’s Restomod 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible is powered by a stroked 400 to 461 and a TREMEC TKX five-speed transmission. Curtis Speed supplied the one-off, Pontiac-style billet wheels, while the paint came from Auto Paint Plus in Post Falls, ID.
Outstanding Display winner Arnold Scheffer’s 1967 Ford Econoline, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Built by Epic Rod & Custom, this former Unibody now rides on a custom chassis and is finished in Pearl White paint by Casalta Customs.
Lonny Gilbertson’s stunning tribute to Larry Watson’s 1960 Thunderbird. Watson would flip out. Instead of blue Murano pearl over white acrylic lacquer, Gilbertson’s T-bird is in PPG polyurethane sourced from a Toyota truck color chart.
From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Kevin Marklw’s 1930 Model A Ford Tudor earned Duck’s Speed Shop/Mooneyes Pick. Powered by a 1949 331-inch Cadillac with three Stromberg 94 carbs on an Edelbrock intake manifold.
Stan Canter of The Dukes joined the club’s 80th anniversary celebration at the 10th Annual Spokane Speed and Custom Show, exhibiting his 1933 Ford phaeton powered by a 400-inch SBC with a TH350 trans.
Dwayne Mills, a Canadian member of the Dukes Car Club, has been showing his super sanitary 1948 GMC five-window pickup for 30 years. The sky blue “Jimmy” has been shaved, Frenched, and lowered.
Charlie and Alanna Butts’ Candy Red 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible, built and custom painted by Roseville Rod & Custom, is mounted on an Art Morrison chassis powered by an LT4 with a 4L80E trans.
Custom-machined parts by York Speed Shop, top and interior by Roseville Rod & Custom. Chrome by Sherm’s Custom Plating, Budnik billet wheels.
“The Duomo” Steve Castellano’s 1956 Ford F-100 panel built by Fat Fender Garage on a Porterbuilt chassis. Schott five-spoke wheels, Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes.
Custom Burnt Orange paint and graphics by Fat Fender Garage. Diamond-pattern interior features dual A/C, Dakota Digital gauges, and Sony ES audio.
Homer and Mary Zamora’s 1957 Pontiac Safari, built by Kenny’s Rod Shop, features a Scott’s Hotrods & Customs chassis powered by a 6.2L LS3 engine with a 4L80E trans.
Stunning mica-pearl-blue custom paint by Shawn McNally of Regenerated Rides. Custom interior designed and crafted by Tracy Weaver of Recovery Room Interiors.
“HardCor” Peter Andresen’s avocado pearl with mint coves, a 1958 right-hand-drive Corvette built by Fast Eddie’s Race Cars and Hot Rods.
Custom-built bucket seats, full leather interior. The console houses a six-speed transmission mated to a supercharged 2013 Corvette ZR1 LS9 6.2L engine. Show chrome by Advanced Plating.
Monica and Willy Fitzel’s root beer pearl 1937 Ford 1/2-ton pickup by Lakeview Rod & Custom. Extensive metalwork to the cab includes a 3 1/2-inch chop.
Interior appointments include a 1940 Ford dashboard and steering wheel, metal-formed door panels. Bob Campbell stitched the diamond pleat leather upholstery. Floor shifter routes to a T5 five-speed stick overdrive trans.
Shop truck turned show truck, Gary Holyoak’s 1963 Chevy C10 features a Roadster Shop chassis rolling on Schott wheels shod with Michelin tires. Powered by a Don Hardy LS3/six-speed stick.
Interior designed by HS Customs, stitched by Seams Impossible. Resto-mod A/C, Dakota Digital gauges, Kenwood head unit feeding Focal speakers, subs, and an amp.
A 1932 Ford five-window coupe belonging to Jim Boorman spent 20 years collecting parts to build this perfectly recreated clone of THX 138 John Milner’s Deuce coupe, starring in 1973’s American Graffiti.
Tony DeMarco from Hayden, ID, owns a metallic blue 1930 Ford Tudor sedan. Powered by a Tri-power small-block Chevy with polished Speedway stainless steel Ram Horn exhaust and Moon finned no-name valve covers.
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