It’s All Grand … National Roadster Show Early Move-In

Take a Look Before the Doors Open to the Public

By Brian Brennan   –   Photography By Author

It’s a “grand” weekend with spectacular weather to welcome the 73rd Annual O’Reilly Grand National Roadster Show held at the Pomona Fairplex in Southern California. Home of the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster’s near 10-foot perpetual trophy and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award, an equally amazing perpetual trophy. Both winners will also receive a check for $12,500, all made possible by ARP Fasteners.

- Advertisement -

02 2023 grand national roadster show move in first look

Look at what’s currently set up with the remainder of today to get all the displays ready for the public opening on Friday at noon. If you can’t make it to the GNRS stay in touch with Modern Rodding here as we will be having coverage of the show throughout the weekend.

03 2023 grand national roadster show move in first look

- Advertisement -

The GNRS is set up among a number of buildings that cover a section of the Pomona Fairplex. Building 4 is the main building housing the AMBR cars and many manufacturer displays. Building 6 is home to the Al Slonaker award.

04 2023 grand national roadster show move in first look

Building 9, this year’s feature building, will be “Keep on Truckin’,” which houses over 100 classic trucks from the past that show the growth in the popularity of the classic truck. This exhibit is sponsored by LMC Truck and Classic Truck Performance (sister publication to Modern Rodding). Showcasing custom and restored trucks from 1948-1998, F-100s, C10s, OBS trucks, mini-trucks, and vans will all be on display. See the ’67 C10 “Copperhead” Built by Stacey David on the TV show Trucks, also Chip Foose’s ’56 F-100 built on the TV show Overhaulin’. Other well-known mini-trucks will be “Lone Ranger,” “Red Rocker,” “Bell Tech Splash,” “Sub Lo,” “Little Hawaiian,” and “Last Look,”, as well as “Octopuses Garden” and “VanGo” vans.

05 2023 grand national roadster show move in first look

- Advertisement -

You should also look at Building 10, which houses the Suede Palace (the old World War II building where tanks were made!), the place for traditional rods and customs and some of the best rockabilly bands playing all weekend long. There is a special awards presentation on Saturday night with custom handmade trophies by different car clubs.

06 2023 grand national roadster show move in first look

Also, outside Building 3 will be the John Ewald Memorial Nitro fire-ups, Friday 12 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 10 a.m.

Don’t miss the coolest outdoor car show that takes place along with the GNRS. In addition to being the largest indoor car show in the world, the show also hosts the 17th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-In. This event will showcase over 900 more cars between the buildings and around the show.

07 2023 grand national roadster show move in first look

There is plenty for all to see. As happens every year the GNRS is shaping up to be something every hot rodder should take in. It’s for sure a Bucket List happening. MR

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Modern Rodding

1000HP LS Engine Built For Street, Strip, & Track

The Best Engine Oil For Your LS Engine By Ron...

Building a One Of A Kind Roadster

Part 1: Rad Rides by Troy Builds a One...

2024 Grand National Roadster Show Names ’32 Ford Phaeton As Winner Of The AMBR

Roy Brizio Street Rods Build Winner Of America’s Most...

2024 Grand National Roadster Show … First Look At AMBR Contenders

Want To See Who Is Competing For America’s Most...

Looking Back at Some of America’s Most Beautiful Roadsters

By Brian Brennan It’s just around the corner … the...

Three Days of Classic Chevy Action at the 2023 Danchuk Tri-Five Nationals

By Tommy Lee Byrd   -   Photography By the Author If...
More Modern Rodding

How To Make Custom Mounts For An Engine Swap

Some Custom Fabrication On the Firewall and Floorboard May...

Art Morrison Chassis For 1967 Nova

Divers Street Rods Installs an Art Morrison Custom Chassis By...

Bob Bauder’s Last Build: ‘32 Ford Pickup

Hot Rod Hero Bob Bauder’s Enduring Influence By Eric Geisert  ...

ISK Ford Ranch Wagon Gets Custom Wheels, Hood, & Wrap Up

Ford Ranch Wagon Project Part 3: Ironworks Speed &...

Parting Shot: Andy Brizio The RodFather

Honored At Celestial Rodding Hall of Fame By Brian Brennan The...

Traditional 1930 Model A Sedan With A Twist

Gerry Kerna’s Award Winning Channeled Model A Sedan By Brian...