While Labor Day typically signals the end of summer, looks like the middle of September now means one thing: the Grand National Truck Show (GNTS) at the Fairplex in Pomona.
Straight on the heels of my Nashville getaway the weekend prior, it was off to my backyard retreat in nearby L.A. county for four days. Granted, the event’s only two days (Saturday to Sunday), but seeing as I not only participate in the judging process for World’s Most Beautiful Truck (WMBT), which occurs on Thursday, but also had the honor of displaying my 1948 Chevy (for the first time in public … ever), which needed to be set up in our booth Friday … well, you do the math!
This year, the GNTS attracted 11 contenders for the WMBT; everything from the Pete & Jakes 50th tribute 1934 Ford, the “California Kid Express,” to a behemoth of a 1966 Chevy C60 ramp truck by Lakeside Customs, to the eventual winner, Ed Ganzinotti’s 1956 Ford—the very truck started by legendary Fat Jack Robinson and finished in award-winning fashion by Classic Car Studio! (Look for an upcoming feature on this AND Ed’s other Fat Jack Effie soon!) Also in the running and well-deserving of WMBT honors were the incredible C10 from Hot Rods by Dean, a beyond-smooth Ford F-1 by Ron Jones Garage, an amazing 1953 Chevy freshly finished up by Justified Performance, and, regardless of where you stand with Rancheros/El Caminos being “trucks,” Leo Cid’s 1957 Ranchero with some flawless paintwork by my old friend Marcos Garcia at Lucky 7 Customs.
A new feature at this year’s GNTS was the Steve Stillwell Memorial Award, created to honor the legacy of one of my old mentors and the man behind Truckin’ magazine. Chosen by the Stillwell family, the inaugural award was given to Mark Quesada and his 1956 Ford F-100. Additionally, 2024 saw the acknowledgement of Dino Battilana (of Dino’s Git-Down) as the Trendsetter of the Year.
Thanks to the folks at ARP (especially for the WMBT trophy), Roadster Shop, LMC Truck, and Maita Motorsports for their support in making the 2nd annual Grand National Truck Show even happen.
As mentioned, I was beyond honored to have my humble hauler on display in our In The Garage Media booth, and that would not have been possible without Old Anvil Speed Shop finishing up both their articulating bed and the Air Lift/FLO Airride system literally hours before setup day. Next year, fingers crossed, it’ll be here at the show again (September 13-14, 2025)—as my transportation to and from! Until then …
