We kicked off 2022 with a trip to Southern California for the Grand National Roadster Show. Dubbed “The Granddaddy of Them All,” the massive event brings hundreds of North America’s top cars to the Pomona Fairplex for a weekend of epic proportions.
From the moment we walked through the front gate, we were surrounded by cars on all sides. Hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, lowriders, you name it—it was there.
Originally held in Oakland, California, the Roadster Show has been a hot rodding staple since its start in 1950. These days, it’s bigger than ever.
Walking around the Fairplex, it feels as if you’re at half a dozen different cars shows. Eleven roadsters battling for the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title (and the nine-foot trophy). Twelve new builds competing for the ARP Al Slonaker Memorial Award. Chopped and channeled hot rods fill the Suede Palace as surf rock plays in the background. The 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford on one side and a lowrider display on the other. There’s a room filled with custom VW’s, a pinstripers jamboree, and a nitro-burning front engined dragster that shoots flames into the night sky.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster
The 2022 Al Slonaker Winner
The Grand National Roadster Show is very much alive, and we were excited to take it all in this weekend. We’re looking forward to seeing what next year has in store. In the meantime, here’s a gallery of some of our favorites from Pomona.
