It’s the night before the noise. Thursday was move-in day at the 2018 O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show. When the day started, the numerous fairground buildings of the Fairplex in Pomona, California, were empty and quiet. Only a few banners and the familiar red, white, and blue partitions gave a hint that the 69th annual “Grandaddy of Them All” would be invading soon. Sure enough, trailers started pulling in unloading precious cargo in the from of world-class hot rods, customs, classic trucks, street machines, custom bikes, lowriders, and every other variety (just about) of classic custom automobiles.
STREET RODDER has been at the show since Wednesday, when we covered the arrival of the 15 amazing roadsters competing for the GNRS’s most coveted award, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (read alll about it at hotrod.com). Thursday we were back to watch the participating vehicles roll in and set up for when the doors open on Friday morning to welcome the general public to this prominent automotive event.
The AMBR competition going on in Building 4 is just one part of the Grand National Roadster Show. A couple buildings away in Building 7, spectators will find row after row of fantastic hot rods. Custom cars will be displayed all over the event, but especially in Building 5. In Building 6, Rolling Bones will be displaying some great examples of new traditional rods, along with more participants. Car clubs gravitate to Building 8, where their rides are displayed. Building 9 is typically a themed corral of cars. This year’s theme is 100 American Muscle Cars. Building 10 will be transformed into the Suede Palace for three days of owner-built nostalgic rides, with club judging, unique awards, and great live music.Out in the sunshine between all those buildings, GNRS welcomes local rodders to the Saturday and Sunday Drive-In portion of the show. The Pinstriper’s Gathering and Charity Auction, and the Pin-Up Contest will draw spectators back to the main hall in Building 4.
In addition to providing coverage, STREET RODDER will be selecting our favorite rods for the Painless Performance/STREET RODDER Top 100 award. We will also awarding one Blue Oval vehicle with the Ford Performance Best Ford In A Ford award.
We hope to see you at the 69th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show. Otherwise you can see the show here at streetrodder.com. STREET RODDER willl be at the GNRS daily, covering the action and bringing it to you via Facebook, Facebook Live, and the STREET RODDER website.
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