L. A. Fairplex at Pomona, CA
Friday, January 25, 2013
Story by Richard Parks, Photographs by Roger Rohrdanz

 

The 2013 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) began on Friday 1-25-13 with owner John Buck briefing the media on this show’s points of interest. Building 9 had Woodies, Wagons and created the theme of Aloha for the entire event. The AMBR award is presented by the L.A.Roadsters. Over 85 writers and photographers were covering the GNRS. John and Annika Buck have found ways to improve on every show that they have produced.

Between Friday & Sunday 35,000 spectators came to see the “The Grand Daddy of Them All!” More than 500 show vehicles were housed in 8 buildings. They can only be here once, next year will be all different show vehicles. Another 500 plus cars joined the event Saturday & Sunday with the Grand Daddy Drive-In. America’s Most Beautiful Roadster will be crowned here. America’s Most Beautiful Motorcycle will be crowned here. The Pinstripers Charity Auction raised $31,000. for the Lili Clair Foundation. Cackle cars fire up every day. The Model Car contest is definitely worth a look. Also worth a look was the Polynesian Show in the Woodies building. The Trophy Queen Contest in the Suede Palace was great. Vicky Tafoya & the Big Beat band was amazing in the Suede Palace. Over 100 Woodies & Wagons in one building with the theme of “The Spirit of Aloha”.

Vendors occupied the buildings and they also had outside displays and booths. There was a large variety of things to see and buy including, silk screening, tee shirts, wheels, tool chests, clothes, headers, tires, model planes/cars/boats and trucks, head and rear tail lights, books, magazines, plating companies, auto parts, chassis, engines, grills, pans, shocks, auto restorations, and much more.

Thanks for the Show!
 

Car Images Album 1: This year’s event logo	Building #4 - The America’s Most Beautiful Roadster trophy.	Building #4 prior to spectators entering
	Building #4 after to spectators have entered	This beautifully crafted, barely recognizable, ’69 Ford Torino is now the GPT (Geo. Poteet Toys) Special. Built by Troy Trepanier.
	Mr. George Poteet.	Steve Moal (L) taking with George Poteet.
Power provided from this Boss 529 Ford	As usual, Blackie Geijian was on-hand	Chico of Mooneyes
Shige Suganuma of Mooneyes	Of course it’s black, Bobby Alloway built it. Power is provided by a 427 SOHV Ford.
	2013 “Builder of the Year” Bobby Alloway	A Boss 429 Ford powered ’65 Ford Fairlane
		This ’23 Ford track “T” won the 1951 AMBR. It is very similar to the ’27 Ford track “T” that won this year. Both ran a V8-60 motor.
		A very nice “Oval” or “Lakes” race car
Rick Dorr’s latest project was debuted on Friday
		Marcel Deley the master metal man that created the body.
“American Speed ‘33” a Ford convertible owned by Bill Coulter of Paradise Valley, AZ.
Barry & Karen Meguiar were on-hand.	Grand National Show owners John and Annika Buck have been improving the show every year.	Gasser Building - Leon Fitzgerald’s “Pure Heaven”.
Glenn Way from Arcadia, CA. brought his recently restored blown Hemi powered altered.		John Cesareo from Yorba Linda brought his restored “Pioneer I” high school auto shop project.
The legendary “Stone Woods & Cook” Willys	Ted Radoumis brought his immaculate ’41 Willys Pickup.	“High & Mighty” ’50 Plymouth coupe is driven by Paul Soliz.
More race cars in the Gassers building.		Building #5 (Customs) - Building 5 prior to spectators entering.
Building 5 after spectators were let in.	Owners Jim & Helga Noteboom call this a “49 Cadillac Phantom Wagon.
		Legendary Bill Hinds signed some autographs
“The Mariani Merc” came to this show from Danbury, CT. Rick Bennett owns the custom ’51 Merc.
D’Agostino inot known for being conservative. “Sophia” is a great example		The ’40 Cadillac was transformed into a tribute to Sophia Loren
This hot rod started life as a ’56 Austin London taxi. Owned by Eric “Cash Only” Conner from El Cajon, CA.
With 4 banger power, it’s not going anywhere fast	This radical customized ’39 Lincoln Zephyr is owned by Louie Hekstra of Lake Havasu City, AZ.
This radical custom ’60 Dodge Dart belongs to Justin Hills from New South Wales, Australia. Left hand drive?
Building #7 (Hot Rods & Street Rods) - Building 7 before spectators	Extreme Automotive was located here	This very classy “.38 Special” is a topless ’38 Ford owned by George Sepulveda.
	Building #8 (Hot Rods & Street Rods) - The spectators are in building 8	Owner George Victoria brought all the pieces of his amazing ’65 Chevy Impala from Downey, CA. to building 8.
	A ‘51 Merc radical hardtop owned by Glenn Necessary of Canyon Country, CA. Check out the Merc in the engine compartment
“The Beast” is Gary Wales’ 6 cylinder, 900 ci, 1919 La Bestioni from Woodland Hills, CA. Nice “Beast” radiator cap!
		Building #9 (Woodies, Wagons, and Spirit of Aloha) - Building 9 before spectators.
	Building 9 with spectators.	Over 100 vehicles on display
Larry Wood wouldn’t miss this show	An unrestored ’34 Ford Woodie owned by Kevin Preciado from Temple City, CA.
Chuck & Janice Elliott from San Juan Capistrano brought their very rare yellow 1961 Trailorboat. Towed by their ’51 Merc Woodie.	This special ’46 Ford Sportsman is owned by Richard Akerblom of Los Angeles