For many rod, custom, and motorcycle enthusiasts there has always been one show that was special; its true name is the Grand National Roadster Show, but to lots of old- timers it was simply "Oakland."
While the multiple monikers may seem odd, the fact that the show was held in Oakland, first at the Exposition Building then the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum, referring to it as the Oakland Roadster Show made sense when rodder's logic was applied.
Even when the event moved to the San Francisco Exhibition Center, then the Cow Palace, and finally to San Mateo, the diehards still called it the Oakland Roadster Show. But now that the Grand National has found a home at the Fairplex in Pomona, it may be down to just one name. Besides, both Oakmona and Pomonaland sound silly.
Although the location of the show has changed, one thing that has stayed consistent over the years is the intense competition for a spot on the 9-foot tall, America's Most Beautiful Roadster trophy. Picking one car as the best from the field that this show attracts makes the judge's job as tough as it gets, certainly this year was no exception. And just to keep things interesting, something new was added this year: an award for America's Most Beautiful Motorcycle. Over the years the Grand National developed a reputation for attracting some of the finest bikes in the country, this new category bumped competition up a notch for '05.
Like most car shows it seems there were trophies for just about everything imaginable except best use of angel hair, but there are some very special awards as well: Builder of the Year (won by the SO-CAL Speed Shop) the Chip Foose Award (won by Royce Glader) and the Al Slonaker Award (won by Randy Barger). One of the most prized of the special presentations is the Brizio Family Award. Given to a street rod and owner exemplifying the "drive `em if you got `em" spirit. This year's deserving recipient was Dave Lukkari.
As with most big-time shows, there are a host of ancillary activities. You've got your celebs signing autographs; Paul LeMat and Cindy Williams were there with the American Graffiti '32 Ford and '55 Chevy, Verne Troyer, aka "Mini Me," put in appearances, as did the Raiderettes. And of course there was the obligatory rock band. But hoopla aside, the cars are what the Grand National is known for, and this year the selection was better than ever. Have a look for yourself and see if you don't agree, the Grand National Roadster Show is the Grand Daddy of them all.
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Paul and Erik Hansen commissioned Steve Moal to build this exquisite '32 Ford roadster; it's the '05 AMBR. A former SRM feature car, it's as close to flawless something mechanical can be. |
The perpetual trophy for America's Most Beautiful Roadster, perhaps the most sought after award on the car show circuit. Winning means your name is engraved with all the former recipients. |
Hot-rod history is a big part of the Grand National Roadster Show. Sissy and Roger Morrison won the Bruce Meyer Preservation Award with the restored Berardini Brothers '32 Ford roadster. |
Rick Dore continues to build modern classics; his '34 roadster is a former SRM cover car. Squeeg's Kustoms did the bodywork; the chassis is a Total Cost Involved. A 345-horse 302 Ford is used for power. |
Rolling on chrome wheels and wide whites, the sheetmetal of this '36 three-window is as straight, and as black, as they come. Owners are Jerry and Cissy Lewis. |
Our very own editor, Brian Brennan, entered his new '29 Ford roadster on '32 rails. Hot Rods by Dean was responsible for construction, Dick Megugorac supplied the inspiration. |
Chopped and rolling on Halibrands, this '34 Ford three-window was part of the SO-CAL display. The flawless red paint was accented with "Tommy the Greek" style pinstriping. Nerfs, commercial headlights and a bunch of louvers give it "the look." |
Talk about a blast from the show car past, Ron Kilmer displayed the Lil' Coffin II. It began life as a '32 Ford two-door sedan; under all the carbs is a DeSoto Hemi. |
Jim Lattin's recreation of the legendary Warth-Hilborn racer stopped everyone in his or her tracks. You could almost see it kicking up a dry lakes dust. |
Leonard Lopez of Dominator Street Rods built this smooth '39 Ford convertible for Brent Schieder. The list of body mods is a mile long; under the pancaked hood is an LS1. |
Three of our favorite things in one yellow package, a '32 highboy, a Chrysler Hemi and polished five-spokes. This is another example of SO-CAL Speed Shop's work and is owned by J.J. Barnhardt. |
Trucks don't come any nicer than Don Schumacher's '35 Ford. The fully detailed and polished Flathead wears a pair of 97 Strombergs and Navarro heads. |
Don't look now but the Australians are coming! Rod Hadfield is leading the attack with his P-51 Rolls Royce/Merlin-powered '55 Chevy. |
Here's an outstanding example of how to blend traditional style and contemporary construction techniques; the billet wheels with integral trim rings were just the beginning of the trick stuff on board. Rad Rods by Troy built the '32 Ford from the ground up. |
A former AMBR winner, Tex Smith's XR-6 was on display. Powered by aluminum 225 Slant Six Dodge, the former Hot Rod project is in original condition. Bob Lichty and Gary Brown |
Jeff Bates won First in Class with this Steve Moal-built '29 roadster. If you're going to build a rod with a track nose, study this one. |
Don Prieto's Deuce looks like a hot rod and handles like a sports car. There's independent suspension at both ends and a Lexus engine and trans in between. |
Like we said, the Grand National attracts cool cycles. How about this stripped trike hauling an original board track racer? |
Mickey Galloway and Lucky 7 Customs sliced and diced Robert and Marion Rosenthal's '39 Ford convertible, Roy Brizio put it together, and Daryl Hollenbeck shot the paint. It rolls on cool billet "Gennie" wheels from Wheel Vintiques. |
Steve Moore owns this '31 Ford cabriolet. The A is a real survivor having been rodded years back. It wears a '32 Ford grille shell and is powered by a 292ci Offenhauser equipped Flathead backed by a '39 trans. |
Another Brizio/Hollenbeck collaboration produced this slick '36 Ford 3-window. Under the louvered hood is a 550hp 427 Ford. Jorge Zaragoza is the owner; Mickey Galloway was responsible for the bodywork. |
The subject of a Rides TV show, Hollywood Hot Rods built this '32 for John Riddle. The 467ci Pontiac engine puts out almost 600 hp with 567 lb-ft of torque. Wheels are P&S knock offs. |
The legendary Bill Reasoner used every trick in the customizer's handbook, including fade-away fenders, on Joe and Phyllis Moreno's '41 Ford. Artful Expressions built the Carson-style top. |
Bob and Debbie McDonald own this Brizio-built '39 Ford sedan delivery. Ford all the way through, it uses a 360hp 351, T-5 trans and a 9-inch rearend. |
Dubbed "Rodriguez" this 1930 Ford came all the way to the states from Japan's Paradise Road. The sedan was featured in SRM sans fenders and shiny paint. Engine is an early Olds with a back-draft Rochester carbure |
Dave Lukkari won the coveted Brizio Family Award with his well-traveled Ardun powered '29 modified. You've probably seen Dave and his roadster somewhere on the road. |
This car caused lots of double takes. With the Ford grille shell some show-goers didn't realize this three-window was a Chevrolet. Detailing on Theo Kuyper's coupe was outstanding, note the eight-stack injectors. |
Randy Dubb's blown small-block powered '42 Willys was featured in the July '73 issue of Rod Action. Our very own Brian Brennan shot the photos. |
Richard Riddle had his '25 Dodge on display. There are lots of cool pieces here including big-block Mopar power, under slung-chassis, and super-sized disc wheels. |
Proving yet again that Right Coast guys build cool cars, Keith Cornell brought his chopped three-window, Ken Schmidt the 575 coupe, and in the middle is their Rolling Bones Race Team B'ville roadster. |
For a young man, Robert Lomas built a'34 Ford three-window the way a gray beard would. Chopped and channeled, an early Cad engine is hooked to a Borg-Warner four-speed and a Halibrand quick change. |