THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW RETURNS TO THE FAIRPLEX IN POMONA JANUARY 28-30, 2022
The 72nd annual event includes over 600 show cars competing for top honors including the “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” and “Al Slonaker Memorial” awards and features a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford as well as a massive showcase of classic Volkswagens.
Pomona, Calif. (December 16, 2021) – The Grand National Roadster Show, where hundreds of the best hot rods, customs, lowriders, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles from across the country gather, returns to the Fairplex in Pomona on January 28-30, 2022. Founded in 1949, the longest continually running indoor car show in the world will feature over 1,000 vehicles as well as special exhibitions featuring the iconic ’32 Ford and “A Gathering of Hot VWs” with vintage Volkswagens.
The Grand National Roadster Show draws a diverse selection of cars to the Fairplex each year. This year, 12 roadsters from the top builders in the country will compete for the coveted “Americas Most Beautiful Roadster” (AMBR) award. The winner will receive the $12,500 prize and their name on the nine-foot-tall perpetual trophy provided on behalf of award sponsor ARP Fasteners, as well as a smaller version of the nine-foot trophy to take home. Previous AMBR award winners include legendary builders like Boyd Coddington, George Barris, Chip Foose, Blackie Gejeian and 2020 winner Monte Belsham built by Squeeg Kustoms.
In addition to the AMBR competitors, approximately one dozen custom vehicles will compete for the “Al Slonaker Memorial Award,” which is awarded to the best car or truck that is not competing for the AMBR award. This year’s winner will be presented with their name on the 4.5-foot-tall billet perpetual trophy built by sponsor ARP Fasteners as well as the $12,500 prize and a smaller version of the big trophy to take home.
“We’re very excited to be back after the pandemic forced the cancellation of the show in 2021,” said John Buck, producer of the Grand National Roadster Show. “Our partnership with ARP brings so much to the table for 2022 and is helping to make this year’s event one of the most competitive and exciting shows we have ever hosted. Between the ‘Americas Most Beautiful Roadster’ award and the ‘Al Slonaker Memorial Award,’ we are expecting some of the most beautiful and interesting custom vehicles in the world.”
In addition to the AMBR and Al Slonaker Memorial awards, the Grand National Roadster Show features a full award line-up designed to celebrate excellence and craftsmanship in custom car building. Those competing for the AMBR and Al Slonaker Award must debut their finished cars at the Grand National Roadster Show, meaning competitors will not know what other vehicles they are competing against until opening day. The full awards list can be viewed on the Rod Shows website here.
The 2022 Grand National Roadster show also celebrates the 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford presented by C.W. Moss & So-Cal Speed Shop. Known as “The Deuce,” The ‘32 Ford is a quintessential car in the world of hot rodding and its unique design and rarity have led to the construction of some of the most iconic and sought after hot rods ever built.
There is a reserved parking area for those ‘32s registered for the “Grand Daddy Drive-In” outside. The show also features a building called “A Gathering of Hot VWs” presented by Hot VWs Magazine and EMPI. This special gathering will also take place at the “Grand Daddy Drive-In” parking area. Registration for ’32s at the “Grand Daddy Drive-In” and “A Gathering of Hot VWs” at the Grand Daddy Drive-In is available on the Rod Shows website here.
The Grand National Roadster Show runs from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, 2022. General admission tickets (13 years old and up) are $25 per day, junior admission tickets (6-12 years old) are $10 per day and children under five enter free. Parking on-site is $15. There will also be numerous food vendors throughout the event providing a large variety of food and beverage options for attendees.
For more information about the Grand National Roadster Show, please visit www.rodshows.com/gnrs/.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of AutoCentric Media, the parent company to Timeless Muscle Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the magazine’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next round modifications for his own cars.
