Pomona car show
The Fat Attack exhibit at GNRS 2026 rolled in with curves, chrome, and attitude, and at the heart of it all was the undeniable legacy of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts. Pete Chapouris and Jim Jacobs didn’t just make parts — they made a movement, showing the world that 1935–1948 fat-fender cars could be bold, street-ready, and built to impress. With Fat Jack Robinson riding shotgun in the history books, these curvy machines were a mix of drivable street heroes and jaw-dropping showpieces, proving there’s room for both in the fat-fender world.
Under the bright lights of the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, surrounded by some of the finest hot rods and customs ever assembled, one car quietly—and decisively—rose to the top. Dennis Troggio’s 1955 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, nicknamed “Karma” and built by Buddy Hale and the team at Type One Restorations, claimed the prestigious Al Slonaker Memorial Award, standing tallest among 12 exceptional contenders.
At the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show, the spotlight wasn’t just on speed or style—it was on craftsmanship at the highest level. Among nine jaw-dropping roadsters displayed in Building 4, one car quietly—and then undeniably—rose to the top. Nicole Baird’s 1932 Ford Roadster, built by Squeeg’s Kustoms, claimed the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) title, proving once again that traditional hot rod values, when executed flawlessly, still reign supreme.
The 75th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show, presented by Meguiar’s, went full throttle this year, bringing out some of the most insane custom cars the hot rod world has ever seen. Sure, the AMBR award gets all the press, but the real hardcore builders know that the Al Slonaker Memorial Award is where true engineering battles happen. This isn’t just about looking pretty—this is about pushing the limits of fabrication, design, and flat-out mechanical genius.
When it comes to indoor car shows, the Grand National Roadster Show is, and always has been, one of the finest in the country. This show originated in the Bay Area, and for years it became known as the Oakland Roadster Show.
