628HP LS7X BUILD
June 19, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
TAKE A WALK ON THE MILD SIDE
For many hot rodders, the word “custom” conjures up images of chopped, channeled, molded and frenched cars with wild metalflake paint jobs. Such radical customs no doubt helped define the custom movement of the 1950s, along with such phrases as “if it don’t go, chrome it,” but in virtually every town in the USA there was a contingency of mild customs providing their owners with daily transportation, an occasional trip down the dragstrip, and a starring role in the local armory car show a couple of weekends a year. No, most of these cars didn’t hold the local track record, nor did they make it to the ISCA Grand Finale, but they were good examples of shade-tree customizing and hot rodding. Known mostly as a “mild custom,” a term that no doubt originated from car show classes, this style of car was extremely popular.
E-BODY MOPAR AIRBAR
If you lived during the muscle car era or have any experience with the E-body Mopars—’Cudas and Challengers—then you understand that these were factory rocket ships that were pure excitement to drive. Perhaps you recall those Plum Crazy 340 six-pack ’Cudas and 440 six-pack Challengers—they were hot back then, and they’re even hotter to own now.
PLYMOUTH ROCKS!
For the most part, automotive enthusiasts tend to display a degree of loyalty to their brand of choice. It’s rare to find someone who has equal parts Ford and Chevy in the garage; most owners tend to favor one or the other. Mopar fans, though, typically take the concept of brand loyalty to a whole new level. Those who don’t own Mopars tend to think of Mopar owners as something of a cult. Is it a fair comparison? Well, the verdict could go either way, but we can think of worse obsessions to have.
Spotlighter
THE BIG SHOW AT 58
Continuing a 58-Year-Old Tradition With the Grand National Roadster Show 2007
Author
Tommy Lee Byrd
Photography: The Auto Builder Staff
THE BIG SHOW TURNS 58
When a particular car show carries a popular tradition for nearly 60 years, it’s really saying something about the organization that puts the show together. For 58 years, hot rod enthusiasts have been attending the Grand National Roadster Show, now located in Pomona, California, to witness the finest cars in the country.
A MIX OF HOT RODS, CUSTOMS, AND MUSCLE
Although there are hundreds of street rods and customs in attendance, muscle cars and street machines are also included in the population of cars on hand. At this renowned indoor show, the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award provides an incentive to build the nicest rod possible. Of course, the roadster award rules out muscle cars, but the street rod guys have quite a crown to fight for. You can see more of the roadsters and street rods in the April issue of our sister publication Street Rod Builder.
CRAFTSMANSHIP AT THE POMONA FAIRPLEX
The level of craftsmanship and creativity has evolved over the years, and we never know what to expect when it comes time to visit the Pomona Fairplex in January. The wildest of the wild show up, and the biggest names are always there. This year was particularly special because 2007 marks the 75th anniversary of the ’32 Ford, one of the most popular choices for hot rodders. Ford Motor Company did a great job compiling a list of the 75 most significant ’32 Fords, and all 75 were invited to attend the roadster show. Although the Deuces in the collection were built in different eras ranging from the ’30s until now, they all share the heritage that goes along with a ’32 Ford. Mixed in with all the awesome street rods were a ton of muscle cars, some restored to original condition and others modified extensively.
THE CRUISE-IN EXPERIENCE
The main event is held in a group of buildings in the Fairplex facility, but more cars can be seen outside the building at the annual cruise-in. Hundreds of cars attended the cruise-in, which provides a change of pace and showcases the cars that are driven frequently. The cruise-in also has a laid-back atmosphere, and even in January, the weather in Pomona was great.
ONE OF AMERICA’S GREATEST CAR SHOWS
Whether you like simple or complex vehicles, the Grand National Roadster Show had it all and continues to be a “must-see” event for all car enthusiasts. Here’s your chance to take a look at some of the machinery that caught our eye in the show and at the huge cruise-in. Although this year’s show is still fresh in our minds, we can’t wait for next year’s event to see what and who shows up at one of America’s greatest car shows.
BONUS GALLERY
Never before published photos from the show
Chevy Nomads are rare and popular among enthusiasts because of their different shape and features. This ’57 Nomad is a prime example of updating a car without performing body modifications, thus decreasing the car’s value.
Traditional early-style drag cars are being built often and provide a nice change of pace after seeing hundreds of low-slung, billet-covered cars. This Nova has all the cool features of an old drag car, including old American wheels and pie-crust slicks.
Between the framerails of the nostalgic drag car is a potent small-block Chevy. A pair of double-hump heads receives massive amounts of air and fuel thanks to the Hilborn fuel injection. The spent gases are expelled through white fenderwell headers.
Narrow red racing stripes extend from the grille to tail panel of this cool AMX. High-horsepower engines were available to make these short-wheelbase muscle cars great performers.
Although the big show was inside, there were plenty of cars outdoors that were easy on the eyes. This ’63 Chevy wagon is slick and straight with minimal trim and shaved door handles.
This maroon Buick has a great stance and rolls on a set of big American Torq-Thrust II wheels. In the early ’60s, GM had a good handle on styling and produced some of the coolest body styles of that era.
This bright red ’57 Chevy Bel Air has nearly every exterior option available from GM, including bumper guards and lots of chrome. A fuel-injected powerplant motivates this slick two-door post.
Randy Marston brought his ’57 Chevy Cameo down from Canada for the roadster show and impressed everyone with the blown and injected 427ci big-block Chevy. The slammed stance is created by air ride suspension.
The majority of this ’69 Mustang fastback is covered with slick red paint, combined with a set of large-diameter five-spoke wheels. The sleek body remains basically stock, but the stance of the car gives it an aggressive look.
This ’67 Camaro owned by Mel and Debbie Ukestad has many custom features, including the billet grille and immaculate gold paint. Mirrors under the car display the amount of detail that went into building the classic Chevy.
You’ll find a 440ci big block under the hood of the accurately restored orange Plymouth. Three two-barrel carburetors beneath the oval-shaped air cleaner provide the engine with a large quantity of air and fuel.
Blue Moon Motorsports is building a series of Mr. Norm GSS Darts with giant Hemi engines. This particular car has a cross-ram intake manifold with two four-barrel carburetors.
Under the hood of the slick hauler is a Ford mod motor topped by a Kenne Bell supercharger. The smooth inner fenders and firewall really clean up the engine compartment, and the custom air intake tubes attract a lot of attention.
This is every enthusiast’s idea of a hot rod. The engine is a massive blown and injected Arias Hemi that breathes through a set of huge zoomie headers.
