Hundreds of hot rods, muscle cars and incredible customs will take center stage at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show at the Pomona Fairgrounds on Jan. 31-Feb. 2. This year’s show will also be packed with special elements to celebrate more than seven decades of the world’s longest-running indoor car show.
Here’s a look at what to expect at the 75th event:
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR): Eleven brand-new roadsters will battle to be named America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, the most coveted award in hot-rodding history, plus a $12,500 prize presented by ARP Fasteners. This year’s contenders include a T-bucket, two Model As, three ’36 Fords and five ‘32 Fords.
Al Slonaker Memorial Award: Twelve hot rods, customs and wild street machines will compete to be named the best non-roadster at the show, including a ‘33 Pontiac, De Tomaso Pantera, VW Thing, Plymouth Roadrunner, an International Pickup, Ford F100, ’35 Chevy, Ford Fairlane and a ’38 Chevy Canopy Express.
75th-Anniversary Feature Building, presented by the Petersen Automotive Museum: More than 50 AMBR and Al Slonaker Memorial Award winners will come together in the Feature Building, presented by the Petersen Automotive Museum, marking the largest collection of past winners ever assembled under one roof, including iconic builds by George Barris, Roy Brizio, Chip Foose and many more. The curated display will also feature tributes to GNRS Hall of Fame inductees and historical memorabilia.
2025 Builder of the Year: Bill Ganahl and the crew at South City Rod and Custom will be celebrated as the 2025 GNRS Builder of the Year. What started as a side hustle for Ganahl in 2008 has turned into a powerhouse of custom builds and classic restorations at his shop in Hayward, California. Check out some of the team’s most memorable builds at the South City Rod and Custom display in Building 4.
The 19th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-In: This outdoor portion of the show is open to hot rods, muscle cars, customs, classics and trucks. It’s the perfect place to cruise in with your ride, hang out with your club and maybe even take home an award. Three-day Cruise-In pre-registration is $200, which includes show admission for two, the best parking on the grounds, a dash plaque and a goody bag.
Chip Foose Appearances: Legendary car designer, artist and TV personality Chip Foose will be on hand to autograph his specially created, limited-edition 75th-anniversary GNRS poster. Foose, a builder and designer of past America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winners and Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame inductee, will sign autographs and meet with fans throughout the weekend.
John Ewald Memorial Nitro Fire Ups: Feel the thunder as nostalgia Top Fuelers and Funny Cars fire up in honor of longtime drag racer and Top Fuel owner John Ewald. Fire ups are slated for Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at noon and 5 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. outside of Building 3.
2025 Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame: Four auto industry legends will be inducted into GNRS Hall of Fame on Friday, Jan. 31, to recognize their contributions to hot rodding and the custom car community. The 2025 inductees are Scott Bonowski, owner of Hot Rods & Hobbies, photographer Eric Geisert, Robert Williams, known as the Godfather of Kustom Kulture and for his lowbrow and automotive art, and “Mr. Hot Wheels” Larry Wood, who created some of the most well-known and unique Hot Wheels cars.
Plus, past and present GNRS Hall of Fame inductees will take part in an autograph session on Friday from 2-4 p.m.
George Barris Display: The legacy of George Barris, the original “King of Kustomizers,” will be celebrated with an incredible display of 12 signature builds provided by Galpin Speed Shop. The collection in Building 9 will include the Hirohata Merc, Barris’ 1958/59, ‘60 and ‘62 AMBR winners and the Batmobile, Munster Coach and Dragula, plus many more.
Industry-Leading Builds: The weekend will also feature historic cars like Dyno Don’s freshly restored 1976 NHRA Pro-Stock Ford Mustang II and Bill Niekamp’s modified 1927 Ford roadster that set records on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Detroit’s Dan Webb will debut an interpretation of the late ’20s French race car called the “Panhard Razor,” which features a steering wheel that goes around the driver, plus enjoy a collection of three builds completed during past GNRS events.
The Grand National Road Show runs Friday, Jan. 31, through Sunday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Adult admission is $40 daily and $10 for youth ages 6 to 12. Children under 5 are admitted free. Discounted tickets are available for $35 for adults and $8 for youth at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. On-site parking is $20 per car. Learn more and lock in your tickets at rodshows.com.