t’s 1 p.m. on Friday, February 3. Day one of the historic Keep On Truckin’: 50 Years of Classic Haulers exhibit at the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) at the Fairplex in sunny Pomona, California. All I have to say is, holy sh … wow!

Where else can you find a massive display of classic trucks, vans, and mini-trucks—not only in one giant room (Building 9 on the east side of the complex), but all surrounding the exterior as well?! Well, this is it, and it’s more impressive than I’d ever imagined it would turn out to be. Thanks to everyone at Rod Shows (John, Kevin, and especially Karpo) for coming up with the idea and coordinating the most eclectic array of haulers ever gathered! And an extra big thanks to LMC Truck for co-sponsoring the event with us!

Starting from the top end of Building 9, you’re immediately greeted by Stacey David’s famous “Copperhead C10” on one side facing Chip Foose’s stunning ’56 F-100 on the other side—and by the time you reach the other end of Building 9, you’re reunited with the long lost Lil’ John Buttera/Boyd Coddington ’67 Blazer alongside the Fat Jack/Danny Shaffer ’56 F-100 … with some of the most memorable trucks from magazines past AND present in-between, including a whole row dedicated to recent CTP feature trucks.

With over 100 classic trucks, vans, and mini-trucks crammed in the spacious Building 9 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, you’d think that’d be enough to see … but no. This year’s GNRS featured more trucks outside and within the adjacent buildings than we’d ever seen to date. Not only did Relaxed Atmosphere do a great job of wrangling up some club members to park outside the Keep On Truckin’ exhibit, but the GNRS traditional Grand Daddy Drive-In also managed to reel in a ton of trucks Friday through Sunday. Just goes to show how strong and thriving this portion of the hobby is—and a great segue way into the upcoming Grand National Truck Show!

At the participants’ kickoff cake social on Thursday evening, Rod Shows announced the inaugural Grand National Truck Show, sponsored by yours truly, this September 16-17, at the Fairplex in Pomona. That’s right, an all-inclusive (all makes/models/years), all-truck event where World’s Most Beautiful Truck will be crowned with a perpetual trophy and cash purse, just like America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR). Just as we are with this weekend’s once-in-a-lifetime display, we’re super excited to be a part of what’s sure to become not just SoCal’s premier all-truck show, but America’s premier event for trucks, vans, and SUVs! We can’t wait.

For more on the 2023 GNRS or the upcoming GNTS, visit rodshows.com.