Grand National Roadster Show
The longest-running indoor custom car show in America
The Grand National Roadster Show — known simply as "Oakland" to hot rod veterans, despite having moved to Pomona — is the longest-running indoor custom car show in America. Since 1950, it has been the stage where the country's most creative builders unveil their finest work. The centerpiece is the AMBR: America's Most Beautiful Roadster, a 9-foot perpetual trophy awarded to the most extraordinary open-wheel custom of the year. Winning the AMBR is a career-defining moment for any builder.
The show spans multiple buildings at the Fairplex, covering everything from pristine pre-war customs to cutting-edge restorations, rat rods, and pro-touring builds. Thousands of parts vendors and swap meet sellers make it as much a shopping destination as a show.
💡 Did You Know?
The AMBR trophy — America's Most Beautiful Roadster — stands 9 feet tall and is one of the most coveted awards in the custom car world. Winning it is considered the pinnacle achievement for a hot rod builder.
The show has run every year since 1950 without interruption, making it one of the few major car events to survive every economic downturn, fuel crisis, and even the 2020s unchanged.
Chip Foose — arguably the most famous car designer alive — has both competed at and judged the Grand National Roadster Show. His builds are considered benchmarks of modern custom car design.
Some AMBR-winning cars take 5–7 years to build and represent 10,000+ hours of fabrication work. The level of craftsmanship on the show floor rivals anything in fine art.
The show was held at the Oakland Exposition Building for its first four decades — "Oakland" became so synonymous with the event that veterans still call it that even though it moved to Pomona in the 1990s.
History
The show launched in 1950 at the Oakland Exposition Building — hence the nickname. In its early decades it helped establish the visual language of American hot rodding: chopped tops, channeled bodies, rolled-and-pleated interiors. Builders like Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, George Barris, and Chip Foose all have deep connections to this event. The AMBR trophy has been contested every year since 1950 — its history reads like a who's who of American custom car building.
🏎️ Cars Often Featured at This Event
Browse current listings of the makes that define Grand National Roadster Show.
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United States
1939 Chevrolet Town Sedan
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United States
1971 Ford Torino
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United States
1978 Chevrolet C10
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United States
1968 Ford F-100
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1951 Chevrolet Deluxe
Quick Facts
| Location | Pomona, California |
| Venue | Fairplex |
| When | Every January, Pomona, California |
| Cars | Hot rod, Custom, Street rod |
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