The Customs Then and Now exhibit at the Grand National Roadster Show will include Larry Watson’s Thunderbird. It’s a good bet the girl posing with it won’t be there, though.
One of the most anticipated events on the calendar for fans of the flaked, candied, chopped, dropped, nosed and decked customs of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s is the upcoming Grand National Roadster Show, which will feature a special exhibit focusing on the history of the custom that will include 75 of the most significant cars ever to fall under that label.
Customs Then & Now will not only gather a roster of cars that includes the Larry Watson 1958 Thunderbird, the Jack Calori 1936 Ford coupe, the Norman Timbs Buick streamliner, the Sam Barris Mercury, the El Matador, and (of course) the Hirohata Mercury, it will also gather a host of living legends of customizing: Gene Winfield, Bill Hines, George Barris, Dean Jeffries, Darryl Starbird, and many others.
Of course, the Grand National Roadster Show will also feature the expected modern-day hot rods, customs and show cars, including those competing for the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. The show will take place January 28-30 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. For more information, visit www.rodshows.com.