2009 Grand National Roadster Show - The Granddaddy of Them All Just Got Older

Eddie Tovar from Hawaiian Gardens, CA, had his '54 Chevy in the show. The recent feature truck has a long history with the Tovar family and impressed those who got a first-hand look.

Al Carr had his '46 Ford all decked out in full show display style with two of the wheels off, door, and hood open. While we try not to take pictures of trucks opened up like a Swiss Army knife, it was kind of tough this weekend.

Of course there was also an impressive display for Boyd as well. Both Boyd and Li'l John were from the same "school" as it were, and each played a major role in cementing the foundation for the hot rod world we know today.

And talk about history! Anyone who hasn't heard of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth needs to go back to Hot Rod and Custom 101. Roth built the Orbitron in '64 and the prolific car somehow made its way to Mexico in the '90s, only to fall into total disarray. It was recently found by Michael Lightbourn and restored back to its original glory. It was truly an experience to stand next to it with nary a velvet rope to come between us.

One of the many buildings housing show entrants was dedicated to remembering our departed hot rod forefathers, and Li'l John Butera was no exception. Butera was an innovator and left this world just after his good friend Boyd Coddington last year. On display were his modified, the Model T sedan, The Mongoose's Funny Car, and many more.

The Li'l Nugget was entered in the GNRS back in 1962-1963. Jerami Schoeman is the F-100's current "caretaker". The '56 still wears the original Larry Watson gold metalflake paintjob and a highly sought after Eddie Martinez interior, complete with a TV and phone.

Out in the Suede Palace was the Gambino Kustoms shop truck. The wild F-100 is chopped, dropped, shaved, and obviously sports a sensational panel paintjob. There were plenty of vehicles, vendors, and bands all weekend out in the Suede Palace.

Another great tribute display was this one for Dick Dean. Dick had been chopping tops for what may seem like an eternity, and did so with great precision and style. From trucks, to hot rods, and of course customs, Dick Dean chopped them all!

There are more than just four-wheeled entrants in the GNRS. Every year is an impressive display of motorcycles on hand like John Edwards' '52 Harley-Davidson that deservedly took First in the Early Chopper Bike Panhead class.