Trucks aren't just tools. For the thousands of people descending on the Fairplex in Pomona, they're more like rolling legacies. If you spent any time at the Grand National Truck Show 2025, you know exactly what I mean. It’s loud. It’s dusty. It’s incredibly shiny. Honestly, it’s one of the few places left where a $200,000 custom build sits comfortably next to a rusted-out "patina" workhorse that looks like it was dragged out of a barn yesterday.
The 2025 event, held in February, solidified its spot as the premier truck-only show in the country. It’s the younger sibling of the Grand National Roadster Show, but don't tell the truck guys that. They’ve got a chip on their shoulder and the metal to back it up. We’re talking about more than 500 trucks, vans, and SUVs packed into the historic buildings of the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.
What actually happened in Pomona
Walking into Building 4, you're immediately hit by the smell of wax and exhaust. This is where the heavy hitters live. The main draw is always the World’s Most Beautiful Truck award. It’s a massive title. People spend years—and literal fortunes—trying to win that 2-foot-tall trophy. In 2025, the competition felt tighter than usual.
The variety was wild. You had mid-century Chevys with paint jobs so deep you could swim in them, parked right near lifted 4x4s that probably haven't seen a dirt road in their lives. But that’s the point. It’s a celebration of the idea of the truck.
One of the standout trends this year was the massive resurgence of 1980s and 90s "OBS" (Old Body Style) Fords and Chevys. Ten years ago, these were just used trucks you’d buy for three grand to haul mulch. Now? They’re being restored with high-end LS swaps and custom interior leather that costs more than the original sticker price of the vehicle. It’s a weird shift in the market, but seeing a pristine 1994 F-150 under the bright lights of the Fairplex makes you realize why people are obsessed.
The World’s Most Beautiful Truck: More than just a trophy
To understand the Grand National Truck Show 2025, you have to understand the judging. This isn't your local "show and shine" at the grocery store parking lot. The judges look at everything. They’re under the chassis with flashlights. They’re checking the gap between the bed and the cab to see if it’s off by a millimeter.
Basically, if your bolts aren't clocked (meaning all the slots are facing the same direction), you’ve already lost.
The 2025 winner had to beat out some incredible machinery. The "World’s Most Beautiful Truck" award comes with a $12,500 check, which, let’s be real, doesn't even cover the chrome plating on most of these builds. It’s about the prestige. It’s about being able to say you built the best truck in the world for that year. Rod Shows, the organization behind the event, has kept the standards high, which is why builders like Bobby Alloway and Chip Foose are often seen wandering the aisles, even if they don't have a horse in the race.
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Why the "Vanning" culture stole the show
If you think vans are just for deliveries or creepy movies, you missed out. The Grand National Truck Show 2025 dedicated a massive chunk of space to the "Keep on Vannin’" movement. This is a subculture that refuses to die.
Think 1970s aesthetics. Think shag carpet. Think airbrushed murals of wizards fighting dragons on the side panels.
It’s easy to laugh at, but the craftsmanship is legitimately insane. These guys are doing period-correct restorations that involve finding obscure swivel seats and 8-track players that haven't been manufactured in forty years. It adds a layer of fun to the show that balances out the high-stress, high-dollar world of the professional show trucks. It’s less about perfection and more about personality.
The technical side: What’s under the hood?
We need to talk about powerplants. For a long time, the custom truck world was dominated by the small-block Chevy. It was the default. It was easy.
Not anymore.
At the Grand National Truck Show 2025, the diversity in engine bays was actually pretty shocking.
- Electric Conversions: There were at least a dozen high-end EV swaps. Seeing a 1956 Ford F-100 that hums instead of rumbles is polarizing. Some people hate it. Others see it as the only way to keep these classics on the road in California.
- Coyote Swaps: Ford’s 5.0L Coyote engine is everywhere. It’s the new gold standard for reliability and modern power in an old frame.
- Diesel Dominance: The outdoor "Drive-In" section was heavy on the Cummins and Duramax builds. These aren't just work trucks; they're polished, high-torque monsters with turbo setups that look like modern art.
The "Drive-In" vibe
While the indoor buildings house the elite, the outdoor "Drive-In" area is the heart of the show for most fans. It’s only held on Saturday and Sunday. It’s more relaxed. You’ve got families sitting in lawn chairs behind their tailgates, eating overpriced (but delicious) fair food and talking shop.
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This is where you see the "daily drivers." These are trucks that actually get driven to the show, bugs on the windshield and all. It’s a stark contrast to the trailer queens inside that are pushed onto the carpet with white gloves. Both are valid. That’s the magic of the Grand National Truck Show 2025—it doesn't discriminate between a $500,000 professional build and a teenager’s first project truck.
What most people get wrong about Pomona
A lot of folks think these shows are just for "boomers" with deep pockets. That’s a mistake.
The 2025 show proved that the younger generation is moving in fast. The interest in "patina" builds—where the original, faded paint is preserved and cleared over while the internals are completely modernized—is largely driven by younger builders. They want the soul of an old truck without the headache of 70-year-old wiring and drum brakes.
Also, the "mini-truck" scene is making a huge comeback. Those slammed Tacomas and Rangers from the late 90s? They were out in force in Pomona. It’s a nostalgia cycle that keeps the show evolving.
The Logistics: If you’re planning for next year
If you missed the Grand National Truck Show 2025, you're likely looking toward 2026. The show is always at the Fairplex. It’s a massive venue, so wear comfortable shoes. Seriously. You’ll walk five miles before lunch just trying to see everything in the various buildings.
Parking is usually twenty bucks, and tickets stay around the $30 range. It’s not cheap, but considering you’re seeing the highest concentration of custom metal on the planet, it’s a bargain for a gearhead.
Expert takeaways and moving forward
The Grand National Truck Show 2025 wasn't just another car show; it was a snapshot of where American automotive culture is heading. We’re seeing a blend of extreme high-tech integration and a desperate clinging to 20th-century mechanical grit.
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If you want to get involved in this scene or start your own build, here’s how to actually apply what you’d learn from a show of this caliber:
Focus on the foundation. Every winning truck in Pomona started with a clean frame. Don't spend five grand on a paint job if your suspension is original 1960s hardware. Swap to an independent front suspension (IFS) or a modern chassis from companies like Roadster Shop or TCI if you want your truck to actually handle.
Cleanliness is king. You don't need a million dollars to win a local show. The big takeaway from the Grand National judges is detail. Hide your wires. Match your fasteners. Ensure your interior stitch lines are straight. It’s the "free" work—the labor and attention—that separates a good truck from a great one.
Document everything. The high-end builders at the 2025 show all had massive books detailing their builds. If you’re working on a classic, keep your receipts and take photos of every stage. It adds massive value when it comes time to sell or insure the vehicle.
The 2025 show is in the books, and the bar has been raised. Whether you’re into C10s, F1s, or weird custom vans, the message from Pomona was clear: the truck scene is the strongest it's ever been.
Check the official Rod Shows website for the 2026 dates and start prepping your project now. If you want to compete for the big trophy, you’re already behind schedule.