**SORRY FOR EXTRA WHITE SPACES IN THIS ARTICLE BUT WE ARE HAVING COMPUTER TROUBLE**
THE GRAND NATIONAL TRUCK SHOW, SEPTEMBER 26-27, 2025, FAIRPLEX IN POMONA
THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL TRUCK
The World’s Most Beautiful Truck 2025 is a 1941 Willys owned by Larry Jacinto of Mentone Beach, CA.
Building 4 of the Fairplex was full of exceptional trucks of every variety. One such vehicle was this 1946 Diamond T built by Tom Phillippbar of San Clemente, CA. This vehicle is very likely the only woodie Diamond T in existence. Only three prototype woodies were built by the factory; two were burned in fires and whereabouts of the last vehicle is unknown. Tom found this Diamond T logging truck, built a woodie body and grafted it onto a Dodge diesel truck frame. He also added drop-down steel wheels to allow the truck to run on railroad tracks. Tom did all of the work on this vehicle including the wood and metal work which took him 5 years working week-ends.
Below are some of the other trucks in Bldg. 4.
In addition to trucks, Building 4 was also home to a number of pinstripers working hard throughout the show creating some beautiful artwork which was auctioned off. Auction proceeds went to the Volunteers for Veterans Foundation.
More than $50,000 was raised from the auction to benefit veterans.
Many of the trucks sported some amazing artwork.
The outdoor drive-in was held on both Friday and Saturday and attracted a variety of vehicles.
There were a lot of kids at the show and it sure looks like Phoenix (shown below) was having a good time in this truck.
Throughout the event pinstripers were hard at work creating some awesome artwork that would be auctioned off. The proceeds of the auction went to the Volunteers for Veterans Foundation. The auction raised over $50,000.
After the pinstripers auction was over, it was time for the awards ceremony and the crowing of the World’s Most Beautiful Truck. The ceremony opened with a color guard presenting the colors followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
The eleven contenders took the stage before the presentation of the World’s Most Beautiful Truck trophy.
The winner was Larry Jacinto 1941 Willys.
In addition to the honor of being the winner the World’s Most Beautiful Truck, Larry took home a check for $12,500 and a trophy.
At the end of the awards ceremony it was announced that the 4th Annual Grand National Truck Show will be held in 2026.
FRIDAY UPDATE
Below are the eleven contenders for the World’s Most Beautiful Truck 2025.
1968 Chevrolet C-10 owned by Bob Matranga
1967 Blazer owned by Kenny Hinge of Santa Maria, CA
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1968 Chevrolet K-10 owned by Kent Matranga of Dana Point, CA
1968 Chevrolet C-10 owned by Bruce Griffin
1962 Ford F100 owned by Rick Clutter of Lancaster, CA
1975 Chevrolet C-10 owned by Frank Walsh of Lake Havasu, AZ
1941 Willys owned by Larry Jacinto of Mentone Beach, CA
1955 Ford F100 owned by Patrick Kelly of Huntington Beach, CA
1985 Chevrolet C-10 owned by Terry and Carolanne Smyl of Kelowna BC Canada
1956 Ford F100 owned by Rick Howell of Livermore, CA
1952 Chevrolet 3100 owned by Chris Tulley of Kelseyville, CA
Interestingly, each of the above contenders took a little different approach to engine presentation; from painted to polished, from blown to unblown and stacks to scoops. All done extremely well.
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- 1962 Ford F 100 – Rick Clutter
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- 1955 Ford F 100 – Patrick Kelly
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- 1968 Chevrolet C-10 – Bob Matranga
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- 1952 Chevrolet C3100 – Chris Tulley
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- 1941 Willys – Larry Jacinto
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- 1976 Chevrolet K 5 Blazer – Kenny Hinge
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- 1956 Ford F100 – Rick Howell
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- 1985 Chevrolet C-10 – Terry and Carolanne Smyl
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- 1968 Chevrolet C-10 – Bruce Griffin
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- 1975 Chevrolet C-10 – Frank Walsh
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- 1968 Chevrolet K 10 – Matranga
In addition to the eleven contenders, the main building at the Fairplex held many, very nice trucks. A few of them are shown below.
The show included a drive-in with trucks parked outdoors between the buildings of the Fairplex. Below are a few of the trucks that participated in the drive-in.
The GNTS continues tomorrow. Today lots of trucks showed up for the outdoor drive-in but tomorrow there will likely be more. The pinstripers’ auction will be held tomorrow night and a number of pinstripers have been busy creating some beautiful artwork. The proceeds of the auction will go to the Volunteers for Veterans Foundation and Betty Volk, founder of the organization, will be on hand to receive the funds. The awards ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow night and this year’s World’s Most Beautiful Truck will be revealed.
We’ll be at the GNTS tomorrow and will post an update again tomorrow night, with a complete story and photos to follow by Sunday evening, including the photos of the World’s Most Beautiful Truck.
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The Grand National Truck Show (GNTS) will crown the World’s Most Beautiful Truck and showcase some of the country’s top trucks, vans and SUVs on Sept. 26-27 at the Pomona Fairplex. The World’s Most Beautiful Truck 2024 is shown below.
This year eleven entries will battle for the third annual World’s Most Beautiful Truck Award, including a diverse field featuring F100s, Chevy C10s, Squarebodies, a Willys pickup and an International. The winner of this coveted prize will receive $12,500 and a custom trophy. Additional awards will be given in over 75 judged classes, including best display, paint, interior, engine, detailing and more.
At the outdoor portion of the show – the popular Grand National Truck-In – will host hundreds of vehicles parked around the buildings throughout the Fairplex. This year the Truck-In has been expanded, and will welcome all years and styles of trucks, SUVs and vans, as well as custom cars of all years. As shown below, last year there were some very unique trucks parked both in the buildings and outside.
The show will open on Friday, September 26, 2025 and run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will reopen again on Saturday, September 27 and run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rodshows.com/GNTS.
Timingtower.com will be at the GNTS both days and will post updates on Friday and Saturday evenings with a full article and photos posted on Monday.
