Grand National Roadster Show Truck Division Winner at K&N Headquarters

1954 Suburban at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, photo by David Fetherston
1954 Suburban at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, photo by David Fetherston

Grand National Roadster Show Trophy for 1954 Chevrolet Suburban's Truck Division Win
Grand National Roadster Show Trophy for 1954 Chevrolet Suburban's Truck Division Win

Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made prototype production model
Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made prototype production model
Steve Jones with K&N Vice President of Research and Development Steve Williams and K&N Corporate Race Accounts Manager Bob Harris at K&N Headquarters in Riverside, California Steve Jones with K&N Vice President of Research and Development Steve Williams and K&N Corporate Race Accounts Manager Bob Harris at K&N Headquarters in Riverside, California

K&N custom built air intake system on Steve Jones' 1954 Chevrolet Suburban
K&N custom built air intake system on Steve Jones' 1954 Chevrolet Suburban

Steve Jones modeled the interior of his 1954 Suburban with racing-style bucket seats
Steve Jones modeled the interior of his 1954 Suburban with racing-style bucket seats
For nearly 60 years, the Grand National Roadster Show has displayed some of the biggest stars in the hot rod world. The Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California is the venue for the event.

The event has hot rods, roadster, custom cars and motorcycles spread out through all the display buildings available at the Pomona Fairgrounds along with spaces in between the buildings.

Steve Jones brought his own show truck to Pomona, named the 454 Express. It is a 1954 Suburban which was awarded Best-in-Show "Truck Division" in 2009 at the Grand National Roadster Show.

"The race track and my love of cars has kept me centered my entire life," said Jones. "My full sized custom utility wagon started with a V6 350 cubic inch motor and evolved to the show car it is today."

The 454 Express is modified with:

Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made, prototype, production model.
Wilwood, 4 Wheel Disc brakes
Custom built K&N air intake system
454 cubic inch Big Block Chevrolet V8 Engine
TH400 3 speed Automatic Transmission
1954 Chevrolet 3100 Series Truck Chassis, Chevrolet Suburban body, 1st and only built
Ford 9" differential with 3.70: 1 gear ratio
Engine belt: 1 piece serpentine pulley system by Zoops
Modern truck with power rack and pinion steering and independent suspension
Body: rolled rear tail pan with license plate frame
Front custom made bumper and French headlight with molded hood

The full custom utility wagon was built by Dan Coy of Coy's Customs in Longmont, Colorado. It also features shaved doors, custom color design, upholstery and state of the art electronics. "It has racing bucket seats," said Jones. "I wanted it to look different than a traditional hot rod interior."

Jones had the car towed to K&N headquarters in Riverside, California. "K&N makes the best filters on the market," he said. "Anyone can use K&N, from the mom and pops to the big boys of racing. It looks good, has excellent filtration and protects engines."

Jones work has been spotlighted on the television show "Overhaulin" and at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. "I have owned and operated a metal refinishing business for nearly 20 years," he said. "I have been blessed to build business relationships and friendships with some of the most famous car and motorcycle builders in the world."

He has plans to showcase the 454 Express at the Good Guys Del Mar Hot Rod and Custom Car Nationals Show this spring.

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