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Everyone at the 2026 Grand National Truck Show expected the contenders for the World’s Most Beautiful Truck to impress with flawless paint, incredible engineering, and interesting modifications. But they only make up a tiny fraction of the total entrants. With a few hundred pickups, vans, and 4x4s inside, there was so much to look at and appreciate. We’ve gathered some of the show’s big award winners along with some personal favorites, including some of the more interesting engine swaps we’ve seen lately.
Scott Cooper’s 1926 Model T won a sweepstakes award for 1959 and earlier full-size.Brandan Gillogly
It sort of looks like half of a Boss 429, but that’s because it’s been rotated 40 degrees to squeeze under the hood.Brandan Gillogly
Louis Arrizon’s 4Runner beautifully blends mini truck and lowrider style.Brandan Gillogly
The 4Runner is powered by a Toyota 1JZ-GTE inline-six that has been painted, polished, and engraved.Brandan Gillogly
Even though it has a Cadillac Escalade front clip, you wouldn’t expect a pickup to be powered by a Northstar V-8.Brandan Gillogly
Perhaps even less expected is this LT-5 V-8 from a ZR1 CorvetteBrandan Gillogly
In addition to America’s Most Beautiful Truck, the Grand National Truck Show also hands out awards in a number of categories. We’ve already mentioned Scott Cooper’s Model T. Here are more of the show’s big winners, as well as a few more notable machines that caught our eye.
Brian Neal’s C10 took home the sweepstakes award for 1960-newer trucks.Brandan Gillogly
Ben Salazar’s 1971 GMC won the 4×4 sweepstakes award.Brandan Gillogly
Toyn Garcia’s Space Cab took the sweepstakes win for mini trucks.Brandan Gillogly
The Steve Stillwell Memorial Award went to Scott Scialpi’s Boss-9-powered 1962 Ford unibody.Brandan Gillogly
The Tom McWeeny Memorial Pinstriping Award went to Moi Arrizon’s 1991 Toyota.Brandan Gillogly
The Outstanding Detail award went to Lawrence Gutierrez and his 1969 GMC.Brandan Gillogly
Doug Jerger’s mid-engine Dodge A100 won the Scott France Excellence in Fabrication Memorial Award, presented by Classic Car Studios.Brandan Gillogly
The amazing airbagged chassis of Brandon Walend’s 1970 GMC earned him the award for Outstanding Undercarriage.Brandan Gillogly
Ron Bambra’s “Deathwish” van won the van sweepstakes award.Brandan Gillogly
Dustyn Dell won the Outstanding Engineering award for his AWD 1969 C10.Brandan Gillogly
Jeremy Wray and his 1962 C10 took home the Courtney Hallowell Memorial Award.Brandan Gillogly
