AMBR is all in the details at 2011 GNRS

Posted by GreaseGirl on Mar 8, 2011 in Shows & Events, Vintage Rides | 3 comments

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Winner & Contenders Is All About The Details At 2011 GNRS

At big-time car shows such as the Grand National Roadster Show I sometimes feel a little “out of my league” as a beginner. Sure…there’s always personal opinion when it comes to building a car of your own – and when it comes down to it that’s most important. But when you step into the big league such as entering a car into the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition at the Grand National Roadster Show – its much more than just your personal opinion thats up for being judged.

Although I’m only in the beginning stages of learning about cars, I do have an eye for details. So while I can’t give more then my own opinion on which of the twelve AMBR contenders was the most beautiful – I can share with you first impression details that I thought made each car special.

This 1933 Ford Roadster, Nugget, is fiberglass bodied, which deducts points in my book. But that still doesn’t take away from the pretty lines of a full-fendered ’33.

How sexy is that?! Fiberglass or not – these are beautiful lines.

One of my favorites of the 12 AMBR Contenders is this 1929 Ford. It doesn’t have any cute name like most of the contenders – this is just a no nonsense traditional-styled hot rod. This roadster has many details that I just went crazy for -like the beautiful dash, wire spoke wheels, and good-lookin’ engine.

Of all of them – this rear-end exhaust exit is what I love most. The exhaust combined with that good lookin’ brake light and license plate makes it really stand out to me.

Of course, one of the favorites over at MyRideisMe.com is this 1923 Model T “Take Out Special.”

It’s hard to chose just one detail out of so many! In fact, if I could show you via picture – I’d choose the fact that a car club did most of the work in building this AMBR contender. But…since I need a picture, I’m choosing the outer-bodied chromed steering components. It just looks good to me.

I’m a fan of Auburns. So I was pretty excited to hear there would be one contending for AMBR. They just have a grace about them. When I saw this contending 1936 Auburn Roadster, “It Wazza ’36,” I was a little disappointed. Although beautifully done – it’s a little too street-rod modern for me.

One of the remaining details that continued to scream art-deco however, are these nifty-shaped side air vents. I like ’em.

Heading back to more traditional styling is the only truck contending – this 1932 Ford Roadster.

Was there anything about this roadster pickup that I don’t like? No! I love every detail. One aspect I think is particularly beautiful is the scallop paint job. Slight pearl blue scallops on shiny red will always be a winner in my book.

This 1918 Dodge “Rattlesnake” was different then any other roadster on the floor at the Grand National Roadster Show. As you can see by the picture – it started as a desert rescue.

And that is part of what makes it so special. Most beautiful? Not by a long shot. But it is very well done. And the fact that they chose to do something different – enter a Dodge into AMBR – is my favorite part of it.

Heading back to another 1932 Ford is “Fantom.” I couldn’t manage to grab a pic on opening day without the car being wiped down and made ready to show. They even had some last minute pinstriping going on.

Fantom tried to modernize some things while keeping a semi-traditional look to it. While I’m not in love with the overall result, it does look fun to drive. This 300c.i blown flathead ensures some speed!

Another well done traditional roadster is this other 1932 Ford. Again, nothing too fancy here, just a very well done roadster.

AMBR’s in the details right? And I’m a big sucker for louvres. These make this car for me. And look at the extra detail of chrome stripping down the middle of the hood. Nice.

Another semi-traditional but modernized street rod sort of roadster is this ’32 Red.

Also a little too street rodded out for my likes – but doesn’t this rear end look mean? I wouldn’t mind doing some nice long burnouts with these!

“Double Dozen” is an original prototype roadster. An all-steel formed body is definitely a feat to be proud of.

The lines on this car are so graceful – accentuated by the black/maroon paint and these slightly curved louvres.

Back to a full-fendered version of the 1932 Roadster is “Da Twins” with twin Whipple superchargers.

While I don’t know what they were thinking when they added that weird texture to the fender portion, the depth of the blue paint was a beautiful feature of this contender.

And the winner? That’s right, this 1934 Ford Roadster took the cake. I was pleased that this years winner really does look like it could be “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” to me.

With its full fenders and clean lines it keeps the beauty and grace of a traditional roadster. But its also has some modern creativity going on. Both in the engineering that you can’t see (but I bet will make it drive like a beauty) and some subtle details that you can see like this custom side air vent.

What’s your opinion? What details make a roadster stand out to you? Which one do you think is the “most beautiful?”