2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show
February 2, 2010 by pikesan
We already covered the Grand National Roadster Show’s big winner of the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. The title now belongs to the 33 Ford named, “Possessed”. So now, I want you to feast your smoke filled eyes on the “Contenders”. Usually the GNRS has 12 cars running for the AMBR, but this year, only 10 made it. Here’s 4 of them. Which one’s your favorite?
The bright orange 32 roadster shown here first is my friend Todd Stevens from right here in Arizona. Todd’s got a gorgeous late 40’s or 50’s Mercury convertible he runs to the local Goodguys show, but in stark contrast to that cool cruisers is this nasty injected Hemi Hot Rod! Doug Jerger, the builder and another friend just a flew blocks away, runs Squeeg’s Kustoms in Mesa, AZ and is no stranger to America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition. In 2008, Doug built is own AMBR roadster and we showed his shop and 32 Ford in this story. I know that just like Doug’s 32, Todd will drive this car and drive it hard. Shouldn’t that score points some how with the judges?
Speaking of experience, this is the Foose-built, or more accurately, Foose-finshed roadster that ran for the AMBR. Jerry Magnuson of Magnuson Products Inc built most of this car himself, but at the end wanted to make a run at the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award, so he called in Foose. Based on the rules for the AMBR, I thought this one was going to win. Damn if it ain’t beautiful!!
The only reason it might not have won, in my eyes, was the display. Pretty ordinary, overall, and it didn’t hit the “Mardi Gras” theme (or slowly rotated and blind you with chrome sparkles) like the Scott’s Hot Rods entry did. Beyond that, I heard people wondering if this car should be able to run for the award since it was already displayed at SEMA. I’ll have to check into that…
Then check out the only roadster pickup in the crowd, appropriately named, “Goldenrod”. I’ve already read somewhere else where the author said, “Gold isn’t my color”, but it’s mine! I’m trying to figure out colors for my Falcon wagon up on the roof and this gold is sweet. The pictures barely do justice to the stunning appearance under the hall lights and the sunshine in California.
I really screwed up on reporting about this car! My apologies to the true builder Wayne Halabura. Wayne’s out of Saskatoon Saskatchewan and I mistakenly reported that Duane Mayer from Boyd’s “American Hot Rod” TV show. Those guys had NOTHING to do with this car. Sorry Wayne!
So which is your favorite or do you have another? Should one of these have won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title?
I was plugging for Goldenrod! At first I thought there was too much chrome between the rims and the entire engine/engine compartment being chromed…but then I decided it was such a great contrast with the gold paint. I don’t think I’d actually want to drive any of em though!
P.S…Goldenrod didn’t take any, but the orange Magnuson/Foose took 3 of 7 minor AMBR awards…for best Undercarriage, Best Interior, and Best Detail. While Mayer’s silver ‘32 took 2 of 7 awards for Best Engineering and Best Paint.
Your photographs are great !! reminds me , that I should have made the trip.
My vote is the orange injected Hemi roadster. Cruisin’ that thing would be tops! Nice pics too!
The Magnasun car far out points the scotts car. way more photogentic. I always thought they gave more points for fenders, tops and all handmade trim. But who are we but the viewing public trying to figure out how a handful of old judges have better tastes than the average hot rodder. they are both very nice cars end the end!!
If you don’t drive it into the show and out at the end, it’s not a car it’s a decoration, it’s garage art, it’s a display. If any one of these cars drove in or drove out, I vote for them. Shouldn’t be the AMBR award, It should be the best sculpture representing a classic american auto award.
Was my first trip to the GNRS. Made the trip from Calgary,Alberta,Canada. Talk about sensory overload. My personal pick would have been the Magnuson/Foose car but they were all top notch cars.
Dallas that’s why the orange one is on top, because it was built to be driven and it’s one top notch roadster………=]
My favorite for the AMBR was a classic ‘32 done in a beautiful paint color called “Black Apple” – sorry, I don’t remember the name of the car or the builder. At first look the color appeared to be a classic roadster black, but the more you looked at it you noticed it was actually a deeeeeep extremely dark red accented by very tasteful gold leaf striping.
Beautiful interior and exterior detailing, and the Hemi power was a work of art.
Thanks for posting these pics. Got more of the rest of the field?
We’re still sorting through the rest of the pictures. Sign up to MyRideisMe.com and nudge swanee3 to get a move on!
Hey took my crazy Tiki car. the “Nuggret” to the show it was out side the suede palace. had a great time. and yes we drive it. got to meet you guys while taking pics of my ride. and at Mitzi’s party. thanks for the web site its good to have. see ya soon. Robb Rocket of HENCHMEN CC.
Hey Robb, I remember that Tiki Rod, I have it loaded up in the Picture Gallery under events. That was one wild party at Mitzi’s!!..gotta love her!!…..=]
http://www.myrideisme.com/ViewEventImages/Grand%20National%20Roadster%20Show%202010/