Jack Howerton – Behind the 2012 AMBR Winner
January 29, 2012 by pikesan · 2 Comments
Background and Details on the 2012 AMBR Winner
How did editors and writers work before Google? I searched for some info on the man who started the 2012 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winning hot rod: Jack Howerton. I found this great video of “Jackie” from back in the day:
You can really see the expression of Jack’s racing past in the AMBR car.
Then, I found this great video by Cars.tv from the SoCal shop interviewing Pete Chapouris about the Indy Speedster following the shakedown runs. Needless to say, Pete likes it…
So here it is: America’s Most Beautiful Roadster: Bill Lindig’s Indy Speedster
If you missed them: Past Winners from the Grand National Roadster Show
2012 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Winner
January 29, 2012 by pikesan · 3 Comments
2012 AMBR Winner – The Indy Speedster
Enjoy the pictures and for any picture, click on it to see the full-size image.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster: Bill Lindig’s Indy Speedster
I got lucky, or was I good? I managed to find Houston’s Bill Lindig while the crowds started pouring into the Fairplex on Friday of the 2012 Grand National Roadster Show. I asked for an interview and the gracious Bill did NOT say, “I’m waiting for Rodder’s Journal”.
I started the interview by saying I think the “Indy Speedster” is this year’s AMBR winner. Bill humbly replied, “If the other nine cars don’t win, we will.” Guess what Bill, you did it!
The story of the Indy Speedster goes back 16 years. Bill’s friend, Jack Howerton, is an Indy Car and sprint car driver – and builder as you can see – that wanted a race car inspired hot rod like the old sprint cars he used to drive.
About 12 years ago, Jack had started the chassis, then the build kinda stalled a little, then Steve Moal from Moal Coachbuilders helped the project along, but when Bill saw it back then, “It was a rough roller compared to what it is today.” Bill talked it over with Jack saying, “If you let me acquire it, I’ll finish it.” That’s when Pete Chapouris and the Pomona, CA based SoCal Speed Shop stepped in.
Alberto Hernandez joined the team working with Bill to finalize the look and finished style of the car. Howerton was consulted sometimes and wasn’t shy on feedback… in the end, everybody was happy. If you look closely, about the only thing that changed from the concept drawing is the white around the #3 on the door replaced by polished aluminum to show off the body. Bill shook his head explaining… “What a nightmare!”
Photo courtesy of SoCal Speed Shop’s Project Page
Bill praised the team at SoCal for their hard work and craftsmanship and told me what he told them… “I built this to be a driver.” And drive they did. When the car was assembled, about 500 miles ticked by on the odometer during the shakedown. Some shock tuning and dialing in of the four-corner torsion bar suspension followed, but overall, “Where ever you pointed it, that’s where it went.” If you hadn’t guess Bill’s personality from the car, I hope the quotes are helping.
With the DRIVE IT theme in mind, the seats adjust, the wheel is a racing style quick disconnect for easy entry and there’s a functioning cowl vent to let fresh air in. (This isn’t Bill’s first roadster in Texas!) “It’s a comfortable car to sit in with the doors at shoulder height… it’s deceiving about how much room’s inside.”
As Bill and I talked, he pointed out the Art Chrisman built engine and how the 352 in. small block Ford made 450+HP but was still well mannered for street use and cruised like a dream thanks to a Tremec T5 five-speed transmission.
While looking at the engine, Bill showed me the cornerstone of the lightweight, race inspired chrome-moly frame holding up the fore mentioned one-off aluminum body. The handmade aluminum motor plate shown above. The motor plate secures the Ford, but also serves to accommodate the parallel front torsion bar suspension as well. It’s a trick, yet subtle and beautiful piece.
From any angle, the Indy Speedster’s detail is fitting of an AMBR winner. The full length and race-minded louver filled belly pan somewhat hides all the countless trick parts underneath, but the styling is true to the theme. As their show card said, “… the car is beautifully balanced and minimalistic…”
Well Bill, the other nine cars didn’t win. You did.
While the Brizo built, Washington Blue ’32 was subtly beautiful… and the red, Nailhead powered ’32 called “Sylvester III” had a storied history and was my pick for “America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster”… and finally, the Moal built, blue-and-blown ’33 was utterly beautiful… but your hot rod is the 2012 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.
See all 10 AMBR Contending Roadsters Here – Then VOTE your favorite
Past Winners from the Grand National Roadster Show
10 Roadsters, 40 Photos of 2012 AMBR Contenders
January 27, 2012 by pikesan · 19 Comments
Ten Hot Rod Roadsters at Grand National Roadster Show 2012
It’s time for you to decide… Vote for your favorite below.
The Grand National Roadster Show is the best west coast hot rod and custom car show. Anyone want to argue that?
Start with 10 of the finest roadsters competing for the Amercia’s Most Beautiful Roadster award, then get surrounded by every other kind of hot rod, street rod and custom… But there’s more! Lowriders, some sports cars and motorcycles join the show, too. With two cars competing for this year’s AMBR from Texas and one down from Idaho and another from Oklahoma, it’s safe to say the SoCal and western build crews are bringin out the big guns for a shot at hot rod’s biggest trophy. It’s gonna be a tough call on which roadster wins… what do you think? Cast your vote, but don’t worry, there’s never any politics with this award…
Enjoy the pictures and for any picture, click on it to see the full-size image.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #1
This one’s the “Indy Speedster” owned by Bill Lindig from Houston, TX. When you’ve heard someone say there’s, “Too many details to list” this is the car they’re talking about. Start with a hand-made aluminum body, sprint car style and torsion bar suspension all around then top it with an Art Chrisman build 352 cubic inch Ford backed by a Tremec 5 speed. Look for a feature story on Bill’s SoCal Speed Shop built speedster tomorrow.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #2
If the AMBR award goes to the most BEAUTIFUL roadster, this Steve Moal built roadster’s our winner. Owned by Dennis Varni with a blown some-thin hide’n under the hood from Dan Brewer, this one’s called, “Livin’ the Dream”. We know that! (unfortunately, that’s about all we know about the car for now…)
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #3
“Sylvester III” Three? You know there’s a story there and we aren’t disappointed. This 1932 Ford Roadster is original 50s customized steel resurrected by the guys at New Metal Kustomz. The show card says the original Sylvester debuted at the 1962 Grand National Roadster Show, but since then has been, “… traded, sold, disassembled, and stored for 40 years.” Nowadays, the 401 Nailhead powered hot rod wears some slick looking, and cream filled, headers. You know for the new rules, the AMBR cars must be driven in. Bet those headers are fun to clean! I’m hoping for a feature on ole’ Sly this week for more of the story.
This just in! Sylvester won 3 big time awards at 2012 GNRS: Best Paint, Best Engine and Best Undercarriage. Congrats to owner Paul Shaughnessy who’s also the chief at New Metal Kustomz in Cotati, CA.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #4
Winner for best nickname, I give you, “Speed Racer”. Owner Tom Glory explains that his buddies were giving it to him cause he didn’t own a 1932 Roadster. (My friends bust on me cause my cars don’t run, but anyway, back to poor Tom) Tom didn’t want, “Another 32 Roadster” and started rattling off how it’d be built for the Bonneville racer in him… and be channeled, but the right way. With Roy Brizio from Brizio Street Rods involved, this Edelbrock Ford 302 powered and manual shifted hot rod is now running wide open at GNRS.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #5
Number five should be number one when we’re talking unique and different powertrain. This 1932 Ford hot rod roadster, named the “Riley Roadster” is motivated by an early example of overhead cam technology from Riley Racing. And guess what? We’ve got another 5-speed, not to mention another quick change rear, but this one’s a prototype from Riley with overdrive. Here’s a case where we need some video of this thing running. The car is owned by Don Smith, but I’m hoping for an interview with the Argentine race driver who pilots this thing. Anyone know Juan Fas Boogar?
If you’ve already selected your favorite, vote now:
Loading ...#6-10 AMBR Roadsters on the next page…
Top 5 Must-Do’s for 2012 Grand National Roadster Show
January 22, 2012 by pikesan · 2 Comments
2012 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA
Here’s a short, top five must-do checklist of things to do when you’re at the show:
1) Find it! And know your way around.
Access to Gate 9 Parking from I10 traveling West and from I10 traveling East
Then, a map of the Pomona Fairplex where the show is:
The layout of the show changes every year, somewhat, except for the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster contending cars are always in building 4 and the Suede Palace (which is building 10) a good place to stop as you enter the show. For cost info, show hours and the other boring details, go to Rodshows.com info page.
2) See the 12 Contenders for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster
2011 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster
This is the 2011 winning 1934 Roadster owned by Daryl Wolfswinkel and built by Squeeg’s Kustoms in Chandler, AZ. Here’s the 2008 to 2011 AMBR winners.
Can’t wait? Here’s the 2012 AMBR Winner!
The 12 AMBR Contenders are some of the best hot rods you’ll ever see… all with no roll-up windows as a true roadster must be. Need to know more about the AMBR rules, check here.
3) The Suede Palace – Traditional Hot Rods (and the Pinup Contest!)
If driven, bare-bones and often a little rough around the edges traditional hot rods are your thing… and I hope they are… then don’t miss the Suede Palace right as you come in. The Suede Palace also hosts some of the coolest vendors with pinstriping art work and t-shirts. Then, don’t miss the Pinup contest on Saturday night!
4) Pinstriping For Charity in the Main Hall
This custom pinstriping is from Diablo’s House of Style in Bakersfield, CA.
The pinstriping jam is a little different than last year, so I’ve heard, but one thing hasn’t changed… it’s all for Charity. Benefiting the Gavin R. Stevens Foundation, their mission is to increase awareness, and work towards a cure for blindness, especially Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a genetic disease that causes blindness at birth. Stop by, see the pinstripers in action and buy generously! The auctions will take place on Friday at 7:00, Saturday at 3:00, and Sunday at 3:00 in building 4, the “Main Hall”.
5) The Deuce turns 80 – See the “Driven Deuce” Display
Every year, the Grand National Roadster Show has a theme and a special display in building 9. The theme doesn’t seem to mean anything in most cases, but see if you notice any “Futurama” showing at this year’s show.
On the other hand, the Building 9 display in years past has been OUTSTANDING!
Make sure to stop by this year to see, what looks like from the info I have, so historic hot rods that shaped the future of hot rod building to come.
If you see a guy with a piston on his T-shirt, that’s probably me! Say hi and give your impressions of the show…
AMBR is all in the details at 2011 GNRS
March 8, 2011 by GreaseGirl · 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?”
