12 Contenders for 2011 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

12 Hot Rod Roadsters at Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA

Vote for your favorite below. (Click any picture to see it full size)

Read about the new AMBR Award judging rules.

It’s that time… 12 judges in an ENTIRELY NEW judging format (more info on that coming soon…) will face the difficult task of picking the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster”. The AMBR award, as it’s known, is given out every year at the Grand National Roadster Show to a true roadster (one that does not have roll-up windows) that has never been shown at an indoor show. Sounds simple enough? You choose your favorite in a poll below.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #1
Pictured above is Russ and Lora Freund’s 1923 Ford Roadster from Postfalls, Idaho called, “The Takeout T”. This is the only “T-bucket” competing for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster and it is outstanding.

1948 Ford Flathead powered, chromed to the max and featuring a striking, custom shade of Planet Color Purple paint. I’ll have to get the name of the color for the feature I’ll have to do. This car, except for the chrome work, was built entirely by Russ and his buddies.  That’s My Ride is Me!

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #2

This 1933 Ford Roadster is owned by Phillip Ray out of Montara, CA. The “Nugget” runs an LS-2 with a Magnuson Supercharger connected to a 4L-60 automatic.

The interior from Finish Line Automotive interiors is a work of art. The wrap-around dash and simple, graceful gauge layout’s working beautifully.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #3

Behold the “Double Dozen” Prototype Roadster built by Steve’s Auto Restoration and owned by Jeff Chandler. Listed as a 1933 Ford Roadster in the program, this car is actually a Chris Ito designed, hand formed, steel bodied prototype that was supposed to be part of 24 cars built… thus the Double Dozen. Unfortunately, only one of the aluminum bodied cars that were to follow were made, then production stopped.

The interior is by Sid Chavers. It’s looks as comfortable as it is beautiful!

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #4

Slick, black, elegance. Daryl Wolfswinkel’s 1934 Ford Roadster is displayed with doors shut and hood down. It certainly shows off the beauty of this driven hot rod!

Builder Doug Jerger of Squeeg’s Kustoms in Chandler, AZ is a MyRideisMe.com friend, so I got a picture with the hood up showing the (gasp) 427 Dart aluminum block and heads and Hilborn injection. Instead of polishing everything, a brushed finish adds a subtle style.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #5

Called “Red” this 1932 Ford Roadster is. Owned by Dan and Donna Deshon, this deuce roadster fires a LS1 connected to a 4L60E wrapped in a Rod Bod steel body.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #6

When you think of hot rod roadsters contending for the AMBR award, did a 1936 Auburn roadster come to mind? It did for owners Gary and Janice Williams!  Cleverly named, “It Wazza” 1936 Auburn tells ya that not much of this custom roadster is as it was…

The interior is just flat amazing with upholstery work done by Dave Putnam.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #7

Check out “Da Twins”, a 1932 Ford Roadster owned by Dan and Linda Moisio of Lake Havasu, AZ. If you squint hard, you’ll see da-twin Whipple superchargers on top of the 400 stroker small block Chevy. You should also notice the paint.

Would someone please explain the manikin?

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #8

Jack Hagemann, Jr. of Morgan Hill, CA is both owner and builder of the only pickup contending for the AMBR award. This 1932 Roadster pickup. Like the black 34 Roadster above, Jack’s pickup is shown with the hood down and doors closed. It sure is easier to see the lines of the car and great fit and finish.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #9

The theme for this year’s show is Route 66. Sitting on the historic highway (not completely photo-ready yet) is Richard and May Seals 1918 Dodge Roadster called “Rattlesnake”. The old Dodge naturally features a 1956 Chrysler Hemi connected to a 700R4 trans in a modified, but original, chassis. The interior was stitched by Ron Mangus Interiors.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #10

The “LA Deuce” is owned by Joe and Teresa Mitchell. There are five 1932 Roadsters contending for the AMBR award.  Sitting on a SoCal Speed Shop frame is a ZZ4 Chevy rowed by a Tremec five speed trans with a Brookville steel body.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #11

This “Fantom” 1932 Ford Roadster features the second Ford flathead in the competition. Owner and builder (That scores points with me) Dick Bennett used a channeled, sectioned and stretched Brookville steel body, then hooked the blown flathead to a T-5 transmission.

America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contender #12

Nick Kallos, owner of the 1929 Ford Roadster is also dig’n this year’s Route 66 theme. The “Blue Haze” runs a traditional looking small block Chevy.

Past Winners in Pomona- America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

Past America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Winners

AMBR Award Judging Explained – Click here

2012 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

I picked it! I was pulling for Bill Lindig’s “Indy Speedster” and was lucky enough to get an interview and pictures before the crowds started pouring into the Fairplex on Friday of the 2012 Grand National Roadster Show.  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! Read about the 2012 AMBR Winner here.

2011 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

Built in my home town, Chandler, AZ, by Doug Jerger and the gang at Squeeg’s Kustoms, this 1934 Ford Roadster stole the show with the new judging rules for the AMBR. Displayed for most of the show with the hood, doors and trunk closed, some claimed the details of the build were hidden… or did that show the true “beauty” of the car. You decide…

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Winner – Some controversy followed this winning roadster. Read about it and see the comments from car owner and competitors.

2009 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

2009 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winner – A beautiful roadster built by Willet Specials powered by at V10 Ford. In 2009, I was routing for a roadster I called, America’s Most “Bitch’n” Roadster.

2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winner – The first year MyRideisMe.com covered the Gran National Roadster Show. Not my favorite, but with a perfect display for the “Las Vegas” theme. Check out the chrome brake roters and polished everything on this roadster.

From 2010 GNRS, here’s 4 hot rod roadsters that were contending for the ultimate prize at the Grand National Roadster Show.

2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show

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?

3  Winners from past Grand National Roadster Shows

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster?

Here it is! America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, or the AMBR award as it’s known.  The AMBR is easily one of the top awards in the country and this year drew 10 roadsters to competition.

2010′s AMBR winner is a 1933 Ford, or loosely based on that design, and is owned by Mike and Dianne Dingman.  The car was called, “Possessed” and was built by Scott’s Hot Rods, a shop that built another America’s Most Beautiful Roadster winner back in 2008. (2008 AMBR Story)

Beyond that, you know what?  Not much to say.  This is one of only a couple pictures we took of the car for a couple reasons:

First off, it was tough getting decent pictures.

On Friday, during our media happy hour and right into the time when the public crowds started rolling in, the Scott’s guys were busy setting up the car and the display.  Sure, there were chances to get shots of dudes busily wiping stuff down and placing the display panels, but there’s only so much you can photoshop. (We did get one “interesting” video, but that’s being saved for the, “how to ruin a video at a car show” tirade.)

On Saturday, thankfully, the GNRS crew let us in early to take pics without the cars mobbed with onlookers. Saturday was PACKED with people and great “outdoor” show cars. Too bad Saturday’s breakfast was more of the same… Scott’s guys doing the cleaning that’s part of the show, but also tightening up the leaking rear axle and wiping up the lube we saw dripping out before we left Friday.  Some carefully placed Mardi Gras beads below where the drip was looked like cheap insurance just in case the drip returned.  This Autoweek Story reports all the last minute troubles they overcame to make it to the show.

Then second, the car just didn’t do it for me. Didn’t turn my crank, wind my clock, whatever.

Before I sound like a hater, let’s say what the car was:

• Amazingly detailed! The polished-to-perfection chrome was near blinding
• Displayed best.  They had the only rotating display which helped the wide-mouthed onlookers see every point adding modification. The Mardi Gras dolls looked messy, but were spot on the theme.
• Built by guys who could build anything. The Scott’s crew could have put in a full kitchen (with sink) if they wanted to and it would have fit perfectly
• Finally, it’s the AMBR winner, so what do I know?

I’m a hot rod guy, so a few other cars (tomorrow’s post) fit me alot better. And if I had to say one thing I didn’t like about Possessed, I’ll always dislike chrome rotors! I’m stupid, but that just bugs me. I guess it’d score points in the show, great, but for me it just shows complete disdain for hot rods and driven cars of all kinds.

Enough of my whining, I’d love your feedback!  For or against this car as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, leave a comment below.

Past Winners from the Grand National Roadster Show

Show & Go Hot Rod is Double Trouble

When you intend to compete for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (the AMBR) at the Grand National Roadster Show, you’re asking for trouble. The time, planning, design and let’s face it, high octane dollars required to build an AMBR contender make it a mission for only the top shops in the country. The folks at The Hot Rod Garage asked for “Double Trouble” and that’s what they got by ignoring the lessons learned by recent AMBR winners. Past winners were modern-style show cars with custom milled billet goodies, one-off hand made body panels and alligator skinned interiors. Not for the guys at Hot Rod Garage, for them, it wasn’t enough to make a show car, it had to have “Show & Go!”

The trouble first started when Steve Kormondy had a Brookville roadster body and an all aluminum, brand spanking new Ardun derived flathead sitting, waiting for the right project. Deuce roadster body, Ardun flathed… yea, that’s trouble!

Not long after, Steve and the rest of the gang at The Hot Rod Garage out of Sand Springs, Oklahoma decided to pull in hot rod designer and illustrator, Jimmy Smith to brainstorm some ideas on what to do with Kormondy’s, not so basic bones. Jimmy’s known for his old-school, tranditional style hot rod designs and since they’ve worked with him on several past projects, it was a wise choice. Sketching the roadster high and low; with a hood then without and in a rainbow of fitting colors, Jimmy and the crew finally decided to build something befitting of that gorgeous Ardun mill… That’s how “Double Trouble” was born… the perfect blend of “show & go” taking the form of a 1960′s style ’32 roadster that legendary gasser racer ‘Ol Big John Mazmanian himself would approve of.

To be presented center stage in the main hall of the Grand National Roadster Show, an average “drag race” inspired machine simply won’t due. No, this had to be over the top and tasteful all at the same time while capturing the fit, finish and blinding shine that could (could it really!?) turn the tables from the “modern” roadsters it would compete against. Outrageous and subtle?! Well, Jim and Jason Smith of Hot Rod Garage pulled it off in spades!

Here’s a short list of the modifications:

• Relatively stock-style deuce rails were Z’d in the rear to let the rear sit a tad on the hunkered down side while a gennie “heavy” ’32 front axle was drilled and then chromed by Jon Wright’s Custom Chrome. (Look for a future blog about CCP’s chrome work for AMBR contenders)
• Real Rodder’s Wheels 16″ Halibrand inspired hoops ride out back while Radir’s 18″ 12 spoke spindle mount drag wheels steer the way up front.
• A polished, inside and out, Ardun headed flatmotor with a GMC style blower, all candy painted and detailed and hooked up to a 5 speed tranny. The somewhat exotic drivetrain culminates at a gleaming, ploished quick change to churn the gears out back.
• Art guy, Jimmy Smith and Hot Rod Garage’s Jason Smith designed the 60′s drag/new car (from the time) upholstered interior. A little hardcore race mixed with mid 60′s new car patterns fill the cockpit of the “show & go” roadster. Stitching was done by previous AMBR sewing genious Tracy over at the Recovery Room.
• The interior’s loaded with custom tricks! Check out the clear, red plexiglass dash! The gauges are mounted in chrome cups that are just barely visible… Of course all the wiring had to be, and is, a thing of beauty.
• Further forward is a chromed, red plexiglass inner firewall panel. At first glance you’ll wonder if you’re looking through to the front of the car! This piece was artfully and skillfully gold leafed and pinstriped by 1-shot slinger Ron Meyers. Ron really out did himself with artistic flourishes throughout the car, simply gorgeous work!
• Then, to push the “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” envelope, dig these custom touches:
• Belled holes in the rear, rolled pan and inner front frame rail boxing plates.
• Every bracket and clamp on this roadster is handmade and massaged into what you see here…..
• Sick Ardun style flathead by engine guru Chaz Rose
• Deep Candy paint by Jason Smith

The AMRB judges consider the list of modifications, that’s why each AMBR contender has an accompanying “build book” that shows off the handiwork from start to finish and details all the modifications.

3 of the 5 special awards given to the 12 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster contenders: Best Undercarriage, Outstanding Paint, and Outstanding Detail went to “Double Trouble” and the Hot Rod Garage.

Maybe more importantly though, MyRideisMe.com is awarding the 1st annual, “America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster” award to Double Trouble. OK, it’s nothing compared to the real AMBR, but this car deserves every accolade available.

Finally, we’re left to ponder, did the team at Hot Rod Garage and designer Jimmy Smith succeed at building a drop dead, over the top yet sinfully subtle show and go 60′s ’32 Ford roadster? Yes. That’d be yes.

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