Different Ways to Win at GNRS

With all the talk going on about the AMBR winner at the Grand National Roadster Show, I wanted to take the opportunity to show you some of the other great award-winning cars on display. There must have been well over 100 awards given out during Sunday’s award ceremony! This is not including awards given out  in the Suede Palace (those cars don’t run in competition with the others, it’s more of a  low-shine exhibit if you know what I mean.)

To start with, this sweet 1952 Chevrolet Coupe won the George Barris Kustom D’Elegance Award. I dug it for it’s cool green paint by Gene Winfield as well as it’s cam shaft front grill.

There were lots of nice wagon’s at the show, as I’m partial to wagons they really drew my eye. This 1963 Falcon Squire stood out to win in it’s 1955-1979 Conservative Wagon class.

I’d heard about this 1932 Ford roadster, dubbed the Platinum Bomb, as it was progressing. I hoped it would take home first prize, but it only got class recognition (this is, however, the most competitive class in the entire show!) Built by owner Zachary Norman along with Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods… be watching for an in-depth story on this baby!

While Lowriders aren’t my style, I’ve at least got to recognize the money and hard work put into these pieces of art. I was very surprised when I saw this 1988 Volkswagon Jetta pimped out! Dubbed “The Passion,” it was covered with crosses and Jesus murals. Evidently others were impressed too, it was awarded the Full Lowrider Compact Custom Award.

The ‘88 Jetta wasn’t the only place for Jesus to be seen at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show. I spotted him (along with Mary) on this sweet ride out in the Greaser’s Alley. It was all the more classic  that mariachi music was booming from inside, along with a custom light-bar beneath the radio keeping beat with the music! I don’t think this one took home any awards, but it was one of my top picks! I wouldn’t mind rolling around my East LA neighborhood in this!

I definitely don’t want to leave out the Suede Palace picks!  This beauty 5-window was the chosen winner of my favorite car club fellas, the Throttle Kings. Extra points to them for picking a car based on it’s drivabililty! This one’s owned by a fellow Grease Girl and gets driven all around, including destinations like El Mirage and Bonneville Salt Flats along with her Bean Bandits crew. Stay tuned for more on this one later also.

Lastly, I don’t want to ruin it for you, but there will be a few spectacular cars highlighted in detail here at MyRideisMe.com that took top in their classes. The only clues I’ll give ya is the classes: 1955-1959 Semi Hardtop class and Early Street Roadster – Topless Pre 1935. Keep checking back, as we’ve got plenty more to report from the 61st Annual 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?

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.

2010 Grand National Roadster Show – Kickoff

Links to 2008 to 2010 Show coverage at the end of this story…

I couldn’t resist the first collection of historic hot rods I found at the Grand National Roadster Show. Especially since I’m experimenting with a fisheye lens.
What do you think?

These ride were all cover cars for Rod & Custom or Street Rodder. This collection includes the first cover car from the 1953 issue of Rods &
Custom, plus 32 others!

Many more pics to come, wait til I turn Swanee loose! Stay tuned!

2010 GNRS Coveage… more coming soon!

2010 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster?

2010 GNRS AMBR Contenders – 4 Winners at Any Show

Different Ways to Win at GNRS

The World’s Fastest Hippie – Go ahead and Inhale

Nostalgia Drag Race History from 2010 GNRS

2009 GNRS Coverage (Click on any title to read the story):

2009 Grand National Roadster Show – The Aftermath

GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat pain

Show & Go Hot Rod is Double Trouble (America’s Most Bitch’n Roadster!)

AMBR Hot Rod Special in Pictures and Video

March Pinup of the Month – Angela Ryan (from the GNRS)

Japanese Hot Rod Culture Pinstriped & Flaked! (pinstriper’s Jam at GNRS)

Pinstriper’s Reunion – Pulling lines for Charity

50th to 60th Grand National Roadster Show

GNRS Hall of Fame Lunch – Heros and Legends

The Picture gallery: Hot Rods and Customs from GNRS

2008 GNRS Coverage:

2008 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

GNRS 2008: If You Missed This One…

GNRS Suede Palace – more than flat paint

GNRS Show Cars, The Under-over

The Picture Gallery: 2008 Hot Rods and Customs at GNRS

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 flatheat 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.

GNRS Hall of Fame Lunch – Heros and Legends

I was fortunate to have been invited to the Hall of Fame Luncheon at the 60th Grand National Roadster Show, thanks to my friends and clients Paul and his son Erik Hansen (for whom I designed their ‘52 Buick “Resilience”).

What’s incredible about this event, beyond the amazing group of hot rodding and custom car legends that attend, is the history that these people share, and the many stories they tell. It’s this insight to the history of our industry, the GNRS and the cars that makes this a must-see-at-least-once-in-your-lifetime event (and well worth all of those hyphens!).

I shot a few videos between conversation at our table, feasting on some chow, and just generally looking around the room for cool autograph opportunities. I wanted to share a few of them here.

The legendary Blackie Gejeian is well-known for his marathon speeches, and this day was no exception! It was amazing to hear him relay tales of the earliest days of the show, and to compare those times with the current state of the GNRS. He told a heart-wrenching story about Al Slonaker (founder of the show), and shared the podium with the late Al’s wife, Mary, who was honored during the luncheon. Blackie also shared a great tale of the first show car to use a mirror in its display (and insight as to WHERE that mirror came from…).

Custom car legend Dick Bertolucci took the podium, and shared some stories, as well…. Most notably about the master of metalwork, Harry Westergard. (I was fortunate to share a distant connection with this legend, having been commissioned to draw a Westergard-customized Cadillac, when Kurt McCormick restored the car a couple of years back) It was an absolutely fantastic time listening to these stories, and just sitting in a room with legends… hell, with the very heroes I grew up reading about. I can’t say “thanks” enough to have had this opportunity, and to have been able to make a living doing what I love, sharing the same passion as these greats.

On that note, it was truly an honor to witness Thom Taylor’s induction to the GNRS Hall of Fame (in the same weekend that “The Hot Rod Art Book” debuted, in which I am fortunate to share some pages with him!), as his work was instrumental in my decision to pursue hot rod and custom car design as a career. A very cool moment indeed.

I hope you enjoy the videos…

The master, Dick Bertolucci, gives some tremendous insight to Harry Westergard during a great speech at the 2009 Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame luncheon.

Blackie Gejeian speaking about the early days of the Grand National Roadster Show and the show’s founder Al Slonaker

Blackie Gejeian and friends talk about the “old days”…

Inductee Thom Taylor speaks at the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame Luncheon

50th to 60th Grand National Roadster Show

Written by Len Stupski

I moved to the Bay area in 1996 and attended the 1997 & 1998 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). As good as they were, nothing prepared me for the 50th Anniversary show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco that next year in 1999. As I set my eyes upon the main floor my jaw dropped down to my shoulders. Just about every previous America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) winner right there in one spot. Awesome!!. Then, scattered throughout the rest of the building were more and more dynamite cars, built by guys like Bill Reasoner, Gene Winfield, Dave Crook, Marcos Garcia and many other great craftsmen. Saying hello to Big Daddy Roth was a great highlight of the event. After taking in all the colors, the chrome and history I vowed to be at the 60th show, God willing.

Fast forward ten years and I’m living in Gilbert, AZ, and the show is being held much closer now in Pomona, CA. Pure chance? I don’t think so…. perhaps God shares my love of cars.

Early Saturday morning I pile into Pikesan’s car with my son Brian and new friend Paul “Swanee” and head west on I-10. Along the way we catch up to Jimmy Smith and Boston Mike and caravan into Pomona. We stopped for some much needed coffee, oversized breakfast and a quick lesson in water glass safety. (a story for another time, perhaps) All finished we head to the main gate and wait anxiously in line.

As I pass through the turnstile it’s like “Wow…” I’m the farm kid on his first visit to the big city. The show encompasses eight buildings full of cars and has even more cars parked outside in between all the buildings. We head for building 5, and the first car we stop to look at is the ‘52 Buick, “Resilience” designed by my son Brian and built by Tim Strange & the crew from Strange Motion. So, when I finally stopped drooling over this Motorama-styled beauty and shoved my eyes back into their sockets I took off to see the rest of the cars.

So many cars and so little time. Did I mention I was there for two days? This had to be the finest collection of automotive art I have ever witnessed. Masterpieces by Foose, Cotati Speed Shop (talk about fit & finish), D’Agostino et al. blew me away. There was a dynamite ‘61 Impala from Stockholm, Sweden, the recovered Orbitron of Roth lore and the fantastic tributes to the late Boyd Coddington, Dick Dean and ‘Lil John Buttera. Then a trip to the “Twice in a Lifetime” display which featured winners from the ’50’s thru the ’00s. It was great to see the late Ermie Immeroso’s multi AMBR winner which I first saw in Buffalo, NY in 1989, the Hansen’s 2005 winner “Seduced” and so many many beautiful cars. I could go on forever.

Sadly it was time to hit the road. During the drive back to Gilbert I took some time to reflect and compare the 50th to the 60th show. And when I really look back and think about how well done the cars shown in 1999 were, the new paint concepts introduced, the styling by the trendsetters of that era, I realized how they had raised the bar of excellence. Then when I look at the things being done today with the tremendous advances in technology, paint, computer driven machinery to make “one off” parts I can say that a new and higher bar has been set. The 60th Anniversary GNRS has surpassed any level previously known to man and automobile. I can’t wait to see what happens at number 70.

Len Stupski

AMBR Hot Rod Special in Pictures and Video

It’s official, at least it was at about 7:30 Pacific Coast time, 1/25/2009. The “Hot Rod Special” built by Willet Specials in Chicago is the winner of the 2009 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title. Except for being able to roll forwards and back under their own power, the judging for the AMBR title is like “Riding a unicycle on wallpaper”. (I don’t know what that means either.)

Let’s hope the judges do cause they’re looking for “excellence”. That part couldn’t be a simpler task, really, given that the level of competition for the AMBR is ridiculous. Pretty much every car in the main hall (not just the AMBR contenders) is a “Best of Show” winner at a regular show, but this is the “Granddaddy of them all” the Grand National Roadster show.

When excellence abounds, the judges are forced to find something, “wrong” with the cars. Now there’s a task! Every year, however, a winner is chosen and regardless of any complaining, “AMBR winner” is something that can never be taken away. (even if the car later appears topless in Playboy… in fact, that’s encouraged!)

So here’s the video and pictures I took of the “Hot Rod Special”. The broad details are:

1932 Ford, all steel Roadster done in a 50’s period style with a 460 pony Viper V10 backed by a Tremec T-56 / 6speed. The Costco-like list of subtle body mods also features the more obvious custom fabricated belly pans and head rest. It’s all covered in double-black-back (wanna kiss myself, HEY!) period style paint. Everything rolls on kidney bean style 16 and 17 knock off wheels. Any other details are available at the builder, Harry Willett’s website, Willett Specials.com.

Now the debate begins, was this American’s Most Beautiful Roadster? You can be damn sure it’s one of them!

2009 Grand National Roadster Show – The Aftermath

There’s too many rocking hot rods… the customs… they’re oozing coolness into the ultra-chromed and engraved super-show low riders. It’s too much and perfect all at once. The aftermath is several hundred photos of who knows how many of the toughest cars anywhere. This is the Grand-daddy of them all, the 60th annual, Grand National Roadster Show.

We’re still arranging the hot rod and custom car pics and all there is to say from the Arizona crew that attended the 2009 Grand National Roadster Show. Starting out, we hit the road for Pomona on Saturday at 2 AM then we motored non-stop the whole weekend to try and take it all in. Only the mariachi band provided some relief.

The pictures we took from the show are now loaded: Hot Rods and Customs from GNRS

So stay tuned for these stories.

1. The American’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) winner: The Harry Willett of Willett Specials built “Hot Rod Special” (pictured here) – Read it now: “Hot Rod Special” AMBR Winner in Pictures & Video
2. Nihon in the house! A Japanese magazines, blog and a pinstriper were in town for the show. Ever seen a ‘flaked painted, pinstriped “daruma”? I’ll explain… Japanese Hot Rod Culture Pinstriped & Flaked!
3. America’s Most Bitchin Roadster: “Double Trouble”
4. Results from the 14th Pinstriper’s Reunion – Pulling lines for Charity
5. Brian’s dad Len filled us in on his thoughts on the 10 year spread of GNRS: 1999 vs. 2009.
6. Brian Stupski of Problem Child Kustoms was lucky enough to attend the “Hall of Fame” luncheon” at the Grand National Roadster show.
7. The Arizona Connection – Check out the hot rods and customs that have an AZ hand in them and maybe hear more about the mariachis?
8. The Ultimate Show Cars: Dig these Low riders done up to a level I had never imagined. Painted, striped, polished, then engraved and displayed to perfection. If you like low riders or not, the workmanship in these cars are undeniable.
9. The Legends: Pics and Videos of previous AMBR and Grand National Roadster Show Champions.

These are just a few of the pictures that MyRideisMe.com will be presenting. Please check back with us and if you want to see something in particular, ask us! We probably shot it!

Thanks for stopping by! While you’re here, Join us! My Ride is Me is an online community for car lovers like you. Get your own custom garage, read the forum and browse the picture gallery including pinup models! Something for everyone…

-pikesan

Collins Built, Show Stealing 27 Chevy Modified

MyRideisMe.com featured a blog a while ago about the stunning, Grand National Roadster Show stealing (click to read->) 27 Chevy Modified built by Dan Collins of the Old Gold Garage. The car was built for his wife, Tiffany Collins, who actually purchased the car in a rusty hulk in Temecula, CA. If you dug this car, check out how the car was deservingly featured on the cover of Rod and Custom Magazine and they took some great studio pictures of the car and filled in some details. Take a look at the Rod and Custom online story. Congratulations Dan and Tiffany!

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