I just hope I'm here for the 80th anniversary. That will add five more great cars to the list. -Don Prieto
The Hall Of Fame Ceremony
Started in 1960, the Grand National Roadster Show's Hall of Fame honors those who have made a mark with the show or, at the very least, in the car-show world. The Hall of Fame had induction ceremonies from 1960 to 1966, but was stopped until the function was revived in 1988. Since then, every year sees between two and seven persons inducted, and three honorees were named this year.
Hot rod businessman and car builder Pete Chapouris (first of Pete & Jake's, and later PC3g and SO-CAL Speed Shop), car show promoter Gary Meadors (head of the Goodguys Association), and Marcel DeLey (who, with his sons Marc and Luc, has created more AMBR and Ridler winners than any other person or company) were all inducted this year. Each had a chance to come to the podium and thank those who were responsible for getting them to this spot in their illustrious lives.
Looking around the room, many of the '60s-era Hall of Famers were in attendance, from Andy Brizio, Wally Parks, and Blackie Gejeian (who has attended every day of every Grand National Roadster Show since it began in 1949), to customizer Dean Jeffries. George Barris, a charter member from the class of 1960, was on hand to receive a bit of a roasting from his friends, all of whom held back from telling the "real" stories that probably would have gotten George in some sort of trouble, even now.
Inductees, invited guests, and folks who bought tickets to attend had the chance to get up close and personal with many of the hot rod heroes who have made the hobby what it is today. -Eric Geisert
The Outsiders
Yes, there were hundreds of show cars featured inside the seven large halls, but the area between each of the buildings was opened up for folks to drive their rides onto the showgrounds and park them while they took in the event.
STREET RODDER took advantage of having these daily drivers at our disposal and awarded a STREET RODDER Pick to two lucky winners, one on Saturday and the other on Sunday. It seems that even the daily drivers found at this show were as nice as some of the high-end cars found in other shows. The downside is there was no information in the windshields of these cars, so we don't know who owns most of them, but they know who they are!
Made In The SuedeNow's the time to clear your head of those preconceived notions of what an indoor car show looks like. The majority of the GNRS looks a lot like your typical indoor car show with its high-dollar displays surrounding even higher-dollar cars, but we took a trip over to the hall that was farthest away from that 9-foot trophy.
Last year's addition of the Suede Palace was a welcome change in the GNRS tradition. And it seemed a natural inclusion since Southern California happens to be the place where the whole nostalgia rat rod-primered cars trend started. The Shifters, one of the clubs that spearheaded that movement, organized the suede show this year. Alex Idzardi and the rest of his Shifters club have been running the Viva Las Vegas car show since its inception and have hosted numerous local events, such as the tongue-in-cheek FTB show.
This year, the Suede Palace was definitely more action-packed with the addition of live music throughout the weekend featuring the Dead Beat Daddies, Russell Scott and the Red Hots, the Go Getters, and The Vaquetones. Also on hand was DJ Flat Top Tom, who spun tons of rockabilly and always provides plenty of tunes to keep the crowd jumping. The building was also filled with vendors peddling everything from CDs, DVDs, car parts, clothing, and anything a 'striper's brush can be laid upon. By Saturday night, the mood was in full swing as the Shifters took the stage in between the live bands to announce the numerous Best of Show awards chosen by local car clubs, such as the Aces, the Lordsmen, the Sultans, and the Gearheads.
With the suede show growing, we'll have to see how it does next year, and, who knows, maybe it will give the main show a run for its money! - Ryan Manson