George and Leann Leuer's '30...
George and Leann Leuer's '30 Ford highboy coupe on Deuce-rails just looks like it would be fun to drive. That's why we picked it for an SR Editor's Pick. The ventilated visor and Moon tank give it a drag race vibe.
Car shows are controversial by their very nature, and when the title of America's Most Beautiful Roadster is on the line, even the winners of a veritable institution like the Grand National Roadster Show are often criticized. Maybe that's because beauty is impossible to define and truly is in the eye of the beholder, so few of us can agree on what it is. On the other hand, most rodders don't seem to have a problem agreeing on what's ugly, but maybe that's because ugly seems to speak for itself.
While picking an AMBR winner is a process of following a prescribed procedure of adding up points on an evaluation form as opposed to making a subjective selection, it's still not something we'd like to do because point totals and personal taste are often at odds with one another. But while there are guidelines for most of the awards given out at the 60th GNRS, there were those that were given without rhyme or reason-the Editor's Picks that were selected from participants at the outside "Drive-In" show.
This is the third time in as many years that those with pre-1973 cars and trucks were invited to display them Saturday and Sunday in the outside show between the buildings. A novel concept, it's been a great addition to an already outstanding show. The entry fee for participants gave the driver and a guest admission to the GNRS; preregistered entrants also received a special dash plaque and a goody bag.
As in the past, the standards for selecting the STREET RODDER award winners were reasoned and well thought out; they were cars we'd like to have in our garage. As always, the tough part was narrowing our selection down to three. Take a look at the following photos and you'll see why.
We gave John Cherry's Yakima,...
We gave John Cherry's Yakima, WA-based '32 Ford five-window coupe an SR Editor's Pick. Simple and clean, power comes from a dual-quad-equipped Chrysler Hemi.
This '50 Chevrolet coupe belonging...
This '50 Chevrolet coupe belonging to Frank Heddens of San Bernardino, CA, was our third Editor's Pick. A small-block Chevy, 700-R4, and a Mustang II independent are under the super-smooth, bright red exterior.
Although Jim Kitchen identifies...
Although Jim Kitchen identifies his unique highboy sedan as a 1928 Mercury Torpedo, we suspect it's a Model A Ford Tudor with a Briggs Fordor cowl. About the only thing we can say for sure is we see it every year at Bonneville covered in salt, and we love it.
For those who don't believe...
For those who don't believe four-doors can be cool, we offer Bob Nelson's '50 Chevrolet Fleetline as proof they can be.
Huntington Beach, CA, is home...
Huntington Beach, CA, is home to Steve McElroy and his '38 Ford Standard Tudor. Considering this was the best-selling body style that year with over 106,000 produced, not many are seen today.
Even with the big 'W' in the...
Even with the big 'W' in the grille, there were lots of wrong guesses as to the origin of Robert Garcia's ride, a rare '53 Willys Aero (only 35,000 were sold). It was also the year Willys became a subsidiary of Kaiser Industries.
David Archer's '41 Mercury...
David Archer's '41 Mercury has all the right street rod elements-a classy stock body, an in-the-weeds stance, and a blown small-block Chevy under the hood.
Jerry Macenas owns this flamed...
Jerry Macenas owns this flamed '40 Buick coupe. There's an extensive list of body mods that include frenched headlights, removal of the bumpers, parking lights, door handles, and just about any other stock lump or bump.
The Oldsmobile Rocket 88 was...
The Oldsmobile Rocket 88 was arguably the muscle car of the day; this 1950 example belongs to Ben Johnson of Phoenix, AZ.
This roadster pickup didn't...
This roadster pickup didn't have a windshield sticker, so we can't identify the owner. Whoever you are, we like your truck.
There's nothing fake about...
There's nothing fake about the patina on Dan Sobiniski's '32 Ford Fordor sedan. Dan worked for the late Boyd Coddington and was seen regularly on the TV show American Hot Rod.
Larry Kooiman added Cadillac...
Larry Kooiman added Cadillac wire wheels to his '56 Oldsmobile 88 hardtop, then subtracted a few inches off the ride height to end up with a cool cruiser.
Rey Fierro's '29 Ford pickup...
Rey Fierro's '29 Ford pickup hasn't changed much over the years, but then we wouldn't change anything on a street rod that looked this good, either.
This bright orange '49 Chevy...
This bright orange '49 Chevy Fleetline belongs to Terry James of Mira Loma, CA. The two-door has been nosed and decked, the headlights have been frenched, and a one-piece windshield has been substituted for the split stocker.
Brent Stackhouse brought his...
Brent Stackhouse brought his '39 Ford woody to the Drive-In show. Considered a commercial vehicle, at $920 the Deluxe station wagon was the same price as the convertible sedan, the most expensive car in that year's lineup.
A very rare piece, this '32...
A very rare piece, this '32 Chevy sedan delivery belongs to Don Sewell. It rides on polished five-spokes, has an IFS and the headlights mount to a dropped Ford-style bar. Note the doors in the hood; they were chrome from the factory on Deluxe models.
Here's a lesson from John...
Here's a lesson from John Mello of Avalon, CA, about all the changes that have to be made to the body of a '40 Ford to make it better looking-there are none.
There are lots of post-war...
There are lots of post-war Chevys showing up as street rods, but not many of them are sedan deliveries. Al Meyling owns this '46.
We fell in love with Richard...
We fell in love with Richard Freng's hoodless '39 Ford Deluxe Tudor. It's got all the right stuff hanging out in the breeze-a 24 stud Flattie with Edelbrock heads and Weiand manifold with a trio of Stromberg 97s.