Time spent at the Twice In...
Time spent at the Twice In a Lifetime display was a lesson in rodding history, featuring an impressive array of notable cars built over the past six decades.
Just as new experiences recall lessons learned over lifetimes, attending events like the Grand National Roadster Show allows us to expand our automotive creativity through rare reviews of past greatness. (It should be noted that the Grand National Roadster Show wasn't always the "Grand," as it was called the National Roadster Show from inception until the early '60s. It was also affectionately referred to as the Oakland Roadster Show, with many old timers still referring to it by this nameplate, but "Oakland" was never the official name).
Displaying some of the most cherished automotive expressions of our time, an impressive display entitled "Twice In a Lifetime" brought together a building full of memorable machinery shaped by some of the greatest car fabricators in history. Ranging from truly whimsical expressions of imagination, to beautifully functional drag cars and lakesters, to daily-driven street rods, this array of famous machinery offered something special for those who appreciate our most historic rides.
This celebration of amazing imagination, craftsmanship, and style called attention to numerous notables who have been making this hobby special since it began. Among them were special displays including impressive groupings of cars representing two of the hobbies most creative individuals we've recently lost-Lil' John Buttera and Boyd Coddington. These two men often worked closely in rethinking cars as we know them, and each made an indelible mark on our memories. Add in several impressive club gatherings of well-known cars that still rule the roads and there's no question this trip back in time influenced car enthusiasts for decades to come.
Named America's Most Beautiful Roadster in 1951, Carter Fisher's rebuild of Reco Squaglia's '23 T roadster recalls great times in American history when cars were simple, terrifyingly fast, inexpensive, and priceless in their return on investment.
 One of Richard Zocchi's most...  One of Richard Zocchi's most celebrated customs is his Chop '39 Dodge massaged by Armando Hernandez, finished and painted by Bill Reasoner, and subtly scalloped and striped by Art Himsl. |  Borrowing from Indy roadsters...  Borrowing from Indy roadsters of its day, Leever, Esser, and Ruter's D Modified '29 Ford roadster ran 169.17 in 1956 with injected Olds power. Jack Hageman bodywork led it to the '57 National Roadster Show coverage in Hot Rod magazine in '58, and a class win at this event in '06. Restored by Busby Racing, Richard Munz enjoys it today. |  Bill Carash's custom roadster...  Bill Carash's custom roadster was like no other at the National Roadster Show in 1950 and no other since. Custom bodywork nearly conceals a '32 Cadillac V-16 wearing a modified '36 Chrysler chassis that has been good to go for 60 years! |
 Originally shown at the National...  Originally shown at the National Roadster Show in 1958, Gil Granucci's Granooch Coupe was restored over four years and coated in Hot Hues Copper Sunset. |  One of the sleekest speed...  One of the sleekest speed machines ever is Ed Cortopassi's Glass Slipper. Initially built for drag racing, this beautiful machine ran 181 mph at the dry lakes burning methanol. Featured in Hot Rod in January of '56. |  Feared by competitors in its...  Feared by competitors in its day, Art Chrisman's #25 Model T-based slingshot is considered by many to be the first purpose-built drag car. |