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Live Updates from the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show - AMBR Winner Announced!America's Most Beautiful Roadster Competition From the January, 2010 issue of Street Rodder By Tim Bernsau
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One minute ago, America's Most Beautiful Roadster for 2010 was revealed. The winner is "Possessed," the beautiful '33 roadster owned by Mike and Dianna Dingman and built by Scott's Hot Rods and Customs in Oxnard, California. There was a little drama on Friday, as the Scott's crew was delayed in finishing their rotating display and getting the car set up in time to be eligible for the competition. Patience paid off in the end, as the deep copper-colored '33 took top honors. The concept behind the design was to blend the car Ford built in 1933 with the designs employed by European coachbuilders of the same era. Every component of the body is handbuilt. The engine is a highly-modified injected 392-inch Ford. The project began two years ago, almost to the day, and ends in the best way imaginable. Congratulations to the Dingmans and to the crew at Scott's, and to everyone involved with creating America's Most Beatiful Roadster. America's Most Beautiful Roadster Competition
Hello America. It's great to be back in Pomona for the 61st Annual Grand National Roadster Show. Mother Nature is smiling today and the Southern California storms ended a few days before set-up day, providing nothing but sunshine today. Check out these roadsters competing for the AMBR trophy-the best of the best. And check back to this website all weekend, because we'll be continuing to bring you updates from the show We're looking forwarding to three great days. We just got out of the main building where the contenders for the big prize, America's Most Beautful Roadster, have been setting up. The variety is as good as ever, but, as with last year, we've noticed a move back toward traditionally-styled rods-and Deuces are where it's at evidently.  Squeeg's Kustoms built this...  Squeeg's Kustoms built this beautiful Deuce for Todd Steven's. The car is Hemi-powered and features and interior from Gabe's Upholstery.  Fred Stokes' modified '32,...  Fred Stokes' modified '32, nicknamed Stoked, is an all steel car, running a blown injected 354 Hemi. It was built by the owner and New Metal Kustoms.  How cool would it be if a...  How cool would it be if a flathead powered roadster won the AMBR prize? We're not taking bets, but Don Smith's roadster pickup from Mansfield, Texas, would qualify. Work was done at Roy's Body Shop.  Hard to beat a traditionally-style...  Hard to beat a traditionally-style roadster like Brule Hampton's Deuce, built by Mark's Rod Shop, and motorvated by a 502ci Chevy Ram Jet. Check out the interior.  Jerry Magnuson put one of...  Jerry Magnuson put one of his company's superchargers on the LS1 engine in this Kugel Muroc roadster (number 3 of 10 built). Chip Foose and Jerry worked together on the design of this magnificent car.  Richard Munz took the inspiration...  Richard Munz took the inspiration for his S' Deuced roadster from a bronze sculpture by Stan Wanlass, and Jim Busby Racing Team turned the little one into a remarkable replica big one, compete with an Ardun head Merc motor.  Tom Walsh is the builder behind...  Tom Walsh is the builder behind Sidney Allen's sweet red roadster, with a 3x2-carbed Hemi, five-speed, and Sid Chavers interior, plus and Auburn dash panel and Halibrand quick-change.  James Hetfield is back at...  James Hetfield is back at the GNRS with this amazing '36 Auburn boat-tail, painted deep chocolate brown. It's a knockout.  Wayne Halabura claims more...  Wayne Halabura claims more than 300 modifications to his Hot Rod Heaven '32. The engine is a small-block Chevy built around an aluminum NASCAR-style block.  Floyd Williams wanted a cool,...  Floyd Williams wanted a cool, clean Deuce and builder Dave Lane delivered the goods with this black beauty, running a ZZ4 with Hilborn injection and Accel electronics, backed by a five-speed Tremec. Cover Cars That Made A Difference
We're kind of proud how well our display building at the Grand National Roadster Show turned out. Street Rodder and Rod & Custom shared the gallery building next to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and filled it with more than 30 hot rods and customs from our combined histories. The Cover Cars That Made A Difference display highlighted everything from the Chuck Price roadster that decorated the first R&C cover in May 1953 to Kookie Car clone that will be appearing on the cover of Street Rodder's May 2010 issue.  George Poteet's Salt Racer...  George Poteet's Salt Racer '34 coupe harkens back to the good days of hot rodding, but was actually just finished by Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop and appearend on the March 2010 cover of SRM.  Jim Jacobs famous '29 Tub...  Jim Jacobs famous '29 Tub appeared on R&C's second "Are Coupes For Chickens" cover in December 1988, before being covered with magazine pages.  Pete Chapouris' '34 coupe...  Pete Chapouris' '34 coupe appeared on R&C's first "Are Coupes For Chickens" cover in November 1973, before becoming known as the California Kid.  The Dick Flint roadster has...  The Dick Flint roadster has been seen everywhere. Don Orosco is the owner of this iconic track-nosed car which was on SRM's cover in August 2000.  It doesn't get more hot rod...  It doesn't get more hot rod than the Bo Jones '27 T-modified, originally built in 1967, restored a decade later and currently the property of Roy Brizio.  Al Kuhn is the owner of the...  Al Kuhn is the owner of the Dick Magoo roadster. The '29 A/V-8 highboy showed up in Street Rodder in the January 1979 issue.  There's more history in the...  There's more history in the Tom McMullen roadster than in ten other cars combined. You may remember it from the cover of Hot Rod in April 1963.  Bud Bryan worked for Rod &...  Bud Bryan worked for Rod & Custom in the early days and his A/V-8 '29 roadster, Project Highboy, showed up in those pages a lot, including the cover in 1969  The first car to grace the...  The first car to grace the cover of Rod & Custom (then Rods and Customs) in May 1953, was Chuck Price's roadster, now part of Richard Munz' collection.  One of the greatest T-buckets...  One of the greatest T-buckets around, Blackie Gejeian's roadster is still an inspiration.  Neal East drove his full-fendered...  Neal East drove his full-fendered '32 to the beach for the August 1961 cover photo for the first full-sized issue of Rod & Custom  Customs are part of the display...  Customs are part of the display too. Larry Watson's Grapevine was carefully cloned as Randy Rhoades' '52 Chevy Gra-Vin Image.  Bobby Alloway's flamed '34...  Bobby Alloway's flamed '34 coupe introduces the past to the present, and made the trip to the GNRS for our gallery.  Frank Currie's '32 was driven...  Frank Currie's '32 was driven to Bonneville, where it turned 205 miles per hour, then driven home. That's a hot rod.  There is no missing Hemrod,...  There is no missing Hemrod, Don Smith's '32 sedan, built by Pinkees Rod Shop. It's on the current April 2010 cover of R&C.  Remember this tub? The super-smooth...  Remember this tub? The super-smooth '32 Ford Phaeton, built by Boyd Coddington, belongs to Bob Kolmos.  Another groundbreaking contemporary-styled...  Another groundbreaking contemporary-styled smoothie is George Lange's '32 roadster. The former AMBR winner appeared in SRM in February 2003.  We end with Ron Kregoski's...  We end with Ron Kregoski's just-finished perfect clone of Norm Grabowski's Kookie Car. Look for it on the cover of Street Rodder's May 2010 issue. Trucks and Ts and A Few Other Treats
It's lunchtime on Saturday at the 2010 Grand National Roadster Show. The mellow mood of Friday has been replaced by a sea of spectators on Saturday. Here we are in Building 6, which has been designated the Motorcycle Building. It's filled with some wild custom bikes, but we were drawn to the opposite end, where we found more show vehicles. As you can see, there were lots of custom pickup trucks, and quite a few T-buckets in the mix. Here are a few of the ones that our camera liked the best.here.  It's hard to miss Mike & Kelly...  It's hard to miss Mike & Kelly Jones' flamed '41 Ford pickup, rolling on an Art Morrison chassis. The 'rails were stretched 9 inches, the cab stretched 6 inches and chopeed 3 inches front and 2 1/2 in the rear. There's a 350 Ram Jet under the hood.  Vendetta is the name of this...  Vendetta is the name of this amazing '48 Ford F-1, built by Tom Stephens and Nissens Hot Rod Garage. It runs a blown, injected Ford FE 406, but the bodywork is what its all about, especially the '37 LaSalle elements all over the place-not ot mentino the 1,579 louvers.  There aren't many '57 Chevys...  There aren't many '57 Chevys like this one, built and owned by Rodger Lee at Ironworks Speed & Kustom in Bakersfield. The engine is a 402 LS2 with Kinsler stacks and FAST injection. The suspension is C6 Corvette.  Tangelo Pearl is the color...  Tangelo Pearl is the color on Joe Lukens citrus sweet '55 Ford F-100. The engine is a Ford 351 Windsor. The headlights are Harley-Davidson.  We've never seen anything...  We've never seen anything like Jim Richards' radical custom pickup, built from a mid-'60s GMC/Chevy cab turned 180 degrees. The chopped, channeled, narrowed, sectioned, shaved, pickup with a '34 LaSalle grille runs a '70 Buick 455 engine.  Rod & Bedelia Sanford showed...  Rod & Bedelia Sanford showed up with this '40 Ford Deluxe Coupe. A TCI chassis was built for the car, powered by a ZZ383 crate motor with a custom intake and 3x2 carbs. Power seats, bluetooth, and iPod connections are modern elements.  We love the beautiful paint...  We love the beautiful paint on Bruce Ricks, '57 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible, called Cinnamon Flame and Black Copper paint. Leather interior. It's running the original J-2 engine, manifold and carbs, and 4-speed Jet-A-Way transmission.  The convertible follows the...  The convertible follows the theme established by Bruce's '57 Olds Fiesta wagon, which is also running an original 371ci J-2 motor and transmission. This wagon was designed by Chris Ito, and features a Paul Atkins interior.  Dale and Cathy Whygle's flamed...  Dale and Cathy Whygle's flamed T-bucket was the first in a line of fine '23s. The blown 354 Hemi is a lot of motor for the little T.  That beautiful interior from...  That beautiful interior from Gabes Street Rod Interiors is a perfect match foro this '23 T, owned by John and Susan Schwartzbauer. The bodywork was all owner done and the powertrain is a 350/350 combination.  We'll leave you with a final...  We'll leave you with a final '23, this one owned by Jr. Amstutz. It's impossible to see the ghost flames in the paint, but they're there. A Chevy 350 pulls the roadster, backed by a TH200-4R trans. The Suede Palace
The party at the north end of the show was in Building 22, known this weekend as The Suede Palace. The Grand National Roadster Show designates this building specifically for hot rods built the way they used to, meaning in the garage, on a paycheck budget, and in the style of the '40s, '50s, and early '60s-as well as vendors catering to this segment of the hot rod hobby. Separate awards are presented here; they are custom built and winners are selected by participating vendors and clubs. Suede Palace activities include live music and the pin-up contest on Satuday evening. Alex "Axle" Itzardi does a great job organizing this event within an event.  Tom Branch pulled the louvered...  Tom Branch pulled the louvered hood off his '32 roadster to show off the 1958 Stude 304ci V8 topped with four Bendix Stromberg carbs. The transmission is a Borg Warner T5.  Jamie Johnson's Deuce five-window...  Jamie Johnson's Deuce five-window coupe is an original piece from the body (no filler) to the wood to the rails. The frame has been boxed and C-notched in the rear. Jamie johnson, deuce coupe. A 4-71 blower feeds the 327 mill.  Paul Gommi's '32 roadster...  Paul Gommi's '32 roadster is a basically unrestored survivor from '40s, when it raced on the lakes. The gray primer was shot over the original black paint back in 1949.  Handbuilt race buckets and...  Handbuilt race buckets and a Red Ram Hemi distinguish Bob Hill's '32 three-window, which was a bunch of parts last time we saw it. Check it out now.  It's been 20 years since Norm...  It's been 20 years since Norm Crum shot the paint on this '29 Model A, owned by Gail & Christiine Eastman. The 229ci Flathead features a Winfield cam, Offy heads, and McCulloch blower.  Robert Ruiz, 27 Ford phaeton,...  Robert Ruiz, 27 Ford phaeton, better known as the Royal Hawaiian, is a Suede Palace favorite and is pulled along by that blown 392-inch Hemi motor.  The Mighty Mojo Prophets were...  The Mighty Mojo Prophets were one of several live bands performing in the S.P. during the weekend.  Atomic Punk, Aaron Grote's...  Atomic Punk, Aaron Grote's 21st interpretation of a Sixties bubbletop showcar found a spot front and center at the entranceway of the Suede Palace. Can you notice the '59 Plymouth traces on the Hemi powered b-top?  Priscilla Morales and Mark...  Priscilla Morales and Mark Itzardi are the owners and builders of these his 'n' her '60 El Caminos. Priscilla's pink one runs a 350 Chevy engine and rides on front and rear hydraulics. Mark's gold one runs a built-up 283 mill with air shocks which come in handy when he tows his race coupe. Both cars feature a ton of 'flake inside and out.  Max Grundy's drab green '50...  Max Grundy's drab green '50 Merc was chopped 6 1/2 inches front and 5 1/2 in the rear. The bodywas dropped over a modified '72 GTO frame, with a small-block Chevy under the hood.  How do you like Dennis and...  How do you like Dennis and Henrietta Johnston's '32 tudor sedan, built from an all original steel body on the original frame? The drivetrain includes a 402ci Chevy big-block, Richmond six-speed with OD, and a Ford 9-inch.  You're looking at the original...  You're looking at the original paint on this '57 Olds Super 88 Fiesta, once a tow vehicle for Eddie and Bud Meyer. Russ Lynes is the owner now and decorated his display sign with old black 'n' white photos of Bud and Eddie from the old days.  H&H Flatheads built the flathead...  H&H Flatheads built the flathead engine in Ed Dwyer's suede '34 Ford three-window coupe, which wears the original "block letter" Edelbrock heads, plus a slingshot intake with dual Strombergs. The Show Outdoors
In addition to all the show cars in the various display buildings, the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex were packed with Southern California's nicest hot rods, customs, classic trucks, musclecars, and race cars, all part of the GNRS Drive-In. This is the fifth year that vehicles have been displayed outdoors at the Grand National Roadster Show, and beautiful weather and hundreds of beautiful rides made this a hugely popular part of the event. Here is a small sample of some of what was showing outside.  Bill & Peggy Yount's '48 Mercury...  Bill & Peggy Yount's '48 Mercury Coupe  Ran Walk's '46 Ford Picku...  Ran Walk's '46 Ford Pickup  Matt Gluck's '31 Chevy 5-window...  Matt Gluck's '31 Chevy 5-window and Rodney Lovato's '32 Chevy 5-window  John Rudisill's '49 Ford ...  John Rudisill's '49 Ford woody  Ted Jones' '52 Ford woody...  Ted Jones' '52 Ford woody  Leonard Kunce's '41 Ford ...  Leonard Kunce's '41 Ford sedan  Ben Bansky's '40 Ford sedan...  Ben Bansky's '40 Ford sedan delivery  Bill Garnett's '29 Ford r...  Bill Garnett's '29 Ford rpu  Eugene Start's '35 Ford fordor...  Eugene Start's '35 Ford fordor sedan  Scott Wiswell's '65 Buick...  Scott Wiswell's '65 Buick Riviera  Ray & Nancy Thompson's '32...  Ray & Nancy Thompson's '32 roadster  Jim Cripps '50 Pontiac two...  Jim Cripps '50 Pontiac two door  Jim Siegmund's '30 Ford Model...  Jim Siegmund's '30 Ford Model A Fordor History of the Race Car
One of the highlights of the Grand National Roadster Show was the "History of the Race Car" exhibit, a huge collection of historical cars from virtually every area of motorsports, including our favorites from the lakes, the salt, and the dragstrip. Some are ancient, some are more current, but all are breathtaking and the whole room was amazingly arranged with sights and sounds from automotive competition. This is only a fraction of the racing icons on display.  The Roth & Ronnow '27 T Roadster,...  The Roth & Ronnow '27 T Roadster, now owned by Mark Brinker  Barney Navarro's '27 T lakes...  Barney Navarro's '27 T lakes and track roadster, now owned by Scott Perrott  Richard & George Morris' '31...  Richard & George Morris' '31 Model A  A.R. "Tommy" Thompson's "Goldenrod"...  A.R. "Tommy" Thompson's "Goldenrod" streamliner, now owned by Tom McIntyre  Pierson Brothers '34 Ford...  Pierson Brothers '34 Ford coupe, now owned by Bruce Meyer  Munz/Busby '32 Ford roadster,...  Munz/Busby '32 Ford roadster, Bonneville record holder, owned by Richard Munz and Jim Busby  Tony Baron's '27 Ford roa...  Tony Baron's '27 Ford roadster  Alfred Churchill's "The Meteor"...  Alfred Churchill's "The Meteor" 2-passenger '39 lakester, later owned by George Nakamura, now owned by Walter Nakamura  BMR Racing '32 coupe, now...  BMR Racing '32 coupe, now owned by Douglas Robinson  So-Cal Speed Shop belly tank,...  So-Cal Speed Shop belly tank, now owned by Bruce Meyer  Dick Kraft's "The Bug," now...  Dick Kraft's "The Bug," now owned by Dick Kraft and Ron Roseberry  "The Cotton Chopper" '52 rail...  "The Cotton Chopper" '52 rail dragster, now owned by Tracy Ledford  Walters & Murray "Triple Nickel"...  Walters & Murray "Triple Nickel" Fuel roadster, owned by Dean Murray  Bill Warth-Stu Hilborn Streamliner...  Bill Warth-Stu Hilborn Streamliner recreation, now owned by Bill Lattin  King & Hansen belly tank,...  King & Hansen belly tank, owned by David Duthu  Leever-Esser-Ruter '29 Ford...  Leever-Esser-Ruter '29 Ford Bonneville roadster, now owned by Richard Munz Buzz Cars
At every event, there are always a bunch of cars that create a buzz-the cars you hear being mentioned wherever you go. There are many such "buzz cars" here at the GNRS, including the sample shown here.  Wayne Cherry's owner-built...  Wayne Cherry's owner-built 2009 VSR Cadillac-powered Concept Sports Rod.  George Poteet's "Miller Hauler...  George Poteet's "Miller Hauler Special" '32 Ford pickup, designed and built by Brian Stinger at Stinger's Hot Rod Shop, with paint, machining, and final assembly at Rad Rods by Troy.  Zack Norman's '32 Ford roadster,...  Zack Norman's '32 Ford roadster, built by GNRS 2010 Builder of the Year Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods.  Billy Gibbons' "Mexican Blackbird"...  Billy Gibbons' "Mexican Blackbird" '58 Ford Thunderbird, built at SO-CAL Speed Shop.  Eric Clapton's right-hand-drive...  Eric Clapton's right-hand-drive '49 Ford tudor coupe, built at Roy Brizio Street Rods.  Rick Dore's '50 Cadillac 2-seater...  Rick Dore's '50 Cadillac 2-seater roadster.  The '56 Fiat Series #306/2...  The '56 Fiat Series #306/2 Bartoletti Grand Prix Transporter, owned by Don Orosco.  Don Orosco's 1958 Reventlow...  Don Orosco's 1958 Reventlow Scarab Sports Racer and 1960 Reventflow Scarab Formula One car.
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