Gone Racin� to the 56^th Grand National Roadster Show

 Roger Rohrdanz and I were invited by Dan and Charlene Cyr to attend the 56^th Grand National Roadster Show, January 21-23^rd at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, California. It is impossible to really see everything in this show in just a few days. The Cyr�s expanded the show by renting two more buildings and providing space outside. Five huge buildings were packed with the elite cars, roadsters, trucks and motorcycles. There were also race cars, and specialty cars like the Munsters TV wagon. On hand for interviews and to sign autographs were Vern Troyer, who played �Mini Me� in the movie Austin Powers, Ivonna Cadaver from Macabre Theater, Paul Le Mat and Cindy Williams from American Graffiti, TLC�s Over Haulin & Rides show, George Barris with his Munster Koach from the TV series the Munsters, Matt Hotch from Discovery Channel�s Biker Build Off, and the Oakland Raiders �Raiderettes� Cheerleaders. Not only were the buildings packed with outstanding cars, trucks and motorcycles, but vendors lined the walls, and extended outside into the open air patio areas. Cyr told us that there were over 300 vehicles on display this year. There were activities for young and old alike. There was a model car show and memorabilia exhibit for all ages, with over 150 contestants vying for 30 awards for the best built models.

But the crowds came for the AMBR awards. AMBR means America�s Most Beautiful Roadster. These are the cars that are the best of the best. Cyr mentioned that these cars can cost up to half a million dollars, and I spoke to one of the contestants, and he confirmed that he stopped counting his costs after the first two hundred thousand dollars. The judges took their time as they crawled in, over and under these cars, trying to find fault, but finding none, and marveling at the engineering excellence of these roadsters. These cars were all built before 1937, and they never looked as good as on the exhibit hall floor. The nine foot trophy stood in the center of the building, with plaques surrounding the sides showing the names and years of the previous winners. A photo board presentation gave the history of the Grand National Roadster Show, with photographs, programs and memorabilia from the first show up through last year�s winning entry. Famous hot rod customizers, builders and engineers were listed on the heritage board, and some of these men and women are still with us and attending the current Roadster Show. A new event is the AMBMC Award, for the America�s Most Beautiful Motor Cycle. Experienced teams of judges, 16 in all, went about their jobs and ignoring the crowds of people who were enthralled by these beautiful machines.

It only costs $100 to enter the AMBR category, but not just any hot rod will do. The Cyr�s staff reviews the entries and chooses only the best. To get that far means you are already a winner. We talked to a few of the owners and photographed all of the cars in the AMBR field. Paul and Erik Hansen from Pleasanton, California, entered a �32 Maroon Ford. J.J. Barnhardt and Pete Chapouris of Los Angeles exhibited a yellow �32 Ford. Leonard Knight from Glendora, California displayed a Majik Pearl Blue �32 Ford. Rick and Susan Dore entered a �34 light green Ford. Tim Kerrigan from Sonoma, California brought his Redline Red �33 Ford. Jerry Jacobson, Dana Point, California, exhibited a Jet Black �32 Ford. Roger Ritzow, of Franklin, Wisconsin, entered a Greygreen �32 Ford. Jon Hall, hailing from Saginaw, Michigan, displayed a Cherry Red �27 Ford. Royce Glader, Fort Collins, Colorado, entered a Brown Pearlized �29 Ford. Last years winner, Charlie Lambetecchio, from Fresno, California, did not enter the AMBR category, but displayed two outstanding cars, one of which was the 2004 winner. There were approximately 350 awards to be given at this year�s event. In other categories, Steve Metz, Monrovia, California, entered a flamed orange/blue �50 Studebaker. Theo Kuypers, Sherwood Park, Alabama, brought his Maroon Red �32 Chevy to prove that not all Roadsters have to be Fords. Among the hot looking trucks was Don Hachenberger�s �56 deep orange Ford F-100, called the Fresh Squeezed.

The vendors proved just as exciting. Jim �Bones� Noteboom from Bones Concept Cars and Trucks showed his brand new �35 Ford Fiberglass bodied kits called the Kool �35�s. With a roomy 5 by 6 interior and bucket seats, this roadster will seat 5 comfortably. Bones built this from a custom car that he built and liked so much that his wife said he has to continue his dream. A sporty family roadster, this car will run $14,900 for the body, windshield and body parts, shipped on a crate already completed. You add engine, drive train, frame and you�re finished. A complete Kool �35 can be driven off the showroom floor for $35,000. We talked to Master Hot Rod builder Randy Clark, from Hot Rods and Custom Stuff, of Escondido. Stan Chersky, owner of one of the largest car club plaque collections in the world, with about 5000 plaques, dropped by to say hello, as did Gene and Dorothy Mooneyham, of Mooneyham Blowers. The Tall Guy, Pat Ganahl, came over to see Ron Main, SCTA Sidewinder and owner/driver of the Bonneville Streamliner, Eco Fire, fastest 4 cylinder streamliner in the world at 345.855 mph, and which was on display. Keith from Specialized Coatings created an eye catching display booth. Rock and Roll Custom Painting brought out a front/rear drive Mini-Cooper Limousine with a spa in the center. �For the girls,� they said. They custom paint 250 motorcycles a month in their shop in Orange, California.

Now it was time to see the bikes, trikes, bicycles and muscle cars. Some were older restored bikes, but a number were retro, new and meant to look old. Start out with the gnarly looking Schwinn Easy Rider choppers with the spiky mod look and then ease up on the Dreamcraft Saga black frame, coppered/chrome pipes and struts, and the curve on this bike will take your breath away. Matt Kraft created an enameled blue Japanese Porcelain motif on white called the Munewari. Dirty Sanchez designed a sharp pointed cowhide chopper with forward pointing pipes with spiked collars on a radically frame. Tim Byers crafted a deep cobalt blue Tricycle, with bench seating for 3 and a 502 c.i. smoking motor, with a rear end by Kugel and 4 front head lamps. Then it was back to the vendors to talk to the Good Guys, and L.A. Roadster Show honcho Jack Stewart. B Rod or Custom came all the way from Knoxville, Tennessee, to show their new fiberglass roadster with a low and sporty look. The steel body and design looks a bit like the old Auburns and Cords. Biker Leathers and Indian Jewelry could have clothed an army in leathers, and they came down from San Francisco to try their luck in the L.A. market. I dropped by to see Ivonna at the Macabre Theater booth, and move over Elvira, there is a new vamp in town. Her tights could not have been very comfortable, but she hardly stood out among the bike crowd. 

Ernie Nagamatsu displayed Max Balchowsky�s �Ol Yeller. This road racing car was not built to look pretty, but when it burst upon the scene in 1959 it pushed the European cars right out of the picture. The old yellow Buick powered car has taken on a certain beauty and grandeur with age. Maybe the mind plays tricks with the past, but I thought I could still see Dan Gurney, Carroll Shelby, Bob Bondurant, Bobby Drake and Max himself in the old car, twisting around the Riverside course. DRIVE! Magazine brought their shiny blue delivery truck, worthy of exhibiting by itself, and thousands of free magazines to give away to the hordes of spectators. As I left the buildings, I passed by vendors selling tires, rims, waxes, metal cleaners, air purifiers, auto lifts, car and bike accessories, stereos, clothing, leathers, paints, adhesives, toys and models, and those sponsoring cruises and car shows. There is something for everyone at the Grand Nationals Roadster Show.

Gone Racin� is at www.oilstick.com

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