|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Building 4 is the main building, and houses the AMBR (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster) cars. I am sure that the judges can tell which car is the best, but I can’t. This is the big attraction among the spectators as they argue about the merits of the car that they think is the best. Years in the making and with a budget that can reach close to a million dollars or more, winning or losing this honor can leave one exhilarated or downcast. I spoke with Steve Tracy who exhibited Chromezilla in last year’s show. He is a friendly and animated young man who owns Advanced Plating in Nashville, Tennessee, and is dedicated to the sport of hot rodding. Chromezilla did not win the AMBR award, but it went on to win the 50th Annual Portland Roadster Show, the 2006 Seattle Roadster Show, and the Boise Roadster Show. “Build the car the way you want to build it, see it come to life, and enjoy it,” said Tracy. With so much money invested in these cars, that’s the best advice to take. His company is capturing a lot of business on the West Coast, including that of Jerry Kugel and Jim “Bones” Noteboom. “We handle a lot of the really difficult jobs that other platers don’t want to undertake. Roy Brizio sends me some difficult pieces,” he says. “Who wants to look at a wavy, ripply piece of chrome. Platers don’t get the respect that they deserve and yet their work is just as important as the body man or the painter and pinstriper,” Tracy added. Advanced Plating offers a short turn around time depending on the complexity of the job.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chuck Small, landspeed racer, car builder, mechanic and a member of the Gold Coast Roadster and Racing club, came to the event with Augie Esposito. We talked about the upcoming SCTA landspeed racing season and Steve Fossett’s attempt at the unlimited landspeed record. “If you spin out at speeds over 200mph,” he said, “you had better have a pair of vice grips to pull your shorts back on afterwards.” Wise advice from one of the best in landspeed racing. A special auction will be held to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event is sponsored as the Hot Rod Hero Pedal Car event, and Edsel Ford is the chairperson. The best and brightest hot rod builders were given a Ford Hero Pedal Car to adapt, modify, altar and paint in their very own style. The kits are approximately three feet long, 16 inches wide and 18 inches in height. They were all autographed by Edsel Ford, and the ten pedal cars will be auctioned off at the Pebble Beach Concourse in August of 2007. Car builders who participated are; Troy Trepanier (Rad Riders of Troy), Thom Taylor, The Rolling Bones (Ken Schmidt, Keith Cornell, Dave Moyer and Chris Chabre), Steve Moal, Jesse Greening, Chip Foose, Boyd Coddington, Pete Chapouris, Roy Brizio and Bobby Alloway. A special tribute was given to Ivan Leatherman, whose Extreme 48 is on display in his honor. Bands that participated included; Dead Beat’s Daddy, Russell Scott and the Red Hots, Surfing Safaris, Go Getters, Bob Fetherolf & Radio Club and the Vaquetones.
|
|
|
|
The awards ceremony for the Suede Palace was on Saturday evening, and for the AMBR contestants and roadsters on Sunday night. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum remained open during the Grand Nationals to accommodate those who wished to see this exemplary racing museum. George Barris was a featured personality at the show and was much sought after for interviews. The 2007 Builder of the Year Award went to Pinkee’s Rod Shop, in Windsor, Colorado, owned by Eric Peratt. Barry White of TLC’s Wrecks to Riches Show, was on hand to sign autographs. Dennis Gage, host of My Classic Car on Speed Channel was also a featured guest. Actors Candy Clark and Bo Hopkins from the classic hot rod movie, American Graffiti, were busy signing autographs and talking to their legion of fans. Hopkins stated that they travel around to about 25 shows a year and the interest in the movie only gets stronger. The Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame added three new members. Pete Chapouris, owner of the So-Cal Speed Shop and a master car builder was inducted into the 2007 class. He was joined by Marcel DeLey, who came to this country in 1963, with his sons Marc and Luc. Gary Meador was honored for his contributions to hot rodding and for the organization that he founded, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. Other featured guests were Vic Slick, Herb Martinez, Mr Norm, and Gary Bryan. If you missed this year’s event, mark your calendar for January 2008. For more information contact; www.rodshows.com .
|
|
|
|
The 2007 Americas Most Beautiful Roadster winner is Kevin and Karen Alstott’s ‘35 Ford Roadster.
|
|
|
|
Gil Palmer’s ’68 Chevy Camaro won the very competitive Custom Hardtop class
|
|
|
|
|
|
The “Americas Most Beautiful Roadster” trophy.
|
|
|
|
