Grand National Roadster Show ‘23
SoCal Diaries A
Former Custom Car editor Tony Thacker lives in California these days, and this month he’s been enjoying the sound of flatheads…
bout time, quarantine is over and we can play cars and attend indoor shows again. Meanwhile, ARP Racing Products has stepped up to sponsor both the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award (AMBR) and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award at the 73rd O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). Each award comprises a substantial trophy and a cash prize of $12,500, as well as the prestige of winning what has become the world’s most significant custom car and hot rod show – the ‘Grandaddy of Them All.’ Of course, $12,500 is but a drop in the bucket of the guesstimated $1 million or more it takes to build a show-winning contender. Cost notwithstanding, there were nine entries up for the AMBR and 11 contenders for the Al Slonaker Award. That’s a cool $20-plus million for just 20 of the approximately 600 vehicles on display. To say it was a staggering show would be an understatement.
Right: Most controversial award (just kidding) went to artist/designer Coby Gewertz for his radical, wildly painted, sixties-race-car-inspired, stack-injected, Hemi-powered ’34 coupe built by Bill Ganahl’s South City Rod and Custom Shop Below: A surprise for most people was this LS-powered ’41 Willys coupe built by Roy Brizio Street Rods for rock legend Eric Clapton. It sported a lot of flames but maybe needed bumpers or nerf bars or something
Above: One of the coolest pickup trucks in the vast show was built by the Kennedy Bros and finished by Brit Jay Dean for Mike Williams of Western New York. The truck is a tribute to one that Mike lusted after as a boy – period perfect Above right: There’s a drive-in element to the Grand National Roadster Show that sees hundreds of enthusiasts drive their cars to the show grounds. This ’50 Chebby was owned by ‘Way Back’ Jack Right: I’m partial to this style of Model T-based Modified Roadster. Although often flathead powered, this one had a small-block Chevy behind its suicide front end. They’re snug but fun
44 CUSTOM CAR APRIL 2023
4pp SoCal Diaries April 23.indd 44
05/03/2023 22:07
