Here is my take on the recent Grand National Roadster Show, The Grand Daddy Of Them All, GNRS, the kick-off show of the season.
This year did not disappoint. Friday morning at the Media Briefing John Buck outlined what was going on in each of the buildings. Of course we were excited to see the Keep On Truckin’ exhibit celebrating 50 year of classic haulers in and around Building 9.
Our friend and model Pinky joined us at the Cambra Speed Shop booth on Saturday. Watch for a feature of our shenanigans around the show. Here she is in Greg’s van that was painted and assembled at Cambra Speed Shop. And yes, that’s Pinky too on our cover image with the Pedal Car Auction contribution from Cambra Speed Shop.
Let’s start with a couple of really bitchen rods outside. This root beer goodie is a ’29 Model A Ford Tudor Sedan currently owned by Early Times member David Boulé. When ever I see this car it takes me back to building a similar Monogram model as a teenager. The color and restoration is fantastic. Lurking in the shadows is a straight up black ’64 Galaxie with red interior, and dog dish hubcaps.
In Building Four. The big building, and the only level building in the Fairplex, is the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster AMBR Contenders. This year all but three of the 9 contenders are 1932 Ford Roadsters. Jack Chisenhall wins the coveted award with his Brizio built black deuce. Flanking the contenders are booths of some of the top builders in the country with their pride of shop features like this santo Camaro all set up for road racing or autocross from Driven Speed Shop. South City Custom Shop got all the attention with Coby Gewertz’ wild 3-window coupe. Traditionalists took advantage of the pre-printed barf bags. Me? I dig it. Reminds me of so many different cars. From the paint chip ‘cuda to ’60’s dragsters.
What was your favorite of the AMBR contenders?
This is a good time to mention one of our favorites in the automotive aftermarket. PerTronix Performance Brands is celebrating 100 years of Taylor Cable Products. Yep, 100 years of making spark plugs. Such a legacy. Pinky did a great job showcasing their famed Spiro-Pro 8mm Ignition Wire Set.
Building 9. Oh you sweet building number nine. Each year this building near the spectator entrance is the themed featured vehicles building. This year. Yes, this year LMC Truck and Classic Truck Performance Magazine is showcasing custom and restored trucks from 1948-1998. Mini Trucks, Vans, and specialty vehicles from some of your favorite shows. Of course I dig the vans and this year Ron Cambra unveiled his custom restoration of the “Deathwish” van. Fellow vanner and friend Brian O’Hop heard this van was in a barn in Ohio, so Ron jumped and had the van shipped to his shop in Orange, and painstakingly repainted the graphics, keeping the original murals in front and back, the interior got a good cleaning and restored upholstery of the two front seats, dog house cover, door panels and dash. Everything else is ORIGINAL from when it was parked in 1984. Sitting in front of the row of vans, and right in front of Ron’s Octopus Garden van.
Other favorite truck was this green Chevy 5100 that was passed down the family from a cherry farm to a cruisin beauty. The totally custom blue Datsun 620 with a pointed nose, quad headlights and van conversion screams my era of the late ’70 mini truck time. but my favorite is one you can actually win! Bone’s Noteboom’s ’63 custom Ford Econoline built by Ketih Dean can be won at the 2023 Hippy Killer Hoe Down.
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