75 Years Of Hot Rod Royalty: Inside The Grand National Roadster Show 2025 Winners And Historic Celebration
Contents
The 2025 'America's Most Beautiful Roadster' (AMBR) Winner
The pinnacle of the Grand National Roadster Show is, without question, the presentation of the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" (AMBR) award, a title that comes with a $12,500 prize and one of the most prestigious trophies in the custom car world. For the 75th anniversary, the winner was a masterclass in subtlety and execution. The 2025 AMBR award was claimed by Ross Myers and his stunning 1936 Ford Roadster. This victory was a significant moment, highlighting a build that respected the classic lines of the original Ford while incorporating countless custom details.Ross Myers' 1936 Ford Roadster: A Deep Dive
The winning 1936 Ford Roadster, meticulously crafted by its builders, stood out from a field of elite contenders for its entirely steel construction and unique, perfected proportions. * Chassis and Stance: The car featured a completely custom-fabricated chassis, giving it an aggressive yet elegant stance that set it apart from typical builds. * Bodywork: Every panel was massaged and modified, with subtle changes to the cowl, doors, and rear section to create a seamless, flowing aesthetic. The body was chopped and channeled to achieve its unique profile. * Engine: While performance details are often secondary to aesthetics in AMBR competition, the engine bay was a work of art, housing a powerful and highly detailed motor, often a modern V8 dressed in vintage style. * Interior: The custom interior featured high-end leather and bespoke instrumentation, maintaining a period-correct feel but executed with modern luxury and precision. * Paint and Finish: The deep, flawless paint job was a key factor, showcasing the hours of bodywork with a mirror-like finish that caught the eye of the judges. The AMBR competition is judged on a rigorous points system covering paint, interior, engine, chassis, and overall design and execution, making Ross Myers' win a testament to the highest level of craftsmanship in the hot rod community. The AMBR trophy is considered the "Oscar" of the hot rod world, and winning it on the 75th anniversary is an immortalizing achievement.Celebrating 75 Years: The Historic Feature Building
The 75th Grand National Roadster Show was a momentous occasion, and the organizers ensured the anniversary was celebrated with a scale never before seen. The centerpiece of this celebration was the massive "Feature Building," a dedicated hall showcasing the event’s incredible history. This unique exhibit, a must-see for any hot rod enthusiast, featured a collection of more than 50 past winners of the two major awards: the America's Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award.Key Historical Entities and Exhibits
The feature building served as a living museum, allowing attendees to walk through the evolution of hot rodding from the post-war era to the present day. * Original AMBR Winners: Cars from the early days when the show was known as the Oakland Roadster Show were on display, showing the raw, stripped-down style that launched the hot rod movement. * The Golden Age of Customizing: Iconic vehicles from the 1950s and 60s, including tributes to legends like George Barris, showcased the transition to elaborate custom paint and wild body modifications. * Evolution of Design: The exhibit highlighted the shift from traditional Ford-based roadsters to more diverse platforms, including Chevys and other makes, demonstrating the show's continuous embrace of innovation. * The Slonaker Legacy: The Al Slonaker Memorial Award winners were displayed, honoring the best non-roadster vehicle in the show—a category that includes everything from sedans and coupes to trucks and wagons. The sheer volume of historical vehicles provided a powerful sense of topical authority, connecting the current crop of custom cars directly to the roots of the hobby. It was a pilgrimage for builders, offering inspiration and a deep appreciation for the hot rod culture that has thrived for decades.Beyond the Roadster: The Al Slonaker Memorial Award and Other Highlights
While the AMBR award garners the most headlines, the Grand National Roadster Show is a sprawling event featuring thousands of vehicles and several other highly prestigious awards. The second most sought-after prize is the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. This award is dedicated to the best non-roadster vehicle in the show, celebrating excellence in custom cars, trucks, and other body styles. It recognizes a vehicle that exhibits the highest quality of construction, design, and finish.The 2025 Al Slonaker Memorial Award Winner
The 2025 Al Slonaker Memorial Award was presented to Bill Barbato for his stunning 1933 Plymouth Sedan. * Bill Barbato's 1933 Plymouth Sedan: This victory showcased the incredible craftsmanship applied to a less common platform, demonstrating that a true show-stopper can be built from any vintage vehicle. The Plymouth’s flawless bodywork, custom chassis, and period-perfect details earned it the prestigious title. The variety of vehicles in the running for the Slonaker award—from radical customs to meticulously restored classics—ensures that the GNRS remains a showcase for the entire spectrum of automotive passion.Other Key Entities and Event Features
The 75th GNRS was packed with other attractions, ensuring there was something for every type of enthusiast. * Suede Palace: A dedicated hall for traditional hot rods and customs, often presented in a more raw, un-finished style, paying homage to the early days of hot rodding and the rat rod aesthetic. This area provides a contrast to the high-dollar AMBR contenders. * The Show-n-Shine: Thousands of additional vehicles, from muscle cars and classic trucks to modern performance machines, were displayed outdoors across the Fairplex grounds, creating a massive community cruise-in atmosphere. * Pinstriping and Panel Jam: A popular attraction where artists demonstrated their craft, creating one-of-a-kind art pieces that were often auctioned off for charity. This is a vital part of the custom car culture. * Vendor Exhibits: Hundreds of vendors, from major parts suppliers like O'Reilly Auto Parts to small custom fabricators, showcased the latest products and technologies in the automotive aftermarket. The Grand National Roadster Show, now in its 76th year (following the 75th in 2025), continues to be the definitive event for the West Coast hot rod scene and a major international benchmark for custom car excellence. The 2025 show not only honored its past but also set a new, incredibly high bar for the quality and creativity expected from future generations of builders. The legacy of the AMBR award, the Slonaker winner, and the countless hours of dedication poured into these rolling sculptures ensure the GNRS remains a must-attend event for years to come.
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