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The custom car epicenter of the world was at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Pomona, California last weekend at The O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). The earth shook as a thundering fleet of custom cars rolled in and held court on the bucolic grounds of the Pomona Fairplex. More than 600 individual awards were presented and over 1,000 hot rods, muscle cars, and customs cars congregated together, attracting throngs of fans throughout the weekend. The show historically kicks off the classic car show season at the beginning of each year as well.
GNRS is known as “The Grand Daddy Of Them All,” but we like to think of the show as the “Academy Awards of Hot Rodding.” Whatever the nickname, I’ll go out on a limb here and say it’s the most important custom car show in the country.
GNRS is the best of yesterday resurrected for today. We loved this wild bucket that toured the show circuit in the seventies.
Although there is something for everyone at the GNRS, the show is known for its celebration of pre-war open two-seaters. The big kahuna award is America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) and competition is fierce, to say the least. This year was no different as nine incredible rods battled it out to take home the title’s $12,500 prize provided by Automotive Racing Products (ARP).
If you like oddballs and orphans, you’ll be in heaven at GNRS.
More importantly, the winner becomes immortalized on the award’s nine-foot-tall perpetual trophy alongside the titans of hot rodding, including legendary builders like George Barris, Andy Brizio, Boyd Coddington, and Troy Ladd. An interesting note for 2023, all nine AMBR contenders were Ford Roadsters, six of them were Deuces, and four were entered by the shop’s owner.
You never know what you might find when strolling the grounds of GNRS.
More recently, the Al Slonaker Memorial Award rivals the AMBR for prestige and accolades. While AMBR attracts a very specific type of car and era, the Slonaker Award includes a broader swath of builds. For 2023, eleven cars squared off, with several milestones achieved. The eclectic mix included three Buicks, a Plymouth, and a Ford Mustang. None of these three marques has ever won a Slonaker award.
Not all the eye candy at GNRS is full-size.
The weather was cool in the morning and aside from a little rain on Sunday, Mother Nature provided a sunny backdrop for the show. The Pomona Fairplex is steeped in history and is one of the crown jewels of the LA area. Its art deco exhibition halls are nestled into lush mature gardens, buzzing with the energy of a million first kisses, the smell of fresh kettle corn, and the promise of the California dream. It is the perfect backdrop to showcase the best automotive art in the world. Let’s take a look at the winners.
2023 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster – Jack Chisenhall’s 1932 Ford “Champ Duece”
Jack Chisenhall’s “The Champ Deuce,” a 1932 Ford Roadster, was crowned America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, while “X-60,” a 1960 Buick Invicta owned by George and Angela Eliacostas and built by CAL Automotive Creations won the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. Let’s take at these two big cheese awards and a peek at the “Rest of the Best.”
Chisenhall’s 1932 AMBR-winning build was an exercise in simplicity. Hot Rods are like country songs. Both genres have been strip-mined for years and being creative in either arena is tricky to pull off.
Designed and built by Chisenhall at his shop in San Antonio, Texas, the car was decades in the making. Its traditional style, elegant lines, and overall aesthetic, ultimately won over the judging panel made up of seven designers, builders, and experts. I don’t envy these judges as they have a very difficult task of choosing a winner from the best of the best.
Inspired by Tony Capanna’s Dodge-powered Indy car, and hot-rodder Jackie Howerton, Chisenhall began envisioning what would become the “Champ Deuce” in the late ‘80s and commissioned Thom Taylor to render his idea in 2000. The Ford frame ride height was locked in on May 10, 2017, and the body was mounted shortly afterward. The car eventually went to California, where Darryl Hollenbeck massaged the body and laid down the paint. Sid Chavers stitched the interior and top, while Brizio Street Rods provided support, finish details, and final assembly. Congrats to Jack and all the artisans that brought the “Champ Deuce” to life.
The Al Slonaker Memorial Award is dedicated to the memory of Al and Mary Slonaker, who founded the Grand National Roadster Show in 1949. The award has been presented to the best non-roadster vehicle at the show each year since. 1974. The 2023 winner is a 1960 Buick Invicta Custom owned by George and Angela Eliacostas and built by CAL Automotive Creations, which also received a $12,500 prize thanks to award sponsor ARP and is now permanently etched on the perpetual trophy.
2023 Al and Mary Slonaker Memorial Award – 1960 Buick Invicta, George and Angela Eliacostas, Owner, Andy Leach/CAL Automotive Creations, Builder
This George Jetson-esque 1960 Buick Invicta Custom was an absolute knockout. Tastefully modified, it features a dressed-to-the-hilt, blown Buick Nailhead V8 with some serious muscle. The cabin, by Starline Interiors, boasts rare Buick hardback bucket seats with custom pearlized leather and woven aircraft carpeting. It was so good, and so period correct, that it could have been penned by GM Design during the golden era of post-war Detroit.
Paying homage to old-school Boeing airplanes as well, its body lines have been nipped and tucked to perfection. CAL Automotive Creations mastermind Andy Leach really shines here. He is one of the hottest builders on the custom car scene today, and his appreciation of 1959/60 GM cars was crucial in bringing the Invicta X-60 into razor-sharp focus. Congrats to the team on the win!
Behind bother of these winners, were stellar contenders, and all were spectacular in their own right. Let’s zoom in and get a closer look.
2023 AMBR Runner Ups
Upper Left - 1929 Ford Roadster, J.F. Launier, Owner, JF Customs, Builder. Upper Right - 1927 Track Nose Roadster, Jon Hall, Owner, Shadow Rods, Builder. Lower Left - 1936 Ford Danny Hyde Owner and Builder. Lower Right - 1932 Muroc Roadster, Steve and Danielle Schmitt, Owners, Kugel Componants. Builder.
Upper Left - 1932 Ford Roadster, Scott Williams, Owner, Swillco, Builder. Upper Right - 1932 Ford Roadster, Ken Sapper, Owner, Dominator Street Rods, Builder. Bottom Left - 1932 Ford Muroc Roadster, Sandy Chadd, Owner, Rad Rides By Troy, Builder. Bottom Right - 1932 Ford Roadster Joe Kugel, Owner and Builder.
Al Slonaker Memorial Award Runner Ups
1956 Chevrolet Nomad – Ken Reister, Owner, Reister Rod Shop, Builder.
Upper Left - 1957 Chevrolet Coupe, Thomas Bengtsson, Owner, Graham Hot Rods, Builder. Upper Right - 1967 Mustang, Danny Schaffer, Owner, Ironworks Speed & Custom, Builder. Bottom Left, 1932 Ford - Carl Akins, Owner, Rick LeFever/Micks Paint, Builder. Bottom Right - 1949 Buick - Cody Walls, Owner, Traditional Metal Works, Builder.
1933 Ford Coupe – Bruce McDowell, Owner/Builder.
Upper Left, 1932 Ford Coupe - Steve Shock, Owner, AVS Fabrication, Builder. Upper Right - 1929 Ford Coupe - Dennis Kilpatrick, Owner, Nate's Hot Rod Garage, Builder. Bottom Left - 1937 Buick Coupe - Neil Braun, Owner, JF Kustoms, Builder. Bottom Left, 1934 Plymouth Four-Door Sedan - Lori Mabe, Owner, Roseville Rod and Custom. Builder.
Outside, the 17th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-In welcomed hundreds of hot rods, muscle cars, classics, customs, and trucks each day. Also on site were industry-leading builds like the Ringbrothers’ “ENYO” and Kevin Hart’s “Hellraiser,” along with some of the most respected custom-car builders in the industry. Our favorite attraction was an expertly curated slice of classic vans that were tucked away in one of the halls. Check ’em out.
As usual, the culture surrounding the show is worth the price of admission. Elvis and Betty Boop are channeled by showgoers, and the crowd should probably own stock in Levis, Pendleton shirts, and Vans as it is the de facto GNRS uniform. If you’re looking for merch, the show will not disappoint. Everything from hand-painted t-shirts, Rat Fink sculptures, shrunken heads, and tiki idols are available for your perusal. One of our favorite destinations is the party going on in the Suede Palace. Check out my video walkthrough up-close look!
As the cars rolled out and the 2023 GNRS came to a close, we wanted to say thanks to the Rod Shows team for another great show. The Grand National Roadster Show isn’t just a car meet, it’s the wailing wall for car lovers and a communion of spirits that unites everyone that walks onto the Pomona Fairgrounds. See you again next year, same time, same place!
