By Brian Brennan – Photography By The Author – Videography By Ryan Foss Production
Hot rodders “bench race” every year around this time. During winter or indoor car show season, any hot rod fan would love to go to sunny Southern California where they should spend three days at the Fairplex in Pomona, home of the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). Known as the “Grand Daddy of Them All,” this indoor car show is not only impressive but also features a large outdoor event that attracts Southern California’s best hot rods in all makes, models, colors, and styles. Besides being one of the largest indoor car shows worldwide, the event also hosts the Grand Daddy Drive-In. Over 900 additional cars will be displayed inside the buildings and around the event. Many of these cars are award winners from previous years.
AMBR & Slonaker Winners
While there are many “winners” at the GNRS, there are two awards in particular that everyone wants to see. Who will walk off with the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) Award as well as the Al Slonaker Memorial Award?
Taking home the AMBR award was the 1932 Ford highboy roadster called the “Blue Ribbon” owned by Nicole Baird. The roadster was built at Squeeg’s Kustoms under the careful supervision of Doug Jerger, whose shop was responsible for the design, fabrication, bodywork, paint, and final assembly. (Check out our video: https://bit.ly/40p2wV0.) Other individuals who played a significant role in making this dream come true were Jon Wright and Ogden Chrome, who handled the brightwork. The 401 Nailhead Buick was built by Roger Beckman, while Russel’s Custom Polishing managed much of the brightwork prep—including polishing the block and preparing it for its glass-smooth paint. The interior stitchwork was done by the Recovery Room. Other notable contributors included Vintage Parts of Arizona, Doug Rippie, and Kara’s Customs. The exhaust system and display were handled by Joe Spovati, while the custom top (ala Carson top) was managed by Matt Tomb.
Taking home the Slonaker award was Dennis Troggio of Tempe, Arizona, with his 1955 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia built at the shop of Buddy Hale at Type One Restorations, also in Tempe. It was several years ago that Hale and Troggio were here with a VW bug and competed. While they didn’t win, everyone who saw the “Bug” realized there was a lot more hot rod here than was given credit for.
Detail, detail, detail is the most important aspect of winning any award of this level. Of course, everything from here on down the checklist must be prepped, polished, or painted, and fabricated to the “nth” degree. Look closely at this Karmann Ghia and you will see that each hex bolt has a rosette-shaped head, custom made for this car. Can you say, “… countless hours of detail.” Each fastener’s face features a spiral to mimic the fan on the air-cooled flat-four engine. The engine is just as special as the rest of the car, as the 300hp 2,387cc engine is mated to a limited-slip transaxle.
Again, it’s in the details. Note that the headlights and turn signals were lowered slightly, almost imperceptibly, as it was merely a single inch, which Hale thought would improve the overall look. From here, the front fenders underwent the reshaping process, and nearly every panel was reworked or replaced. Literally from bumper to bumper, the horn grilles, and all the latches and locks were fabricated.
Everything on this VW was “touched” not to change it, but to improve an already-timeless design. We would call it a “job well done.”
Building 4
Building 4 also hosted the Builder of the Year honors. This year, Russell Zulim and the crew from Double Z Hot Rods received the award. Nearby was the restored Silver Sapphire, a 1932 Ford three-window coupe—the same car that once appeared on the Beach Boys’ “Little Deuce Coupe” album cover. Now owned and restored by Curt Catallo, son of Clarence “Chili” Catallo, the original builder, the car was on display and was a favorite among attendees. (Check out our video: https://bit.ly/3MLFuoj.) (More on this iconic hot rod will be featured in upcoming issues of Modern Rodding.)
Hall of Fame Inductees
The Hall of Fame dinner on Friday evening honored four inductees. Joe Compani of Compani Color (founded in 2012) spent his early years mastering all aspects of hot rod building while working at Roy Brizio Street Rods. Neil Emory, known for Valley Custom (along with Clayton Jensen), became an early legend in the hot rod industry, sculpting the hand-formed SO-CAL Speed Shop streamliner built for the late Dean Bachelor and Alex Xydias. This streamliner started setting records in 1949 and remained an iconic World Land Speed Record hot rod for years. Next was Brandon Flaner, who, after spending his youth watching, listening, and attending GNRS events, turned his enthusiasm into years of learning the hot rod trade under the mentorship of Art Himsl, Darryl Hollenbeck, and others. He later founded East Bay Speed & Custom in 2013. The final inductee of the evening, and a well-known figure in the industry, was Shige Suganuma. Shige is recognized for his significant role in fostering hot rod culture in Japan and has overseen the Mooneyes Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show for its 33-year run. Alongside his close friend Chico Kodama, the two began selling Mooneyes products in Japan. Shortly after Dean Moon’s passing, Shige purchased Mooneyes and continued Moon’s legacy.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster
Building 4, the “home” of the American’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition, is the centerpiece of the entire show. Think of it as the hub of all the event’s activities. No matter why you’re at the show or what you plan to do, at some point, you’ll walk the aisles of Building 4.
This year’s winner of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) was awarded a 9-1/2-foot-tall perpetual trophy and a $12,500 prize, sponsored by ARP, honoring the craftsmanship that has kept this award relevant and vibrant for over 70 years.
For those who aren’t aware, the Wednesday before the show’s opening is filled with anticipation, as both the AMBR judging and the Slonaker judging take place. In Building 4 you will find the AMBR roadsters, while in Building 6, top-quality vehicles of various makes, models, body styles, and creative designs are displayed, unmatched anywhere.
This year’s competition showcased nine truly incredible roadsters. Leading the judging was Brandie Laird from Bear, Delaware, with her 1932 Ford highboy phaeton built by Brookville Roadster. Next was David Pillado from Redwood City, California, with his homebuilt 1932 Ford highboy roadster powered by an Edelbrock aluminum-head Flathead V-8. Next was the race-inspired, uniquely detailed 1932 Ford highboy roadster, unveiled by local hot rodder Stan Chavik from Orange, California, and built in his shop, Hot Rod Chavik. Another California competitor was Dave Gonzales from Murrieta, who brought his fenderless 1935 Ford roadster with a handbuilt body by Marcel, constructed at Roger Burman’s shop, Lakeside Rods & Rides. The next entry was a 1933 Ford highboy roadster, built on a Speed33 body and powered by a Kaase Boss 520, owned by John Fairleigh from Scott City, Kansas, and built by Big Creek Restorations. Beth Myers from Boyertown, Pennsylvania, competed with her 1934 Ford fenderless roadster, built by Roy Brizio Street Rods, reminiscent of a Hot Rod cover car from April 1951. (Check out our video: https://bit.ly/40rQ5b4.)
Beth shouldn’t be a stranger to AMBR followers, as her husband, Bruce, won in 2025, and she herself captured the AMBR with another Brizio-built hot rod in 2024. Next was the 1932 Ford highboy roadster belonging to another female competitor, Nicole Baird from Phoenix, built at Squeeg’s Kustoms under the watchful eye of Doug Jerger—the winner of the AMBR trophy. The roadster featured stunning scallop paintwork and arguably one of the most detailed engines ever seen in competition: a Buick “Nailhead” 401. Another 1932 Ford highboy roadster (Brookville body), also Flathead-powered, equipped with ARDUN heads and a S.Co.T. blower. It was brought out by Todd Samson of Sanford, Michigan, and built at Gray’s Garage Hot Rods. Wrapping up the judging was the 1937 Ford, with an Australian body, owned by Cory Kozlowski from “North of the Border,” Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, and built by JF Kustoms.
Al Slonaker Memorial Award
Off to Building 6 to take in the sights and sounds, but also to take a long look at the cars and trucks competing for the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. The “Slonaker” is also supported by ARP, which offers a beautiful, one-of-a-kind silver cup and a $12,500 prize, all courtesy of ARP. (It’s through ARP’s generosity that both awards are kept alive and thriving.)
Competing for the Slonaker is a lineup of 12 hot rods, street machines, and trucks, all vying for the coveted Al Slonaker Memorial Award in memory of GNRS founder Al Slonaker. Like the AMBR trophy, the winner of the Slonaker will have their name engraved on a custom-made, perpetual billet trophy and receive $12,500.
Competing in the Slonaker were Peter Andersen from Adelaide, Australia, with his 1958 Corvette built by Fast Eddie’s Race Cars. Next was Brett Clemens from Beverly Hills, Florida, with his 1956 Chevy 210, built by ZRodz & Customs and equipped with an Art Morrison chassis and a 502ci big-block Chevy engine. Danny Dingillo was there with his 1941 Chevy coupe built at Mangus Interiors. The following competitor was Hank Funk of British Columbia, Canada, with his 1933 Ford fenderless three-window coupe, which he designed and built at his Hank Funk Design Studio. Representing the muscle car crowd was Matt Jewell of Davenport, Iowa, with his 1970 Chevelle built at Eddie’s Rod & Custom that sits on a Roadster Shop chassis and is powered by a twin-turbo LS3. From the workbench of Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods was the 1957 Chevy convertible of George Keys from Burbank, California. It, too, sits on a Roadster Shop chassis and sports a 1,400hp, 441-inch small-block Chevy from Nelson Racing Engines. Next up was Darryl Lee of Florence, Montana, who brought out his 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, built at Revision Rods & Rides, followed by Dennis Mayfield, who displayed his 1970 Ford F-100. Another competitor was Bob Seitsinger of Bloomfield, New Mexico, who was on hand with his 1934 Chevy Master Sedan, built by Johnny’s Auto Trim. An interesting approach was the 1951 Studebaker Champion owned by Marv Struiksma of Riverside, California, and built at Deluxe Hot Rods. Rounding out the Slonaker competitors was the homebuilt 1932 Ford five-window coupe of Jack Troupe of Madisonville, Tennessee, and Dennis Troggio of Tempe, Arizona, with his 1955 VW Karmann Ghia built at Type 1 Restorations, and the eventual recipient of the Slonaker award.
Remainder of the Show
Building 7 was open every day and featured a room filled with the best-looking hot rods, street machines, trucks, and muscle cars, all grouped together. This was followed by Building 8, where lowriders, custom boats, the West Coast Pro-Street Outlaws Club with 13 big-tire cars, and custom motorcycles were showcased. Building 9 was titled the “Fat Attack,” where a selection of Fat Fender cars from 1935-48 was displayed, including hot rods, customs, Gassers, and both race cars and lowriders.
On display were rides built by some of the best and most iconic builders, like Chip and Sam Foose, Boyd Coddington, Pete Chapouris and Jim “Jake” Jacobs, Fat Jack, Ed Pink, Pierson Brothers, and many others. There was also a tribute to the late Gene Winfield, showcasing two cars crafted by the legend. Additionally, a GNRS Hall of Fame autograph session took place on Friday.
Building 10 at The Suede Palace has become a tradition, and each year there’s always plenty to see in terms of traditional rods, customs, and sounds. A handful of rockabilly bands performed throughout the weekend. Also, a special awards presentation took place Saturday night, featuring custom-made trophies created by various car clubs.
Outside Building 3, the John Ewald Memorial Nitro Fire-Ups took place all three days. These fire-ups honor longtime drag racer and Top Fuel dragster owner John Ewald. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event.
Well, that wraps up another GNRS. It’s amazing but every year the show continues to surprise with the quality, imagination, and craftsmanship on display—and that’s why they call it “The Grand Daddy of Them All.” MR
