It was all there. Everything that makes for a world-class custom car show happened at the 75th Annual Sacramento Autorama, held on Cal Expo’s vast fairgrounds. Excluding the Portland Roadster Show, my assignment was to cover four of the five shows in the 2026 ARPWest Coast Challenge Series (WCCS), with the focus of reporting on the WCCS.
ARP’s WCCS opened in the final days of January 2026 at the 76th Annual Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) presented by Meguiar’s, and supported with major prize money awarded by ARP at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. From the GNRS in California, the ARP WCCS moved to the Portland Roadster Show in Oregon where it was covered by Dale Moreau.
From Portland, the series moved to Spokane, Washington, for the 10th Annual Speed and Custom Show, held entirely indoor at the Spokane Fairgrounds. With more than 400 entries from the western states and provinces on display, the Spokane show is billed as the largest all-indoor custom car show in Washington.
Returning to Oregon for the fourth show in the circuit, the 49th Annual Medford Rod & Custom Show was held at the new 140,000-square-foot, $76 million Rogue Credit Union Community Complex (Rogue X) recreational facility.
Culminating, the series returned to California for the grand finale at the 75th Annual Sacramento Autorama. WCCS participants are still eligible to win class awards and any special awards at each show. Contenders for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, the Al Slonaker Memorial Award, the Rose Cup in Portland, the Spokane Cup, Medford’s King Kahuna Award, and the Custom d’Elegance award in Sacramento are all eligible to participate in the WCCS.
This is the crème de la crème of custom car shows. These five indoor shows attract the best show vehicles in the nation, and attending one or all of them is a great way to enjoy the unique flavor local builders express in a distinctive regional style. MR
Tom and Donna Spencer’s 1932 Ford three-window coupe built in 1992 by Bob Holmes. Powered by a GMC 6-71 blown 1958 Chrysler Hemi mated to a 700-R4 and a Frankland quick-change rearend.
Fresh from the Apr. ’26 cover of Modern Rodding, Lonny Gilbertson’s stunning tribute to Larry Watson’s 1960 Thunderbird. Note the acrylic lacquer; Gilbertson’s T-bird is in PPG polyurethane, sourced from a Toyota truck color chart.
Custom-painted House Of Kolor Brandywine by John Bister, Bob and Toni Laprevotte’s 1951 Henry J, powered by a Mooneyham 6-71 blown 1957 Chrysler Hemi. Isky cam, Ross pistons, Hot Heads intake, and Sanderson headers.
Like a Duster but it’s a Dodge, Dennis and Carol Roediger’s 1971 340 Demon. Built in Michigan alongside Dusters on the Hamtramck “Dodge Main” line on May 27, 1971. Interior C52 Houndstooth bench.
Owned by Dan and Sandy Boscacci, this 1955 Chevy Cameo Carrier is one of 5,200 built and is number 3,124. It has been upgraded underhood with a 350ci small-block Chevy and a TH400. Other appointments include a Vintage Air system, a Custom Autosound stereo, and chrome by Sherm’s Custom Plating.
First Place Altered Street Coupe “Eight Stacks” by KG Kustoms and Stan Nikkel. He and his wife Ali’s Factory Five 1933 coupe is powered by a Don Hardy Race Engines V-8 that features Sherm’s Custom Plating and is minted by Ken’s Custom Auto Body.
The Sam Barris Memorial Award and Custom d’Elegance achievement plaque went to Taylor Yeager’s 1937 Lincoln Zephyr “Slymer” by Hot Rods & Hobbies. Wheels by Curtis Speed Equipment, chrome by Ogden Plating, and powered by Harrell Engines.
The 2026 Custom d’Elegance winner “The Rugierro,” Nick and Beth Rodgers’ 1936 Ford three-window coupe by South City Rod & Custom. The custom-mix paint was sprayed at Compani Color, and the brightwork was done by Sherm’s Custom Plating.
Second Place, Altered Street Coupe pre-1935, Dave and Deanna Tanner’s flamed, 2-inch-chopped, ’glass-bodied 1933 Ford three-window coupe, minted on a Total Cost Involved chassis with a Super Bell front axle and a 9-inch Ford rearend.
Craig and Jennifer Colter’s 1959 Chevy El Camino features a powertrain with a 5.3L LS and a 4L65E automatic overdrive transmission. Suspension goodies include a Global West/Airlift suspension and Wilwood disc brakes. Body and paint by Greg and Ed Wood at Rosewood Street Rods.
Paint by owner, the Joe “Candy Apple” Bailon Memorial Award and the West Coast Customs Outstanding Nostalgia Rod or Custom Award went to Ernie Enriquez’s mild-chopped 1947 Dodge coupe “Suavecito.”
“Fateful Fleetline” Custom d’Elegance achievement plaque awarded to Josh James and his 1947 Chevy Fleetline Aerosedan. Notably, the Fleetline Aerosedan came stock with a 2-inch factory-chopped top.
Steve Santos of Santos Kustoms, awarded Sacramento Autorama’s coveted 2026 Builder of the Year, picked up a Custom d’Elegance achievement plaque for his Lanny Erickson 1956 Chevy “Violet Fantasy.”
Bubba Smith’s 1949 Shoebox Ford “All Good,” trimmed by Pacos Kustom Upholstery, with an interior by Lucky 7 Kustoms. Special thanks to Marcos and the Lucky 7 crew, Cliff Mattis, Joe Lamont, Pat Davis, Mitch Kim, and others.
Mike Williams earned a Modern Rodding Editor’s Pick for his 1931 Model A coupe on 1932 framerails. Homebuilt by Williams, it features a drivetrain with a 390ci Cadillac and a 700-R4 transmission. Inside, you can see a 1940 Ford dash and steering wheel, while the Model A rides on Coker Excelsior radials.
First Place Custom Wagon went to Sam Spiegel’s 1956 Chevy Nomad. Powered by an LS3 mated to a 4L65E automatic overdrive transmission. It runs on a Pro Touring suspension by Classic Performance Products with CPP four-wheel disc brakes.
Street Sedan, pre-1935, Joe and Lori Favaloro’s genuine all-Ford steel 1934 Tudor sedan, powered by a 350 SBC mated to a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission. Weld Racing Wheels shod with BFGoodrich Radial TAs.
First Place, Rod Street Machine pre-1935, awarded to Dave Kroona’s fully flamed 1933 Willys, custom-painted by Compani Color and built by South City Rod & Custom. Chrome plating by Sherm’s and Advanced Plating.
Modern Rodding’s second Editor’s Pick, handed out during Saturday’s drive-in show, went to Randall Payne’s Burgundy Mist 1966 Olds 442, equipped with a one-year-only dealer-installed Trac Pac W30 Tri-power.
Joe Boessenecker’s 1932 Ford coupe clinched First Place in Street Coupe Pre-1935. Gennie Deuce frame with Pete & Jakes Super Bell in front and Pete & Jakes four-bar 9-inch Currie at the rear with a 355ci SBC/700-R4.
First Place Altered Roadster Pickup went to Angelo Amadeo’s Brookville-bodied 1932 Ford roadster pickup built by Roseville Rod & Custom. Pete & Jake’s chassis, ET wheels, interior by Roseville Rod & Custom
First Place Street Sedan, Pre-1935, went to Lori Mabe’s 1934 Plymouth four-door sedan in Berkeley Gray. One-off wheels and steering wheel by EVOD Industries. Restored gauges by Classic Instruments.
First Place Pro Street Truck went to Myles Rollings, a completely homebuilt BDS 6-71 blown LS1 1955 GMC shortbed Stepside. It rides on a 1981 Z28 Camaro front IFS clip with Aldan American coilover shocks. Procar by Scat bucket seats.
Well deserved, the 75th Annual Sacramento Autorama Builder of the Year went to the highly skilled custom painter and customizer Steve Santos, which included a great display of Santos’ custom car collection.
Grand Finale 2026 ARP West Coast Challenge Series
Approximately 400 miles north from where the ARP West Coast Challenge Series (WCCS) launched its show season opener at the 76th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show last January 30 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, the ARP West Coast Challenge Series (WCCS) came full circle May 1-3, 2026 for its grand finale at the 75th Annual Sacramento Autorama.
From Pomona, the 2026 WCCS crossed the California border into Oregon and arrived at the 70th Annual Portland Roadster Show. Next, the move went farther north to Spokane, Washington, for the 10th Annual Speed and Custom Show. Then the spectacular five-show series returned to Oregon for the 49th Annual Medford Rod & Custom Show.
The three Northwest states series, including California, Oregon, and Washington, is open to all types of modified or restored cars and trucks. To be eligible for 2026, participants had to attend at least four of the five ARP West Coast Challenge events. The field for ARP’s WCCS was limited to 12 competitors. Participants were eligible to win Class awards and any Special awards at each of the shows.
Qualified contenders for the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, Al Slonaker Memorial Award, the Rose Cup in Portland, the Spokane Cup and Custom d’Elegance awards, and the Medford Rod & Custom Show Big Kahuna Best of Show award are all eligible to participate in the WCCS. The top three winners for the 2026 ARP WCCS were grand champion Charlie and Alanna Butts’ 1957 Chevy convertible, First runner-up Peter Andersen’s 1958 Corvette, and Second runner-up Gary Holyoak’s 1963 Chevy C10. In alphabetical order, the contenders were Steve Castellano’s 1956 Ford F-100 panel, Monica Fitzel’s 1937 Ford pickup, Gary Polonich’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air, Mario Serrano’s 1953 Chevy Bel Air convertible, Chris Tulley’s 1952 Chevy 3100 pickup, and Homer Zamora’s 1957 Pontiac Safari.
The grapevine has it that next year the most dedicated owners who show their cars and the best of the high-end builders already have projects in the works and will debut at the 5th Annual ARP WCCS in 2027.
West Coast Challenge grand champion: Charlie and Alanna Butts’ 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible by Roseville Rod & Custom. In addition, it won First Place in Full Custom Convertible and Outstanding Individual Display.
The Butts’ 1957 Chevy convertible is powered by a Chevy LT4 with Ultimate Headers, Borla mufflers, and a 4L80E transmission shifted by Lokar.
Homer and Mary Zamora next to their 1957 Pontiac Safari, built by Kenny’s Rod Shop on a Scott’s Hotrods & Customs chassis, powered by a 6.2L LS3 engine with a 4L80E transmission.
The interior of the Zamoras 1957 Pontiac Safari was designed and upholstered by Tracy Weaver of Recovery Room Interiors. Pearl blue custom paint by Shawn McNally of Regenerated Rides.
Gary Holyoak’s Big-Window 1963 Chevy C10 on a Roadster Shop chassis built by HS Customs captured Second runner-up at the WCCS, earning $3,500, a trophy, and plaques for Outstanding Individual Display and Outstanding Paint.
Holyoak’s 1963 Chevy C10 received an Outstanding Paint Award and rolls on 20-inch Schott billet aluminum wheels shod with Michelin tires. Underhood is a healthy LS3 built by Don Hardy.
Mario Serrano’s stock 1953 Chevy Bel Air convertible won First Place in the Restored Convertible category. It was the only stocker contending for the ARP WCCS prize money. Serrano didn’t enter the WCCS competition until after showing at GNRS.
Way over the top with 1953 Chevy dealer memorabilia, Serrano’s 1953 Chevy easily took Sacramento Autorama’s Outstanding Individual Display. Super detailed underhood to stock specs, a 235ci Stovebolt (six-cylinder) with a cast-iron Powerglide tranny.
First Place Panel went to Steve Castellano’s 1956 Ford F-100 panel, built by Fat Fender Garage for the WCCS, which also won an Outstanding Paint award and an Outstanding Interior Truck award.
In the family for three generations, Castellano’s dad drove the panel throughout high school and took Castellano’s mom out for their first date in it.
The WCCS First runner-up, Peter Andersen, alongside his right-hand-drive 1958 Corvette built by Fast Eddie’s Race Cars. It rides on an Art Morrison chassis with chrome by Advanced Plating.
Prize money of $6,500 in cash and a WCCS 2026 jacket went to WCCS First runner-up Peter Andersen of Adelaide, Australia, for his subtly radical 1958 Corvette. Also won First Place in Full Sports Pre-1963.
Chris Tulley, of Kelseyville, California’s 1952 Chevy 3100 pickup “Ruby,” built by Apicella Designs, is powered by a 525hp Chevrolet Performance LS3/4L75E and a Currie 9-inch with Truetrac limited-slip and 3.50 gears.
WCCS contender Ruby, named for its stunning Lexus Ruby Flare Pearl paint, captured First Place in the Full Pickup 1947-1957 class, plus Outstanding Truck, complete with $250 cash and a commemorative plaque.
First Place, Mild Hardtop Sedan. Garry Polonich of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, entered the WCCS knowing his dad’s 1955 Chevy, custom painted in 1972, wouldn’t win. He just wanted to drive it down from Canada for each show.
Who knew a 283 Powerglide powertrain that had sat dormant for decades would reliably propel Polonich’s Bel Air through Canada in the dead of winter to compete at four of five WCCS shows?
Built by Lakeview Rod & Custom, Monica and Willy Fitzel’s House of Kolor Root Beer Pearl 1937 Ford pickup captured First Place in Radical Custom Rod Pickup, Outstanding Undercarriage, and Outstanding Individual Display.
Cab interior includes a 1940 Ford dashboard and steering wheel, metal-formed pleated door panels. Bob Campbell stitched the diamond-pleat leather upholstery. Floor shifter routes to a T5 five-speed stick overdrive trans.
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