Competing for the Slonaker plus West Coast Challenge Series, Peter Andersen’s, of Adelaide, Australia, righthand drive converted 1958 Corvette by Fast Eddie’s Race Cars and Hot Rods.
A Show Within a Show
By John Gilbert – Photography By the Author & Brian Brennan
The Grand National Roadster Show is a huge indoor event, complemented by an outdoor show, making it one of the largest car shows in the country, possibly the world. And if that’s not enough for the diehard hot rod enthusiast, there’s another component called the ARP West Coast Challenge Series (WCCS), creating a show within a show. ARP is also the proud sponsor of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition as well as the Slonaker Award.
Andersen’s 1958 Corvette rides on a Morrison chassis with chrome by Advanced Plating. It took home the Slonaker Achievement Award.
ARP’s WCCS competitors at the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) included six vehicles. In future issues, we’ll share coverage from the next four venues of ARP’s WCCS. Quoting Bob Florine of ARP, “The idea for the WCCS began as a conversation he had with John Buck of Rod Shows in 2022, with the concept debuting at the 2023 GNRS.” The WCCS offers an attractive cash prize for those who compete and do well: $12,500 for First Place, $6,500 for Second, and $3,500 for a Third Place finish.
West Coast Challenge entrant from British Columbia, Monica and Willy Fitzl’s 1937 Ford pickup by Lakeview Rod & Custom.
The three Northwest states welcome all types of modified or restored cars and trucks. To qualify for 2026, participants must attend at least four of the five ARP WCCS events. Starting in Pomona, the field for ARP’s WCCS is limited to 12 competitors. The finale for ARP’s WCCS will be held at the 75th Annual Sacramento Autorama, May 1-3, 2026.
The Fitzls’ 1937 Ford earned GNRS First Place Custom Rod Radical Pickup and was awarded Outstanding Individual Display.
Participants are eligible to win class awards and any special awards at each show. Qualified contenders for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, the Al Slonaker Memorial Award, the Rose Cup in Portland, the Spokane Cup, and the Custom D’Elegance awards are all eligible to participate in the West Coast Challenge Series.
ARP West Coast Challenge competitor Steve Castellano’s 1956 Ford F-100 panel built by Fat Fender Garage.
Competing for the Slonaker plus West Coast Challenge Series, Peter Andersen’s, of Adelaide, Australia, righthand drive converted 1958 Corvette by Fast Eddie’s Race Cars and Hot Rods.
Andersen’s 1958 Corvette rides on a Morrison chassis with chrome by Advanced Plating. It took home the Slonaker Achievement Award.
West Coast Challenge entrant from British Columbia, Monica and Willy Fitzl’s 1937 Ford pickup by Lakeview Rod & Custom.
The Fitzls’ 1937 Ford earned GNRS First Place Custom Rod Radical Pickup and was awarded Outstanding Individual Display.
ARP West Coast Challenge competitor Steve Castellano’s 1956 Ford F-100 panel built by Fat Fender Garage.
Castellano’s 1956 Ford F-100 panel won GNRS First Place Panel and was awarded Outstanding Individual Display.
The Butts’ 1957 convertible is powered by LT4 Ultimate Headers, Borla mufflers, 4L80E transmission shifted by Lokar.
Charlie and Alanna Butts’ 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible by Roseville Rod & Custom. Paint by Roseville Rod & Custom won the PPG Outstanding Paint award.
ARP West Coast Challenge competitor Chris Tulley from Kelseyville, CA, drives a 1952 Chevy 3100 pickup powered by a 525hp LS3/4L75E.
Tulley won two awards at GNRS: First Place 1948-57 “Full Custom Pickup” and Outstanding Truck.
Gary Holyoak’s big-window 1963 Chevy C10 on Roadster Shop chassis built by HS Customs, Logan, UT.
Powered by a Don Hardy LS3, Holyoak’s 1963 C10 won First Place in Full-Custom Pickup and Outstanding Individual Display at GNRS.
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