THE HISTORY OF AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL ROADSTER
Al & Mary Slonaker founded the Grand National Roadster Show in 1950 in Oakland, Ca, and introduced the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award. The nine-foot-tall perpetual trophy is considered the ultimate recognition in the world of Hot Rodding, especially for open cars. Open to 1937 and earlier U.S. Production based Roadsters, Roadster Pickups, Phaetons, and Touring cars, including designer roadsters that resemble 1937 or older U.S.-built roadsters. Cars cannot have side windows.
The first winner was Bill Niekamp with a 1929 Ford Roadster and has been won by some of the best builders in the country, including George Barris, John Buttera, Boyd Coddington, Roy Brizio, Troy Trepainer, and Chip Foose. The award is presented by ARP Fasteners which brings a prize of $12,500 and a replica of the nine-foot perpetual trophy. The judging is accomplished by a panel of industry experts, including builders, media members, and automotive designers.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award rules and entry information is below.
AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL ROADSTER WINNERS
1950 | Bill NeiKamp | 1929 Ford Roadster |
1951 | Rico Squaglia | 1923 Ford Roadster |
1952 | Bud Crackbon | 1925 Ford Roadster |
1953 | Dick Williams | 1927 Ford Roadster |
1954 | Frank Rose | 1927 Ford Roadster |
1955 | Blackie Gejeian | 1927 Ford Roadster (Shishkabob) *tie |
1955 | Ray Anderegg | 1927 Ford Roadster *tie |
1956 | Eddie Bosio | 1932 Ford Roadster |
1957 | Jerry Woodward | 1929 Ford Roadster |
1958 | Richard Peters | 1929 Ford Roadster Pickup (Ala Kart) |
1959 | Richard Peters | 1929 Ford Roadster Pickup (Ala Kart) |
1960 | Chuck Krikorian | 1929 Ford Roadster (Emperor) |
1961 | Rich Guasco | 1929 Ford Roadster |
1962 | George Barris | 1927 Ford Roadster (Twister T) |
1963 | LeRoi “Tex” Smith | 1927 Ford Roadster (XR-6) |
1964 | Don Tognotti | 1914 Ford Roadster (KingT) |
1965 | Carl Casper | Custom Body (Casper’s Ghost) |
1966 | Don Lokey | 1927 Ford Roadster Pickup |
1967 | Bob Reisner | Custom Body (Invader) |
1968 | Bob Reisner | Custom Body (Invader) |
1968 | Joe Wilhelm | Custom Body (Wild Dream) |
1969 | Art & Mickey Himsl | Custom Body (Alien) |
1970 | Andy Brizio | 1923 Ford Roadster Pickup (Instant T) |
1971 | Lonnie Gilbertson | 1923 Ford Roadster Pickup |
1972 | John Corno | 1930 Ford Roadster |
1973 | Chuck Corsello | 1923 Ford Roadster |
1974 | Jim Vasser | 1914 Ford Touring |
1975 | Lonnie Gilbertson | 1923 Ford Roadster Pickup |
1976 | Bob Sbarbaro | 1923 Ford Touring |
1977 | Jim Molino | 1923 Ford Roadster Pickup (Candy Man) |
1978 | Phil Cool | 1932 Ford Roadster |
1979 | Brian Burnett | 1932 Ford Roadster (Deucari) |
1980 | John Corno | 1929 Ford Roadster |
1981 | John Siroonian | 1932 Ford Roadster |
1982 | Jamie Musselman | 1933 Ford Roadster |
1983 | Chuck Lombardo | 1932 Ford Roadster |
1984 | Don Varner | 1927 Ford Roadster (California Star) |
1985 | Larry & Judi Murray | 1933 Ford Phaeton (Hot Rod Connection) |
1986 | Jim McNamara | 1933 Ford Roadster (Mere Image) |
1987 | James Ells | 1932 Ford Roadster |
1988 | Ermie Immerso | 1932 Ford Roadster (Orange Crush) |
1989 | Ermie Immerso | 1925 Ford Roadster (Golden Star) |
1990 | Butch Martino | 1932 Ford Roadster (Passion) |
1991 | Ermie Immerso | 1925 Ford Roadster (Golden Star) |
1992 | Dennis Varni | 1929 Ford Roadster |
1993 | Don Raible | 1932 Ford Roadster (Blu Steel) |
1994 | Joe MacPherson | 1929 Ford Roadster (Infinity Flyer) |
1995 | Fred Warren | 1937 Ford Roadster (Smoothster) |
1996 | Boyd Coddington | 1932 Ford Roadster (Boydster) |
1997 | Bob Young | 1932 Ford Roadster (Youngster) |
1998 | Dave Emery | 1932 Ford Roadster (Revolver) |
1999 | Fred Warren | 1933 Ford Roadster(Shockwave) |
2000 | Chuck Svatos | 1932 Ford Roadster (0032) |
2001 | Richard Berg | 1933 Ford Roadster (Impact) |
2002 | Paul Trussell | 1932 Ford Roadster |
2003 | George Lange | 1932 Ford Roadster |
2004 | Charlie Lambetecchio | 1936 Ford Roadster |
2005 | Paul & Erik Hanson | 1932 Ford Roadster (Sedeuced) |
2006 | Ken Reister | 1936 Ford Roadster (Impression) |
2007 | Kevin and Karen Alstott | 1936 Ford Roadster (Radster) |
2008 | Rudy Necoechea | 1932 Ford Roadster (Undisputed) |
2009 | Harry Willet | 1932 Ford Roadster |
2010 | Mike Dingman | 1933 Ford Roadster (Possessed) |
2011 | Daryl Wolfswinkle | 1933 Ford Roadster |
2012 | Bill Lindig | 1927 Ford Roadster |
2013 | John Mumford | 1927 Ford Roadster |
2014 | Wes Rydell | 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton |
2015 | Larry Olson | 1933 Ford Roadster |
2016 | Darryl Hollenbeck | 1932 Ford Roadster |
2017 | Bruce Wanta | 1936 Packard (Mulholland Speedster) |
2018 | Dave Martin | 1931 Ford Roadster |
2019 | George Poteet | 1936 Ford Roadster (3 Pennies) |
2020 | Monte Belsham | 1932 Ford Roadster |
2022 | Jeff Breault | 1934 Chevrolet Roadster |
2023 | Jack Chisenhall | 1932 Ford Roadster |
2024 | Beth Myers | 1932 Ford 2 Door Tub |
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award Guidelines and Rules
The winner will receive a $12,500 prize and their name on the nine-foot-tall perpetual trophy provided on behalf of award sponsor ARP Fasteners, as well as a smaller version of the nine foot trophy to take home.
- Open to 1937 and older U.S. Production based roadsters, roadster pickups, Phaetons and touring s cars including designer roadsters that resemble 1937 or older U.S. built roadsters. Cars cannot have roll up side windows.
- The vehicle must be making its debut in finished form at the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). Non-competition display of the unfinished vehicle, or any part of the vehicle (i.e. frame, engine or body) at another indoor or outdoor show (as well as online) is accepted for the purpose of promoting the entities/people involved in vehicle construction.
- Print, digital magazine, and social media build coverage is allowed as long as the vehicle is not shown in its finished state.
- No photos or video may be published of the vehicle in its finished form until after the car has been unveiled at GNRS.
- Artist conceptual renderings are allowed for sponsor proposals and builder promotions.
- The vehicle must prove to be functional. It must start, stop, move forward and backward, turn left and right under its own power before judging begins.
- The AMBR competition is a special class with outstanding awards for Engine, Interior, Paint, Detail, Undercarriage, Engineering and Display.
- AMBR entries will not be eligible for any other awards including class judging and special awards. AMBR entries will still be eligible for “pick” awards.
All entries are required to supply their own 20×20 display including floor covering, stantions and ropes or barriers.
The judging will be done by a panel of industry experts including builders, media members, and automotive designers. They will be looking at originality, style, design, craftsmanship, engineering, and functionality. The judging process starts with the car being driven in front of the judging panel at this time a representative will have the opportunity to go over the car with the judges. Judging will continue to take place with the car in its display though out the show weekend.
Please call 877-763-7469 x4 or email info@rodshows.com for a separate entry application.
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